As time drew nearer, the gathering of pirates at [The Drifter] reached its peak. Everywhere in [The Drifter], the sounds of arguments and fights echoed, creating a liveliness even greater than the New Year.
"Everyone, the League conference is scheduled for tomorrow. Today, please restrain yourselves for the sake of Shipping King's face. If there's any business, save it for later," urged the plump Edie, sweating profusely, as he emerged from the crowd. It took the combined efforts of the Underground World's four Uranus, including the "Shipping King" Umit, to stop the two pirate factions from brawling, deciding to settle their differences in a deadly battle at a later time.
As the busy day unfolded, Edie returned to his dwelling only to discover that the window was open. A tall figure, not frail but well-built, sat in his place wearing a rounded-brimmed hat.
"Lafitte San`! You finally came!"
Edie breathed a sigh of relief and approached with a joyful expression. "You have no idea, those pirates are unbearable if left unchecked. If you hadn't come to oversee, I wouldn't know what to do."
"Hehe, rest assured, Captain Edie. We promise you won't be shortchanged," Lafitte responded, aware that he was playing a role. Dealing with too many pirates could indeed lead to chaos, but when it came to Shipping King's reputation, there was no room for trouble.
But why reveal the truth?
Just a greedy lapdog.
"I understand. I've caused you trouble during this time."
"Well, here's 100 Million Belly as compensation from our Blackbeard Pirate crew for those troublemakers."
Lafitte lifted a box beside him and placed it on the table.
"How can I accept this generosity!"
Edie, with a delighted expression, eagerly grabbed the box, eyes gleaming with excitement. Allowing Blackbeard Pirate crew to use [The Drifter] as the venue for the League conference brought him numerous benefits.
Adding this 100 Million Belly to the equation, it equaled the dividends he would earn from managing [The Drifter] for a year. Who would refuse Belly? Not even the Gold Emperor.
Edie chuckled at the thought.
Seeing his greedy demeanor, Lafitte smiled and said nothing. After a moment, he stood up, "Starting tomorrow, our Blackbeard Pirate crew will take charge. Edie Captain, just ensure that the logistical work goes smoothly."
"Don't worry, leave it to me!"
Edie, grinning from ear to ear, patted his chest.
"In that case, I'll take my leave..."
With that, Lafitte spread a pair of wings behind him and flew out the window, disappearing into the night.
Once he left, Edie's expression turned cold. He went to his desk, tapped it, and opened a drawer, glancing at the seemingly untouched documents inside. Suddenly, his eyebrows raised as he picked up a strand of hair from the floor.
This was a warning!
Edie instantly understood.
"Damn pirates! Don't they trust me?"
Edie cursed silently, then his face took on a cold smile. In the dim light, his eyes flickered with a sinister gleam.
...
There was once a peaceful life laid out before me, but I didn't cherish it. It's only when you lose something that you deeply regret.
If heaven gives me another chance, I would say three words to that man.
"I'll stay!"
In a dark alley, Dante, cloaked in black, retrieved a wallet stained with blood from a throat-slashed corpse, wearing a face as expressionless as a dead fish.
I was truly foolish.
Knowing he was a scheming person.
If I had chosen to stay, I wouldn't be dumped here. If I wasn't dumped here, I wouldn't go out to gather information. If I didn't go out to gather information, my wallet wouldn't have been stolen. If my wallet wasn't stolen, I wouldn't be out here killing someone in the middle of the night.
Flipping the corpse to find no trace of his wallet, Dante, suppressing his wicked intentions, pocketed the Belly and sighed. Despite successfully infiltrating [The Drifter] during the peak guest period, things didn't start well – not a good sign!
"Who goes there?!"
At that moment, a cry echoed from outside the alley.
Dante looked up, recognizing the voice of [The Drifter]'s crew.
Although [The Drifter] had a unique appearance, it was still a ship and necessary security measures were in place for the safety of its patrons.
Covering half of his face with the cloak, Dante stood up, using a voice changer to deliver a coarse and rough message, "Pirate vendetta. If you don't want to die, scram!"
Gulping, the patrolling guard warned, "I... I advise you not to mess around! This ship is under the protection of Shipping King Umit. Otherwise, we won't spare you!"
Ignoring his somewhat threatening words, Dante, with a cold demeanor, drew half of his sword blade.
Seeing his actions, the guard screamed and ran away, leaving his oil lamp behind.
"Murder! Help!"
