“Tsk, tsk.
Looking at how heavily armed they are, they definitely don’t seem like they’re here to welcome us.” “Exactly.
If anything, they look more like they’re here to pick a fight.” The crew chatted and laughed among themselves.
Meanwhile, Carnes only cared about one thing— Why hadn’t his new crew member appeared yet?
Did he actually need to step onto the island first?
Just as that thought crossed his mind— The militia carrying torches arrived at the shoreline.
There were quite a few of them, around thirty in total.
In fact, they outnumbered the members of the Pale Emperor Pirates currently gathered on the beach.
They spread out into formation, creating a barrier that blocked the only path onto the island.
“Hey!
Are you here to welcome us?” Even though he could already tell their intentions, one of the pirates still shouted the question with a teasing grin.
As expected, the moment he spoke, Nisen immediately responded in a loud voice.
“This island does not welcome you!” “Leave immediately!” “As long as we’re here, you won’t take a single step onto this island!” Hearing Nisen’s bold declaration, the crew members of the Pale Emperor Pirates were briefly stunned.
Then, after processing his words, a portion of them secretly began rubbing their hands together excitedly.
“Wow~ This old guy’s got some backbone.
I like him!” “Now that’s what I call guts!
I respect that!” “So we’re fighting, right?” “We’re definitely fighting now, right?” “There’s no room for negotiation anymore, is there?” Another group quietly moved toward the back of the crowd, stealthily drawing the swords at their waists, waiting only for an order before charging forward.
At that moment, one of the high-level crew members glanced toward Carnes.
Carnes looked at the people blocking their path before turning to him.
“Weren’t you all complaining about having nothing to do earlier?” “In the future, you can handle situations like this yourselves.” “But remember one thing.” “We came here to pick someone up.” “Don’t do something idiotic like retreating with the whole crew just because someone says a few reasonable words.” Seeing Carnes delegate authority, the high-level crew member immediately broke into a cheerful smile.
“Leave it to us, Captain!” “We’d never do something like that.” “No matter what we do, we’ll uphold the dignity and reputation of the Pale Emperor Pirates.” The moment he said those two sentences, the crew members who had been preparing to rush Nisen immediately stopped themselves.
Each of them found themselves thinking the same thing.
“If we charge in right now…
would that seem undignified?” “Maybe we should wait a little longer.” At that moment, the high-level crew member turned back toward Nisen and the others.
“Then, according to tradition, let’s negotiate first.” A friendly smile appeared on his face.
“Hey!
You people down there.” “We’re here to pick someone up.” “Could you kindly make way for us?” “No!” “We don’t welcome you!
Leave this island immediately!” Nisen’s response came without a second’s hesitation.
Hearing that, the pirate’s smile grew even wider.
The corners of his mouth nearly reached his ears.
Good.
Perfect.
I like stubborn people.
I was honestly worried you’d let us through.
I never got to fight last time, and my hands have been itching ever since.
“So there’s no room for negotiation?” The high-level crew member slowly reached for the sword at his waist.
Shing— The blade gradually slid from its sheath.
“Since that’s the case, we’ll just have to—” Before he could finish speaking— More than a dozen figures suddenly shot out from the ship.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
The high-level crew member froze.
His sword wasn’t even fully drawn yet.
The next second, he exploded with rage.
“Hey!
You bastards!
Get back here!” “I haven’t given the signal yet!” Of course, the charging crew members didn’t return.
Only their voices floated back.
“You already said negotiations failed!
That means it’s time to fight!” “Even then, I was supposed to go first, you idiots!” The high-level crew member cursed furiously while drawing his sword and rushing off the ship toward the battlefield.
The rest of the crew quickly followed.
Everyone was afraid there wouldn’t be enough opponents left.
“Just so we’re clear—one opponent each!
No stealing!” On the shore— Watching the pirates charge toward them like a swarm, Nisen immediately shouted.
“Be careful!
They’re coming!” The four or five riflemen standing at the front immediately raised their guns and aimed at the approaching pirates.
Perhaps because it was their first time facing pirates in direct combat, many of the militia members were trembling from nervousness.
Noticing this, Nisen quickly tried to encourage them.
“Don’t be afraid!” “Don’t let their momentum intimidate you!” “They’re no different from us!” “We have more people!” “We have guns!” “The advantage is ours!” Just as Nisen was boosting morale— A cold voice suddenly sounded right beside him.
“Could you please stop here?” “If you fire at my companions…” “I’ll be in a bit of a difficult position.” Hearing the unfamiliar voice, Nisen shuddered and immediately turned around.
Standing beside him was a young man dressed in white, carrying a sword on his back.
No one knew when he had arrived.
And this young man was none other than Carnes’ newly recruited Special Crew Member— Yuta Okkotsu.
“Y-You…
who are you?!” Nisen asked in alarm.
He knew every militia member on the island by sight.
After living here for so many years, there was no way he would forget a face.
Yet Yuta didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he softly called out: “Rika-chan.” In that instant— The militia riflemen standing at the front suddenly felt an overwhelming force seize their weapons.
Before they could even react, all of the rifles were ripped from their hands.
Then— Right before their eyes— The four or five rifles were crushed into pieces.
Bang!
Faced with the sudden spectacle, the militia members looked as though they had seen a ghost.
Their breathing stopped.
Their bodies froze completely in place.
Every stone means a lot.
Thank you!