Hachinosu Island, the largest tavern.
"Let the feast begin!"
"Cheers!"
The tavern was packed with Pirates, laughing and raising their oak mugs high.
For Pirates, throwing a feast was undoubtedly one of the greatest joys—especially when someone else was footing the bill.
At the bar counter.
"Hahaha, drink up!"
Ace—Gurd—Marco.
The three of them, thoroughly drunk, had their arms slung over each other's shoulders like long-lost brothers, practically ready to break into a horse-riding dance together.
They'd been drinking for who knows how long.
"Thud!"
A mug slammed onto the counter.
"Boss, your ale's no good!"
Gurd's eyes bulged like copper bells as he glared at the tavern owner in displeasure. "Today I'm treating Ace and the Whitebeard Pirates to drinks, and you're trying to fob me off with this swill? Bring out your best stuff!"
"Apologies, sir, but this is already our finest ale."
The tavern owner wiped a mug expressionlessly, completely unfazed by Gurd's demands. He'd seen Pirates like this countless times.
All bluster about treating others, but by the end, they might not even have the coin to pay. If not for the Whitebeard Pirates' reputation, he wouldn't even have served them.
Who did this guy think he was fooling?
Gurd flew into a rage.
"You bastard, you think I can't pay, is that it?"
"No."
The tavern owner remained utterly calm.
He'd heard of the Beasts' reputation, but this island was under Whitebeard's protection. No matter how strong a Pirate was, they had to follow the rules here.
Whitebeard didn't interfere in trivial matters and turned a blind eye to fights among Pirates, but intentional destruction? That he wouldn't tolerate.
Seeing the situation escalate, Marco quickly stepped in to mediate.
"Brother Gurd, calm down. If you don't like the ale, I'll have someone bring the good stuff from our ship later."
"Is this about the ale?!"
Gurd pointed furiously at the tavern owner and bellowed, "Brother Marble Pineapple, this guy's clearly looking down on me!"
"Uh..."
Marco's face darkened.
Was this guy completely wasted?
Truth be told, he thought the ale was pretty decent—not the best, but certainly better than what they usually drank.
And who the hell was "Marble Pineapple"?!
His name was Marco!
"No way!"
Gurd shoved Marco aside, pointing at the bull-skull insignia on the back of his coat, nostrils flaring like a bull's.
"Brother, I'm out here carrying the Beasts' banner—I can't lose face over something as simple as drinks!"
"You're not losing face, you're not!"
Marco chuckled awkwardly, trying to placate Gurd.
No wonder he was a Beasts officer—this domineering, unreasonable attitude matched the Beasts' infamous reputation perfectly.
The tavern had fallen silent.
All the Pirates were watching Gurd nervously, fearing he might start a drunken rampage. After all, he was Ace's brother—this put them in a tough spot.
Tch, what a brute.
"Brother Marble Pineapple, don't worry. I know my limits. This is your crew's turf—I won't cause trouble. Hic—"
Gurd let out a drunken hiccup before turning to his subordinates' table and bellowing.
"Page One! Ulti!"
"Coming!"
The siblings took their positions on either side of Gurd, placing briefcases on the counter before flipping them open—and dumping the contents onto the bar.
Piles upon piles of Berries —at least a hundred million in total!
The clamor died instantly.
The pirates stared at the money on the table, their eyes bulging. If not for the presence of their captains, they would have lunged forward to snatch it.
The tavern owner gulped hard as he fixed his gaze on the pile of cash.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gurd slammed his fist on the counter, glaring fiercely at the tavern owner, veins bulging on his neck.
"Enough? Or should I add more?"
"More than enough!"
"Got any good booze?"
"Yes! The finest liquor from Hachinosu Island!"
"Then why the hell are you still standing there?"
"Right away, sir! Just a moment—I'll fetch the drinks for you!"
The tavern owner's attitude did a complete turnaround, his face now plastered with an ingratiating smile as he scooped up the money and scurried toward the kitchen, barking at the waitstaff.
