Pirate Crew Name: Blood Spear Pirates
Captain Title: "Blood Spear" Lugart
Bounty: 69,000,000 Beli (after retreating from the Grand Line and abandoning deeper voyages, no higher bounty was issued)
Age: 42
Origin: Former guard commander of a war-torn kingdom in the West Blue
Pathological Aesthetic: Obsessed with "elegant slaughter," deliberately controlling blood loss in battle so enemies bleed to death slowly
Psychological Profile: After suffering defeat in the Grand Line, he developed an intense hatred for the "game of the strong," turning instead to bullying the weak to numb himself
"Gern, this is the detailed intelligence on the Blood Spear Pirates." Branch Chief Asahi gently slid a kraft paper dossier across the desk, rubbing his hands together as he forced an ingratiating smile. "I had to pull some old favors from the South Blue branch just to get this internal information."
"Much appreciated." Gern took the file and flipped it open.
"Although Lugart is originally from the West Blue," Asahi leaned closer, the smell of cigar smoke mixed with cheap cologne washing over him, "he got greedy while guarding the royal family in the South Blue. He killed for profit and directly formed a pirate crew there."
Asahi tapped a red stamp on the document with a stubby finger. "See this mark? That's the 'Extremely Dangerous' seal from the South Blue branch."
Gern skimmed the pages quickly, his eyes pausing briefly on words like "Grand Line" and "sixty million Beli."
As the paper rustled, Asahi continued, "In the South Blue, this guy robbed seven merchant ships and even destroyed two Marine outposts. Extremely brutal."
"So after failing in the Grand Line, he ran back to the West Blue to bully the weak." Gern closed the file with a soft sigh.
Asahi's expression turned serious. He leaned forward, his chair creaking under his weight. "Gern, Lugart isn't anything like the twenty-million-Beli trash you've dealt with before. Anyone who managed to survive the first half of the Grand Line… even if the bounty says sixty million, his actual strength is likely much higher."
Gern's fingers tapped the tabletop unconsciously, the rhythm steady like a countdown.
He understood that well. Bounties weren't a pure measure of strength, but they were never wildly off the mark either.
"Don't worry, Branch Chief." Gern stood up, sunlight filtering through the blinds and casting striped shadows across his face. "I value my life."
"Good, good." Asahi hurriedly stood as well, his belly bumping into the desk corner without him noticing. "Once you reach Marine Headquarters, the enemies you'll face will be real monsters."
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed outside. The office door was shoved open, and Asahi's adjutant rushed in, face pale, clutching an intelligence report.
"Report, Branch Chief." His voice was tense. "West Blue, Kingdom of Asteri. Ashen Harbor has been attacked by the Blood Spear Pirates. The local militia is requesting immediate Marine support."
Asahi froze for a moment, then snapped back, the fat on his face trembling. "So soon? Didn't the intel say they were still operating near the South Blue?"
"They've clearly changed course," the adjutant replied.
Asahi slammed his fist onto the desk. "Those damned beasts. They just crawled back from the Grand Line and already they're raising hell on my turf."
Beside him, Gern's gaze sharpened as he glanced at the dossier in his hand.
"Branch Chief, please issue orders," the adjutant urged.
Asahi clenched his teeth, about to speak, when Gern had already turned and started toward the door.
"Hey, Gern." Asahi blurted out. "What are you doing?"
"Isn't it obvious." Gern didn't look back. "We're going to support Ashen Harbor."
"Wait." Asahi hurried after him. "Didn't I just tell you? The Blood Spear Pirates aren't ordinary pirates. Their strength far exceeds the trash you've handled before. And you just said you value your life."
Gern stopped and slightly turned his head.
"When I said I value my life," he said calmly, then broke into a chilling grin, "I meant that when those blind idiots run into me, they'd better treat their lives as precious. Not me."
Asahi fell silent, overwhelmed by the pressure in Gern's eyes.
"Oh, right." Gern paused with his hand on the door handle. "Thanks for the intel."
Flustered, Asahi waved his hands repeatedly. "Of course, of course. Branch 133 is counting on you."
The closing door cut off his flattery.
Asahi stood there blankly for a moment before grabbing the Den Den Mushi on his desk. "Prepare the best supplies immediately. Ensign Gern is setting sail."
In the corridor, Gern's pace quickened until he was almost running.
There was only one thought in his mind. He had to reach Ashen Harbor as fast as possible.
"Ensign Gern." Several Marines snapped to attention.
"Immediately assemble a squad and prepare a warship." Gern's voice was sharp. "Ashen Harbor is under attack. We depart in ten minutes."
The soldiers moved at once.
Gern returned to his room, grabbed the black blade Eight Desolations from the table, and secured it firmly on his back.
He drew a deep breath, cold intent flashing in his eyes. "The Blood Spear Pirates."
Ten minutes later, a warship left the harbor of Branch 133 at full speed, heading straight for Ashen Harbor.
Gern stood at the bow, sea wind brushing his face as he stared at the distant horizon, his thoughts already racing ahead.
The Blood Spear Pirates were only one step in his plan. The real challenges still lay ahead—Marine Headquarters, the monsters of the New World, and the Haki he had yet to awaken.
"Almost there." He murmured, a faint cluster of vibration particles gathering in his palm before dispersing.
"Ensign, we estimate arrival at Ashen Harbor in two hours," a soldier reported.
Gern nodded. "Notify everyone. Prepare for battle. This time, we're facing a pack of bloodthirsty pirates. Show no mercy."
"Yes." The soldier answered solemnly.
"Lugart the Blood Spear." Gern spoke the name under his breath, killing intent sharpening in his eyes. "Your head is the final credential I need to step into Marine Headquarters."