As the sun set over the coastline.
A group of pirates boarded the ship.
The "Vulture" Sherlock spoke of was a middle-aged man with a thick, bushy beard.
He was bare-chested, wearing simple linen trousers and clutching a long-handled war hamr. The sun and wind had weathered his skin, making it exceptionally coarse.
He had the appearance of a brute, but beneath his heavy brows, a sharp intelligence occasionally glinted in his deep blue eyes.
"Captain Sherlock, we're ready."
His first mate approached.
"Set sail!"
The middle-aged man was also nad Sherlock, the sa as the Minister of Finance. They were, in fact, from the sa family.
They were half-brothers. The minister was the son of the legal wife, while the pirate was an illegitimate child.
The two brothers had grown up together.
After coming of age, one beca the Minister of Finance, who held the entire Kilauea in his grasp. The other beca a vicious and notorious pirate captain.
For thirty years, they had controlled all trade in and out of the country, one operating in the light, the other in the shadows, in perfect, seamless cooperation.
Before boarding, Captain Sherlock quietly asked his first mate, "What did he say?"
The first mate smirked. "The old man said you can talk about it after this job is done."
Captain Sherlock also laughed.
"Thirty years..."
"And still the sa answer."
"We're all still family," the first mate said. "Once a suitable successor is found, the Captain can finally co ashore and be reunited with his loved ones."
"Family."
The word felt like a dagger in Captain Sherlock's ears.
—————————
Night fell.
In the Minister of Finance's residence, Minister Sherlock was savoring the unique texture of the Ice Mushrooms, the oppressive sumr heat lting away.
"This is good stuff," he murmured. "If I can control the supply, I can make a fortune selling it, whether it's to our own people or to Alabasta. If I offer it as tribute to the Celestial Dragons, I might even be able to beco one of them."
Just as commoners had their social classes, nobles had their own hierarchy.
The most powerful in the world were the Five Elders. Below them were the Celestial Dragons, and then the nobles of the affiliated kingdoms. At the very bottom were the nobles of non-affiliated nations.
Each step up was a massive leap in status, wealth, and power.
"That brother of yours seems to be getting more and more... unruly," a voice said from across the table. Galdino sipped his coffee, his tone elegant. The topknot on his head was styled in the shape of a "3".
Baroque Works was an organization founded by the mysterious "Mr. 0". Its mbers were active at the major entry points to the Grand Line, spread across the starting points of all seven routes.
Galdino, codenad "Mr. 3," was stationed in Kilauea. On the surface, he was a rchant purchasing sulfur and other minerals.
In the shadows, he was backing Minister Sherlock, helping him seize control of the nation's governnt and turn it into a weapons manufacturing base for Baroque Works.
Minister Sherlock picked up his knife and fork.
"He's just like ," he said. "A man who places great importance on family and kinship. His family is here with . And I... have already written the script for his 'glorious' sacrifice. He, along with all our little secrets, will die in a naval ambush, betrayed by his own n."
Galdino laughed. "You truly are a despicable man, willing to sell out your own family."
Minister Sherlock shook his head. "He was never my family. He was just a little accident. A bastard."
....
Late at night.
All was quiet.
Galdino couldn't sleep. He stood at his window, gazing out at the sea. For so reason, he felt a persistent sense of unease.
—————————
The lighthouse beam swept across the water.
Two ships suddenly burst from the darkness, their pirate flags announcing their identity.
Back at the docks, Jin once again set foot on Pincer Island.
He looked out at the town, shrouded in darkness, and turned to the weathered man beside him.
"Captain Sherlock, a pleasure doing business with you."
Captain Sherlock's gaze was complex. "I hope you keep your word."
"Of course—"
Jin replied. "—I'm just here to get my five million Berries back. You, on the other hand, are here to deliver justice, to rid the people of a tyrant, to rob from the rich and give to the poor. Tonight, you will beco the hero who liberated Kilauea."
Behind them, the captured first mate looked on, completely bewildered. "Captain, what are you doing? Are you betraying the family?"
