The Marines hunt pirates, pirates plunder the merchant ships of trading companies, and merchants pay taxes to fund the Marines' operations.
Linked tightly together like interlocking chains, these three forces formed a rock-solid, triangular ecosystem across the vast oceans.
However, just as not all pirates feared the Marines, some merchant vessels harbored absolutely no fear of vicious, bloodthirsty pirates.
The flagship of the Goldglint Trading Company, the Napo, was a prime example.
Do not be fooled by the gorgeous exterior of this massive merchant ship; once you stripped away that splendid outer shell, you would find reinforced battering rams and menacing cannon muzzles. Honestly, rather than a cargo-carrying merchant vessel, the Napo looked more like a Marine battleship flying the wrong flag.
"I really don't know what Madam Emily was thinking, spending so many Berries to build a 'merchant ship' like this."
Leaning against the Napo's railing, Shuraiya felt the cool sea breeze blow against his face as he glanced down at the Eternal Pose on his wrist.
"There's still about a day's voyage left until Hannabal. I wonder how Adele has been doing these past few days."
Thinking of his younger sister, whom he had finally reunited with after eight long years of separation, a warm, tender smile spread across the trilby-hat-wearing young man's face.
After following the advice of Vice Admiral Hisoka, Shuraiya had brought his sister, Adele, to Hannabal, planning to start a new life there.
Relying on the reputation he had built up over the years and his excellent seafaring skills, the former "Pirate Executioner" had been hired by Madam Emily, the president of the Goldglint Trading Company. He became a leader within the trading company's security detail, which provided him with a stable and well-paying job.
Compared to those past years when his mind was entirely consumed by vengeance, Shuraiya preferred his life now.
It was relaxed, and it was happy.
"Right, speaking of which, that bastard Gasparde never did face the Marines' so-called 'Judgment of Justice' in the end..."
At the mention of that Marine scum with whom he shared a blood feud, Shuraiya's expression couldn't help but turn sour.
After Gasparde was captured by Vice Admiral Hisoka, Shuraiya had begged the Golden Shura to let him kill his nemesis with his own hands, but the trailing officer had refused.
Later, when Sir Crocodile attacked G-17 Base, Gasparde was released by him. He subsequently clashed with the Straw Hats in Alubarna and perished under the Sorcerer's "God-Killer Spear."
(The Sorcerer... According to the rumors I heard, he one-shotted that great pirate with a 95-million-Berry bounty with just a single blow. Hiss—what a terrifying guy...)
(Though it's a bit of a pity I couldn't get revenge with my own hands, I still owe him a proper thank you. Well, assuming I ever run into him.)
Finding the thought rather unrealistic, Shuraiya chuckled softly and shook his head.
After all, this ocean was far too vast. Meeting someone by chance was easier said than done.
"Boss Shuraiya! Boss Shuraiya!"
Just then, a sailor standing in the crow's nest at the top of the Napo's mast shouted down loudly, "A pirate ship has appeared dead ahead!"
"Pirates?" Shuraiya's expression shifted as he quickly asked, "Is their ship flying a penguin flag?"
"No, they aren't registered pirates from Hannabal."
The sailor focused his high-powered binoculars and observed for a moment. "And their pirate flag is completely unfamiliar. It's a skull wearing a straw hat. They're probably new to these waters."
"I see." Shuraiya breathed a sigh of relief. "As long as they don't attack us, leave them be... Wait, what did you just say? A skull wearing a straw hat?!"
Right as Shuraiya suddenly realized something, a deafening blast echoed from the Napo's main cannon.
"Holy crap..."
(Who fired that shot? Don't tell me it was that brat Napo again!)
A sudden gust of wind swept past, blowing Shuraiya's hat away, but he remained frozen in place like a wooden statue.
If the incoming party really was the Straw Hat Pirates he knew of, then firing this shot wasn't just kicking a hornet's nest—it was much worse.
(I have to report this to Madam Emily immediately!)