"Don't just stand there gawking! Bring out the best food and drinks! Anyone who dares slack off will have their pay docked!"
"Understood!"
The waitstaff suddenly sprang into action, looking at Gurd with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for a long-lost father—maybe even more.
Most pirates were broke, their pockets emptier than their faces. Working an entire year, they rarely encountered such a generous pirate lord.
All for the tips!!!
"HAHAHAHA!"
Gurd leaned back against the counter, laughing heartily as he glanced at the stunned pirates. His brows furrowed in displeasure.
"Quit spacing out!"
"Eat! Drink!"
"Hey, you—who told you to order pizza and noodles? Get rid of that! Meat and booze are all you need to fill up!"
"Beasts Pirates, listen up! Today, you're gonna make sure the Whitebeard Pirates' brothers drink till they puke! Nobody leaves until then!"
"Yes, Lord Gurd!"
The Beasts Pirates bared their teeth in savage grins, planting a foot on their stools and raising their bottles high.
"GAHAHAHA! Brothers, let's show the Whitebeard Pirates the might of the Beasts! Drink them under the table!"
"Huh?"
The Whitebeard Pirates' eyes turned red.
Drink them under the table?
What a joke!
"Brothers, show some backbone! Don't let these Beasts bastards look down on us!"
"OOOOHHH!!!"
In the blink of an eye, the two pirate crews clashed, faces flushed and necks straining as they poured drinks down each other's throats, neither side willing to yield.
This was war!
"HAHAHAHA! That's more like it!"
Gurd roared with laughter, slapping his thigh before turning to the young man beside him, raising his bottle with a mischievous grin.
"Marco Pineapple, you in?"
"It's Marco!"
Marco's eyes burned as he grabbed a drink.
So much money—damn it all!
They were all pirates, weren't they?
Fine, if it's drinking they wanted—
Today, he was gonna put this rich, muscle-headed bastard on his ass!
"Bring it on!"
Clink!
Their bottles collided.
Night fell.
Hachinosu Island, western waters.
A warship hid behind the reefs, keeping watch over the island's port.
"This is bad."
Inside the strategy room.
Over a dozen officers sat around the table, their expressions growing graver by the minute.
Half a day ago, the Beasts Pirates had landed on Hachinosu Island and made direct contact with the Whitebeard Pirates—yet there was still no sign of battle.
This was undeniably terrible news.
If two of the Four Emperors were to cooperate—or worse, form an alliance—the entire world would quake. Especially when those two were Whitebeard and Kaido, the strongest among the Emperors.
The most urgent task now was to uncover the true intentions of these two pirate crews. But Hachinosu was a pirate paradise—even the Marines couldn't infiltrate it easily.
A short-haired female vice admiral, a cigarette dangling from her lips and a spiked collar around her neck, spoke up.
"How long until the Admiral arrives?"
"Vice Admiral Dore, it'll be at least tomorrow noon!"
"That's too late."
Dore exhaled a puff of cigarette smoke helplessly.
They were Marine officers stationed at G-14 and Egghead, the closest to Hachinosu Island, and had rushed here immediately after receiving Headquarters' orders.
But facing one of the Four Emperors, a mere Vice Admiral like her was powerless—she could only observe from the shadows.
The longer they delayed, the worse the situation became.
No one knew what terrifying plans the Beasts and Whitebeard might be brewing.
After a long silence, a Rear Admiral with an "X"-shaped scar on his chin suddenly raised his hand.
Headquarters Rear Admiral, X Drake!
"Vice Admiral Dore, I have an idea!"
"Speak."
"I want to infiltrate Hachinosu Island to gather intel!"
"..."
Dore's expression instantly darkened.
"Rear Admiral Drake, do you understand the consequences of this?"
"I do!"
Drake's gaze was resolute.
If a Marine was discovered infiltrating Hachinosu Island, death would be the only outcome—without exception!
But with the terrifying possibility of the Four Emperors uniting, someone had to take the risk. And among the officers present, only he could act.
Or rather, they could!
"Vice Admiral Dore, I'm the captain of Sword!"
(End of chapter)