Pirates: I Rely Only on Myself

Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1507, May 17th.

A secret tunnel had been quietly carved through the Red Line between the South Blue and West Blue, with two small covert bases established at each end.

After completing the tunnel, Noah and his crew set sail aboard an unassuming cargo ship, the Prosperity, and officially entered the southern waters of West Blue.

In fact, the Brewery had already dispatched over twenty agents last year to lay the groundwork in West Blue. Led by Shirley, they had begun gathering intelligence in the region.

Currently, the Brewery comprised six divisions:

Rum Division in East Blue Vodka Division in North Blue Tequila Division in South Blue Shelly Division in West Blue Gin Division in Paradise Champagne Division in the New World

The Brewery's head, Tommy, reported directly to the Inspection Department.

Kuro, now acting as Noah's interim secretary, had just completed a debriefing with Shirley, head of the West Blue Shelly Division.

"Noah-sama, of the three targets, we've located two."

"Let me guess, Capone Bege and Daz Bones?"

Kuro nodded. "Sharp as always, Noah-sama."

Noah chuckled. "It's an obvious answer. That woman wouldn't be so easy to track down."

He was, of course, referring to Nico Robin. Recruiting Robin was one of his objectives for this trip. As for her willingness to join, that wasn't something she could decide on her own.

"Which of the confirmed targets is closest?"

"Daz Bones. He's recently been active in the Tulip Archipelago, about ten days' journey from here."

"Then let's set sail."

Loaded with a cover cargo of metal tools, the Prosperity made rapid progress toward the Tulip Archipelago.

Meanwhile, the sea's dark undercurrents had settled somewhat since Kuzan's sweep through the South Blue.

However, high above in Mary Geoise, a figure in a crimson cloak leapt into the night and plunged down the sheer cliffs—unnoticed by any of the guards atop the Red Line.

The Red-Haired Pirates, having resumed their journey, made their way back to the Sabaody Archipelago after six months at sea.

Yes, the Red-Haired Pirates were no strangers to Sabaody.

At Shakky's Rip-Off Bar on Sabaody Archipelago

"First Mate, long time no see!"

Rayleigh, who had just returned from a lucrative side job at the human auction house, poured himself a glass of rum. "Shanks, still not planning to enter the New World?"

"Haha, no rush," Shanks replied, clinking glasses with Rayleigh.

"Fine, fine. I'll leave the young folks to their own adventures. This old coating mechanic will stick to his drinks," Rayleigh said with a self-deprecating laugh, shaking his head.

Shanks just smiled, taking a sip of his rum, then turned to Shakky, who was smoking her lady's cigarette, and greeted her, "Shakky, you look younger every day."

Shakky narrowed her eyes knowingly. "Get to the point, Shanks."

Shanks' expression turned serious. "I need your help finding information on certain CP shipments—specifically, ships carrying certain… special cargo."

"CP, huh?" Shakky raised an eyebrow. "What exactly are you after?"

"Oh, just some theories I'd like to confirm." Shanks offered a vague answer, but Rayleigh seemed to understand and said nothing.

Shakky extinguished her cigarette. "If you're asking for CP intel, be prepared to pay handsomely."

"Hahaha, no problem." Shanks flashed a confident grin, prompting a twitch from Benn Beckman's lips at the side.

Beckman then chimed in, "Shakky, have you heard anything about the Hidden Order?"

Shakky shook her head. "Nothing concrete. But if you do come across them, I'd suggest caution. The Navy hasn't released the details, but my sources say Kuzan came away with minor injuries, and Kizaru's encounter with that Rumble-Rumble Fruit user ended in a stalemate."

"They're that powerful?" Beckman mused thoughtfully.

Shanks gave a confident smile. "Relax, Beckman. If we cross paths, we're no weaker than they are."

While Beckman didn't doubt Shanks' confidence, his role as vice-captain and strategist for the Red-Haired Pirates meant he couldn't afford to overlook any scenario.

Ten Days Later – Fragrance Island, Tulip Archipelago

In a narrow alley, a towering figure paused. Standing over two meters tall, his fingers glinted with a metallic silver sheen. "Show yourself."

From the other end of the alley, a figure emerged—a man in a white suit, wearing a monocle and smiling calmly. "Daz Bones, I presume?"

"If you know who I am, why bother asking?"

"Not curious to know who sent me?"

"I'm not interested in dead men…"

At that, Daz launched himself forward, his fingers aimed like knives at the man's throat. But the moment his fingers made contact, Daz's expression changed—his fingers met nothing but air.

"Too slow."

The man's voice echoed from behind Daz, causing his body to tense. He rolled forward and countered with a backwards swipe of his blade-like heel.

But he was too naive. The stranger's voice now came from the opposite direction.

In the alley, Daz's expression soured. Like a cat cornered and taunted, he had been dodged and outmaneuvered several times, never able to lay a hand on his opponent.

"It seems you're out of tricks. The Dice-Dice Fruit is truly wasted on you."

Frustration cracked through Daz's composure, and he growled, "Damn it! Are you afraid to attack? What, scared?"

"Oh? If that's what you want…"

The next second, Daz felt a solid blow to his abdomen, sending him flying several meters. Before he could catch his breath, another kick struck him from behind.

Daz became like a ragdoll, kicked back and forth by his opponent, never once hitting the surrounding walls.

"That's enough," Noah called from atop a nearby rooftop, having gauged Daz's power level. He was barely at the level of an ordinary Navy Headquarters captain, and that was with the boost from his Devil Fruit.

At Noah's signal, Kuro ended the fight, striking Daz's chest with an Armament Haki-infused punch. The internal damage surged through Daz's body like an electric shock, causing him to collapse, winded and defeated.

As Daz slumped to the ground, Kuro calmly hoisted him up by the collar.

With their target secured, they disappeared from the alley.

Back aboard the Prosperity, Noah considered Daz's potential. He had no immediate plans to convert him into an Apostle. At only 16 years old and still a bounty hunter, Daz had plenty of room for growth. If a thorough mental transformation proved impossible, Noah could always turn him into a card-bound Apostle.

But Noah suspected Daz would be wise enough to recognize his best option. 

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