Captain Sherlock turned. At his waist was a slender rapier. With a flash of cold light, the blade pierced the first mate's throat.
Only after the sword was sheathed did the wound split open, blood seeping out.
"Betray?" Captain Sherlock said, his eyes turning hard and resolute. "No. The family betrayed ."
"Harm no civilians," he commanded. "Our target is the Minister of Finance's residence."
Aside from his first mate, Captain Sherlock had personally recruited every mber of his crew. Their loyalty was to him, and him alone.
Without a mont's hesitation, the force of four to five hundred n advanced on the town, quickly quelling the few pockets of resistance they encountered.
"Your Majesty... he is 'The Vulture' Sherlock, the great pirate with a bounty of 45,000,000 Berries!" Jeston was still trying to process everything.
It had all happened so fast.
How had they suddenly beco the "Razor Pirates," and why were they now working with the Vulture Pirates?
Jin glanced at the militia mbers he'd brought with him.
Most were young, strong, and full of passion.
But they were still inexperienced, still hesitant to do wrong.
"The Minister of Finance of Kilauea not only stole our money," Jin said, his voice ringing with conviction, "but he also tried to take our Ice Mushrooms—your future. Are you not angry? Are you not furious? Are you just going to let him rob you blind?"
"I'M FURIOUS!"
"I'M ANGRY!"
"I WON'T STAND FOR IT!"
The n shouted, their voices rising in a chorus of indignation.
The mory of the minister's smug face as he'd so easily taken their five million Berries was still fresh in their minds.
"Then it's an eye for an eye," Jin declared. "Let's go take back what's ours with our own two hands!"
"YEAH!"
A surge of excitent ran through the n. Their expressions hardened. Violence exists in everyone. Even the most honest person has a savage side.
Jin had first let them experience the disappointnt and humiliation of having their earnings stolen.
Then, under the guise of the "Razor Pirates," he gave them a chance for revenge.
'It's the 'Razor Pirates' doing this, not us good, honest folk.' The guilt was minimized.
The "beast" that had been locked away inside them was quietly let out of its cage.
Are the pirates of the Grand Line born as pirates?
Of course not.
Step by step, they unleash their primal instincts, their savagery, until they eventually beco cold-blooded killers.
Of course, those who can control that beast, who can unleash and restrain it at will—those are the ones who beco the true powerhouses of the sea, the contenders for the throne.
—————————
DONG! DONG! DONG!
Finally, the alarm bells began to ring out across the island.
"KILL!"
The sounds of battle erupted.
The entire island was jolted from its sleep.
"What's happening?"
"What was that?"
"Are we under attack?"
By the ti Minister Sherlock climbed out of bed, the grounds of his residence were already filled with the clash of steel.
He didn't even bother to get dressed, running outside in a daze. "Pirates? Where did these pirates co from?"
The surrounding waters were the Vulture Pirates' territory. What pirate crew would be foolish enough to try and rob the master of this sea?
CRASH!
A wall collapsed. Through the dust and smoke, Captain Sherlock strode in.
"It's , my dear brother."
—————————
At the Royal Palace.
The guards watched nervously as the "pirates" approached.
"Stop! Any closer and we'll open fire!"
Jin smiled.
He held up his hands, showing that he was unard. "I wish to speak with your king," he said. "I have a business proposal for him."
Over the past six months, Jin hadn't just been training and breeding mushrooms. He had also been conducting detailed research on his two potential markets.
Alabasta was already in Crocodile's sights. It wasn't a suitable place to do business just yet—a conflict with him would be unavoidable.
Kilauea—on the other hand—wasn't much larger than the Winter Blossom Kingdom and had no major power players. It was the perfect place for him to make his first move.
The captain of the guard was surprised.
After a mont's hesitation, he sent his second-in-command to report to the king.
A short while later, the man returned.
"The king has agreed to see you. But you must go in alone."
"Alright," Jin said.
~# Every 100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter!
~# Add to Library!
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