Pirate: I Maxed Out Conqueror's Haki First Because I Can't Die

Xia Le looked at Rosinante's report. Only one pirate crew hadn't been crossed out in red.

"They're in Area 45!"

"It's not far from here."

Rosinante pointed out.

Xia Le looked up and sighed softly.

"Going after a pirate crew with a conscience... I have mixed feelings about it."

T Bone looked at his superior and hesitated. "Then, sir...?"

"We could use a few apprentice marines to do the odd jobs aboard our ship, couldn't we?"

Xia Le replied, sidestepping the question.

T Bone stared at him, baffled.

Rosinante laughed.

"Then I won't have to do the chores anymore!"

Xia Le scoffed.

"An apprentice marine still has to do an apprentice marine's work!"

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Rosinante."

I Thank You Very Much

Sabaody Archipelago, Area 45.

It was a sightseeing and entertainment district. Specialty shops lined both sides of its streets, normally packed with tourists and ringing with chatter. Now the air was quiet and tense.

"Evens, they're right on our heels."

A bald man with a sword at his waist spoke grimly.

"I see them. They're keeping their distance instead of attacking. They're probably waiting for stronger reinforcements."

"We don't have much time!"

Evens had a rifle slung across his back and goggles on his forehead. His voice was grave.

His sharp eyes had quickly picked up what the marines trailing them were doing, and why they had spread out so widely.

"Just our luck. We only planned to stay here one day before heading to the New World, and then this happens!"

The tall, broad-built man with dark skin spoke.

"Those bastards in the Jones Pirates did this. They're notorious villains."

"I hear their captain's a lunatic."

Another man, round and pudgy, spoke up.

The five of them walked fast, but no matter what they did, they couldn't shake the marines behind them.

Evens's expression grew grimmer. Then, all at once, he pulled the rifle from his back and raised it.

"What is it?"

The pudgy man asked.

"Marine reinforcements are here!"

Evens said.

Through his scope, he saw a young man clearly. The major who had been tracking them was saluting him respectfully.

The younger-looking man was evidently the major's superior.

Just then, one of his companions noticed something strange: the marines following them were pulling back.

"They're retreating?"

"What's going on?"

The bald swordsman sounded bewildered.

Those marines had stayed on their heels for over half a day, only to withdraw without warning.

Evens grew more tense. Through his scope, he saw the young officer suddenly lift his head and look straight toward them.

This guy...

He's dangerous!

Pure instinct sent a chill down Evens's spine.

"Word just came in. The other four Supernova pirate crews have all been captured or wiped out!"

The only woman in the group spoke in terror.

"What?"

The sudden news stunned them all.

"They're all pirates with bounties over a hundred million!"

The woman drew another breath. "And three of those crews fell to the same young officer."

At her words, Evens shifted his scope to the man's shoulder.

He quickly made out the insignia: Rear admiral.

"A rear admiral?"

The woman blinked. "How did you know?"

Sweat had already beaded on Evens's forehead.

In sheer strength, their crew was far from the strongest of the five Supernova crews. If three had fallen to that man, his power had to be terrifying.

And that meant they were in trouble.

Meanwhile, Xia Le finished speaking with the major in charge of the pursuit.

"I'll take it from here. You can pull back!"

He smiled faintly.

"Then we're counting on you, Rear Admiral Xia Le!"

The major didn't hesitate. Relieved, he turned and left at once.

He knew exactly how absurd Xia Le's recent victories had been.

Xia Le turned toward Evens. To his surprise, the man still hadn't fired.

So he began walking toward them, one step at a time.

"He's coming, Evens!"

The woman shouted.

"I can see that!"

Evens's finger rested on the trigger, but he couldn't bring himself to pull it.

Somehow, he knew that if he did, he and his companions would face a brutal end in the next instant.

Pressure washed over him, terrifying and inexplicable.

The young rear admiral had done nothing, yet Evens felt more threatened than he ever had before. Even the trigger he could usually pull with ease refused to budge beneath his finger.

"Are we fighting, Evens?"

The bald man laid a hand on the sword at his waist, his face grim.

Evens gave no answer.

In the blink of an eye, the man had drawn closer.

Then Evens saw the young rear admiral smile.

The next instant, his hand shook, and shock spread across his face.

"He... he's gone?!"

He had never faced anyone who could vanish from his sights in an instant.

Almost at once, a gust of wind struck his face. A white cape swept into view, and someone was already standing beside him.

Evens froze. By the time he realized what had happened, his face had gone pale.

"Mina!"

The bald man drew his sword and swung at the marine with a shout.

It all happened so fast that the others hadn't even reacted.

Xia Le held the Female Navigator aloft with one hand, paying no attention to the bald man's attack from behind.

As the blade cut through the air, his body suddenly tensed.

"Iron Body!"

The sword struck his back with a sharp clang.

Everyone's expression changed. Shock and disbelief surged through them.

"I'm not a patient man."

"Swing at me once more, and I'll crush her neck."

Still holding the woman up, Xia Le slowly turned around.

His gaze passed over Evens's grim face, the furious bald swordsman, and the other two, who had finally come to their senses.

"You get one chance."

"Surrender. Stop resisting."

"Or she dies first, and the rest of you follow."

Evens's expression shifted. The bald man and the others looked frantic, but there was nothing they could do.

At last, Evens sighed and lowered his rifle.

"You win!"

Xia Le smiled. There was a hint of appreciation in his eyes as he looked at them.

He released Mina and spoke evenly.

"Come with me!"

The five exchanged glances. Four pairs of eyes settled on Evens. He shook his head, warning them not to do anything rash.

Kong's assignment was complete, so Xia Le had no reason to stay.

Evens and the other four followed him in silence. Under the eyes of the many marines at the port, they were escorted aboard the warship.

"Rear Admiral Xia Le's incredible. He took down four of the five Supernova pirate crews by himself!"

"He fought Dark King Rayleigh! If he had more seniority, he'd probably have the strength to serve as an admiral!"

"I heard Rear Admiral Xia Le is Vice Admiral Garp's student, too!"

Evens and the others heard the conversation, and their expressions shifted.

He fought Dark King Rayleigh? And he's the student of Hero of the Navy Garp?

They had no idea the young marine had such a history—or such connections.

A little later, all five were aboard the warship. Rosinante took the Ship's Wheel, and they soon sailed out of the port.

"You have two choices."

Only then did Xia Le speak again.