The Blood Axe Pirates!

"The Blood Axe Pirates?!"

Hearing the lookout's words, the burly man sprang to his feet, rushed over to him, and snatched the telescope from his hands.

When he saw the pirate ship nearby and the flag flying high above it, despair instantly covered his face.

"Damn it, how can our luck be this bad? We actually ran into the Blood Axe Pirates!"

"Fucking hell, there were reports a while ago that the Blood Axe Pirates were active near the Sabaody Archipelago. I never thought they'd still be here after so long!"

"Ah! We're really done for this time!"

"Everyone, get ready to fight! Even if we die, we'll make those bastards pay!"

The other crew members aboard the merchant ship also looked desperate. They picked up their weapons, preparing to fight the Blood Axe Pirates to the death.

But their grim, despairing faces made it clear that they held almost no hope of victory.

Watching the sudden change aboard the merchant ship, Ye Yang frowned slightly. He walked over to a crew member and asked, "Sir, who are these Blood Axe Pirates? Why are you all so afraid of them?"

The crew member turned to glance at Ye Yang, then said with a bitter smile, "The Blood Axe Pirates are among this year's pirate Supernovas. Their captain, Blood Axe Kuangsi, has a Navy bounty of 130 million Beli. Wherever they go, they don't just rob people-they kill everyone too. They're a bunch of genuine executioners... now that we've run into them, I'm afraid none of us will live to see tomorrow's sun!"

"A bounty of 130 million, huh."

After hearing the crew member's explanation, Ye Yang understood why they were so frightened.

In the first half of the Grand Line, a pirate with a bounty of 130 million could already be considered a major pirate.

That alone was enough to plunge them into despair!

Ye Yang gazed intently at the pirate ship speeding toward them nearby. After a long moment, he let out a soft breath and murmured to himself, "Fine, consider this repayment for saving my life!"

He had decided to act.

It would both repay the burly man and the others for saving his life and serve as his first live combat test of Madara Uchiha's power.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A barrage of cannon fire rang out. The Blood Axe Pirates, now less than a nautical mile away, had launched their attack.

Jet-black cannonballs hurtled toward them. One struck the merchant ship, while several others fell into the sea, making the ship rock violently.

"Damn it!" The merchant ship's captain-the burly man who had handed Ye Yang the roasted meat-watched the scene with eyes wide with fury. He raised his hand and roared, "Sailors, load the cannon! Fire back! We'll fight the Blood Axe Pirates to the death!"

Hearing their captain's orders, the sailors quickly loaded the cannon, aimed it at the Blood Axe Pirates' ship, and fired.

Boom!

But this was only a merchant ship, after all, and it carried just one cannon. Compared with a pirate ship built specifically for combat, like the Blood Axe Pirates' vessel, it fell far short.

The Blood Axe Pirates' ship carried four cannons. After only a brief exchange of fire, the merchant ship was forced onto the back foot.

Meanwhile, the Blood Axe Pirates had steered their ship closer. Everyone could see the entire crew standing on deck, their faces twisted into bloodthirsty grins!

It was the excitement... of spotting prey!

Ye Yang stood on deck, looking at all the Blood Axe Pirates aboard the ship slowly approaching them.

After a long moment, he shook his head, somewhat disappointed.

"So weak."

They were far too weak!

So weak that he couldn't muster even the slightest desire to fight!

Having perfectly inherited everything belonging to Madara Uchiha, he had also inherited the perception Madara Uchiha had honed through years of battle.

In his perception, every member of this pirate crew, whose very name terrified everyone aboard the ship, was... pitifully weak!

Even if this was only a test of his power, he subconsciously thought little of opponents like these!

"Forget it. I'll make do and test my power on them."

Ye Yang shook his head, casting off his disappointment. Then his gaze sharpened, and he pushed off the deck with both feet, soaring into the air and leaping toward the sea.

Yet he did not fall into the water. Instead, he stood steadily on its surface.

Everyone aboard the merchant ship noticed this. Their eyes widened, a flicker of joy appearing in their gazes.

"Wh-what's going on? That young man can actually stand on the sea!"

"Could he be a Devil Fruit User?"

"No, he should be with the Navy. I once saw Navy men use a move like that back in Water 7. They stood in midair, though, but it should be the same technique!"

"Wonderful! He's with the Navy! We're saved!"

On the deck of the Blood Axe Pirates' ship, a bald, burly middle-aged man built like a small giant sat in the center, a vicious smile at the corner of his mouth. Two scantily clad female pirates knelt before him, massaging his thighs.

He was the captain of the Blood Axe Pirates-Blood Axe Kuangsi!

Hundreds of pirates stood gathered around the deck, each wearing a bloodthirsty smile.

One of the pirates spoke.

"Captain, are we really heading to the New World after this job?"

Blood Axe Kuangsi turned his head toward him and said in a rumbling voice, "What? Afraid to go? Or do you think following me to the New World won't be safe?"

Hearing this, the pirate hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no, no, Captain, you've misunderstood me. I meant that with someone as powerful as you, of course we'll follow you all the way to the New World. After all, you're Blood Axe Kuangsi, the World's Strongest!"

He slipped in a masterful bit of flattery without missing a beat.

Blood Axe Kuangsi clearly enjoyed his subordinate's praise. He grinned and laughed wildly. "Hahaha! Of course! Once I, Blood Axe Kuangsi, reach the New World, those Four Emperors won't have any room left to swagger around! When we get there, I'll go straight after Whitebeard, twist his head off, and let the whole world know I'm the strongest!"

He had barely finished speaking when a mocking voice rang out.

"Someone like you is only fit to daydream."

Please bookmark this new book!

The cover artist went out on a date, so I'll get the cover made tomorrow. Also, happy Qixi Festival to all you wonderful readers! May you grow old with your loved ones and enjoy a lifetime of happiness!