As the crew keeps on partying and celebrating aboard the Yogi Pooh as it slowly traverses the warm waters of the South Blue, a Marine ship quickly makes its way towards them without no one noticing it.
Every slightly competent pirate crew would have someone on the crow's nest keeping an eye on the ocean so something like this would never happen. Before the shipwreck, this was Jimmy's job. A young man with a heart of gold and a good pair of eyes. Now, the responsibility falls over Verona's shoulders. But now he is too busy filling up his sixth mug of ale.
The Marine ship just keeps getting closer and closer. The crew only notices it when the shadow of this standard Marine ship looms over them. Covering the significantly smaller Yogi Pooh in darkness.
After letting out a collective "Oh shit", William and crew get ready for a fight. Well, as ready as they could be after consuming a good amount of alcohol.
-Why haven't they shot their cannons at us already?... – Duros wonders after picking up his shield and mace with no time to put his armor back on.
A few seconds go by until a man comes up to the edge of the ship. A rather normal-looking man, if not a bit more muscular, wearing the standard Marine's uniform, a coat with "Justice" written on its back hanging from his shoulders, and a bandana that partially covers his messy, ginger hair.
He stands there solemnly looking at two pieces of paper. He examines them with a very serious look and then looks down at the crew.
-YOU THERE! – He says with a screechy and annoying voice. Pointing a hand ax at the ship – Who is the captain of this ship?!
William lets out an annoyed sigh after hearing the man's voice.
-Ahem, I am, sir. Marine. – He says stepping forward with his hand in the air.
-Ah, so William is your name… – The Marine says turning one of the pieces of paper over to the crew. It turns out to be a nameless wanted poster with a terrible drawing of William's face. Obviously done based on someone's description. And a bad one at that…
The other thing that caught William's attention is the bounty written on it: 10.000.000 Bellys.
-William! – The Marine continues – You are under arrest for the murder of Captain Marrow's father! For I am LIEUTENANT HUBRIS! AND I AM HERE TO COLLECT YOUR LIFE!! – The man screeches out. He's so loud that even some of the Marines standing next to him wince at his very annoying voice.
William takes a deep breath while pinching the bridge of his nose. Not only as a general reaction to the annoying character in front of him but also as a way to concentrate to devise a plan that could get him and the crew out of this situation.
But before William could even begin to talk, Lieutenant Hubris quickly shifts his attention towards Pearl.
-And you! – He says pointing his ax at her. Hubris drops William's wanted poster and brings up another one with a picture of Pearl on it. Well, it's more like a picture of a painting of her where she appears significantly younger. Indicating that this painting must have been made a long time ago.
What is more striking, however, is what's written on it: "Only Alive", 50.000.000 Bellys.
William is dumbfounded upon seeing this. He quickly looks back at Pearl.
-Fifty million? Really? – He says in disbelief.
Pearl, however, is very shocked after seeing her wanted poster. Now that she's not wearing her trusty hood anymore, it's a lot easier to spot her in a crowd.
-Princess! – Hubris continues with a victorious smile – You are coming with me!
-Princess… – Duros says with an interesting intonation as a bead of sweat drops from his forehead – That's an interesting title for a wanted person… Well, she does suit one! – He complements now with his usual form of speech.
-Surrender now or prepare to fight! – Lieutenant Hubris exclaims confidently.
He assumes that a pirate crew with only five people has no chance against his well-trained, twenty-men crew.
At this point, William's patience has been completely exhausted. He abandons the idea of sweet-talking his way out of this and opts to do this by the old-fashioned way.
-Is that right… Well, since you were so kind! – He takes out his pistol and shoots Hubris in the face. The bullet opens a sizable hole on his cheek.
Hubris backs off a few steps and slowly wipes the blood out of his face.
-I see you've made your decision… You'll regret facing Lieutenant Hubris! My men, BOARD THIS VESSEL! ATTACK!!! – He screeches out before throwing his hand ax at William, cutting him on the side.
Soon after, four Marines jump down to the Yogi Pooh with their weapons in hand. But are immediately stopped before they could even land on the ship by Ragnar, Duros, Pearl, and Verona.
-CHAHAHA!! I've been itching to test this thing on a real battle! – Ragnar says excitedly. He jumps over the enemy ship, ax in hand, and transforms into his bear hybrid form.
-They have another Zoan user on their crew?! – One of the Marines says with panic in his voice.
-Ah yes! I shall join you, my friend! – Duros exclaims jumping into the Marine ship and stands back to back with Ragnar. Marines surrounding them from all sides.
-CHAHAHA! Let's do this! – Ragnar roars out and advances. Swinging his ax and splitting two Marines in half with a single strike.
Duros also joins in the fight. Hitting a man in the face with his mace as he blocks his cutlass with his shield.
-Hey… These guys are stronger than we anticipated! – Someone says backing off until he's shot by Verona who swiftly and stealthily climbed to the crow's nest to have a better shooting position.
-MEN! – Lieutenant Hubris calls out to his subordinates – DO NOT BACK DOWN! WE MUST KILL-
He's interrupted by a bullet flying near his ear. He looks at William who's now reloading his flintlock.
He jumps down to the Yogi Pooh with a grunt. Takes out another hand ax from inside his coat and chucks it at William, almost hitting him on the face if not for his skillful dodge.
-Very well, captain William… – Hubris says scornfully – I'll take you down personally. Captain Marrow will be very pleased when I present your severed head to him!
He swings back his cloak revealing several hand axes strapped to his hip, torso, back, and legs. Verona and specially Duros notice Hubris' advance and immediately worry about their captain. They know William isn't the best when it comes to one-on-one combats.
Hubris takes out two axes and prepares to throw them at William. But a pink blur dashes towards Hubris and kicks him in the chest. He manages to defend himself, blocking her kick with his axes just in time, but this still makes him back off a few steps.
-You guys worry about the riffraff! I'll help our Captain! – Pearl says to her crew with determination. Despite her very particular attire, she still gives off a menacing aura with her sharp claws and menacing expression.
Ragnar, Duros and even Verona and William smile to themselves as they prepare to take down those who interrupted their party.