52nd GR.
The open-air Sword Dao arena on the deck at the bow of the Endgame.
Shano, who had just taken a bath and was sitting under a sunshade, held a can of orange soda in one hand, while his other hand was casually open.
He watched with interest as a football-sized bubble in his hand burst with a "pop".
"What an interesting place."
Shano looked up and gazed into the distance.
The sea breeze brushed through, surrounding the giant Red Tree with countless soap bubbles floating lightly, rising, bursting, and refracting colorful halos in the sunlight.
A faint scent of resin also permeated the air, refreshing everyone who breathed it.
"We're about to dock."
Nami, leaning on the railing, looked towards the ship's helm direction and said with a chuckle, "Hey, Smoker, hurry up, give us some intel on this island."
"Huh?"
Smoker, who was steering, turned his head with a puzzled look, "Isn't this kind of thing supposed to be asked to Robin? Why ask me?"
"You make it sound like I'm all-knowing. I haven't studied this island either." Robin shook her head speechlessly.
"So, still you." Nami said, "This place is quite close to the Navy Headquarters. You should have been here when you were with the headquarters, right?"
"Passed by once when I was in the training camp."
Smoker exhaled a smoke ring, furrowing his brows in a reminiscing manner, "But didn't stay long. Teacher Zephyr only briefly introduced the place during a supply run. I'm not familiar with the specifics."
"To give a rough division, the island's 79 areas, from 1 to 29, are illegal zones where all kinds of shady industries are gathered; 30 to 49 are tourist and commercial areas with good public order, bustling and lively."
"From 50 to 59, there are shipyards and groups of coating craftsmen, and the areas from 60 to 79 mainly consist of residential zones. The naval base and a few small departments of the World Government are also distributed in those areas."
"Eh? We're supposed to dock at number 52."
Nami immediately checked the number on the giant tree, expressing surprise:
"How convenient! Once we dock, we can get coated right here instead of searching for coating craftsmen everywhere."
"Could it be..."
Smoker, speechless, pointed to his own head, "I realized that long ago and as the helmsman, I specifically chose to land here?"
"..."
Nami just realized it, her face turning red with embarrassment, causing everyone to laugh heartily.
This silly girl, how her intelligence seems to match Ah Yin more and more, Shano laughed and ruffled her hair.
He got up and came to the railing, looking down at the opposite shore, suddenly seeming to notice something, his brow arching slightly:
"There seem to be quite a lot of people coming..."
————
People crowded at the dock.
The speed at which news travels is terrifying. When the Endgame appeared in the seas off the Shampodi Islands, someone noticed it.
Thus, more and more people began to gather, each standing on tiptoe, stretching their necks.
Just to catch a glimpse of the pirate gang that, in the past half year, had shaken the Grand Line, yet had been silent for two months following Shano's death.
At this moment.
As the ship drew closer and was about to dock, the crowd erupted in exclamations.
"Here it comes, here it comes!"
"Black ship, white sail, white flag... Hey, it's really the Endgame!"
"Nonsense! Even if that man is dead, his subordinates are still very strong. How could they just disband as the rumors say? I knew it!"
Just then.
"Get out of the way! All of you, move!"
A loud shout blasted from the back of the crowd, and onlookers instinctively turned around to see a large group of aggressive pirates pushing through, each looking fierce and nasty, clearly not to be trifled with.
And the leader among this large group of pirates was a Fishman over three meters tall.
He was robust, with long green hair, wearing a military hat with two horns, his eyes lazy yet carrying a condescendent gaze, seemingly a man accustomed to looking down on others.
Wherever he passed, the crowd retreated in fear, like waves parting, leaving a clear path.
"It's that strongest Sword Master of the new generation, Sasaki!"
Someone couldn't suppress the awe in their voice, "The Super Rookie with a grand fleet under his command, with a bounty of 170 million Belly!"
"Came himself?"
Another person swallowed nervously, "Does this guy have intentions towards the Endgame Pirates?"
Very likely...
After all, the fame of the Endgame Pirates in the first half was unmatched, but their numbers had never expanded much, quite meager actually.
And their captain, Shano, was killed two months ago between the Four Emperors and the Navy Grand Admiral.
Leaderless, swaying in the storm.
It's the weakest moment for the Endgame Pirates.
If someone could wipe out this pirate gang before the Navy takes action...
There's no doubt the bounty and fame would skyrocket several levels, becoming undeniably the most dazzling existence among this batch of Super Rookies.
Moreover, they could absorb the strong ones among the remnants into their pirate gang, greatly enhancing their power and increasing their confidence in venturing into the New World.
In every aspect, it's an enticing opportunity.
However.
This opportunity might indeed be somewhat tough to bite.