Octagon Island has an excellent geographical location. More importantly, the island boasts seven outstanding deep-water harbors, allowing a large number of ships to dock at the same time.
Because of this, it has become one of the key hubs of the New World and serves as the main base of the Shipping King among the underground rulers.
Compared to that irritating Loan Shark King, the Shipping King has many friends. He maintains deep ties with the other underground kings and also has his own connections within both the World Government and pirate forces.
Raising banners and borrowing others' prestige, the Shipping King's position is quite secure.
It wasn't until more than a decade later, when Buggy's Delivery appeared, that the Shipping King's status was affected.
Octagon Island is also a place filled with gray industries. There are countless extravagant venues—once you step onto the island, there's always some suitable "project" ready to squeeze the Belly out of your pockets.
Vane's five ships formed a sizable fleet, with quite a few people aboard. In theory, they should have been major customers. Unfortunately, the people on board were basically paupers, having only recently transitioned from slaves to civilians. Their lives were entirely supported by Vane.
Not long ago, they had harvested over a hundred giant wild boars, so they weren't lacking food either. Octagon Island had clearly overestimated this fleet's spending power.
"That's the Rocket Team Pirates' ship, isn't it? There's even a Vice Admiral's standard warship!"
"My god, the news is true! The Marines failed to intercept them at the entrance to the New World. Only two Vice Admirals and a small portion of Marines escaped. One warship sank, and the other was captured!"
In reality, far more Marines escaped than were left behind. But as rumors spread and grew exaggerated, Vane's achievements were greatly inflated.
"A bounty of 1.1 billion Belly… If we could take him down…"
"Are you crazy?! That's a pirate worth 1.1 billion Belly!"
This world never lacks madmen. Just like when Admiral first made his debut, some random bystander tried to snipe him with a finely crafted musket.
Even an Admiral can be attacked by nobodies, let alone Vane, a "rookie" pirate with a bounty of 1.1 billion.
"Same as before. Anyone who wants to disembark will do so in batches. Make sure at least two [Pillars] remain on board at all times."
Vane wasn't bound by this rule. If he wanted to leave, he would.
He turned to the Snake Princess and asked, "Hancock, do you want to go ashore and have a look around?"
"Ah? I… I don't have any money."
"Don't worry about that. You're one of our fleet's [Pillars]. How could we not pay you a salary?"
Anyone with an official position on the ship received pay. Hancock's position was second only to the captain, so her salary was quite high.
Hancock: "I don't really have anything I want to buy. I have enough food and clothes already."
I really am a thrifty, family-oriented woman.
Vane nodded. "Alright then. I was going to invite you along."
At that moment, Bonez stepped forward. "If that's the case, then I'll—"
Before he could finish, a kick flew in from the side and struck him squarely.
There was no ability or Haki attached to it—just pure physical force.
Bonez's body was extremely tough, so he merely staggered back a few steps.
Hancock withdrew her long leg. "Bonez, you have something to do. My two younger sisters want to spar with you."
Bonez: "Shouldn't they go find Minotauros if they want a fight?!"
"They want to fight a hard-bodied man. It's an old tradition of Amazon Lily. Sandersonia, Marigold."
The two sisters quickly appeared and dragged a bewildered Bonez away.
Hancock then put on a bright smile. "Um, I suddenly remembered that I do need to buy a few things."
Do people in the pirate world really change expressions that fast?
"Then let's go take a look. Anyone without ship-guarding duties can come along."
Hearing that, Hancock looked a little aggrieved. So it wasn't just the two of them?
...
"They're quite considerate—not following us."
The women who usually loved shopping had, unusually, chosen to stay behind and guard the ship today, allowing only Vane and Hancock to disembark together onto Octagon Island.
"Yes."
Monet and Baccarat not coming down was unexpected for Hancock. She had regarded those two women as major rivals.
From Monet and Baccarat's perspective, however, Hancock was a complete novice. They figured that with just a bit of physical contact, she'd probably be utterly dazed.
They, on the other hand, had plenty of "shipboard" experience. Occasionally taking pity on a pure novice like Hancock was nothing more than charity.
"Um, Vane…"
Bang!
Just as they stepped out of the harbor, Hancock was about to say something when a faint gunshot was caught by Vane's ears. Two wisps of cold mist gathered at his fingertips, condensing into two ice crystal needles.
With a casual flick, one needle knocked the incoming bullet out of the air, while the other shot over a hundred meters and pierced the attacker's forehead.
The man instantly became a frozen corpse, standing motionless in place. From a distance, he looked alive—but up close, his skin was deathly pale, exhaling cold air.
"As expected, there are always people courting death."
Using firearms for sneak attacks is the most efficient method for ordinary people. As long as the target's physique isn't monstrously large—obviously the type that can't be killed with a single shot—
Then if the bullet hits, even someone with Armament Haki can die if they fail to activate their Haki defense in time.
It allows the weak to defeat the strong. It allows for surprise attacks.
But if the opponent is overwhelmingly powerful, then this kind of behavior is simply suicide.
"I'm sorry. I didn't notice someone trying to ambush you in time."
I really deserve to die. How could I be thinking about such random things at a time like this? Vane's safety is the most important. This is Octagon Island, where many bounty hunters gather.
Hancock slapped her cheeks lightly. How could personal feelings ever come before Vane's safety?
Her expression turned serious as she guarded him.
In truth, this was unnecessary. Vane had been keeping his Observation Haki active the entire time. Within a limited radius, anyone harboring hostility toward him would be detected.
At first, quite a few people had been watching him. A head worth 1.1 billion Belly is valuable anywhere.
After that single counterattack, the number of onlookers dropped sharply. Clearly, they had been intimidated.
"Hancock, let's buy you a couple of outfits."
Stopping in front of a clothing store, Vane spotted a style he found quite familiar.
Hancock, still focused on their surroundings, didn't react immediately. "Ah? Huh?!"
She was dazed as Vane pulled her inside, practically forcing her to try on various qipaos.
(T/N: It is cloth similar to the one she wears in the canonical storyline.)
Red, purple, white…
As expected, the qipao and the Snake Princess are a perfect match.