"These are all the treasures, Caelan-sama."
Moria pointed to a pile of aged treasure and spoke respectfully.
He had been operating Thriller Bark for ten years. Naturally, all the treasure left behind by pirates who got lost here belonged to him.
Though much of it had been used by Hogback to modify corpses, the remaining stash was still worth 200 to 300 million Berries.
"Not bad, not bad."
Caelan nodded in satisfaction, acknowledging Moria's contribution.
With the help of his Observation Haki, he easily spotted a plain-looking bracelet among the pile.
Captain John's treasure map had been obtained.
According to legend, Captain John's treasure was part of the wealth left behind by the Rocks Pirates.
Even a single rumor about it had lured countless pirates.
The estimated value was at least 10 billion Berries.
Caelan picked up the bracelet and examined it closely, hoping to discover a secret.
Unfortunately, nothing stood out.
But that was fine. As long as he kept it on him, he would uncover its secrets eventually.
"Moria, gather the pirates on the island. I'm taking them in for their bounties."
Caelan tucked the bracelet away and turned to Moria with a cheerful expression.
"Caelan-sama, if you take them, my zombie army will be useless!"
Moria's face twisted with anxiety as he pleaded.
This was the result of ten years of work. Without the pirates' shadows, his zombie army would just be a pile of immobile corpses.
"Don't use the shadows of these garbage pirates. You'll find better ones in the future."
Caelan waved dismissively.
The corpses Moria had collected included renowned warriors like the Shimotski Ryuma, Captain John, and Silver Axe. Their strength in life had been considerable.
Unfortunately, the shadows he infused into them were mediocre, preventing them from displaying their true power. Only Ryuma, filled with Brook's shadow, showed any potential, and even that was far from his peak as a swordsman.
It would be better to round up these low-tier pirates and trade them in for cash. At least that way, they'd be put to good use.
"Haha, alright then."
Moria scratched his head awkwardly.
He also knew these pirates were unimpressive. None of them even had a bounty over 100 million.
The zombie army supported by these shadows was just for show against real powerhouses.
Soon, Moria directed his zombie troops to gather every pirate aboard Thriller Bark in front of Caelan.
Thousands of pirates stood in the forest near the ghost castle. Among them were Skeleton Brook and Big Mom's daughter, Lola. All of them looked confused.
"What's going on? Why is Moria beaten up like that?"
Many pirates were shocked by Moria's swollen, pig-like face.
This was a Warlord of the Sea, the very man who had forcibly stolen their shadows. Who could have done that to him?
"Caelan-sama, all the pirates have been gathered."
Moria came to Caelan and reported respectfully.
"Very good."
Caelan looked out at the sea of pirates and nodded with satisfaction.
Even if most of them had low bounties, gathering thousands together should bring in around 400 to 500 million Berries.
He had clearly underestimated Moria's hidden wealth.
"Return their shadows. You'll get better ones later."
Caelan casually threw out another promise.
"Yes, Caelan-sama."
Moria gave the zombie army a reluctant glance, then released most of the shadows, keeping just over ten to act as guards.
"What's going on? Why is Moria returning our shadows?"
Thousands of pirates looked around, confused. What had gotten into Moria?
"It's obvious that guy next to him did something."
"I owe him big time. First thing I'm doing when I get out is robbing someone to celebrate!"
A scar-faced pirate licked the corner of his mouth, a fierce gleam in his eyes.
After years of being trapped on Thriller Bark, his blade was itching for action.
"That man's a well-known bounty hunter. I'm sure he plans to cash us in."
One sharp-eyed pirate recognized Caelan. He was the same man who had defeated Aokiji in the papers.
His heart sank. They weren't getting rescued. They were just being transferred from one prison to another.
"Why are we scared? Let's split up and run! He can't catch us all!"
A burly pirate shouted, stirring up the crowd.
Excitement lit up in the pirates' eyes. They were finally free after years. They didn't want to end up in Marine hands.
Caelan looked down at the rowdy crowd of pirates with cold indifference. Their little scheme didn't even register.
"Too noisy. Quiet down."
A wave of Conqueror's Haki swept across the field like a tsunami. In an instant, thousands of pirates collapsed, unconscious.
Only the fat woman, Lola, managed to stay on her feet.
As the daughter of a Yonko, her resistance to Conqueror's Haki was naturally stronger than most.
"What a powerful Haki…"
Lola stared at Caelan in terror, her chubby face trembling.
This level of Conqueror's Haki was something only a Yonko could possess. She had only felt something like it from her mother, Charlotte Linlin.
But as she looked at Caelan's heroic face, her heart skipped a beat. Her fear vanished.
She had run away from Totto Land in pursuit of true love.
And now, Caelan matched all her conditions for an ideal partner—strong and valiant.
"Mighty warrior, will you marry me?"
Lola blushed deeply and made her 4,444th marriage proposal.
Caelan looked at the human tank in front of him. His eyelid twitched, and several black lines appeared on his forehead.
"It's just a bounty. Sit down and shut up."
Caelan gritted his teeth and punched her out cold.
If it were Galette, Pudding or Smoothie, he might consider it.
But this tank of a woman? That was for someone else to enjoy.
He didn't even want to imagine the psychological trauma a Snorlax like her would cause.
"Hehe, Caelan, even you have fears?"
Nami and the others burst into laughter at his exasperated expression.
Even Perona, who had been terrified of Caelan earlier, couldn't help but smile.
Caelan saw the girls giggling behind their hands and felt a little annoyed. He reached out and rubbed Perona's twin ponytails a few times before feeling a bit better.
"Moria, tie up all these pirates. And tie that woman up tighter."
Caelan turned to Moria and ordered darkly.
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Moria shivered and nodded repeatedly.
Soon after, Moria had his remaining zombies take care of everything.
(To be continued.)
***
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