Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the warship slowly docked at the pier.
The three-meter-wide gangway was lowered, two lines of marines stood guard with guns, their expressions solemn, and a red carpet extended directly from the top of the gangway to the shore.
Then, a figure in a white long coat leisurely strolled down from the ship.
A lean face, a goatee, eyes squinted into slits.
"Tsk, such a big show," Nami pouted, "I was expecting someone impressive, but it's just this sleazy guy, doesn't look like a good person at all."
"Shh, Nami!"
Nojiko quickly covered her mouth, "That guy is a big deal, don't say anything reckless, you'll cause trouble for Shano!"
"Hmm?"
Mouse squinted over, but didn't hear what the two little girls were saying, yet he happened to step on the edge of the red carpet, looking displeased.
He lazily waved his hand, signaling, and two marines exchanged a look, helplessly stepped forward, about to push Nami and Nojiko away.
But before they could touch them, a strong arm extended, blocking the marines' path.
"The Navy from Branch 16?"
Shano gently pushed the two marines aside, looking up at Mouse, "Colonel, sir, what's the purpose of your sudden visit here?"
"Presumptuous! Do we need to inform you civilians in advance about our Navy's actions?"
Mouse snorted coldly.
"I ask you, I've heard that the Konomi Islands were attacked by the Ah Long Pirates, and their last known location was Cocoyashi Village, so I rushed here with my subordinates to capture these pirates. Are you a resident of this village? Do you know which way those Fishmen went?"
"I don't know."
Shano shook his head.
"You don't know?" Mouse sneered without a genuine smile, "Why don't you think about it again?"
What he said earlier was obviously a lie.
More than half a month ago, Mouse received information that Ah Long, once part of the Sun Pirates, with a bounty of 20 million Belly, had led a large group of subordinates into the area under the jurisdiction of Branch 16.
How could he afford to provoke such a force?
Mouse was terrified, afraid that they would come to cause trouble, so he specifically called his former superior for advice.
His superior's attitude was very ambiguous, subtly suggesting that he should turn a blind eye.
He even specifically reminded him that Ah Long's group had a close relationship with the current Seven Warlords of the Sea, Jinbe.
The World Government's granted plunder rights to the Seven Warlords might also apply to Ah Long.
Mouse was enlightened, so for the past half month, he had contentedly played deaf and dumb, ignoring the constant emergency distress signals from the base.
Until a few days ago, he suddenly heard rumors that the Ah Long Pirates had perished near the Konomi Islands.
He was both surprised and delighted, and hurriedly set out from the base.
Now.
Seeing Shano not seeming cooperative, Mouse clicked his tongue, waved his hand to signal his men to drive away the gathering onlookers drawn by curiosity.
Then he stared at the slightly naive-looking robust young man in front of him, smiling as he said:
"Forget it, I'll be straight with you. I just received intel saying those Fishmen already died on this island. Haven't you seen their bodies?"
He extended two fingers, "Don't worry, as long as you cooperate honestly, I can give you this amount as a commendation reward for supporting the Navy's action."
"Two million Belly?" Shano raised an eyebrow.
This guy is too stingy, wanting to pocket the bounty worth over 80 million Belly but only willing to give up this little?
"It's 20 thousand Belly!"
Mouse snapped, "Look at you, so young, yet so greedy, aren't you a dreamer, do you even know that the reward I get for such a major task is at most a few hundred thousand?"
Shano inwardly sneered, who would believe that he would mobilize for such a small reward.
Most likely, he had already arranged someone to falsely claim the bounty and share it secretly afterward.
He didn't want to waste more time with this guy, intending to just leave, but worried that this guy would hassle and threaten the villagers if he went into the village, so he simply said:
"I killed them."
"Hmm?" Mouse was momentarily stunned, not reacting, "What did you say?"
"The Ah Long Pirates, from top to bottom, all sixty-seven of them, I killed them all," Shano stated blandly, turning back to call, "Scar!"
"Yes, boss!" came a gruff voice from the ship.
"Lay out these heads for Colonel Mouse to see."
"Yes, boss!"
In no time, the Fishman heads were lined up along the ship's side.
To prevent decay and stench, they were specially sealed with ice, through which they looked lifelike, many still had mouths open and eyes wide, filled with terror.
No one knew what they encountered before dying, to leave such expressions behind even after death.
"This, this..." Mouse was gobsmacked, "it's really..."
"Colonel," a lieutenant stepped forward, "shall I lead a team to verify?"
"No need!" Mouse immediately interrupted.
Having already been greedy for these Fishmen's bounties, familiar as they were, he wouldn't mistake them!
This was indeed the Ah Long Pirates, none of the bountied were missing, all here.
"Unbelievable, truly unbelievable."
Mouse laughed heartily, his attitude suddenly warming, reaching to pat Shano's shoulder.
"A hero at such a young age, to wipe out such formidable pirates alone, no wonder you all were waiting at the shore, planning to head out to collect the bounty?"
"Indeed, I've already contacted Branch 77, ready to head there," Shano casually dodged Mouse's reaching arm.
Branch 77?
Mouse widened his eyes, quickly leaned in, lowered his voice:
"Young man, you might not know the ropes, those famous Pirate Hunters find it hard enough to claim full bounties, let alone a civilian like you, don't trust Branch 77's sweet talk, by the time you get there, getting 30% of the bounty would be good enough."
Shano quietly looked at him.
"Speak directly if you have something to say."
Mouse's smile slightly stiffened, but quickly readjusted, coughing slightly, smiling as he continued:
"No rush, what I mean is, instead of running so far, why not hand over these pirates' heads to me right here, and out of our good fortune meeting, I can make an exception and give you a very nice share, split in half, half for you, half for me, what do you think?"
"..."
Shano shook his head, unwilling to engage further, turning to board the ship, "Nojiko, Nami, let's go."
"Oh! Coming!" The two little ones, engrossed in the scene, startled and quickly scampered up.
"Stop right there!"
A furious shout rang out behind, as Mouse, enraged and embarrassed, drew his gun aiming it at the trio's backs, "Out of control... who allowed you to leave!"
Shano turned his head, spotting the dark muzzle, his eyes narrowing slightly.