Chapter 144: Successive Robberies

Ghost Spider and Volcano exchanged a look, each seeing the frustration in the other's eyes.

Who were they, after all?

They were Marine quasi-Admirals. Before Chiba's rise, their current strength was considered top-tier, enough to stand their ground against powerful foes. Together, they could even challenge someone like Joz. But now, with just an artificial Devil Fruit crafted by Chiba, Joz's power had overwhelmed them.

The bitter truth was hard to swallow—Chiba had joined the pirates, and now those pirates wielded power that could crush the Marines. The balance of the seas was shifting toward pirate dominance.

Volcano sighed and said, "We can't control the two warships behind us; they're under CP agency command. But please, spare the Marines on this ship. The treasures are all on those two other warships."

Joz nodded, "Fine. For Captain Chiba's sake, I'll let you go. There's a boat below—take it and leave, and don't look back, or we won't be so merciful."

With that, Joz manipulated his String-String Fruit power, stretching threads to entangle the two trailing warships. Instantly, his pirate crew charged forward across the bridge of threads.

Cannon fire roared toward Joz, but he skillfully used his threads to form a net, catching the shells mid-air and hurling them back at the Marines.

Explosions erupted across the warships, sending Marines into panic as pirates swarmed the decks.

A CP agent rushed at Joz, shouting, "You scum! This is the Celestial Dragons' heavenly tribute. Do you dare risk a Buster Call?"

But his words were cut short as Joz's threads sliced through his throat. Joz yelled, "Surrender and you'll be spared! Resist, and you'll die! Attack, everyone!"

The Marines on these warships were no match for Joz. In no time, the ships were overwhelmed. Joz combed through the treasures on board and grinned as he found large quantities of precious medicinal materials.

Laughing, he said, "With these, there's no way anyone will outdo me. Vista, get ready for that awakened multi-fruit form!"

"All right, boys! Move this warship to the next target!" Joz's excitement spread to the crew, who cheered in triumph.

One pirate exclaimed, "Captain Joz, you're unbeatable! You should be Chiba's number one captain!"

Joz waved them off with a laugh, "Enough of that nonsense! Marco is the first captain, and once he gets his hands on one of Chiba's Devil Fruits, he'll surpass me. But don't worry—there's a chance for all of you to earn one too. So keep up the good work!"

"Yes, Captain Joz!" they shouted, steering the stolen Marine warship to their next destination.

---

A month later, on a different Marine mission to transport heavenly tribute to Mariejois, Ghost Spider and Volcano were grumbling on deck.

"We're so unlucky," Volcano muttered. "Other Marines escort this stuff without trouble, but somehow we always end up getting robbed."

Ghost Spider sighed, taking a swig of his drink. "Who knows, maybe we're just cursed. After losing the last shipment, the Marshal chewed us out, and now we're short on manpower with the Admirals tied up in the New World."

With Hina, Peacock, and Chiba all gone from Naval Headquarters, the Marine forces were stretched thin, and the two quasi-Admirals had no choice but to take on the job themselves.

"We got robbed last time, so statistically, there's no way it'll happen again, right?" Volcano reasoned aloud.

Ghost Spider nodded, "Yeah, if we get hit again, then our luck really is terrible."

They reassured themselves, though both knew that if another powerhouse like Joz appeared, there would be little they could do.

As their ship neared an island, they grew nervous and ordered the crew, "Stay away from that island. Circle around it and don't get too close."

But just as they started to avoid the island, a fleet of pirate boats emerged, speeding toward the three Marine warships.

"Not again! Full speed ahead—get us out of here!" Ghost Spider yelled, but then a familiar voice echoed across the water.

"Well, well, look who it is!" Joz appeared, and with a flick of his threads, he disabled the warships' propellers, bringing them to a halt.

Ghost Spider looked at Joz with a resigned smile. "Why are you targeting us again? Couldn't you find someone else to rob?"

Joz slung an arm around their shoulders with a grin. "Guess you two are just my favorites."

He turned to the Marines on deck, "Lower your weapons! We're all old friends here—no need to hurt each other."

Volcano sighed heavily, "Do as he says. Put down your guns."

Reluctantly, the Marines obeyed, and Joz's pirates stormed aboard, seizing control of the two ships carrying the treasure.

As the raid concluded, Joz looked back at Ghost Spider and Volcano. "Just a heads up—you're going to get a serious reprimand when you report this. Losing the tribute twice... that's not gonna look good."

The two Marines glared at him, mentally cursing his shamelessness. If he felt so "disturbed," he could simply return the gold. But they knew that was impossible. With a bitter expression, they forced themselves to say, "Thank you for your... consideration."

[TL/N: Sorry for the naming mistake, i really didn't know them all so I can't make a change in their names and correct it. 😭]