Chapter 55: Surprise Attack

"Little Pick, what's this all about..."

As soon as Pick returned to the orphanage, he was caught in the act by Director Joira.

"Did you get into another fight? Seriously, you can't just resort to violence for every little issue."

Elegant Joira scolded while skillfully adjusting the young boy's suit, making Pick close his eyes in embarrassment.

Listen carefully, Pick—

Seniole means 'gentleman',

Even if you're a spy, you should have some principles.

Pick's childhood was unfortunate. Since he could remember, he had been an orphan in a CP backup training camp.

Fighting, shooting, infiltration, disguise...

As an orphan, he naturally had little 'human rights.' Companions dying in high-intensity training were commonplace; after all, what the world didn't lack were children left behind after national disasters.

Non-member nations of the World Government were hardly considered 'humans'!

If there was a glimmer of light in Pick's unfortunate childhood, it was the encounter with an old-fashioned CP instructor. While equally strict, compared to the other ruthless instructors, he would impart some 'unnecessary' knowledge.

Listen carefully, Pick—

People can only find meaning in their existence when they learn to think.

...

On his first mission, he was assigned to infiltrate an orphanage in this city.

The gentle and kind director, the serious and diligent vice-director, and a group of enthusiastic orphans who helped each other—this life was a complete opposite of CP's training institution, causing Pick to become almost immersed in it.

Unfortunately, all of this was about to be destroyed.

...

"Miss Joira, I have something to tell you."

Opening his eyes and recalling the words of the boy he encountered earlier, 'If you want to protect something, why not work hard for it yourself,' Pick finally made up his mind.

"This city is in danger!"

?!

Donquixote Ship,

"What affects the factors of battle are 'timing, location, and personnel.'"

The map of the port city 'Odyssey' was laid out on the table. Figures of various heights and shapes surrounded it, attentively listening to Rosinante's analysis.

"We won't discuss timing for now. Odyssey, being an excellent harbor, rarely experiences adverse natural weather conditions year-round. Our opponents, on the other hand..."

'White Dragon' Barufu Tani, just hearing the alias was enough to tell he was an animal-type, and most likely a 'mythical beast' as well. It was only natural that he possessed the ability to control certain aspects of the weather.

"As for the location, it's the advantage of the city itself: the layout of the harbor, the surrounding artillery positions, and the familiar environment once we engage in close-quarters combat."

Finishing, Rosinante looked up at the others.

"Although we know that CP3 agents have teamed up with pirates to destroy this city, the local rulers are unaware. So, the problem before us is to communicate with them—"

"Leave it to me,"

Torreborl leaned back in his chair, playing with a staff.

This was the 'weapon' Rosinante had created for him. Besides being sturdy, it was also an oversized 'lighter'!

Combined with his mucus-type Devil Fruit ability, he could easily create large flames.

So, the Burn-Burn Fruit, even dogs won't eat it...

"Hehehe, if the lord here is really as wise as you guys say, they won't refuse us."

Of course, the Donquixote Family wasn't a 'no-strings-attached' hero; after helping them through this disaster, various trade concessions were absolutely essential.

"Well, then the third point, personnel."

Rosinante tapped the map on the table and surveyed the room.

Doflamingo, who had consumed the String-String Fruit, Torreborl, with the Mucus-Mucus Fruit, Diamondtii, skilled in swordsmanship although not reaching the 'Iron Cutting' level, the naturally strong Pica, and the serious and diligent Vergo.

After this period of training and battles, everyone's strength should be around the level of tens of millions in bounties, which should be more than enough to deal with ordinary grunts. However, when facing pirate captains and leaders, they might still need to put in some effort.

Fortunately, Joira should have consumed the 'Art Art Fruit.'

Her Devil Fruit ability allows her to effortlessly turn characters like Nami, Chopper, and Brook of the Straw Hat crew into abstract paintings. Against opponents who haven't used Armament Haki for defense, she can almost instantly defeat them.

After their brief encounter earlier, Rosinante realized that Pick's strength was also quite good. So, these two should make capable allies.

"The key still lies with that 'White Dragon' Barufu Tani."

If the opponent relies solely on their Devil Fruit ability, then they might be caught off guard by the abilities of the group. However, if the opponent has a strong foundation in offense and defense, there will only be the option of escaping!

"In any case, if the situation turns unfavorable, our top priority remains the safety of our family members—"

?!

Just at that moment, the door of the captain's cabin suddenly trembled, as if someone outside was forcefully pounding on the oak door.

Thud,

With a snap of Rosinante's fingers, the hurried footsteps, panicked cries, and urgent knocking from the city officials outside the door all sounded simultaneously.

"Sir, sirs, are you in there?!"

