Two days later...
Ages arrived in Hannabal.
Hannabal was unusually lively at this time, with people coming and going on the streets. Every now and then, groups of people with fierce or sneaky appearances would walk along the streets, heading towards the bars.
Meanwhile, Ages, dressed in what looked like a pirate outfit, walked into a bar...
Upon entering the bar, Ages went straight to the bar counter.
Behind the bar, a dark-skinned man wiping glasses with his hands spoke to Ages.
"What would you like to drink?"
Ages didn't answer, but instead feigned excitement, then took a gold coin from his pocket, placed it on the bar, and moved it in front of the bar owner.
Seeing this, the bar owner nodded without changing his expression, then slightly turned his head and pointed behind him, signaling Ages to follow.
Ages followed the bar owner through a small door behind the bar counter and into the passageway that led to the counter.
Led by the bar owner, Ages arrived at the end of the passage.
At this moment, Ages could hear faint noises coming from the door at the end of the passage.
creak...
When the door opens...
What comes into view is a huge, opera-like place with layers upon layers of circular, multi-story buildings.
When Ages went inside, he saw that almost every available space on each floor was filled with people; as far as the eye could see, it was a sea of black.
This place is like a paradise for pirates, where they drink and talk freely without any restraint.
Looking at the sea of pirates before him and listening to the cacophony of voices, Ages's lips curled into a smile as he murmured to himself.
"Hehe, this trip was definitely worthwhile!"
After making his remark, Ages looked around and then walked towards what appeared to be a sales point.
Snap...
Ages placed a gold coin on the table.
A man dressed in various gold and silver jewels at the table glanced at the gold coins on the table, took out an Eternal Pose from under the table, tossed it to Ages, and said.
"Meet here tomorrow for the competition."
Taking the Eternal Pose, Ages turned and walked gracefully toward the front desk of a bar.
"Boss, could you tell me the number of participants in this year's Death Sea Race, and who the seeded teams are?"
After saying that, Ages handed a gold coin to the bar owner.
After putting away the Ages coins, the bar owner smiled broadly.
"Hehe, there were probably seven or eight thousand participants this year, and four teams won the championship."
"They are the fourth seed team, the Chacha Pirates, whose captain Chacha, is known as the Sea Speedboat,' with a bounty of 40 million Beli."
"The third seed team consists of the Fish-Man Race Firsa, nicknamed the Deep Sea Bomb,' with a bounty of 50 million Beli. His pirate crew is called the ' Charred Fish Pirate Map.'"
"The second seed team has only one player, and he's rumored to have eaten human flesh; his bounty is 64 million Beli —'The Gnawing Freak ' Berlinger."
"The number one seed team is awesome, the biggest favorite to win the championship. It is said that he once fought Roger at sea, although he was defeated in the end. His Daman, with a bounty of 98 million Beli, and he is the captain of the Man-Snake Pirates."
"And the Man-Snake Pirate Map also has a vice-captain with a bounty of 80 million, named Daff, who is Daman's younger brother."
"As for the others, they're all just so-so."
Upon hearing this, Ages stroked his chin and said.
"Boss, do you know exactly how much of the bounty is for these seven or eight thousand people?"
The bar owner didn't answer, but just chuckled, extending his right hand and rubbing his index finger and thumb together.
Seeing this, Ages understood and handed over another gold coin.
The shopkeeper smiled knowingly, took the gold coins, and then handed a small notebook to Ages.
Ages took the notebook, flipped through it, smiled, and left.
As dusk settled, a carpet of stars gradually spread across the night sky...
After reviewing the contents of the notebook, Ages roughly calculated the bounty distribution for this year's Sea Death Race.
There are five with bounties over 40 million Beli, ten with bounties between 10 million and 40 million, and over 200 with bounties between 1 million and 10 million. The rest are just nobodies.
After learning about the strength of the participating pirates, Ages sat on the balcony of the inn, gazing at the starry and deep night sky, and murmured to himself.
Tomorrow will be a sleepless night.
The next morning.
At this moment, the gathering place for the Death Sea Race is bustling with noise, as almost all the people on the island have come to witness this annual grand event.
Every spectator was shouting at the top of their lungs for their team, their faces flushed with excitement. Some were even shouting through megaphones, while others were banging drums and gongs.
The participating pirates were equally excited, each one seemingly on drugs, constantly interacting with their supporters.
The whole scene was incredibly lively.
Just as the enthusiastic atmosphere reached its peak, a loud voice rang out from every corner of the venue.
A host, using a radio Den Den Mushi, addressed everyone in a passionate and enthusiastic voice.
"Ladies and gentlemen! The annual Sea Death Race is about to begin!"
Wow!!
roar!!
oh!!
The host's impassioned words once again stirred the emotions of the tens of thousands of people present, raising their enthusiasm to a new level.
Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, the host waved his hand to the starting gunner beside him and shouted.
"The match begins!!!"
BOOM!!
"Charge, my men!!"
"Set sail!!"
"Go! Go!!"
As the cannons roared, all the participating pirate crews sailed their unique pirate ships out of Hannabal along the river.
Boom! Boom!
Thud! Thud!
Pirates are indeed pirates; even in a competition, they can't remain in a peaceful state. Each pirate captain ordered their ships to bombard the other pirate ships beside them.
In an instant, the sound of cannons echoed throughout the entire island.
"Men, give them a good beating! The 300 million bonus is ours, wa la la la la!"
Boom! Boom!
The Sea Death Race has begun...
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