Neither Song Ling nor Jin Mo had any intention of retreating. After all, the whole world was watching. They were both powerful Pirate Crews, and the Sandstorm and Rakshasa Pirates were a tier below them.
Song Ling and Jin Mo both possessed Level 10 Talents and had contracted top-tier Devil Fruits—the Soul-Soul Fruit and the Float-Float Fruit, respectively.
In terms of crew strength and numbers, they far surpassed the Sandstorm and Rakshasa Pirates. Although not all their forces could be mobilized due to the limited number of ships, the two had already formed an alliance. If they were to face the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew and choose to leave now, it would be utterly humiliating.
Thus, even though the Rakshasa and Sandstorm Pirates hadn't significantly weakened the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew, they still had to press forward.
At this moment, Kaku, the leader of the Overlord Pirates' Four Great Generals and an Ability User of the Mochi-Mochi Fruit, reminded them.
"Captain, even if we can defeat them, we'll still suffer considerable casualties."
Song Ling said gravely, "Capturing Ye Yu would be worth it."
"While that's true, we have a better opportunity. If we wait until more ships are built and all our forces can be mobilized, we can act together. Even if the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew is at full strength by then, we can minimize casualties and achieve our goals. If we fight now, the casualties might be much higher than expected."
Another of the Four Great Generals, Lin Ji, an Ability User of the Squeeze-Squeeze Fruit, also chimed in.
"That's right, Captain. Ye Yu has only made three moves so far, meaning he's barely expended any energy. His strength is greater than we imagined. Additionally, the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew hasn't suffered much depletion either. While defeating them is inevitable, the cost in casualties would be significant and hardly worth it. It's best to wait until fourteen days from now, when all the auxiliary ships are completed and our full force can act together."
"With the Overlord Pirates also mobilizing their full strength at that time, we can reduce casualties and capture them."
…
Song Ling furrowed her brow. Indeed, this was the best course of action, but pride was also important.
"Enough! We've come this far; we must fight. Otherwise, we'll be laughed at by the entire world! Fleeing before even engaging? Impossible!"
Most of the crew sighed, knowing there was no changing her mind.
Similarly, most of Jin Mo's crew had also suggested waiting, but for the sake of pride, they pressed on.
Jin Mo confidently declared, "Don't worry, I won't let us suffer too many casualties. I'll show them the true power of my Float-Float Fruit."
At the same time, Jin Mo contacted Ye Ming via his phone, as they had a means of communication.
Meanwhile, Ye Yu instructed Xia Ling to assess the casualties.
Xia Ling reported, "No one has died, but over three hundred crew members are injured. As for overall depletion, the recent battle didn't cost us much."
Ye Yu nodded, his gaze cold as he looked toward the sea.
"Then, head to the shore. If they dare to come, I'll show them—and the world—my true full power!"
This declaration made Xia Ling, Zhao Yan'er, and the crew's eyes light up with anticipation.
Xia Ling arranged, "Gather at the shore. Injured crew members, stay in the rear for now and don't join the fight yet. Let Ling'er heal you first."
…
At this moment, the Rakshasa and Sandstorm Pirates looked rather comical, with everyone crammed onto a small auxiliary ship, standing in a precarious human pyramid, swaying unsteadily.
At this moment, the ringtone of the phone blared: "No one here calls you 'little brother,' because they all call you 'elementary student.' I want to ask what skills you have. He can carry your ID for a lifetime. You say you're Wild Boar Henry, but you don't have those small eyes. Not sleeping at night, you come to the matchmaking room, your voice hoarse, my little girl..."
At this time, Ye Ming was standing at the top of a human pyramid, as high as the ship's sail, feeling extremely irritated.
"Who's calling at this time?"
Ye Ming really didn't want to answer. It was quite troublesome, especially since he was already embarrassed and frustrated by this battle. Now, someone was calling at this inconvenient moment.
Jin Mo frowned: "Why so slow? Answer it quickly."
Ye Ming was about to reach for his phone when suddenly the ship collided with something. The entire human pyramid nearly toppled, and Ye Ming almost fell off, cursing angrily.
"How are you steering the ship! There are many Ability Users on board. Keep it steady!"
The helmsman hurriedly explained: "Captain, we hit a hidden reef. I'll be more careful from now on."
At the same time, he muttered under his breath: "Who told you to set such a ringtone? Don't you know it's the BGM for car accidents?"
After stabilizing himself with great effort, Ye Ming answered the phone, furious: "Who's calling me at this time? Don't you know I'm very annoyed right now?"
Jin Mo's deep voice came through: "It's me, Jin Mo, Captain of the Flying Pirates."
Ye Ming's expression softened slightly, but his tone remained harsh. If the Flying Pirates and the Overlord Pirates hadn't shown up, he would have already backed down and wouldn't have lost so much of his fighting force.
"What do you want now?"
Jin Mo proposed: "You haven't sailed far, have you? Wait for us to get closer, then turn back and join us in dealing with the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew."
Jin Mo was well aware that allying only with the Overlord Pirates to defeat the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew would indeed result in significant casualties. With the true anomalies just beginning, the seas were still home to many powerful pirate crews that were no less formidable than theirs. Not wanting to lose too many members, he made this call.
Ye Ming frowned and refused: "We're not participating in this battle."
Jin Mo sneered: "Scared already? Really going to leave? Don't you think it's shameful?"
"Shameful? Reducing casualties is what matters. Shame is nothing. The world changes every thirty years. Continuous growth is the true path. There's no need to pay such a high price for a single city. Future adventures, encountering Mystic Realms, competing for treasures, facing Sea Beasts and Ferocious Beasts—all of these require strength. The stronger we are, the more victories we can achieve, gaining experience. That's what's most important. I'm not fighting them."
Jin Mo assured him: "How about this: if we defeat them, I'll allow you and the Sandstorm Pirates to recruit some of their members. The anomalies haven't been around for long. I don't think all members of their pirate crew are willing to die. That's impossible."
Ye Ming flatly refused: "We're not participating. Don't try to persuade me. Even if we join forces to defeat the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew, they'll surely take down one pirate crew before they fall, and that would inevitably be our Rakshasa Pirates and the Sandstorm Pirates. In the end, you'll still benefit, and we'll suffer even greater losses. No more talking, I'm hanging up."
Ye Ming hung up the phone directly.
Jin Mo's face turned ugly, furious: "Coward! Scared already."
At the same time, Song Ling also contacted Sha La.
Jin Mo asked: "How did it go?"
"He disagreed."
Song Ling was also angry. Sha La's thoughts were the same as Ye Ming's.
Jin Mo snorted coldly, "It seems we can't count on them. An alliance between our two pirate crews will be enough."
Song Ling nodded, "Of course. We're getting closer to the shore, just two thousand meters left."
Jin Mo's fighting spirit surged as he shouted, "Prepare for battle! We'll take down the Dominant Feather Pirate Crew!"
Instantly, the attention of the entire world intensified, knowing that the real spectacle was about to begin.
The Overlord and Flying Sky pirate crews had already met and were advancing side by side.
Everyone was glued to the live broadcast.
"They're here."
"The Dominant Feather Pirate Crew hasn't suffered much depletion; they still chose to come."
"If they didn't come, it would be even more humiliating than the Yaksha and Sandstorm Pirates."
"If they hadn't been discovered, they might not have come. But now that they've been spotted and are this close, appearing in t
he live broadcast, leaving would indeed be too shameful."
"What kind of situation will unfold next?"
...
Everyone's anticipation grew; they would soon find out.
(End of Chapter)