A clash between the Navy and pirates?

Davy Jones gazed toward the horizon with his storm-grey eyes. As the five ships drew nearer, the pirate flags and naval ensigns on their masts became increasingly distinct.

The pirate flag was black, bearing a white skull beside an hourglass.

The Navy's ensign was white, emblazoned with a blue seagull.

Kuro and Alvida stood silently nearby, waiting for his next command.

"Alvida," he ordered, "Bring Buggy out."

"Yes, Captain." Alvida didn't question him. She merely tipped the brim of her wide white hat, nodded, and headed for the cabin.

Moments later, she returned with Buggy, who looked visibly nervous, onto the deck.

"Captain, you called for me?" Buggy asked curiously. But the moment he caught sight of the naval warships and pirate vessels on the sea, his eyes widened in alarm.

"Navy?! And pirates?! Captain, are we going to war?!"

Davy Jones nodded, his tentacles writhing.

"Watch for now. But if the opportunity arises… we may as well test the power of your Buggy Bomb."

At the mention of his self-developed cannonball, Buggy immediately perked up with excitement.

He eagerly responded, hauled out a Buggy Bomb, and loaded it into one of the cannons that had emerged from the Terror Ghost.

So far, Buggy had only crafted four of these cannonballs.

Per their agreement, even if the bombs were used, as long as their destructive power was deemed satisfactory, they would still count toward the hundred he was contracted to deliver to Davy Jones. This made Buggy more than willing to use them.

The cannonball clunked into place. Buggy adjusted the cannon, aiming it in the direction of both the Navy and pirate ships.

---

Aboard the flagship of the Navy's three-ship fleet stood a man in a Navy cap, a long scar trailing down the right side of his face and a defiant grin perpetually tugging at his lips.

This man was Navy Headquarters Lieutenant—"Iron Fist" Hepody (OC).

Though his rank was merely "Lieutenant," his authority far surpassed that of a branch lieutenant. That's why he could command three Navy warships and lead a pursuit against the tattered remnants of a pirate crew.

And the pirates being pursued were none other than the infamous Captain Krieg and his crew—renowned across the East Blue.

It was said that Krieg once commanded a total of 50 ships and 5,000 men, his forces sprawling and formidable. But he had always remained in the East Blue, never daring to set foot into the Grand Line.

But just days ago, near the entrance to the Grand Line, Hepody had unexpectedly encountered the Krieg Pirates, now reduced to a mere three battered ships.

He immediately deduced that Krieg must have overestimated himself, attempted to challenge the Grand Line, and met some overwhelming force that decimated his fleet—leaving only three ships to flee back in disgrace.

Hepody, being from Navy Headquarters, had seen plenty of arrogant pirates like this—and now he smelled opportunity.

This was the perfect chance to annihilate the Krieg Pirates and capture Captain Krieg. If he succeeded, the merit would surely propel him to greater heights.

Without hesitation, Hepody mobilized three Navy warships and relentlessly pursued Krieg's battered pirate ships.

Strike while the enemy is weak!

Though it appeared that both sides had an equal number of ships, the Navy vessels far outclassed the pirates' worn-down ships in terms of firepower and integrity.

What's more, the Krieg Pirates were low on ammunition and morale.

It wasn't long before one of Krieg's ships was sunk by the Navy's cannon fire.

The remaining two ships fled at full speed, not daring to look back.

This only delighted Hepody further. He was convinced that as long as the chase continued, a complete victory was inevitable.

He could already imagine the headlines…

"Navy Hero Single-Handedly Defeats Captain Krieg!!"

The more he fantasized, the more eagerly he rubbed the brass knuckles on his fists and barked orders at his men to continue the pursuit.

Meanwhile, under the unrelenting chase of the Navy's three ships, the two remaining vessels of the Krieg Pirates sailed in tight formation—one behind the other—too afraid to dock for resupply.

Their only option was to keep running.

At that moment, aboard the leading pirate ship, a group of pirates sat cross-legged on the deck, heavy silence hanging in the air like a stormcloud.

