The Kuja Pirates.
Eilinsna, the reigning empress of Amazon Lily and captain of the Kuja Pirates, lowered her longbow. Beside her, a guard lowered her spyglass and spoke:
"Your Majesty, the Marines intercepted the attack."
"Shall we continue?"
Eilinsna frowned slightly as she looked toward the distant warship, her cool voice ringing out:
"Continue."
"Move closer and blanket them with attacks."
"Yes!"
The guard relayed the order and directed everyone to prepare for battle. Meanwhile, the Kuja Pirate Ship, towed by three enormous snakes, sped toward the warship.
Meanwhile.
The adjutant aboard the warship also lowered his spyglass. He took out the notebook he carried, turned to a page, and reported to Sakazuki:
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, the flag opposite us belongs to the Kuja Pirates."
Sakazuki spoke in an indifferent voice:
"The warrior people, the Kuja Tribe, huh?"
At Sakazuki's words, the adjutant consulted his notes and continued:
"Yes."
"According to our records, the Kuja Pirates belong to Amazon Lily, in the Calm Belt."
"Their nation was established on the island of Amazon Lily."
"It is a Pirates Nation, similar to the Flower Country."
"The Kuja Pirates are an official institution of Amazon Lily."
"They usually roam between the Calm Belt and the Grand Line."
"They plunder passing merchant ships, Pirates ships, warships, and vessels that drift into the Calm Belt."
"Towed by three enormous snakes, the Kuja Pirates' ship can enter and leave the Calm Belt freely, and at tremendous speed."
"However, because our current warships lack sufficient propulsion, and because numerous colossal sea kings gather in the Calm Belt, among other factors, every pursuit recorded by headquarters has ended in failure."
Sakazuki nodded. That was true.
Vegapunk had yet to make a name for himself. Seastone-equipped warships would only be developed a few years before the story began.
The Calm Belt teemed with colossal sea kings, many as large as an island.
If they encountered one, senior officers might survive, but the soldiers would certainly die.
Without seastone-equipped warships, sea kings could attack their vessels at any moment.
And with the Kuja Tribe so familiar with the waters of the Calm Belt, failed pursuits were inevitable.
"Furthermore, according to the records, the Kuja Pirates always launch a surprise probing attack before each raid."
"If the attack hits, they launch a rapid barrage within minutes."
"This allows them to gauge their target's strength."
"If they have an overwhelming advantage, they immediately board the ship, slaughter the crew, and plunder it."
"If the first probing attack is blocked, however,"
"They use Haki-coated arrows alongside cannon fire to blanket the target from a distance and destroy the ship."
"If that proves ineffective, they retreat."
"That is another reason the Kuja Pirates are so difficult to deal with."
After reading the final word of the report, the adjutant closed his notebook and looked at Sakazuki, awaiting orders.
"Ranged attacks, huh."
Sakazuki considered what he had heard, then said:
"Use our cannons to keep the Kuja Pirates beyond a set distance."
"Keep their cannons out of range."
"As for the arrows, have these boys coat their defenses with Haki and block them."
"Yes!"
Marine cannons had a much longer range than Pirates cannons. The adjutant acknowledged the order.
He then went to inform the gunners and the exhausted young men.
Sakazuki, meanwhile, climbed to the warship's highest deck.
Watching the enormous, old-fashioned ship drawn by giant snakes grow steadily larger, he unleashed his Observation Haki.
Figures and their positions appeared one after another in his mind.
"Hmph!"
A cold snort rang out aboard the Kuja Pirate Ship.
Eilinsna's expression darkened slightly, and a surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted from her, enveloping the entire Pirates ship.
It disrupted Sakazuki's Observation Haki over that area, interfering with his perception.
Everyone aboard the Kuja Pirate Ship was slightly startled, unsure why their empress had suddenly unleashed her Conqueror's Haki.
Just then, a guard stepped forward to report:
"Your Majesty, we are about to enter attack range."
Eilinsna nodded slightly, then spoke in her cool voice:
"Launch one probing volley. They have a powerful fighter aboard."
"If it fails, then..."
Boom! Boom!! Boom!!!
Before you continue