Chapter 25: The Twenty-One Great Swords: Second Work

Raven Port.

Lord’s Mansion.

Gasha sat in her office on the top floor, as her attendant reported the movements of two groups after they entered the port.

“The Marine unit led by Gao Wen showed no unusual activity—they bought large quantities of food and fresh water, and purchasing weapons on the black market isn’t surprising, since it’s much cheaper than official channels.”

Gasha nodded, yet repeated the name she had just heard:

“Gao Wen… I feel like I’ve heard that name before, maybe I’m mistaken.”

“What about the other group?”

“It’s strange.”

The attendant frowned, pulled out a stack of organized documents clearly marking the movements of Akin’s gang, then pointed to several locations:

“These are our ammunition storage sites.”

“After entering the port, they didn’t seek supplies at all—instead, it’s as if…”

Suddenly, a gentle voice came from outside the window.

“Reconnoitering your defense maps.”

Before either could react, Gao Wen shoved open the window and crouched on the sill, gazing calmly at the two.

“You’re… Lieutenant Gao Wen?!”

The attendant immediately stepped in front of Gasha, eyes sharp with suspicion, preparing to call for guards—when a soft hand pressed onto her shoulder.

“Molly, don’t act rashly. He means no harm.”

After stopping Molly’s movement, Gasha turned to Gao Wen and finally remembered where she had heard the name:

“Lieutenant Gao Wen—no, you’re Knight Gao Wen.”

“One of the central figures in the scandal that rocked the East Blue three years ago.”

“As Knight Commander of the Goia Kingdom, you had an affair with the queen, and after being discovered, abandoned your title to become a pirate active in the East Blue.”

“Bounty: eight million—Knight Gao Wen.”

“I’m an idiot for forgetting you.”

Gasha shook her head, unaware of the trembling fear in Molly’s eyes beside her.

A faint smile tugged at her lips:

“Did you know? Your story’s been turned into a movie, playing all around Goia Kingdom in the East Blue.”

Gao Wen stumbled slightly, nearly losing his balance; after mentally cursing his predecessor once more, he changed the topic with perfect composure:

“I’m here to warn you—the other Marine unit is fake. The one calling himself Agyin is actually a subordinate of Provincial Military Commander Krik, the bounty hunter known as Oni Akin, worth twelve million.”

“They’re likely planning the same scheme as before.”

“Pretend to be Marines, infiltrate the port, open the gates from within, and seize Raven Port at minimal cost!”

Gasha’s brow furrowed. Combining the attendant’s analysis, she now believed Gao Wen was telling the truth—but still felt puzzled:

“Why are you helping me?”

“Maybe because you called me handsome.”

Gasha burst into laughter:

“What kind of reason is that?”

“But that’s the freedom of pirates!”

Beneath the crimson glow of the setting sun, the knight leaned against the window, a faint smile on his lips, as if glowing from within—Gasha, watching from inside, was momentarily spellbound.

“Bye~”

Gao Wen waved, turning to leave…

Zii!

Zii!

Zii!

…

A piercing whistle tore through the air—a crimson meteor streaked from the horizon, slammed into the port, and exploded in a blinding firestorm. Chaos erupted instantly.

A cannonball flew straight toward Gao Wen’s position.

“Huh. Guess I can’t leave after all.”

Gao Wen’s voice carried mild resignation, but his longsword moved without delay—yet even as he slashed out a flying cut, the blade cracked along its seam and shattered piece by piece.

Fortunately,

the incoming cannonball was split cleanly in midair by Gao Wen.

BOOM!

Crimson fire erupted outside the window.

Even with dozens of meters between them, even with walls blocking the shockwave and heat, Gasha’s face turned deathly pale.

Raised in doting luxury, how had she ever faced such brutality?

Yet when her gaze shifted from Gao Wen to the burning port behind him, she gritted her teeth and forced herself to stand.

Then came a wave of helplessness.

The enemy was Provincial Military Commander Krik, lord of a vast fleet of dozens of pirate ships—how could the port’s guards possibly hold them off?

Calm now, Molly whispered:

“My lady, only he—only Gao Wen—can save us.”

“His bounty’s only eight million—how could he possibly…”

Gasha instinctively shook her head, when another unbelievable voice reached her ears. She froze, then stared in shock:

“What?”

“Forty-eight million!”

Molly repeated the number.

At that moment,

Gasha looked at Gao Wen as if he were a savior:

“Mr. Gao Wen, wait!”

Gao Wen, about to leap from the window to meet Kelo and plan their breakout, halted and turned to see Molly pulling a long, slender rod wrapped in black cloth from a nearby safe.

“What’s this…”

“I was going to deliver it to my father as a gift for his fiftieth birthday—but I think it now has a better owner.”

Molly slowly unwrapped the black cloth, revealing a long sword in its scabbard.

Even from several meters away, even with the blade still sheathed, Gao Wen felt the razor-sharp aura radiating from it.

An extraordinary weapon!

Molly spoke on her own:

“Kansei Masamune.”

“One of the hundred greatest blades forged during the peak of Wano a century ago, ranked fourth among the Twenty-One Great Swords, a treasure every swordsman dreams of.”

“Mr. Gao Wen, if you help me repel the Krik Pirates, it’s yours!”

Gao Wen licked his lips:

“What if I just kill you right here—would it still be mine?”

Gasha blinked, her eyes clear:

“If you came to warn me at a time like this, you’re clearly a man who notices details and feels gratitude—how could you possibly resort to theft?”

“Hah.”

Gao Wen smiled faintly, then shook his head:

“This alone isn’t enough.”

Gasha bit her lip, as if making a monumental decision, then spoke:

“Raven Port can provide you with long-term, stable logistical support—but there’s a condition: you must protect the waters around Raven Port.”

“Drive out or eliminate every pirate in the area!”

Gao Wen looked surprised:

“Isn’t that usually the Marines’ job?”

“Didn’t you see what kind of people the Marines are today?”

Gasha sneered, then continued:

“Raven Port’s location is too vital, yet it lies in an extremely dangerous sea zone.”

“The Marines can’t be trusted. Pirates can’t be trusted either. Our own defenses are too weak—so why not partner with you?”

“What boldness!”

Gao Wen made no effort to hide his admiration.

Whether you admit it or not, the pirate era has always been a man’s world.

Over decades, countless men have risen to the rank of Emperor—but only one woman, Big Mom, has ever reached that height; even Empress Hancock falls short.

A woman with Gasha’s decisiveness is exceedingly rare.

With the right power, she might become a force to be reckoned with.

“Deal!”

(End of Chapter)