[146] Another Commander

[2000 Words]

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When did this person appear behind him?! And how did he not sense him? Was he standing there the whole time?!

Hody Jones was struck with terror as these thoughts raced through his mind.

The hand holding the sinister red pills was frozen due to the sudden interruption, but Hody Jones was determined and decisive in his actions.

*Gulp!*

Under the gaze of Ren, who had previously arrived in Fishman Island with Kalifa, Hody Jones swallowed several stimulant pills.

"You really did it… Well, you're useless anyway," sighed Ren as he transformed his weapon, Versa, into a red spear radiating an ominous glow.

"Kohahahaha! I can feel the power coursing through my veins! You weak human scum, taste the strength of the great Fishmen!"

Hody Jones laughed savagely, his body expanding several times over and his muscles bursting with tremendous power. His now-lengthened white hair gave him an ominous appearance, heightening the terror among the Fishmen present.

"Hehe~ So the captain is finally taking action." Nami, who had previously defeated the New Fishman Pirates' officers, had spotted Ren not too long ago.

If it weren't for her not wanting to ruin her captain's entrance, she would have jumped on him and kissed him as soon as she saw him.

"Let's end this quickly."

Versa, in spear form, floated in the air facing Hody Jones in his final form. Hody, now fully consumed by his newfound strength, felt invincible.

"Kohahaha! Let me show you---"

"!!!"

He tried to continue, but what happened next left him speechless.

The blue-haired man with the red spear he'd seen standing in front of him just a second ago had vanished in the blink of an eye!

Hody knew that such speed was beyond his reach, even with his enhanced power!

"Aaaaghh!!"

Unfortunately for him, it was too late, as he felt a sharp pain in his chest. Looking at the spear that had pierced through him, he was consumed by shock and utter disbelief.

"H-How… you damned human…" His breaths were ragged, filled with pain, shock, hatred, and many other emotions he never thought he'd experience.

What drove Hody even crazier was that the man who had dealt him a fatal blow in an instant wasn't even looking at him; he was gazing at the orange-haired swordswoman who had earlier struck down his crew!

This infuriated and maddened him beyond belief. He wanted to curse him but felt an overwhelming pain in his chest as his body started to weaken and grow frail.

"That's why I warned you you'd regret taking those pills…" Ren, who was now holding Nami by her waist, looked at him, then removed his spear from Hody Jones' body and left him to die on the ground.

Hody Jones didn't understand what was happening at that moment.

Everything was going smoothly a few hours ago; how did it all turn into such chaos?

He felt fatigue wash over his body and soul, but he didn't realize that the spear strike had not targeted his vital organs. The fatigue was actually from the stimulants he had consumed earlier.

There was a rule with those pills: once the consumer is defeated, side effects begin to show in their body, causing aging and brittle bones. In a few hours, Hody Jones wouldn't even be able to walk.

Back to Ren, he looked at the large, confused crowd of Fishmen, then turned his gaze to the thousands of human pirates looking at him with hope in their eyes.

"Do you all want your freedom?"

He spoke in a deep voice, not shouting, but the absolute silence in the area made his words audible to all.

The Fishmen knew he was addressing the thousands of enslaved humans who had been captured and forced to fight on their side. They wanted to do something, to resist, but the earlier events with their leader terrified them of the man before them.

"Y-Yes, sir!"

"Please free us, sir!"

"I'm willing to follow you for life! Just free me and my crew, please!"

"Please help us, Dark Death Warlord!"

As soon as Ren spoke, many of the captured pirates responded with pleas. Some even recognized Ren; those who didn't were likely imprisoned here before he started his journey.

Ren wasn't bothered; his goal in recruiting these people was that they might make for good cannon fodder.

He had also noticed a few individuals with potential among them.

"We've arrived Ren-Dono, jamon!"

Suddenly, hundreds of people burst into Fishman Island.

It was none other than King Neptune and his entourage, along with hundreds of the Royal Guard!

Shirahoshi was also there. The girl who hadn't left the palace in ten years was incredibly happy, even if her exploration was limited to the boundaries of Fishman Island.

As for why they were here? Previously, after Ren had dealt with Vander Decken and returned to Ryugu Palace, he informed the king that Shirahoshi's curse had been lifted and that he had taken care of Vander Decken.

Neptune was so happy he wanted to host a feast for Ren immediately.

But Ren had to stop the eager king and inform him of the darkness and conspiracy unfolding in Fish-Man Island.

He also hinted that there was something significant he would discover after all this.

King Neptune was shocked and deeply concerned upon hearing about Hody Jones's plans and the tens of thousands of fish-men rallying in Fish-Man District.

They had truly neglected the Fish-Man District! Neptune felt regret, but knowing there was no time to waste, he quickly rallied his forces and came here.

"Greetings, King Neptune. I'll need your help capturing these rebels," Ren gestured towards the tens of thousands of fish-men.

"Damn it! I don't want to be captured!"

"They're going to execute us!"

"Stay strong, men! We outnumber them!"

"Right! There's no need to be afraid!"

"But… that guy over there..."