On a nearby chair sat Captain Krieg, clad in shining gold armor, saying nothing.

He listened to the thunder of cannon fire from behind, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the hopeless expressions on his subordinates' faces.

It had only been seven days since they'd entered the Grand Line, and already they were forced to flee back to the East Blue in utter defeat. His once-mighty pirate fleet had been reduced to two ships.

Of all his officers, only Chief Commander Gin and Second Squad Captain Pearl had survived. The rest were lost to the sea.

And all of this nightmare—was because of that man they encountered on the seventh day.

Krieg rubbed his forehead, a deep frustration gnawing at him. The sheer helplessness he felt—even after resorting to every dirty trick he knew—left him questioning himself.

He couldn't comprehend it.

How could just one man destroy the majority of his fleet?

It made no sense.

Now, the Krieg Pirates were reduced to being hunted down by three Navy ships.

In the past, if he had just lined up all 50 of his vessels, no Navy fleet would have dared pursue them.

"Damn it!" growled Pearl, clad in metal plates that sandwiched his body like a walking tank. He stood up. "Captain, we should turn around and fight! We can't let those Navy bastards walk all over us!"

Gin, wearing his signature striped head wrap, immediately objected.

"Fight? With what? We used up all our ammunition dealing with that man in the Grand Line. We don't even have food or fresh water left. In a few days, we'll be starving!"

"Then we fake surrender, get close, and storm their ship for close combat!"

"You think the Navy will let a pirate ship get that close? They know our reputation. They won't be fooled again!"

"What then? We just keep running like cowards?" Pearl shouted. "The Krieg Pirates have ruled the East Blue for years! When have we ever been humiliated like this?!"

Gin shook his head. "The only option right now is to find a way to shake them off. Fighting back is suicide."

"How? They're sticking to us like glue! If we don't turn back and fight while we still can, when will we ever get the chance? We have to fight, and take their ships. That's our only shot at surviving!"

As the two top officers clashed, the rest of the pirates stayed silent, not daring to chime in.

"Enough!" Krieg bellowed.

Gin and Pearl fell silent at once. Seeing the anger on their captain's face, they exchanged glances and backed down.

Krieg knew they both made valid points. But their current predicament left them with only two paths—and choosing the wrong one meant total annihilation.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for someone who once dreamed of conquering the Grand Line.

Just then, as if fate had heard his thoughts, a sliver of hope appeared.

"Captain!" a lookout cried, running over. "There's a black ship up ahead—no flags!"

Krieg remained silent for a moment, then stood, his imposing frame rising from the chair.

"Give me the spyglass."

"Yes, Captain!"

Taking the spyglass, Krieg carefully observed the black ship. Indeed, there was no emblem, no markings. He could barely see any crew aboard.

But at the bow stood a woman with black hair.

Not a pirate ship, and not a Navy vessel either. And yet carrying a beautiful woman on board?

A merchant or passenger vessel, perhaps?

Hope flickered in Krieg's eyes.

Maybe that ship carried supplies—enough to keep them sailing, or even enough to strike back at the Navy?

After a moment of consideration, Krieg made his decision.

"Gin!"

"Here, Captain!"

"Take the rear ship and delay the Navy as long as you can."

The pirates around him gasped.

Sending their Chief Commander to cover the retreat—it was as good as a death sentence.

Gin's dark-rimmed eyes widened in shock, but his loyalty to Krieg prevailed.

"Yes, Captain. I'll see it done."

Without another word, Gin made his way to the stern, grabbed a rope, and swung onto the trailing ship, taking command.

Pearl approached Krieg.

"Captain, are we retreating?"

"Hmph. Who do you think I am?" Krieg sneered, pointing at the black ship ahead. "Bring us alongside that ship. While Gin buys us time, we'll board it and seize whatever supplies they've got. If they have ammunition—we can fight back."

Understanding finally dawned on Pearl. He broke into a grin.

"Aye, Captain!" Pearl turned and shouted to the rest of the crew, "You heard the Captain! Get ready to board! This is what we do, boys!"

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