Majors was a bit perplexed upon hearing Atlas's grandiose statement, evidently clueless about what Atlas had in mind for their next course of action."
Indeed, beneath the beauty of this world, there are always countless filth and sins hidden."
On the warship, Atlas silently observed the entirety of Sabaody. Despite its glamorous appearance, the island seemed to be plagued by various violent crimes and human trafficking continuously.
Especially areas 1 to 29, referred to as lawless zones.
"It's truly disheartening. Let's start by eradicating some of these sins!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Majors standing next to him felt a formidable surge of intimidation emanating from Atlas. Although it wasn't directed at him, the sheer force of the presence momentarily rendered him unconscious!
Conqueror's Haki!
...
"Hahahaha! I'm a renowned pirate with a bounty of 70 million berries. It's your privilege to have me dine at your establishment. How dare you demand payment from me?"
In a particular tavern, a bald man with a menacing visage and an indescribable appearance loomed, carrying a large sword on his back. He gazed at the tavern owner with an exceedingly arrogant expression.
Surrounded by a crowd that had gathered in a circle to witness the spectacle, there were also disreputable-looking pirates, presumably members of the bald man's crew.
"Hey! Old man, our captain is Nick the Evil Ghost. Don't you have a death wish?"
"Hahaha! What a novelty, there are actually people asking pirates to pay for their drinks."
Everyone in the vicinity was astonished upon hearing this.
'Evil Ghost' Nick has gained notoriety of late, particularly for his fondness of dispatching his enemies.
They even annihilated a Marine base in the North Blue. Such a infamous pirate unexpectedly encountered the tavern owner.
Contemplating this, the onlookers couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the tavern owner.
"Haha... How dare you flaunt yourself as a mighty pirate with a mere bounty of 70 million?"
The tavern owner evidently wasn't cowed by Nick. Someone who could establish a tavern in an illegal zone wouldn't be afraid of a pirate with a mere 70 million bounty. This owner was clearly a formidable character.
"How irritating!"
Nick, observing the boss's derisive expression, felt his veins bulging in his arms. He hoisted the sword on his back high, simulating a motion to cleave the boss in half with a single stroke.
"Haha... you're a pirate from North Blue, aren't you?"
The boss remained unperturbed and instead inquired about an unrelated matter.
"Huh? So what?"
The descending blade abruptly halted, its formidable sharpness etching a bloodline directly on the tavern owner's forehead.
"Joker! I'm a subordinate of Joker!"
After the tavern owner finished speaking, he stood there, wearing a smile as if he were thoroughly convinced by the name.
"Joker? Who's that? Have you heard of him?"
"Never heard of it. Perhaps he's just a businessman from North Blue? Hahahaha..."
"Hey, hey! The Demon Pirates seem quite afraid of this 'Joker'!"
When the people around heard the tavern owner mention a name unfamiliar to them, they immediately started conversing. However, their expressions turned to surprise upon seeing the reactions of Nick and the others. It was evident that Nick and the others were acquainted with the so-called Joker.
Nick and the others gazed at the self-assured tavern owner, finding themselves in a dilemma. Naturally, they had heard the name 'Joker.' He could be considered a major player in the underground world of North Blue. Although he hadn't ventured into the Grand Line, Nick and the opposing group had clashed in the past.
As for the outcome... one could easily gauge it by observing Nick's fearful expression.
The tavern owner, evidently a pragmatic individual, understood that regardless of how illustrious 'Joker's' reputation might be in the underground world of North Blue, this was the Grand Line. The sky was vast, and the emperor was distant. Ultimately, the only life that mattered was his own. If the pirate before him were to become incensed and decide to kill him on the spot, it would be an unjust fate.
Even if 'Joker' were to assist him in seeking revenge eventually, what practical significance would it hold?
"Alright, I'll show favor to 'Joker' today. First mate, bring me the money for the drinks!"
Although Nick is known as the 'evil ghost', he is evidently not lacking in intelligence. When he saw the tavern owner extending a gesture to allow him a face-saving way out, he promptly chose to deescalate the situation.
As soon as these words were uttered, the onlookers who had anticipated witnessing a spectacle were immediately let down. Simultaneously, they became intensely curious about the 'Joker' mentioned by the tavern owner.
Although Nick's bounty of 70 million is not uncommon in the Grand Line, it's evident that this 'Joker' isn't someone who can easily subdue an opponent solely with a name.
Just as everyone was on the verge of departing with resentful expressions, a formidable aura enveloped them, and the world seemed to transform into a colorless tableau.
Plop! Plop! …
All the pirates in the tavern collapsed to the ground like dumplings.
"Well..."
The remaining onlookers were left bewildered. Suddenly, they felt a powerful gust of wind against their faces. The pirates who had been shouting just moments ago now frothed at the mouth and dropped unconscious. Moreover, some were bleeding from their orifices, emitting no sound at all.
...
"Hey, hey, hey! Are you blind? Didn't you see such a big living being over there?"
In the illegal zone of Area 2, an elderly man with a pointed nose and sagging cheeks was haughtily commanding a gang of thugs dressed in black suits behind him. In front of him stood a terrified young girl, approximately 17 or 18 years old.
"It's quite unfortunate that she has become the target of him..."
"Who is that man?"
"Silence! This man is the mastermind behind the largest human auction house in Sabaody. It's rumored that he has the Celestial Dragons backing him."
"Tsk, tsk~ It appears that this girl won't be able to escape today..."
Hearing the comments from the onlookers, the already frightened girl burst into even more tears, as if she could foresee her future life as a slave.
"But isn't she a tourist?"
Behind the middle-aged man with a pointed nose and sagging cheeks, a muscular individual appeared somewhat uncomfortable.
"Hahaha! Hatton, why the sudden kindness? Consider your wife and daughter who is bedridden!"
The burly man appeared to have been prodded at some sensitive spot. His fists clenched tightly, and his knuckles turned a shade paler from the strain.
"It's truly top-notch... I'm certain the Celestial Dragons will appreciate it. Marie Joie has been experiencing a shortage of slaves lately, hehehehe!"
"Uh-huh..."
Before the middle-aged man with the pointed nose could step forward, it felt as if someone had struck him at the back of his head. Streams of warm liquid began flowing from his ears, nose, and throat.
Bang~
...
The identical scene played out repeatedly in Sabaody Archipelago, as if an omnipotent eye was surveilling the entire archipelago, and the wrongdoers were being punished by a divine force almost simultaneously!
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Read 35 chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/Cosmic_Kaminari