It was their fifth day on Jewel Island. Pirate ships of every description filled the waters around the island. Some clearly boasted formidable firepower, while others were painful to look at-a veritable exhibition of bizarre vessels.
In the center of Jewel Island's city, right beside Jewel Peak, lay a huge pit filled with seawater channeled in through underground passages. It measured roughly a hundred meters across and more than ten meters deep.
Several tiers of circular structures surrounded the pit. The lower levels had stone foundations, while the upper levels were built of wood. More than a dozen diving boards extended over the water from different directions.
The whole structure resembled a giant aquatic gladiatorial arena. It was called the Storm Arena, and those platforms certainly weren't there for diving exhibitions.
At that moment, the Storm Arena was packed with people. Countless pirates had gathered there, unleashing more enthusiasm than they had shown since landing on the island, as though they meant to drag Jewel Island out of autumn and back into summer.
Pirate King Bloomfield occupied the central seat nearest Jewel Peak. The twelve great pirate captains and their followers occupied twelve sections to his left and right.
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!
Bwooo-bwooo-
War drums thundered and horns blared. This was a grand celebration for pirates. Some shouted and screamed, others roared with laughter, and still others hurried about selling food. At four opposite corners, the Pirate King's direct subordinates had even set up betting tables.
Everyone stared intently at the water below. Waves churned as though an enormous stick were stirring the pool.
Bang!
A spray of water erupted in the center.
"Aah!"
A man flew into the air, screaming, the saber slipping from his hand. An eight-meter-long sea monster had its jaws clamped around his lower