The Blood Spear Pirates

[Pirate crew: Blood Spear Pirates

Captain's epithet: "Bloodspear" Logot (Lugart the Bloodspear)

Bounty: 69 million Beli (after retreating in defeat from the Grand Line, he voluntarily abandoned further voyages into it and never received a higher bounty)

Age: 42

Origin: The royal guard of a war-torn nation in the West Blue

Twisted aesthetic: Obsessed with "elegant slaughter." In battle, he deliberately controlled how much blood his opponents lost, making them bleed to death slowly.

His defeat on the Grand Line left him with an intense hatred of "games for the strong," so he turned to bullying the weak to numb himself.]

"Gern, this is the detailed intelligence on the Blood Spear Pirates." Branch Commander Asahi slid a kraft-paper file envelope across the desk with his fingertips.

He rubbed his hands together, an ingratiating smile spreading over his face. "I specifically called in a favor from an old contact at a South Blue branch to get this inside information."

"Sorry for the trouble." Gern took the file and began reading.

"Logot originally came from the West Blue." Asahi leaned closer, bringing a waft of cigar smoke mixed with cheap perfume.

"But while escorting his country's royal family in the South Blue, greed got the better of him. He murdered them, stole their valuables, and formed a pirate crew right there in the South Blue."

As he spoke, he tapped a red stamp on the document with a short, thick finger. "See this mark? A South Blue branch stamped him 'extremely dangerous.'"

Gern skimmed the intelligence, his gaze lingering briefly on keywords such as "Grand Line" and "60 million Beli."

Over the rustle of turning pages, Asahi continued, "His crimes in the South Blue include plundering seven merchant ships and destroying two Marine Branch outposts. His methods were brutal..."

"So now he's come running back from the Grand Line to throw his weight around in the West Blue?" Gern closed the file with a soft sigh.

Asahi's plump face suddenly turned serious. He leaned forward, his chair creaking under his weight.

"Gern, this Logot is nothing like those small fry with bounties around 20 million you've dealt with before.

Someone who managed to make a name for himself in the first half of the Grand Line... his bounty might say 60 million, but his actual strength could far exceed that figure."

Gern's fingers tapped unconsciously against the desk, the rhythm like a countdown.

Of course he understood-in the original story, Luffy's bounty had only been 30 million Beli after defeating the Fish-Man Arlong.

Marine bounties had never been based solely on strength, but their estimates had never been wrong, either.

"Don't worry, Commander." Gern stood, sunlight filtering through the blinds to cast broken stripes across his face. "I value my life."

"Good! That's very good!" Asahi hurried to his feet. His belly accidentally struck the corner of the desk, but he didn't even bother rubbing it, merely smiling obsequiously.

"Once you reach Marine Headquarters, you'll be dealing with real monsters..."

As Gern and Asahi spoke, hurried footsteps approached, followed by an abrupt report that interrupted their conversation.

The office door burst open, and Asahi's adjutant rushed inside, his face full of anxiety and an intelligence report clutched tightly in his hand.

"Reporting, Commander!" The adjutant's voice was urgent and grave.

"Ashport in the Ashti Kingdom, West Blue, is under attack by the Blood Spear Pirates! The local militia has requested our assistance!"

Asahi froze for a moment, then recovered, the fat on his face trembling slightly with tension.

"That soon? Didn't the intelligence say they were still operating near the South Blue?"

"They've evidently changed course," the adjutant said.

Bang! Asahi's expression darkened instantly. He sprang to his feet and slammed his fist onto the desk.

"Those damned beasts! They've barely come running back from the first half of the Grand Line, and already they can't wait to wreak havoc on my turf!"

Beside him, Gern's gaze sharpened as he looked at the intelligence file Asahi had just given him.

"Commander, your orders!" The adjutant waited anxiously for instructions.

Asahi gritted his teeth and was about to speak, but Gern had already risen and started toward the door.

"Hey! Gern?" Asahi blinked. "What are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Gern said without looking back. "Going to reinforce Ashport!"

"Wait!" Asahi hurriedly called him back. "Didn't I just tell you?

The Blood Spear Pirates aren't ordinary pirates! They're far stronger than the small fry you've fought before!

And didn't you just say you valued your life..."

Gern stopped and turned his head slightly. "When I said that..."

Then he suddenly broke into a chilling grin. "I meant those clueless bastards should value their lives when they run into me.

They'd better hold them precious. I wasn't talking about myself."

Meeting Gern's gaze, Asahi was stunned into silence by his presence.

"Oh, right!" Gern had already turned back toward the door. He paused with his hand on the handle. "Thanks for the intelligence."

Asahi waved his hands repeatedly, looking overwhelmed by the favor. "Of course! Of course! Our Branch 133 is counting on you..."

The sound of the closing door cut off his flattery.

Asahi stood dazed for a moment, then suddenly seemed to remember something and hurriedly grabbed the Den Den Mushi on his desk.

"Hello? Prepare our best supplies immediately! Warrant Officer Gern is setting sail!"

In the corridor, Gern walked faster and faster until he was almost running.

Only one thought filled his mind: I have to reach Ashport as quickly as possible!

"Warrant Officer Gern!" Several Marines spotted him hurrying past and promptly saluted.

"Assemble a squad immediately and get a warship ready!" Gern ordered sharply.

"Ashport is under attack! We leave in ten minutes!"

The soldiers dared not delay and sprang into action.

Gern returned to his room, snatched the Black Blade Eight Desolations from the table, and secured it firmly across his back.

He took a deep breath, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "The Blood Spear Pirates..."

Ten minutes later, a warship left Branch 133's harbor, steaming at full speed toward Ashport.

Gern stood at the bow, the sea breeze brushing his face. His eyes fixed on the distant horizon, but his thoughts had already raced ahead to the future.

The Blood Spear Pirates were only one step in his plan. The real challenges still lay ahead.

Marine Headquarters, the monsters of the New World, and the Haki he had yet to awaken.

"Soon..." he murmured. A tiny cluster of vibrating particles unconsciously gathered in his palm, then dissipated in an instant.

"Warrant Officer, we expect to reach Ashport in two hours," a soldier reported as he approached.

Gern nodded and said gravely, "Tell everyone to prepare for battle.

This time, we're facing bloodthirsty pirates. Show no mercy."

"Yes, sir!" the soldier answered solemnly before turning to leave.

"Bloodspear Carlos, the last achievement I need..." Gern murmured the name, murderous intent burning in his eyes.

"Your head will be my ticket to promotion to Headquarters!"