> [Ding! System Task Triggered—Death Sea Surprise Race]
> [Reminder: This is a scoring task. The final reward will depend on the performance rating.]
Inside Bai Yu's mind, the familiar chime of the system notification echoed crisply.
A new system task had been activated.
According to the system's prompt, this mission was classified as a rating-based task.
Ratings ranged from D to S, evaluated according to various factors such as:
– The number of pirates apprehended,
– The strength and bounty of the pirates defeated,
– The efficiency and tactics displayed during the operation.
The higher the rating, the greater the rewards.
Bai Yu chuckled lightly after reading the system's introduction.
"Looks like my vacation's getting cut short."
Without hesitation, he accepted the task.
"Set course, Hannabal it is!" Bai Yu ordered decisively.
The warship immediately accelerated, slicing through the sea en route to the infamous pirate island of Hannabal.
---
Later That Afternoon
Because the destination wasn't too far, Bai Yu temporarily halted his blade practice.
Instead, he gathered all the naval soldiers on board into the ship's cabin.
"This operation is fraught with danger," Bai Yu began, looking across the group. "I won't be taking everyone."
"If nothing unexpected happens, only Kebi and Bellumebo will accompany me."
A wave of surprise rippled through the room.
"Only the three of us?!" Kebi and Bellumebo exclaimed simultaneously, stunned.
The Death Sea Race hosted by Hannabal was notorious—it drew pirates like moths to flame.
Let alone three people—even a fully manned Marine warship would struggle to maintain order.
Kebi and Bellumebo exchanged a look of silent dread. Deep down, both of them had a sinking feeling—Colonel Bai Yu was about to do something wild again.
"We first need to confirm whether the primary target is among the competitors," Bai Yu explained calmly.
"If we bring a full crew, we risk exposing ourselves."
"Our ship will only sail to the nearby waters. After that, we'll transfer to another vessel."
The main target for this mission: Gasparde, the ex-Navy defector turned pirate.
Catching other pirates was secondary.
Once they verified Gasparde's participation, the larger Marine units stationed at the 188th Branch would swoop in to suppress the area.
After all, the Death Sea Race had survived for years. Its organizers were not amateurs.
If the Navy launched a large-scale incursion, the pirates would scatter like seakings before an Emperor's roar.
To avoid raising suspicion, Bai Yu had decided to enter Hannabal with just two companions.
A smaller force meant a smaller footprint—and fewer people to protect.
"I get what you're saying, sir... but there are hundreds of pirates out there," Bellumebo replied, his voice a mix of concern and disbelief.
"Just three of us against that many...?"
"Colonel Bai Yu, can't we bring a few more men? Just to have backup?"
Bai Yu smirked. "What, are you scared?"
"My subordinates are supposed to be braver than that."
He crossed his arms and leaned back casually.
"Risk and reward go hand in hand. Think about it—if the three of us manage to capture Gasparde, how do you think HQ will view that?"
He paused, letting the implication settle in.
"But hey, if you're really afraid, you don't have to go."
Bellumebo's face flushed red.
"I'm in!"
"I joined the Navy to climb up the ranks! I trust Colonel Bai Yu completely!"
Kebi's reply was immediate and full of conviction.
"You...!"
Seeing Kebi accept without hesitation, Bellumebo clenched his fists.
"If he's going, I'm going too! Let's do this!"
Bai Yu nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. Then let's go over the mission plan."
---
Late That Night – A Remote Island Near Hannabal
A small warship docked in silence along the dark shoreline of a desolate island.
On the deck stood over a dozen Marine soldiers, their faces masked by moonlight.
At the forefront stood Bai Yu.
"We'll try to get to Hannabal from here," Bai Yu said.
"Once we land, you all are to depart immediately."
At his signal, the crew responded with disciplined nods.
"Move out!"
With that, Bai Yu leapt from the deck and landed gracefully on the sandy beach.
Kebi and Bellumebo followed close behind.
Once the three had disembarked, the warship weighed anchor and set sail quietly into the distance.
The coastline once again fell into stillness.
---
Having discarded their Marine uniforms to avoid unwanted attention, Bai Yu and his two companions were now dressed in plain, casual attire.
They vanished into the island's interior under the cover of night.
Kenbunshoku Haki—Observation!
Hum...!
As soon as they stepped into the forest, Bai Yu activated his Kenbunshoku Haki.
A powerful wave of perception spread outward in all directions, feeding sensory information directly into Bai Yu's mind.
The first priority: determine if other pirates were already on the island.
If possible, they could hijack a boat and make their way to Hannabal quickly.
The search lasted about an hour without incident.
Until—
Hum...!
A sudden fluctuation in his perception made Bai Yu halt.
Human presence—just ahead.
He raised his hand, signaling Kebi and Bellumebo to stop.
Then, lowering his stance, Bai Yu crept forward silently.
As he advanced, he spotted a bright firelight flickering ahead.
Laughter and drunken shouting followed.
Drawing closer, the full scene came into view:
A band of pirates were gathered around a bonfire, singing and carousing with tankards in hand.
Completely unaware of the approaching danger.
Bai Yu narrowed his eyes.
"That's them..."
In the center of the group stood a bizarre-looking pirate.
He wore a flashy, over-the-top performance outfit.
With a tall, split hairstyle, exaggerated triangular eyes, and a bright red nose.
It was the captain of the Foxy Pirates—Foxy the Silver Fox.
A known user of the Slow-Slow Fruit, with a bounty of 24 million Berries.
Surrounding him were dozens of his loyal crewmates.
Thinking quickly, Bai Yu decided against further stealth.
Considering Foxy's flamboyant and gullible nature, hiding wouldn't be necessary.
"Don't come out yet," Bai Yu whispered to Kebi and Bellumebo.
Then, he confidently stepped out into the firelight.
Hic...!
"Eh?! Who're you supposed to be? Don't think I've seen your ugly mug before!"
A drunk Foxy pirate stumbled toward him, slurring.
He reached out to sling an arm around Bai Yu's shoulders—
Only for Bai Yu to nimbly sidestep, causing the pirate to lose balance and plop onto the ground.
The commotion drew the attention of the entire group.
Suddenly, all eyes were on Bai Yu.