On the other side, the Straw Hats had been drenched by the splash from the cannonball.
"That was an incredibly accurate shot."
Robin measured the distance between the Going Merry and the white merchant ship with her eyes, calmly analyzing, "If it hadn't been at the absolute maximum range of their cannon, we probably would have been hit. Hehe, their cannoneer is quite skilled."
Zoro didn't say a word. He simply pulled out his bandana, wrapped it around his head, and tied it tight.
"They've got guts!" Sanji loosened his tie and lit a cigarette.
"This should be considered a declaration of war, right? Fascinating. It's my first time hearing of a merchant ship proactively attacking pirates."
Sherlock gently wiped the lenses of his prized glasses with a silk handkerchief while looking over at Luffy, smiling faintly. "What do you think we should do now, Captain?"
"Ah, though I don't know why they attacked us..."
The airheaded captain adjusted his straw hat and cracked his knuckles, his brow brimming with high spirits and fighting intent.
"But if they want a fight, we will absolutely accommodate them to the very end!"
The four strongest combatants of the Straw Hat Pirates stood side-by-side, their battle spirits burning as fiercely as a raging fire.
"Go get 'em! Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Sherlock!"
"We'll be cheering you on from back here!"
"Go team, go!"
"Hey..." x2
Watching the cowardly trio, who had slipped away to the far rear at some unknown point to wave flags and shout encouragements, Zoro and Sanji were instantly left completely speechless, dark lines of exasperation hanging over their faces.
"Still, don't you find it a bit strange?"
Robin stroked her smooth chin, a trace of suspicion flashing through her deep blue eyes. "Why did they suddenly go completely quiet after firing just one shot?"
Hearing this, Nami and the others blinked in unison. However, before they could give it much thought, the Straw Hat crew witnessed an even more bizarre sight.
The white merchant ship, which was already not too far from the Going Merry, actually began to slowly lower its flag bearing the goldglint emblem. It then furled its sails and ground to a complete halt right where it was.
"What is that ship doing? Why did it just stop out of nowhere?" Usopp asked, thoroughly bewildered.
"Could it be..." The orange-haired navigator pondered for a brief moment before covering her mouth in shock.
"Yes, they are surrendering."
Readjusting his silver-rimmed spectacles, Sherlock gave them a gentle nudge, his expression turning quite nuanced as he explained, "Lowering the flag and furling the sails is the standard protocol for a merchant vessel surrendering after being intercepted by pirates. Next, to show their sincerity, the ship's captain will likely come aboard the Going Merry as a hostage to negotiate ransom terms with us."
"Huh?!" x N
The entire crew was collectively dumbfounded. Zoro and Sanji, who had been completely geared up for a massive brawl, felt particularly deflated—like throwing a heavy punch only to hit thin air.
"Ransom?" The moment those words reached the greedy navigator's ears, she instantly entered full money-grubber mode.
"Wahahaha! Just as I thought! They must have been terrified out of their wits by the legendary name of Captain Usopp, forcing them to surrender on the spot!" (A certain long-nosed sniper's daily bragging progress: 1/1)
Chopper gasped, shivering in awe. "Whoa, really?! Usopp, you're amazing!"
"Surrender? Why would they surrender? We weren't even planning to rob that merchant ship anyway." Luffy picked his nose, looking utterly perplexed.
To be precise, this single-minded guy whose head was entirely filled with becoming the Pirate King had never once harbored the thought of plundering a merchant vessel. He truly was a breath of fresh air in the pirate world.
"They must have misunderstood something," Robin said with a soft smile.
"But even if it's a misunderstanding, I suppose this officially counts as our crew's very first robbery?"
Everyone looked at one another, completely at a loss for words.
First, they inexplicably crossed paths with a merchant ship.
Then, they inexplicably took a cannon shot.
And in the end, that merchant ship inexplicably... surrendered?
Heh, what a completely bizarre and nonsensical turn of events!
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