Chapter 373

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With Boss Tang staying on the island, there should be no issues for the time being. This also provides an opportunity to assess if the other party is genuinely loyal. Two birds with one stone.

When Abel and Baby-5 returned to Gaya Island, it was noticeably more bustling than before. The Mad Cow Pirates, with bounties totaling over a billion, were aggressively expanding their crew. Many pirates with bounties of ten or twenty million were tempted.

Joining now could land them a captain position or something similar. If Crazy Bull Michael can become the next Supernova and survive to reach the Sabaody Archipelago, they would share in the glory. After all, aligning with a major figure could be beneficial.

For those not quite low but not high either, they wouldn't catch the eye of high bounty pirates worth billions. Even if they joined, they wouldn't be valued and would only be cannon fodder. They were also too proud to be lackeys for those worth four or fifty million berries.

So, the Mad Cow Pirates' situation was just right for them—strong, but not unreachable, with potential. With their support, perhaps Michael could indeed venture into the New World. As a result, many chose to join.

In a bustling tavern in Magic Valley Town, the atmosphere was lively. The Mad Cow Pirates were celebrating grandly. Even Crazy Bull Michael didn't expect his power to grow so quickly and smoothly. He couldn't help but feel proud.

Indeed, attacking the naval base was the right risky move. Otherwise, he wouldn't have a bounty of 92 million berries, nor would he have gained such quick fame.

"From today, we're all brothers on the same ship. This drink is for everyone!" 

Crazy Bull Michael, dressed as a western cowboy, stood up energetically, raising a large mug over his head.

"To the Captain!"

Everyone stood up in unison, raising their mugs over their heads. Just as the tavern reached a celebratory high point, the door was pushed open from outside. Conversations halted, and all eyes turned.

A young master, accompanied by a petite maid, walked in.

"Go on, don't mind us." 

"Boss, give us ten... no, twenty blueberry pies."

The tavern owner kindly reminded, "Sorry, young master. We're not serving other guests today. If you want to eat, you can go to the restaurant on the next street."

"Hey, what's with that? Business is business; why turn away customers? Just twenty blueberry pies? I'm buying. And get this 'young master' twenty glasses of milk too. Eat and drink your fill before going home, haha!"

Iron Hammer Hank, who had an 18 million berry bounty, drew laughter from the entire crowd. Even Crazy Bull Michael couldn't help but chuckle as he downed his drink, not stopping his men from having fun.

After all, who were they? Vicious pirates! Morality wasn't their concern. Bullying someone was nothing; shooting someone over a disagreement was their way.

Unexpectedly, the boy and girl at the door were not frightened by their menacing looks. Instead, they walked in and sat at the bar.

"Twenty blueberry pies, twenty glasses of milk, said to be on the short and wretched guy over there. Hurry up."

Abel laughed along, remaining calm. Feeling angry? Not worth it. After all, who gets mad at dead people?

In fact, he should thank them for their generosity. Free blueberry pies and milk—who wouldn't like that?

Bang! Iron Hammer Hank smashed his mug on the table. "You little brat, who do you think you're talking to?!"

"Who's the one yelling excitedly over there like an underdeveloped monkey? You know who I'm talking about."

"I'll crush you right now!"

Hammer Hank was already known for his irritable temper, and being insulted as a shorty in front of so many people by some unknown kid pushed him over the edge. If he didn't react, he wouldn't be able to hold his ground in the Crazy Bull Pirate Gang anymore; no one would fear him.

So he grabbed his giant hammer, which was half as tall as he was, and stormed over angrily. 

Some people had already sensed that something was off, but since they had just joined the same pirate crew and many held superficial relationships, none of them warned Hammer Hank to be cautious. They all stood by coldly, watching.

"Ha!"

Hammer Hank raised his giant hammer high, a cruel expression on his face as he swung it down at Abel. He seemed to already see the vision of his opponent being smashed into mush. But reality proved it to be nothing more than a delusion.

Not only did the anticipated scene not occur, but the following sight left him utterly shocked. Abel simply reached out his left hand and effortlessly blocked Hank's heavy hammer, without budging an inch—a testament to his nonchalant strength.

"Is that all you've got? Trying to be a pirate with that kind of strength? Did you skip breakfast? Maybe you'd better keep those twenty glasses of milk for yourself and see if they'll help you grow a couple more centimeters."

"I'll kill you!"

Hammer Hank was fuming, his eyes bloodshot from rage. Yet no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't reclaim his hammer from Abel's grasp.

What did that imply? That their strengths were not even in the same league.

However, the bystanders interpreted the situation differently.

"What on earth is Hank doing? Why doesn't he just smash the guy and get back for a drink?"

"Uh, could it be that Hank's in trouble?"

"No way. I'd rather believe Hank's just toying with him."

"Let's wait and see. Hank should be showing his true strength anytime now."

What true strength Hammer Hank possessed, Abel didn't know. He simply held onto one end of the hammer and lifted it—and Hank—into the air, then slammed it dramatically into the ground. Hank didn't even get a chance to react before he was knocked out cold.

Nobody spoke up for Hammer Hank anymore. That last scene clearly displayed the massive difference in their strengths.

At this point, Crazy Bull Michael gave Abel a much more serious look.

"You know who we are, yet you brought a little girl here? I'm starting to respect your courage more and more."

"Just a bunch of pirates. What's there to be scared of?"

"Are you with the Navy, trying to capture me?"

"You're overthinking it. I have no connection with the Navy."

Abel bared his pearly white teeth and suddenly smiled at Michael, "Today, I just want to either kill all of you or be killed by you!"