A few minutes later, sitting on a rooftop, avoiding patrol teams, Dante silently gnawed on tough jerky, looking up at the sky.
I was truly foolish.
If...
"Hmm??"
At that moment, Dante suddenly widened his eyes, watching the figure flashing across the sky under the moonlight. In Dante's mind, the information Rowen had given him quickly surfaced.
"Demon Sheriff" Lafitte!
"He's already here? Blackbeard's guys!"
Dante stood up, gripping the cold handle of his sword, his eyes as sharp as a sword.
Moonlit night, rooftop, black cloak, samurai sword.
It was quite a heroic traveling style.
Except for that half-eaten jerky in his hand, which somewhat spoiled the atmosphere.
...
[The Drifter], a house occupied by Lafitte and Burgess.
Clash!
A slight collision sound awakened Burgess from his deep sleep. He threw a punch, only exhaling when struck back by a cane.
"Did you find anything?"
"For now, nothing, but be cautious of the lame Edie. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing."
Lafitte reversed a chair, resting his hands on the back, "But whatever he plans, as long as the Soryu (Azure Dragon) doesn't show up, we have nothing to fear!"
"Naturally!"
Burgess flexed his biceps, aggressively saying, "I actually hope the Soryu (Azure Dragon) appears. Let's see if he's as terrifying as the legends say!"
"There will be a chance, be patient."
Lafitte, with a frightening smile on his pale face, spoke slowly.
"But recently, [The Drifter] has been restless. In just a few minutes since I returned, I've witnessed three cases of bloodshed."
Lafitte thought of the young swordsman sitting on the rooftop, gnawing on dry rations, and the [The Drifter] patrol team casting nets to catch the killer in that area.
"Starting tomorrow, we will officially reveal ourselves. Listen to my orders, safety first."
"Boring!"
Burgess scoffed disdainfully, but he had no choice. Although Lafitte wasn't the strongest among them, his mind was the sharpest. This matter was significant, and Burgess couldn't defy Teach's orders.
...
The next day, the League conference officially commenced.
In the large square prepared by Edie, pirates gathered for the Pirate League.
"Hey, little kid, how dare you sit in the front row? Get to the back!"
Where there are people, there's a clown. A robust man over three meters tall, unrestrained, released his imposing aura as he approached a pirate with a fierce look, who had a half-bald, half-green-haired non-mainstream hairstyle. He kicked the pirate out with a boom! Caught off guard, the pirate was sent flying, spitting blood.
"Captain!"
"Do you want to die, asshole?!"
The pirate's companions were shocked and then drew their weapons. The robust man's crew, behind him, also took out their weapons, ready for a fight.
At this moment, Lafitte, dressed as a silent actor, stepped onto the stage, pressing down the noisy crowd. "Everyone, everyone, we are here for the League. Can we settle any conflicts later?"
Edie appeared from somewhere, wearing a warm smile on his face.
"Yeah, we've all waited for so long. If the League is disrupted by internal strife, it would be a waste of time, wouldn't it?"
Robust Man didn't care whether it was a waste of time or not, but he knew that if he didn't stop, those Captains whose time was wasted wouldn't let him off.
"Sly Lame Wolf!"
Giving Edie a deep glance, Robust Man snorted, signaling his crew behind to put away their weapons. Sitting down defiantly, he treated the enemies with knives and guns around him as if they were invisible.
"Bastard, go to hell!"
The unknown Captain who was kicked away couldn't accept this humiliation. Seeing Robust Man sitting down, he drew a small knife and rushed towards him, causing a collective gasp.
But at this moment, a figure faster than him appeared. As he swung the knife to stab, a big hand grabbed his head, lifting him up like a chick.
"Wei ha ha ha! Such a disobedient little guy!"
"That's... Champion Burgess!"
"It's him! No wonder he's so fast!"
A gasp echoed through the crowd. Despite Burgess's huge size, he moved incredibly fast. Although the non-mainstream guy struck first, he was easily caught by Burgess.
Several Pirate Captains frowned silently, a sense of wariness arising towards the strength of the Blackbeard Pirate crew.
"Burgess, handle it."
Lafitte calmly spoke, and in the next moment, a strange shattering sound was heard.
Pa Ji!
A headless corpse, still warm, fell to the ground. Soon, [The Drifter]'s crew carried the body away. Lafitte grinned, continuing to speak.
"Alright, the troublemaker has been dealt with. Now, let's officially begin the discussion!"
(End of this chapter)
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