"What's going on?"

While discussing important matters, Rosinante would typically activate his ability to create a barrier. While this prevented eavesdropping, it also shielded them from external awareness.

"This is—"

There was no need for the city officials outside to answer. The pouring crowd had already shown them what had happened.

On the sea just outside the harbor, a naval battle... no, it was more like a high-sea chase was unfolding.

One side consisted of three sleek and elegantly designed naval vessels. Their flags indicated that they were the defenders of this city. Protected in their midst was a smoky and struggling merchant ship.

Their opponents were seven or eight assorted pirate ships.

Differing in age and patched hulls, adorned with various pirate flags, they clung to the four ships in front like a pack of hyenas.

"I knew it, why so soon..."

Torreborl subconsciously muttered, then quickly silenced himself. Fortunately, everyone's attention was drawn to the chase on the open sea, and no one noticed his slip of the tongue.

Cannons fired back and forth between the two sides, striking multiple vessels. Explosions of smoke and splintered wood filled the air, mingling with screams and flying limbs. The sailors on the three naval vessels fought back tenaciously against the assault.

Clang, clang, clang!!!

Meanwhile, urgent bells began ringing throughout the city. Two naval vessels anchored in the harbor started raising their anchors and unfurling their sails, preparing to rescue the besieged naval vessel and merchant ship outside.

Just at that moment, the pirate ships behind quickly scattered to the sides, revealing a massive, pitch-black warship.

"It's Barufu Tani's flagship, the 'Black Death'... no, wait, it's called the 'Vixen' now!"

As Torreborl solemnly pointed at the imposing warship and began to introduce it, a black-haired woman strode forward, standing atop the imposing prow like a giant lance.

The woman was dressed in a white sailor's T-shirt, with a red silk belt around her waist and clean black riding pants. Though she wore the most ordinary and simple sailor attire, an extraordinary air of competence and fierceness emanated from her.

The sea breeze tousled her black hair, obscuring the pirate's face. She stood on the prow with an air of casualness, as if she were just out to admire the scenery.

However, the moment everyone saw this woman, a feeling of being coldly observed by a mighty beast from above washed over them.

"She's Barufu Tani."

Although it was their first encounter and should have been a question, when Rosinante said it, his tone was filled with certainty.

"Yes, 'White Dragon' Barufu Tani..."

Gripping his Western-style sword tightly, Diamondtii's hand trembled slightly. Faced with the North Sea legend before them, even his facial muscles twitched nervously.

The moment this woman appeared, she immediately drew the attention of everyone present, as if she were the center of the entire battlefield.

"What a bunch of waste,"

Watching as the three naval vessels and a merchant ship were nearly escaping into the harbor amidst the encirclement of eight pirate ships, the woman standing atop the prow disdainfully snorted.

Although the docks where Rosinante and the others were situated were several kilometers away, for some inexplicable reason, everyone here could clearly hear the woman's voice and see her slightly crouched posture.

Boom—

The next second, a shockwave erupted from the prow, and the black-haired woman in the white shirt plummeted like a cannonball toward the naval vessels ahead.

Boom!

The naval vessel that was engaged in battle and fleeing suddenly lurched into the sea. In the hearts of all those who were observing the battlefield, a single thought involuntarily emerged:

That ship is done for.

Sure enough, a dense volley of musket shots erupted from the vessel, filling the deck with billowing smoke. It was a mixture of hysterical orders from officers and terrified screams from sailors.

"Tsk, this is too terrifying..."

By the time Rosinante counted the pulse on his wrist to the 24th beat, the battle had already ended.

A single naval vessel could hold several hundred people, even if not all of them were on deck, there were at least one or two hundred combat personnel.

However, in the span of just 24 heartbeats, that woman resembling a white storm had eliminated all resistance!

Without hesitation, she leaped onto another naval vessel, leaving the deck of the first vessel now covered in a layer of "flesh carpet" to slowly come to a halt.

One minute later, the three naval vessels that had been fiercely battling were now eerily silent.

And the once bustling Odyssia Harbor, which had been preparing to assist its own naval vessels, seemed as if someone had pressed the pause button.

"Truly the North Sea's top pirate,"

Rosinante rubbed his chin in amazement. Taking down three naval vessels barehanded, such formidable strength...

Gurgle, gurgle,

As everyone remained silent, a figure leaped from the concrete ground of the nearby dock and landed on the deck of the Don Quixote Family ship. This caught the attention of Doflamingo and the others, causing them to turn their heads.

"I apologize for the intrusion,"

A 16-year-old, black-haired youth in a suit bowed to Rosinante and the others,

"The ruler of this city, Miss Joira, hopes to obtain your assistance."

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(End of this chapter)