Meanwhile, on the other side—
A naval warship was slowly sailing toward the waters of the Conomi Islands.
"Captain Smoker, the interrogation is complete. They're a group of pirates with no bounty. They just left the pirate gathering organized by the Mok Pirate Crew. It seems they don't want to participate in this pirate operation," Tashigi walked over, a hint of concern on her face.
"But it's said that the Mok Pirate Crew has gathered nearly ten thousand pirates. Even the former overlords of the East Blue, the Krieg Pirates, have set out. They're planning to attack the Conomi Islands from four different directions. What should we do now?"
"Ten thousand pirates?"
Hearing Tashigi's report, Smoker frowned deeply. He took the cigar from his mouth, his tone heavy.
"What the hell is that guy planning?"
Even for someone with DF powers like his, dealing with over ten thousand pirates would be a serious problem.
Does the 16th Marine Branch even have that many soldiers?
How could the Mok Pirates gather so many pirates under the Navy's nose?
Could it be...
"Playing with fire and getting burned?"
Did the Mok Pirate Crew betray us?
As the thought crossed his mind, Smoker's eyes narrowed, becoming cold and sharp.
"Foolish bastards!"
Then.
He turned and looked at Tashigi beside him.
"You'll lead a team of marines to the Conomi Islands to provide support. Do whatever it takes to stop all the pirates."
"I'll head to the 16th Marine Branch to intercept the East Blue's former overlord. And while I'm at it..."
A cold smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"I'll mock that idiot properly."
"Achoo!" Dande Chacher rubbed his nose and frowned. "I feel like someone's cursing me!"
"Of course they're cursing you! If I were one of those pirates, I'd curse you too. Who would've thought you were this shameless?"
Nami stood beside him, arms crossed, giving him a look of disdain.
"You're supposed to be a righteous Marine—Commander of the 16th Branch—and yet you're colluding with pirates, tricking so many of them in the East Blue."
"Aren't you a Marine of the 16th Branch too?"
"Of course I am, Captain Chacher. Hee hee hee~" Nami blinked playfully at him, a sly smile spreading across her face. But then she glanced around warily.
Especially at the countless pirate ships surrounding them...
That's right. They were no longer aboard the Mock Pirate Ship.
They had joined up with a slightly better-off pirate fleet headed toward the Conomi Islands.
"Hey, hey, hey, what now? That's a lot of pirates," Nami said, still clearly worried. "Let's not have any accidents. Nojiko and the others are still on the island... Is this really too dangerous after all?"
Though greedy for money, Nami didn't want her loved ones to be in danger.
"Relax. I promise everything will be fine," Chacher waved it off. "You have to trust me!"
He was the Marine prodigy—Dande Chacher.
After all these years, if he couldn't handle a bunch of small-time pirates, what was the point of his career?
Might as well fake an injury and go home to collect benefits!
"I told you to inform Nojiko. Did you?"
"I already did. Genzo's group is prepared too. But... do all these pirates really have to stay?" Nami frowned again, still clearly anxious. "I just hope they don't cause chaos on the island."
"We'll just spread them out when the time comes. I'll send in a few Marines too. Have the security squad and Marines monitor them together," Chacher said thoughtfully, then lifted his head to gaze at a familiar silhouette in the distance.
Conomi Islands...
Chacher stood up, stretched lazily, revealing the Marine uniform symbolizing justice on his body.
"Are we almost there? Let's go, we've got work to do! The sooner we finish, the sooner we can head back. Things will get really busy after this!"
...
"The Conomi Islands are just ahead!"
At this moment,
The pirates on the surrounding pirate ships noticed it too, especially when they saw the newly built luxury pier of Cocoyasi Town. Greed immediately appeared in their eyes.
"As Captain Mok said, Cocoyasi Town is a wealthy place. Looks like we're about to make a big score."
"Captain Mok and the captain defended us against the Marines. Now no one can stop us."
"Let's not waste Captain Mok's goodwill!"
"Captain Mok is such a good man! Everyone, charge! Rush to the Conomi Islands, grab the beauties, the berries, and the fine wine!"
The pirates all showed greedy expressions, shouting loudly, urging the helmsman to speed up. They couldn't wait anymore.
Meanwhile, on the Alvida pirate ship...
A boy with a pumpkin-shaped face was staring anxiously at the approaching Conomi Islands, pacing back and forth, muttering nonstop, "This is bad! This is bad! So many pirates, what do we do now?"
If all these pirates storm the island, the Conomi Islands will definitely become a hell.
But...
He had no choice!
No ability to stop all this.
"We have to inform the Marines stationed on the island!"
"Koby, what are you pacing around for?" A pirate on the ship looked at Koby pacing on the deck, annoyed, "Are you thinking of running away? Miss Alvida told you to behave and clean the deck quickly."
"I… am!" Hearing the scolding, a worried Koby could only lower his head and said, "I will clean the deck…"
However.
Before he could finish speaking.
"There are people ahead, people in front, that clothing… looks like… Marines?"
"Are the Marines here? Didn't Captain Mok say he would stop them?"
"How many are there? Should we run away?"
As soon as they heard about the Marines, this ragtag group immediately became nervous, their minds filled with thoughts of escape.
But.
"It seems like there are only two of them."
"What? Only two? That really scared me."
"Probably Marines patrolling the island. Everyone, charge! Don't let Captain Mok's kindness go to waste!"
"Let's teach these Marines a lesson!"
After hearing someone say there were only two Marines, the pirates got fired up again, all of them shouting angrily and raising their hands.