Chapter 48

While Xia Nuo and the others were excitedly visiting the interior of the warship.

In a relatively remote hotel in the northeast of Sherry Island.

The tall figure wearing a black cloak sat on the balcony with a cold expression, gazing at the sunset gradually falling below the sea level in the distance.

"What a boring life..."

The man named "Hundred Plans" Kuro whispered to himself.

He had been venturing on this sea for some years. As he entered middle age, the hot-blooded excitement of his youth had faded, and he began to get tired of such a life.

Especially in recent years.

All the big pirates in the East Blue with a bounty of over 10 million, except for Buggy who escaped back to the Grand Line, almost all died in the hands of the man named Xia Nuo.

Only he was left as the lone seedling.

For a time, he stood out from the crowd and became the target of public criticism. Those Marine hawks and greedy bounty hunters chased him more and more relentlessly, and he had to fight a bitter battle from time to time.

This time he stopped at Sherry Island because he was forced to fight a sea battle a few days ago.

The hull was seriously damaged, and he had to come here to find a professional shipbuilding company to repair it.

Perhaps, he should also think of a way to get out of this situation.

Then find a country manor with beautiful scenery and live a few years of peaceful life like a rich retired old man.

Just as he was thinking, Kuro suddenly heard the sound of rapid footsteps coming from the stairs.

"Why are you back so soon?"

Kuro knew who it was without looking, frowning. "Didn't I tell you two to run to a few more shipyards and compare the prices?"

If it didn't cost much, it would be acceptable.

If the asking price made him dissatisfied, it wouldn't be too late to hold a gun to the heads of those shipbuilders to see if they still dared to open their mouths like lions.

"Leader! There’s a fat sheep, a fat sheep!"

Sam and Buchi could hardly hide their excitement, shaking the photos in their hands. "Look, Leader, this is what I took secretly from the outside just in case, a close-up photo!"

"Famous sword?"

Kuro was attracted by Wado Ichimonji at first glance, his eyes showing surprise. "Should be a Great Grade Sword? A Supreme Grade Sword is also possible. It’s estimated to be worth 100 million Berries... and it’s priceless in the underground world."

He suddenly seemed to notice something, and his face changed drastically.

Sam and Buchi hadn't reacted yet, and the captain in front of them had disappeared without a trace. The next instant, cold, claw-like sharp blades were pressed tightly against their throats.

"I said..."

A cold voice came from behind. "You two, don't tell me you secretly found a new captain, or want to stand on your own and are planning to betray me?"

"Blood! Blood is going to be shed, Leader!"

Sam screamed, crying and saying, "What... what are you talking about? We are loyal to you, how could we betray you?!"

"Yeah, yeah." Buchi also swallowed hard, trembling and turning his head to apologize with a smile. "You don't know us two, where would we have the guts..."

"It’s because I know you don't! Otherwise, I would have killed you directly!"

Kuro sneered, suddenly pointing at the photo. "I said, are you two blind! Can't you see who that man is?"

That man?

Sam and Buchi looked blankly at the photo.

Because the lens was focused on the sword, the figures of several people were a bit blurry, but the facial contour of one of the men was indeed a bit familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere...

"It’s Xia Nuo! That famous strongest swordsman of the East Blue, Xia Nuo! Two idiots with no eyes!"

Xia Nuo?

Hearing this familiar name, Sam and Buchi gasped and finally woke up.

"That Xia Nuo who killed the entire Arlong Pirates a few years ago?"

"And the Don Krieg Pirates! They were also wiped out by him recently!"

The more they thought about it, the more scared they became, sweating profusely, feeling a sense of survival after a disaster.

Fortunately, they didn't rush to make a move at the Whale Company just now, otherwise, wouldn't they have become corpses on the street without even seeing Captain Kuro’s face?

"Know fear now?"

Kuro’s cat claws suddenly crossed in front of them, and ten cold lights instantly shredded the photo. "What are you still standing there for! Go tell Jango, gather all the brothers, and set sail immediately! This Sherry Island cannot be stayed in anymore, change to another place to repair the ship!"

"Eh? But we just arrived not long ago."

Buchi pouted, a bit reluctant. "Isn't it fine if we don't provoke that guy? We haven't docked for almost a month, I still wanted to go to the Red Light Street tonight..."

"Shut up, you idiot!"

Seeing Kuro’s expression getting darker and darker, Sam hurriedly covered his mouth. "Better safe than sorry, do you understand risk? What if that man notices us? Do you want our Black Cat Pirates to be wiped out too? Let’s go, hurry up and go with me to call people!"

That’s more like it.

Watching the two backs hurry away outside the door, Kuro snorted, and the killing intent in his eyes gradually faded.

This group of subordinates who only knew how to drag him down were simply more stupid than the last. After hanging out with them for a long time, he felt his IQ was also dropping.

"Strongest swordsman, Xia Nuo..."

Looking at the photo fragments on the ground, Kuro still felt a sense of dread and unease in his heart, always feeling that something particularly bad would happen today.

This man was too dangerous and must be kept away as soon as possible, the further the better!

As for provoking him like that idiot Krieg to make his bounty and fame higher?

Ridiculous.

Considering the strength difference between the two sides, the success rate was too low. He was "Hundred Plans" Kuro, famous for his strategy and surviving by stability; he wouldn't do such a stupid thing.

…………

Half an hour later.

The Black Cat Pirates’ ship hurried out to sea. Kuro leaned on the railing, staring dead at the neon sign of the Whale Company in the distance.

Until the sign had become a tiny bright spot invisible in his vision, and he didn't see any ship following them,

only then did he withdraw his gaze and lie down on the sun chair slowly, pretending to be calm.

"Captain Kuro, your red wine."

Vice Captain Jango brought the goblet. Kuro said "hmm" and took it casually, but he was in no mood to drink and put it aside for the time being.

"Leader, in my opinion, you have been too nervous because you were chased too tightly some time ago." Jango said with a grin. "How about letting me hypnotize you and relax properly?"

"No need."

Kuro frowned slightly and refused directly.

Jango was the only one among his subordinates worth his trust, and his hypnosis ability was indeed very practical, but he just didn't like this feeling of losing control.

"Captain!" The lookout suddenly shouted. "At ten o’clock, there’s a small boat coming toward us!"

Small boat?

Kuro’s pupils shrank, his spine tightened, and he stood up and shouted, "Look carefully! How many people are on it, is that Xia Nuo inside?"

"Just one person!"

The lookout replied, "This person looks unfamiliar, not Xia Nuo, nor the bounty hunter who chased us before. He is waving at us, seemingly wanting help. Tsk, this boat is too small, just like a coffin, one person fills the whole place..."

Not Xia Nuo?

Kuro suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, followed by a sense of shame and anger that inexplicably surged up—a nobody who scared him, also worthy of coming over for help?

"Idiot with no eyes..."

He was too lazy to pay attention anymore, sneered, and issued an order. "Sail toward it! Crush that guy and his boat directly!"

"Yes, Captain!!!"

The deck rang with the thunderous response of the pirates.

The sea not far away.

Looking at the pirate ship that was inexplicably charging over at full speed, Hawkeye was slightly stunned, then sighed lightly and reached for the black sword on his back with his right hand.

I clearly just didn't know the direction of Cocoyasi Village and wanted to find a local to ask for directions.

These guys, why do they have to do this kind of thing...

(End of chapter)