Chapter 30 – Resolved! An Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth!
"Over there, we've figured out what happened. Mayor Cissino monopolizes the shops in Bliss Town, and his son, Bisya, is actually the captain of a pirate crew.
He plunders merchant ships in other seas and then sells the goods to the residents of Bliss Town. Our guild's low-priced goods are affecting his family's rule.
That night, Bisya first had his crew impersonate members of the merchant guild to cause trouble in town, inciting the residents' anger.
Then, they impersonated thugs and looted merchant ships, hoping to provoke a conflict between the guild and the residents and drive us out of Bliss Town."
Kro adjusted his glasses and said, "We have captured the pirates who were impersonating members of the merchant guild and obtained evidence of Bisya's crimes."
"Then what are we waiting for? Colonel Rat will surely love this gift, won't he?" Lister said.
"You mean, let the navy..."
"Crow, remember, we are a merchant guild, not law enforcement.
Before we've even established our position, who has the greater authority to declare the Sicilian family guilty—us or the navy?
For ordinary people, it's the navy, of course. Local residents will feel guilty knowing they've become accomplices to executioners, persecuting victims. If we forgive them and direct our anger at the Sicilian family, they will support us.
Civilians are victims, and so are we. Only victims can become friends."
Kro looked down; the young man before him was nothing short of a demon.
"Leave the pirates to the Navy. As for the process, who cares about the pirates' deaths? Don't forget, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth! Only blood can appease the wronged souls of the dead!"
"I understand, I'll go arrange it right away." Kro nodded.
Not long after Kro left, footsteps sounded, and Lister knew who it was without turning around.
"Is your injury healed?"
"Just a minor injury." Kuina gripped the sword "Raikiri" she had found in the sunken pirate ship, her face still cold.
"Look at this amusement park, what do you think?
Even though Arlong is a fish-man, he still knew how to enjoy himself. Once it's built, it will become a landmark of this island. But then it won't be called Arlong Amusement Park, what will it be called?"
Lister looked down at the bustling construction site. He had stopped the villagers from demolishing the half-built Arlong Paradise and persuaded them to continue. This place would become the headquarters of the Arkham Merchant Guild. Half of the spoils from the Arlong Pirates would be invested here, and the other half used for reconstructing the islands.
The Arkham Merchant Guild benefited greatly from swallowing the Arlong Pirates.
Lister turned around. Kuina still had a stern face. He smiled and said, "How about Penguin Paradise? Yes, that's it. It'll be called Penguin Paradise. Aaron Paradise brought terror and fear, but Penguin Paradise will bring happiness and laughter."
"boring!"
Kuina gazed into the distance and had to admit, the view was superb.
Lister smiled and said, "So, our swordswoman, what brings you here?"
Kuina hesitated slightly, then asked, "Is Dad alright?"
"Okay, healthy and able to eat and sleep well."
"Where is Zoro?"
"He's lively and energetic. He inherited the Wado Ichimonji style and trains day and night, making him even stronger than last year," Lister said.
Kuina gripped the "Raikiri" tightly and asked, "Between him and me, who is stronger?"
Lister scratched his head and said, "Right now, you're stronger. But as you know, Zoro's monstrous strength, combined with the swordsmanship of Isshin Dojo, will make him stronger until he reaches the bottleneck of swordsman and sword master."
"I will not lose," Kuina said firmly.
Lister laughed heartily and said, "Of course, I believe you won't lose! You're the one I chose!"
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Bliss, Town
"Hehehe… Cissino, you colluded with pirates and plundered merchant ships. Now the evidence is conclusive. What else do you have to say?" Colonel Rat looked down at the old man being held by marines, wearing a smug smile.
The townspeople, who had been watching from a distance, showed angry expressions and loudly cursed Cissino and his son.
Cissino remained calm and said, "When I learned Bisya had done something so foolish, I knew this would be the outcome. What I didn't expect was that the Arkham Merchant Guild didn't act personally but instead called in the navy. I have to admit, they are cunning. Colonel Rat, are you feeling smug? Actually, you are just a pawn in their game. The higher you climb, the harder you fall."
Colonel Rat's eyes darkened. He kicked Cissino in the chest, and the old man rolled twice before collapsing and panting.
"Old man, even on your deathbed, you still want to sow discord?"
"Hahaha…" Cissino laughed loudly.
"Take him away. What about Bisya? Has he been caught?"
"Yes, Colonel, we located his pirate ship on the other side of the island, but..."
"Just what?"
"Bisya and the pirates on the ship are all dead."
Colonel Rat squinted for a while before saying, "They all resisted during capture and were killed by the Navy, do you hear me?"
"Yes!"
Even though he was being blamed, Colonel Rat had to take the fall, which displeased him.
But upon seeing the treasure found in Sicilian's house, Colonel Rat's displeasure vanished.
Even if half of the nearly 50 million Berries earned were handed over to headquarters, 25 million would remain in the Navy's 16th Division, equivalent to the military expenditure for the first half of the year.
The Arkham Merchant Guild is much more generous than the Arlong Pirates!
---
After the naval fleet left, the Arkham Merchant Guild's ships returned to Bliss, greeted with cheers.
September was almost over; the weather was fine and sunny, with no clouds.
"Nami, hurry up, we have to go!" Nojiko ran to the hillside where Bellemere was buried.
Nami stood before the grave, reminiscing about the happy days spent with Bellemere.
"Bellemere, Arlong's crew has been defeated, the village is at peace, and people no longer have to shed blood. Ken wants Nojiko and me to go to the training camp. He says we can learn a lot there, including navigation and drawing. Ken's younger brother, Aki, will take care of the orange grove. I heard he and Mr. Arkham were pirates together, but I think they are both good people."
"Nami, it's time to go. Bellemere, goodbye. I'll take good care of Nami," Nojiko said.
"What? I don't need your help, Nojiko. Don't cry when we get on the ship!" Nami scoffed.
"You're the one who's going to cry." Nojiko punched Nami.
Nami covered her head, stuck out her tongue, and glanced at the tombstone.
"Goodbye, Bellemere!"
A three-masted sailboat was moored at the seaside.
"Goodbye, Grandpa Naki, Ken, Hui, everyone." Nojiko and Nami, carrying their little backpacks, emerged from the crowd.
"Hey you two kids, you better take good care of yourselves!"
"Nami, don't steal anything at the training camp."
Nami's face darkened, and she jumped up, "Shut up! I would never steal anything!"
"Hahaha…" The villagers burst into laughter.
Other children going to the training camp also listened to their families' advice.
"Mr. Arkham, I'm entrusting my child to you."
"Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way."
Lister smiled and said, "Don't worry, the training camp isn't a place that can eat people. They'll be back to reunite with you in five months."
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