Pirate of Darkness (si)

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After traveling alone on the sea for a day and a night, Teach finally saw the island. After a while, his boat approached the island and docked at the small port.

There were dozens of ships here, including pirate ships and merchant ships, but most of them were pirate ships.

Teach observed the town. It was surprisingly orderly. Although there were signs of battles, it was far better than the chaotic, lawless places he had seen before. It seemed that this island was under the control of a specific group—likely a pirate crew.

Teach was intrigued by the people managing this island. Order could bring steady profits, while chaos only yielded short-term gains. This was a lesson Teach had learned from his past life. As he walked through the port, his solitary arrival attracted the attention of many, especially a few sharp-eyed pirates. They recognized that surviving alone in the New World, with its treacherous weather, was no small feat. Only the strong could manage it.

"Hello, please pay five hundred Berries before going ashore," a pirate guarding the port said to Teach as he prepared to step onto the island.

Teach was impressed by the pirate's polite demeanor. Whoever was running this island had trained their crew well. Teach's interest in the island's ruler grew, though he didn't plan to stay long.

Five hundred Berries wasn't an exorbitant fee. Every pirate could afford it. With a smile, Teach pulled out the money from his pocket and handed it over. He glanced at his small boat and asked, "Do I need to pay a protection fee for my boat as well?"

Ships docked in the port were usually charged a protection fee, and the pirates ensured they weren't stolen. The island's orderliness suggested that the ruling pirate crew was both competent and reputable. Without strong leadership, such discipline would be impossible among the rowdy pirates of the New World.

Teach noticed a lot in a short time.

"No, no, I don't think anyone will dare to steal your boat," the pirate replied, his mouth twitching slightly. He felt an inexplicable pressure from Teach, something even stronger than what he felt from his own captain. "Don't worry, the ships in the harbor are under the protection of the Shiratori Pirates."

Teach chuckled and handed over another five hundred Berries. "Consider this the protection fee for my boat," he said, then walked past the pirate and into the town.

The town's most striking feature was the pirate flag flying high above—a silver sword slanted across a skull, with a white bird perched on the upper left side of the skull.

The town was well-equipped, though the streets were sparsely populated. Most of the buildings were pubs, suggesting this area was reserved for pirates. The residents likely lived in other parts of the town. Teach admired the efficiency of the Shiratori Pirates' management.

The streets were clean, with only a few fresh bloodstains and scattered trash. This indicated that while pirate fights weren't forbidden, the streets were cleaned every morning. Teach's sharp mind pieced together these details effortlessly, as if he were a detective analyzing a crime scene.

Teach entered a bar. It wasn't crowded. He walked up to the counter and ordered, "A bottle of rum, three plates of fried rice, and two sauces." Rum was Teach's favorite drink—a pirate's drink, with its rich, mellow flavor.

"Coming right up," the bartender said, skillfully grabbing a bottle of rum, uncorking it, and placing it in front of Teach. Titch took a swig, savoring the taste. "Haha, this is good. It has a unique flavor. Did you brew this yourself?" Teach asked, his eyes lighting up.

The bartender, a middle-aged man over two meters tall, smiled and nodded. "That's right." Teach could tell the man was no ordinary bartender. The scars on his body, especially the missing index finger on his left hand and the gash across his face, hinted at a violent past. This man had stories to tell.

"Another bottle, please. And pack two more for me to take when I leave," Teach said, not pressing further into the man's history.

"Here's your fried rice and sauce," a voice called from the kitchen. A young girl with short, curly green hair emerged, carrying a large bowl of fried rice and a plate of sauce. She glared at Teach, her tone sharp. Teach smiled at her, but she just scoffed and walked away. She had a red rose tattoo on her neck and a purple teardrop under her left eye, giving her a rebellious look.

The bartender, Doyle, placed the fried rice and sauce in front of Teach. "That's my niece, Loya. She's got a bit of a temper. Her parents were killed by pirates, so she's not too fond of them. But she's got a good heart."

"She seems like a spirited girl," Titch said with a laugh, picking up a spoon and digging into the fried rice. He took a bite and his eyes widened. "Wow, this is delicious! It really hits the spot."

Doyle beamed with pride. "Loya's a natural in the kitchen. Her skills have already surpassed mine. She's quite famous around here."

"This is amazing. I might just recruit her as my chef when I start my own crew," Teach joked between mouthfuls.

Doyle laughed. "I don't mind, but it's up to her. Girls grow up fast."

In the kitchen, Loya listened to their conversation, her chopping growing louder. "Thud! Thud!" The noise echoed into the bar. Titch and Doyle exchanged amused glances. "Still just a kid," Doyle said.

Teach enjoyed his chat with Doyle. The man was different from the usual pirates Teach encountered. Doyle, too, sensed something special about Teach—a faint but undeniable threat. It had been a long time since he'd felt that from anyone, even the young hotshots in town.

Loya, however, was less impressed. She frowned, her emotions written all over her face. The image of Teach's smug grin lingered in her mind, and she felt an urge to punch him.

Meanwhile, at the heart of the island, the Shiratori Pirates' base was bustling. In a central clearing, several figures were engaged in a sparring match, with other crew members watching intently.

"White Bird Style Swordsmanship: Air Slash!" The swordsman in white, surrounded by two opponents, suddenly grinned. His aura surged, and with a swift motion, he unleashed a flying slash that resembled a giant eagle. Its silver wings shimmered with deadly precision.

The attack was too fast to dodge. "Brother, we need to block it together!" Hardman, the older of the two brothers, shouted. He could feel the threat in the attack. The brothers raised their machetes, their blades coated in Armament Haki.

"Earth-Splitting Slash!" Their combined attack was simple but powerful, embodying raw strength and weight. The machetes struck the ground, sending a shockwave that collided with the flying eagle. The clash created a deafening explosion, and the brothers were thrown back, panting heavily. They were covered in cuts, though none were serious.

"Haha, Captain, you've gotten stronger," Hardman said, slowly getting to his feet. Despite their injuries, the brothers were in good spirits. They had almost gone all out, yet they still couldn't fully counter Mostima's attack.

Mostima, the captain of the Shiratori Pirates, walked over, his silver hair glinting in the sunlight. He wore a white cloak and carried a silver sword. His calm demeanor and sharp eyes exuded authority.

"Hardman, Harder, you've both improved as well," Mostima said with a smile.

Hardman, ever the battle enthusiast, grinned. "Captain, with your strength, we could take over a few more islands. Let's expand our territory!"

Mostima shook his head. "Hardman, remember the battle between the Roger Pirates and the Golden Lion Pirates." A shadow of fear crossed his eyes as he recalled the legendary clash. He had witnessed it from afar when he was just seventeen. The sheer power of that battle had left a lasting impression on him.

Hardman and Harder fell silent, their earlier enthusiasm dampened. "Compared to those monsters, we're nothing," Harder muttered.

Mostima nodded. "We're still young. If a monster with true potential emerges, we'll follow them to the top. If not, we can join the Golden Lion's fleet. For now, we wait and grow stronger."

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