The fish-men, hearing that they'd be captured, were in disarray once again, each holding different thoughts—some wanted to resist, while others had already surrendered.

"Silence!"

With one word, tens of thousands of chaotic voices instantly fell silent.

They didn't quiet down willingly; rather, they fainted as a result of Ren's overwhelming Conqueror's Haki.

"T-This is..." King Neptune's eyes widened at the sight, immediately recognizing the power of the Conqueror's Haki.

"R-Ren-sama is incredible..." Shirahoshi was awestruck by what had happened. She didn't understand how thousands who were just ready to fight had suddenly passed out, which initially scared her but also made her grateful that Ren was protecting her.

"Amazing!" On the other side, the thousands of captured pirates were mesmerized by Ren's Conqueror's Haki. Luckily for them, Ren wasn't targeting them.

"R-Ren-dono, what should we do with these pirates?"

King Neptune had ordered his soldiers to begin a large-scale capture of the unconscious fish-men and then approached Ren with respect.

"I plan to recruit them into my fleet," Ren answered honestly. This wasn't something worth hiding, so he told Neptune directly.

"A fleet… I see." Neptune nodded, understanding and unsurprised. He had guessed that a powerful pirate like Ren would likely build a fleet of his own.

After a few minutes of conversation, Ren left and approached the standing, confused pirates. Their hands and feet were shackled, as the fish-men had prepared well before this attack, so the captives hadn't even had time to partially break free from their restraints to be useful in battle.

With Nami and Kalifa standing beside him, Ren looked at the crowd of human pirates and spoke, "Who wants to join me?"

They all raised their shackled hands. Ren nodded and then looked at a particular individual within the crowd and ordered, "You, come here." He pointed at a specific man.

The man's face was scarred from hard-fought battles, with dark eyes that seemed to see beyond the horizon, and dark-blue-tinged hair scattered across his forehead. His appearance reflected a life hardened by trials but not broken. His open shirt revealed a strong chest, with a metallic pendant swinging quietly across his skin, as if a silent companion on his journey.

He wore a loose, open white shirt with slightly tattered edges, as if it had seen many long journeys and hard days. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, with interwoven leather straps, perhaps to hold light weapons or gear. A sturdy leather strap crossed his shoulder, with faded metal buckles ready to fasten a heavy weapon or other equipment.

[Image Here]

In short, he looked like a seasoned pirate.

"What's your name?" Black Death looked at the man with a curious gaze.

Hearing the question, the man lifted his head and looked at Ren with a hint of respect, replying in a tired voice, "Silver Drak... the name's Silver Drak."

"A fine name. Well, Silver Drak, I have a proposal for you. Are you interested in becoming the Second Division Commander of the Sin Pirates Fleet and serving under me?"

Everyone waited in silence for Silver Drak's response. The pirates who had already joined Ren's fleet didn't seem to object; it was as if they recognized the identity of the person being offered the Second Division Commander role.

"I accept. From now on, I'm at your command, Captain!"

It seemed as if Silver Drak's face regained some life before he responded to Ren with newfound enthusiasm.

"Very good. Now, I have some instructions for you..."

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*Purururu...*

*Purururu...*

*Purururu...*

*Ka-tcha~!*

"Hello, Captain, is everything alright?"

Far from Fish-Man Island, a tall man was speaking through a Den Den Mushi.

It was none other than Mr. 1 from the former Baroque Works organization, now serving as the First Division Commander of the Sin Pirates Fleet, Daz Bones.

He had come under Ren's flag a few weeks ago and was tasked with recruiting fighters for the Sin Pirates Fleet, so he was currently sailing through the first half of the Grand Line.

He had even found some truly capable individuals.

Setting that aside, he was amazed by the recent events his captain played a central role in.

Especially when he read in the newspaper that Ren, along with Miss Nami and Miss Mikita, had taken down Whitebeard, he felt adrenaline rushing through his body at that moment.

As for the way he called Nami and Mikita, it was because he knew they were his captain's women, so he dared not show them disrespect!

Moreover, he knew of their formidable strength after their participation in the Paramount War, which deepened his fear and respect for his captain's women!

"I just wanted to check in on your situation over there. Have you recruited some people?"

Ren asked from the other end of the Den Den Mushi.

"Yes, Captain. There are a few promising recruits."

Ren paused briefly before adding, "And the cannon fodder?"

"I've gathered a few thousand as well," Daz Bones replied without delay, and the Den Den Mushi, mimicking Ren's features, nodded.

"Very good. Return to the main base in Alabasta; I have some rewards for you." Ren, satisfied with Daz Bones's performance, decided to reward him.

"On my way, Captain!" Daz Bones suppressed his excitement and responded promptly.

"Alright then, Get back to it ." Ren bid him farewell before ending the call.

*Ka-tcha~!*

Daz Bones set the Den Den Mushi aside and looked out over the sea, especially at the many pirate ships bearing the flag of the Sin Pirates.

On each of these ships were hundreds of recruits that Daz Bones had gathered. He didn't know exactly what his captain was planning, but he could feel the brewing storm on the horizon.

A fierce storm that would soon shake the world.

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To be continued....

500PS= Bonus chapter.