Chapter 11: Paying with the Head

Location: Pirate Island in the New World

After sailing for nearly three days, Varen finally saw a small island in the distance.

Regardless of the situation on the island, Varen directly headed toward the shore.

Around the coast, he saw many pirate ships docked.

"Is it a small island where pirates gather?" Varen wondered, as he approached the island.

Firstly, he needed some supplies, and secondly, his current clothes and boat would not reveal his identity as a Marine. He planned to quietly gather some information.

"I hope to find news about the Kaido of the Beasts pirate group."

With this mindset, Varen walked directly towards the central area of the island.

Arriving at the Central Area

It has to be said that the level of prosperity here rivals that of some countries. After all, pirates are a group of people who are rich and keen on spending.

There were all kinds of shops on both sides of the street, including weapon shops, small vendors, taverns, clothing stores, and more.

"This tavern looks nice."

After looking around for a while, Varen found a tavern with a large number of people and a chaotic atmosphere. This kind of place was the most suitable for inquiring about news.

Without hesitation, Varen stepped directly into the tavern.

As soon as he walked in, a strong smell of alcohol hit his face. It wasn't a pleasant aroma of fine wine, but a smell that made people feel uncomfortable.

Given the large number of pirates, most of whom were drunkards, it was normal to feel this way.

Varen didn't care much and went straight to the front desk.

At the front desk was a beautiful mature woman with a voluptuous figure and revealing clothes that made one's blood boil.

"Oh? Such a handsome young guy here? He's my type! If you encounter any trouble, you can come to me. There aren't many things I can't settle on this island."

Seeing Varen's unusual temperament, the mature woman's beautiful eyes looked at Varen like a big sister.

As for the truth or falsehood in her words, it could only be judged by each person. However, a woman who could run a hotel in a place where a lot of vicious pirates gathered must be quite extraordinary.

"I want to inquire about something."

Varen didn't pay attention to the mature woman's words but got straight to the point.

"Information? No problem, but you should know the rules of this business, right?"

Varen replied lightly, "No problem. Isn't it just to pay in Berries first, whether the information is true or not!"

Regarding some situations, Zephyr had naturally explained to Varen, which was basically a rule in the industry.

But relatively speaking, the Berries paid were naturally not too much, because the person who provided the information did not need to bear any responsibility at all.

"You look very young, but you know this business very well!" Seeing Varen's calm look, the enchanting mature woman became even more curious.

Her slender fingertips involuntarily stretched out toward Varen's chin, as if flirting.

However, just when her hand was halfway, the enchanting woman's movements suddenly stopped.

It seemed she had guessed something. The mature woman looked at Varen's young face, still indifferent, but this time, he seemed to have a sense of confidence that everything was under control.

Although there was no evidence, she was sure that her inability to move was caused by Varen.

"I need to inquire about Kaido's whereabouts. How many Berries are needed?" Varen said directly.

"What!" The mature woman was taken aback, at this moment sure that Varen was definitely not as simple as he appeared.

Who was Kaido? He used to be a member of the Rocks Pirates, and he was considered a big pirate with a notable place in the entire New World.

Generally speaking, inquiring about the whereabouts of a certain pirate group was usually a matter of preparing for a direct war and sneak attack.

In other words, this mild-looking young man in front of her actually had the ability to fight this kind of big pirate.

"A pirate at Kaido's level, I believe you should have some information," Varen continued to ask.

"Of course, five million Berries is enough for this kind of information that can be found anywhere," the mature and enchanting woman replied.

Indeed, the whereabouts of this kind of big pirate were basically known to the pirates in the New World to some extent. It was almost common knowledge.

"Five million Berries? It's not too expensive, but you must know a rule. Trading Berries can be replaced by human heads."

Saying so, the Zanpakutō in Varen's hand pointed in one direction.

In that direction, a small group of about 20 people were drinking in a circle, and in the most conspicuous position, a strong black man over two meters tall seemed to be their leader.

"Bahid! A pirate under the protection of the Golden Lion Pirates, the bounty is 35 million Berries. It should be enough to use this guy's head as payment for the information."

Thirty-five million Berries, if placed in the future era of great pirates, would likely amount to a bounty of over 100 million.

In the Marine's bounty order, Varen had also noticed the existence of this guy.

"You... do you know what you're saying?" Seeing Varen pointing the finger at the Golden Lion, the proprietress was startled by his words.

As a well-connected hotel owner, she knew who that guy was.

With a bounty of 35 million, he was considered a pretty formidable individual on this small island. Even those with bounties exceeding 50 million wouldn't dare trouble him.

The reason was simple: this guy was under the command of the Golden Lion Pirates!