#22 The Pirate's Paradise
Saraca Island, in the first half of the Grand Line, isn't very well-known.
Long ago, it was just a deserted island, with no people, only countless wild beasts and seabirds.
Of course, this lack of fame is for most people.
But in the pirate world, anyone with some reputation in the Grand Line knows about this place!
In fact, many pirates, before heading to the New World, would detour to stay here for a while…
Some even ended up settling here permanently, giving up on the New World altogether!
Over time, this once desolate island, with pirates constantly arriving and building on it, has grown into a town!
This was a big deal back in the day. Pirates from different factions, all free spirits chasing their dreams, ended up becoming builders here!
It was quite bizarre and shocked many in the pirate world, while professional builders couldn't believe it…
It's true what they say: your biggest competition can come from an unexpected place!
But the island doesn't have treasures or Devil Fruits, the things pirates desire most.
At most, it has some mineral resources and lots of wild animals.
So, no one knows why this ordinary island became so popular…
This simple island has, somehow, developed into what it is today, a pirate haven.
The original reasons are unclear.
But now, the reason pirates love Saraca Island is simple.
It's a true no-man's land, a place developed by pirates without harming any country or civilian home!
It's not affiliated with the World Government, nor is it a naval territory.
So, the Navy usually doesn't come here.
They have no reason to, and it's too much trouble to bother!
The island is at the edge of the Calm Belt, making it hard to reach.
Sending a naval force from the headquarters? It would take a lot of resources and effort!
And it might not even succeed, given the number of pirates here, many of whom are decently powerful…
If the Navy attacks, the pirates would band together against them.
This is something the Navy wants to avoid.
If they send a small force, they might get wiped out, which would be embarrassing.
A large force could scare the pirates away, making the journey a waste of time and resources.
Once the Navy leaves, the pirates would just come back.
It's just not worth it!
So, the Navy has given up on regulating this place, making it a true lawless zone, a paradise for pirates!
And Carlo and Blackbeard's destination was this very place.
After sailing for eighteen days, Carlo and Blackbeard's ship finally reached the waters near Saraca Island.
In those weeks, the world was thrown into chaos!
The World Government and the Navy deployed countless forces, almost every available organization was sent out!
The Celestial Dragon had been missing for so long without a single clue, driving the World Government crazy…
Saint Larcher's family was furious, constantly pressuring the military and various agencies!
They seemed ready to make the Navy and CP0 pay if they couldn't find Larcher at all.
This frenzy affected not just the first half of the Grand Line but also the Four Seas and the New World!
Everyone was searching for Saint Larcher's whereabouts!
No one knew, or dared to imagine, that the real 'culprits' hadn't even fled.
They were still in the first half of the Grand Line, unbothered and leisurely, growing their power right under the Navy and World Government's noses...
"Zehahaha, this is the place, Carlo! Let's go ashore!"
The ship docked at Saraca Island's port, and Blackbeard jumped down, his fat belly shaking, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar scene.
The island wasn't large, about the size of one of Sabaody Archipelago Grooves.
Even at the port, you could hear the bustling activity from the island's interior.
Near the port, several pirates were preparing to enter or leave. They glanced at Blackbeard and Carlo's ship before looking away, uninterested and unalarmed.
The pirate flag and sail emblem had been changed by Blackbeard during the journey.
Now, it displayed three skulls looking in different directions with two crossed scythes behind them.
Clearly a pirate symbol, nothing surprising on this island.
"Let's go see if this so-called pirate paradise has anyone worth our time."
Carlo jumped down from the ship as well.
However, his words drew many hostile glares…
After all, these were pirates. Who would accept being looked down upon?
Who did this guy think he was?
Carlo felt the hostile stares but didn't care.
If any of these pirates dared to make a move, he wouldn't mind using them to make an example!
This would help their plan with Blackbeard!
But Carlo was disappointed. These vicious pirates had clearly been here a while and were quite cautious…
Though hostile, none of them dared to act, worried about kicking a steel plate and losing their lives!
After all, this was a true no-man's land!
Revenge, fighting, and killing for treasure were common daily occurrences.
No one interfered, not even the long-established pirate factions here. They often just watched, or waited to swoop in for the biggest prize!
"Forget it, if you won't make the first move, I will!"