At that moment—
The current captain of the Black Cat Pirates, Jango, and the former captain, Kuro, had both boarded the ship.
But from the looks of it, the Black Cat Pirates were clearly trying to hide Kuro's identity and hadn't mentioned who he really was.
But under the welcome of the Mok Pirate Crew, the two still walked inside.
Next up...
"The Nelly Pirates, not bad, they've got six million Berries."
"The Sword Pirates, thirteen million Berries, also pretty good."
"The Yag Pirates, six hundred thousand Berries, tsk!"
"..."
As more and more pirate ships approached, Nami's little notebook became densely filled with notes.
Gotta admit, bringing Nami along this time was definitely the right move.
They hadn't even begun the actual operation, and she'd already estimated their total bounty gains pretty accurately.
A huge haul!
While Nami nodded with satisfaction, jotting down bounty amounts—
At that moment.
The bright and open sea suddenly darkened, as if some enormous creature was slowly drawing near.
All the pirates instinctively turned to look in that direction.
"What is that?"
"Could it be a Sea King?"
"No way, there aren't any Sea Kings in this part of the sea... could it have accidentally wandered in?"
While everyone stared in curiosity and fear, even Nami raised her head, looking just as confused.
Suddenly.
It felt like something was heading their way.
And not just one.
"A-Are those... pirate ships?! So many pirate ships~!"
Someone must have gotten a clear look and shouted out in shock.
In that moment.
Everyone saw it.
It was... a dense cluster of pirate ships.
"That's the fleet of the East Blue Admiral—Don Krieg's Pirate Group! So many pirate ships? That's insane!"
Someone cried out in shock.
The crowd all looked up, staring at the massive black panther-shaped flagship at the front.
In that moment, everyone's faces were filled with disbelief—shock, excitement, longing, and fear. It was as if the entire crowd's attention was drawn to the slowly approaching fleet.
Chacher and Nami also looked up.
But unlike the others...
The two narrowed their eyes, and a slight smirk appeared on their lips.
A glint like Berries sparkled in their eyes, the reflection of Berries shimmering as they stared intently at the approaching Krieg Pirate Fleet.
Their expressions and smiles became almost identical in that instant.
"Commander Nami~"
As Chacher spoke with a meaningful tone—
"Understood!" Even though Chacher hadn't given any specific order, Commander Nami seemed to understand perfectly. She stood at attention and saluted, her face serious. "Captain Chacher!"
Fifty pirate ships, and that massive three-decker flagship...
How much would all of that be worth!?
The Krieg Pirates' fleet drew closer and closer, and the once-boisterous sea suddenly fell silent.
Everyone seemed stunned by the sheer size of the Krieg Pirates' fleet, staring silently in its direction.
Some pirates who were familiar with them couldn't help but gasp in awe...
As expected of the former overlord of the East Blue— The Krieg Pirates.
The former ruler of the East Blue, with a bounty of 17 million Berries.
Many had thought that after the emergence of Captain Mok, whose bounty reached a staggering 50 million Berries, the once-feared Krieg Pirates had become nothing more than a joke.
But now...
It's clear that the crew once called the Overlord of the East Blue is not to be underestimated!
Fifty pirate ships, and at the lead—a massive three-decked warship...
The strength they displayed alone was enough to leave the crowd in shock.
Many pirates even began to wonder if, with their current strength, the Krieg Pirates could once again dominate the entire East Blue.
As for the Mok Pirates...
Their captain may have a high bounty, but that's all there is to it.
After all, the Mok Pirates only have a single ship.
Standing off to the side, Chacher squinted his eyes as he watched the fleet of the Krieg Pirates approach.
He knew Admiral Krieg all too well.
Later on, Krieg would lead this fleet of fifty ships into the Grand Line, aiming to conquer it—but in just seven days, they would be utterly crushed by none other than one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—Dracule Mihawk.
Nearly the entire fleet would be wiped out, leaving Krieg with nothing.
He became known as the East Blue's most notorious squanderer.
Chacher sighed with regret in his heart, then narrowed his eyes as he stared at the fifty ships and five thousand crew members.
At this moment.
The pirates of the Mok Pirate Crew, who had already boarded, were also staring at the former East Blue overlord, a serious expression in their eyes, some even showing a faint, cold smile on their lips.
They had originally thought that this would be a grand celebration for the Mok Pirate Crew, but now it seemed… things were getting interesting.
The Mok Pirate Crew...
The Krieg Pirate Crew...
Could it be that, before the Mok Pirate Crew declared war on the Navy's 16th division, these two pirate crews would first clash?
As the largest pirates in East Blue, they certainly didn't think that the Krieg Pirate Crew, with their massive fleet, was here to assist the Mok Pirate Crew.
At this moment.
Just as the atmosphere on the ship was becoming increasingly tense.
Suddenly.
"Captain Mok has appeared!"
A startled cry rang out from somewhere on the ship.
"It's Captain Mok, the new overlord of East Blue, leader of the Mok Pirate Crew with a 50 million berry bounty!"
Instantly.
At the sound of this shout, the pirates on the ship turned their heads, their gazes, which had been focused on the Krieg Pirate Crew, now all locked onto the imposing figure walking out of the cabin of the Mok pirate ship.
It was a burly man with a bald head.
He was shirtless, showing off his well-toned muscles, wearing a yellow lion's fur cape.
The faint yellow hue and the thick mane draped around his neck seemed to emit a subtle golden glow under the sunlight.
With his mere appearance, he immediately captured everyone's attention.
The imposing and domineering figure made everyone's hearts stir with awe…
No wonder he was the highest bounty in East Blue, the new overlord of the East Blue—Captain Mok.
Especially since this is not over yet.
Everyone raised their heads, looking at Captain Mok, who stood with his arms crossed, his expression resolute, his eyes sharp, and his gaze fixed ahead.
On the left: [My fate is in my hands, not in the heavens]
On the right: [If the heavens want to destroy me, I will destroy the heavens]
Above: [Ruler of the East Blue]
Looking at the couplets on either side, everyone couldn't help but gasp.
So arrogant! So domineering! So tyrannical!
No wonder he was already being offered an unbelievable bounty by the Navy Headquarters before even leaving the East Blue... Such an arrogant and domineering appearance... No wonder he will be the pirate who will stir up the seas.
Even the former captain of the Black Cat Pirates, who had originally been sneering, couldn't help but narrow his eyes the moment Mok made his entrance.
So arrogant!
He had thought that Mok was just some lucky guy who happened to do something that angered the Navy Headquarters, leading to the astonishing 50 million bounty.
After all, this was the East Blue.
What could one possibly do to earn such a bounty?
Even if you wiped out a Navy branch, it wouldn't be possible!
But now...
**********
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