"Poison Smoke Pirates, Poison Cannon Sharilin, you won't escape today."
The temperature in the bar dropped sharply. White frost slowly condensed on the floor, starting from Brook and spreading inward.
"You're Brook? The Rumba Pirates' Brook? Haha~ Why are you the only one left? A lone survivor—you can go to hell too!"
Poison Cannon Sharilin laughed wildly, immediately pulled the trigger, and fired a poison gas bomb.
'Yellow Springs Ghost Qi: Blizzard Slash'
The bar instantly fell silent. Sharilin's cannon, along with his entire body, was split in half. Before any blood could spray, he was already frozen into an ice sculpture by the chilling Demon spirit energy of the Yellow Springs.
At the entrance of the bar, a large covered box lay quietly on the ground. Beside it, a thin boy of about ten years old looked on with genuine admiration at the man who had suddenly appeared behind the ice sculpture.
Crash.
There was the sound of a glass shattering and a 'gulp' as people swallowed their saliva. Looking at the icy path from the entrance to Sharilin's corpse, the chill it emitted made even the Pirate Captains present—with bounties over fifty million Berries—break out in cold sweat.
While everyone remained in stunned silence, a flash of sword light and the sound of tearing flesh followed—every member of the Poison Smoke Pirates fell, their eyes filled with terror and dread.
"Who will take Sharilin's head to the Marine Branch to claim the bounty? I only want half!"
Brook sheathed his sword and slowly walked back to the entrance, picked up the box, and sat down with Antonio at the table closest to the door. He picked up a bottle of wine and poured it into his mouth.
"Brook, Rumba Pirates' crew. I've avenged you. Rest in peace!"
Following Brook's words, the tavern finally erupted into hushed whispers and cautious murmurs. Many pirate crews discussed quietly. No one dared to touch Sharilin's frozen corpse to claim the bounty.
"You said it!"
Just as no one dared move, a short-haired girl with black hair and a cigarette in her mouth boldly hoisted Poison Cannon Sharilin's ice sculpture onto her shoulder and ran out.
The tavern instantly exploded into an uproar.
"That's it? She just ran out like that?"
Some small-time pirates slapped their thighs and clutched their heads, as if they had just missed a huge opportunity to earn 28 million Berries.
A long time passed. Many pirates thought the girl had absconded with the money and began mocking Brook for being foolish.
But then, the bar's swinging door was kicked open by the black-haired girl, who tossed a stack of Berries to the bar owner. With a cigarette in her mouth, she looked like a delinquent.
"I'm rich today—keep the change."
She gently placed the money box on the table in front of Brook.
"Want to count it? Twenty-eight million. I've already taken the other half. If you want to go back on your word, no way!"
"No need to count."
Brook took out two stacks of Berries and threw them to the bar owner.
"Body disposal fee. Please handle it yourselves."
Brook tossed the money box to Antonio and walked out of the bar, heading toward the news agency.
"Interesting, a musical adventurer? Too bad his entire crew was wiped out."
The black-haired girl watched Brook's back with interest.
"The Rumba Pirates were really annihilated. Now only Humming Brook is left to seek revenge."
"Did you see the boy with him? Is Brook going to gather new companions and sail again?"
"Humming Brook, with a bounty of 33 million Berries, just one-shot Sharilin, who had a 50 million bounty! Brook's bounty is going to skyrocket!"
"Brook has become very strong. I want to join his new pirate crew—haha~"
The pirates in the bar discussed animatedly. Some solo pirates were already thinking of joining Brook.
"Huh? Where's that short-haired girl? She disappeared. I was just about to rob her! What luck!"
"Anyone know who she is?"
"She's the intelligence gatherer of the Sabaody Archipelago, you country bumpkin pirate! Go back to your mountain hideout!"
"What did you say?! Brothers, get him!"
The tavern once again descended into chaos—while the black-haired girl had already slipped away through a back alley.
World Economic Journal Headquarters
"Brother Brook, here are some of the permanent pointers for the islands you requested. We're still searching for and purchasing the rest. And these dozen-plus Den Den Mushi are also my gift to you."
Morgans enthusiastically presented all the items he had collected and purchased, setting them in front of Brook.
"Perfect. I just killed a pirate and got over 20 million Berries in bounty. I'll leave it for you. The news agency needs funds to retain its talent."
Recently, some of the agency's members had been warned by certain scoundrels, causing a loss of talent.
"Brother Brook, no need. I still have funds! I've already prepared to move the World Economic Journal to a relatively remote island in the New World."
Morgans spoke with a heavy heart. Currently, they couldn't compete with the World Government's World Peace Dove News Agency and had no choice but to retreat.
The World Government's control over the New World was weak. Morgans believed he could survive there.
"If you trust me, relocate to Jaya Island. Above it is Sky Island. Once you control Sky Island, the Celestial Dragons won't be able to reach you."
Brook didn't want to enter the New World so soon. He needed to gather capable allies first.
"Brother Brook, do you truly believe Sky Island exists?"
Morgans wasn't doubting Brook's sincerity—he was just a rational man. There was no proof that Sky Island existed.
"Morgans, I swear on my life, Sky Island exists. And it's also Shandora, the City of Gold! It's a territory I must conquer!"
Brook made a solemn vow. He needed to ensure the World Economic Journal remained a future ally and asset.
"I believe you, Brother Brook."
Looking into Brook's deep blue eyes, Morgans clenched his teeth and resolved not to enter the New World yet. He would move to Jaya Island first. With his security team, surviving there wouldn't be a problem.
"Shaki, I heard you made over 20 million Berries. Care to share a little?"
A middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses looked at the black-haired girl with a cigarette and smiled stiffly.
"You here to buy intel? If not, get lost. I earned that in the Shambles Archipelago with my own skills—why should I give you a share?"
The black-haired girl, Shaki—future owner of Shakky's Rip-off Bar—scoffed at the leeching informant with the fake smile.
End of the Chapter.
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