Looking at the Admiral standing before her with a completely serious expression, waiting for her explanation, Ain could only smile bitterly.
"Admiral Lucas, this exchange with Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach, concerns none other than the Whitebeard Pirates, one of the Four Emperors."
"At a time like this, wouldn’t it be better not to create any unnecessary complications and simply complete the exchange as quickly as possible?"
"If something goes wrong because of another incident, the consequences could be disastrous."
Standing nearby, Smoker and the others silently nodded in agreement.
Just the thought that this mission might bring them into direct conflict with one of the Four Emperors’ crews was enough to make their palms sweat.
Sensing the tense atmosphere on the deck, Lucas smiled and patted Ain on the shoulder.
"Haha, Ain, you’re right."
"Creating unnecessary trouble during a mission like this isn’t a good idea."
"But no one knows whether Blackbeard’s proposal is a trap."
"Rather than letting ourselves fall into a passive position, it’s better to understand the situation first and eliminate every unstable factor before it grows."
"And most importantly..."
"A bonus that’s delivered right to your doorstep would be a waste to turn down."
Ain’s smile became even more helpless.
When she heard the first half of his explanation, she thought she had underestimated Lucas’s abilities as the newly appointed Admiral.
Only after hearing the second half did she realize...
She had still underestimated just how obsessed he was.
Trying to reason with someone whose devotion to salary and bonuses bordered on pathological...
Perhaps she was the foolish one.
Still, Lucas’s analysis made sense.
After composing herself, Ain continued,
"Admiral Lucas, the Surveillance Den Den Mushi we’ve deployed have reported back."
"Normally, there are at least a hundred pirate ships and merchant vessels operating throughout the Chels Sea, and during peak periods, the number can exceed a thousand."
"But our latest reconnaissance found that there isn’t a single pirate ship or merchant vessel within a hundred nautical miles."
"I’m worried it’s a trap."
"Should we report this to Fleet Admiral Sengoku?"
In Ain’s eyes, clearing an entire sea area—
Even driving away the normally lawless pirates—
Was more than enough to prove that something was seriously wrong.
"Not a single pirate crew?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
In the original story, Blackbeard’s exchange with Marine Headquarters had gone fairly smoothly.
After all, his true objective had been obtaining the title of Seven Warlords of the Sea, allowing him to enter Impel Down and recruit powerful subordinates.
Now that something had changed...
Lucas immediately realized the variable was most likely himself.
Turning around, he glanced at the Tobi Roppo still tied to the ship’s mast.
His smile widened.
"Admiral Lucas..."
Ain couldn’t hold back any longer.
"That smile of yours is honestly a little unsettling."
"Did you think of something?"
"Should we inform Fleet Admiral Sengoku?"
Lucas waved dismissively.
"No."
"I just have a rather bold guess."
"Until it’s confirmed, there’s no need to bother Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
"Of course..."
"If something really does happen..."
"Then we absolutely have to make that call."
"For now, proceed according to the original plan."
"Head for Us Island."
Ain parted her lips, but the words caught in her throat.
She genuinely wondered...
When Lucas finally called Sengoku...
What exactly his true purpose would be.
Still, Lucas was the commanding Admiral.
Although uneasiness filled her heart, she could only grit her teeth and relay his orders.
As the commands were issued, the massive Marine warship surged forward once more.
The voyage to Us Island, only a few dozen nautical miles away, took less than half a day.
However, when the harbor finally came into view...
Everyone’s expressions changed.
The harbor—normally used as a Marine supply station—
Was completely packed with dozens of pirate ships.
Pirate flags fluttered violently in the sea breeze.
Many belonged to infamous captains with bounties exceeding 100 million Berries.
Such a gathering was far beyond anyone’s expectations.
"Admiral Lucas!"
Ain hurriedly spoke.
"These pirate crews usually operate independently."
"Many of them even fight each other regularly."
"The fact that they’ve suddenly set aside their differences and gathered here..."
"Can’t be a good sign."
"Should we postpone our landing and report the situation to Fleet Admiral Sengoku?"
As a probationary officer, Ain already found Lucas’s completely unpredictable style difficult enough to keep up with.
Everyone on deck immediately turned toward Lucas.
They anxiously awaited his decision.
"No."
"I already said Fleet Admiral Sengoku has enough on his plate."
"Until we know exactly what’s happening, let’s not bother him."
"If all these pirates have gathered here..."
"Then the one behind this is probably nearby."
"I’ll go see how much of a bonus he’s worth."
Lucas paused before correcting himself with a grin.
"No..."
"I’ll go see who it is first..."
"Then I’ll call the old man."
"You all stay here."
As soon as the words left his mouth—
His figure blurred.
Like a ghost, Lucas vanished from the deck.
By the time everyone reacted, he was already several hundred meters away.
His decisive speed startled Smoker and the others.
Without another thought, they hurried after him.
At the harbor of Us Island...
Thousands of pirates had gathered.
Leading them were numerous infamous captains whose bounties all exceeded 100 million Berries.
Every one of them held a newspaper bearing the portrait of the Marines’ newest Admiral—
Admiral Glutton Lucas.
"Hahaha!"
"I never imagined we’d meet Jack, one of the Beasts Pirates’ Three All-Stars, here in Paradise!"
"This is the opportunity of a lifetime for the Tiger Pirates!"
"Bah! Not just your crew’s opportunity!"
"It’s everyone’s chance!"
"Lord Jack is looking for the Marines’ new Admiral, Glutton Lucas!"
"As long as we help locate him, we’ll earn the qualification to join the Beasts Pirates!"
"Once we’re under the banner of one of the Four Emperors, we’ll be able to do whatever we want!"
"..."
The crowd erupted into excited discussion.
Thousands of pirates stood gathered in a massive circle, completely absorbed in the conversation.
None of them noticed the figures that had quietly appeared atop the nearby clock tower.
After hearing their conversation...
Smoker, Ain, and the others immediately turned pale.
Dealing with the Whitebeard Pirates alone had already placed tremendous pressure on them.
Now another Four Emperors’ crew had appeared—
And this time it was Jack, one of the Three All-Stars, with a bounty of 1 billion Berries.
The pressure felt like an enormous mountain crushing down upon them.
The possibility of clashing with two Four Emperors’ crews at once was enough to leave everyone breathless.
Smoker and the others immediately decided they had to report the situation back to Headquarters.
But before anyone could make the call—
A voice suddenly rang out from the center of the square.
"Hey, Fleet Admiral Sengoku..."
"Is the bounty for taking down one of the Three All-Stars worth a lot?"
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