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Chapter 83: Byojack's Worries
The sky was gray and very gloomy. Swirling snow covered the world in a thick layer, making everything appear pale. Five pirate ships, their flags emblazoned with the skull and crossbones, cruised off the shore of an island. The decks were crowded with hideous pirates.
"Boss Waldo! After this transaction, will our ammunition and weapons be replenished?"
"Hahahaha! Of course! How dare that brat named Doflamingo disobey the boss?"
"I heard that the Donquixote Family controls the weapons smuggling in the entire North Blue underground world. The arms they provide should be top-quality goods."
"Hey hahaha! What Marine, what World Government... they will be annihilated under the firepower of our Ward Pirates!"
The members of the Ward Pirates, their arms folded, looked up at Byrnndi Waldo standing at the bow of the ship. Their eyes were filled with fanaticism and admiration for the generous and towering figure of their captain. He was the legendary "World Destroyer," feared by the World Government and Naval Headquarters, along with Whitebeard and Roger.
"Hahahaha! That's inevitable! I am Byrnndi Waldo. Everything that stands in my way will be destroyed by me!" Waldo laughed heartily, turning to his brother Byojack, who was sitting on his shoulder. "Isn't that right, brother?"
Byojack, with a bottle hanging on his face, appeared sickly. He looked at his domineering and unscrupulous younger brother, worry flashing deep in his eyes. He managed a smile and said, "Yes, brother."
Byrnndi Waldo laughed again, as a thin layer of snow accumulated on his metal horn helmet. Standing on the bow, he glanced at the ambitious faces of his subordinates on the deck, his smile growing more rampant and unrestrained.
He pondered the unknown reason behind the Marine and World Government raising his bounty from 200 million Berries to 400 million Berries. But he couldn't deny that Sengoku's actions had significantly helped him.
In the sea, a higher bounty meant a stronger crusade from the Marine, but it was also a testament to reputation. The higher the bounty, the greater the fame, attracting more pirates to his cause. In just the last half month in the North Blue alone, the number of pirates under his command had skyrocketed from a few hundred to thousands. The fleet had grown from one to five ships. And that was just the North Blue! Returning to the Grand Line or the New World would bring countless more pirates, and the Ward Pirates could become the greatest in the sea.
Byrnndi Waldo had long coveted a large pirate fleet like the one led by Golden Lion Shiki. "This is really a good era," he muttered with a sneer.
Glancing at the distant island, he gave the order, "Get ready to land." The island, visible through the blizzard, had a white outline like a ghostly town under the gloomy sky. That deserted island was the agreed-upon location for the transaction.
"Yes, Boss Waldo!"
His pirates looked excited and eager. Since joining the Ward Pirates, they had been in short supply of arms, so they had high hopes for the success of this transaction.
The sailors quickly turned the rudder and pulled on the sail's cable to adjust their course. With the wind's help, the paths of the five pirate ships gradually changed, drawing lines on the sea's surface as they sailed toward the deserted island.
Just as the five pirate ships were about to dock, Byojack, who was seated on Byrnndi Waldo's shoulder, spoke up. His pale brows were furrowed as he eyed the stretch of shore. The five warships crowded the harbor, looking extremely cramped. The icy wind smacked his face, causing him to shiver uncontrollably. The cold triggered a violent coughing fit, and his face turned red from the exertion.
"Ahem... Waldo, for safety's sake, I don't think we should dock all the ships together," Byojack said. "The coastline's terrain is too narrow. If the Marines were to attack now, we wouldn't have a chance to escape."
"Oh?" Byrnndi Waldo glanced at his brother, skeptical of Byojack's caution.
Ever since his bounty had increased, Byojack had become more anxious and behaved more cautiously. They only docked for necessary supplies and crew recruitment, meticulously inspecting all pirate ships and confiscating any communication equipment. This cautious approach made Byrnndi Waldo question if his brother's illness was making him timider.
After all, it was just the North Blue, not the Grand Line. Even if Sengoku himself should come, he would be fearless.
Nevertheless, remembering his brother's care during his childhood and his worsening health, Byrnndi Waldo did not argue against Byojack's suggestion, and his smile stayed in place.
"If that's my brother's suggestion, then..." He pointed at one of the pirate ships. "You... don't dock. Cruise around the coastline of the island and wait for my signal."
As he spoke, he extracted a telephone bug from his arms and tossed it to a pirate on that ship. Upon hearing their captain's command, the pirates aboard made sounds of disappointment, and their faces dropped with regret.
Pirates lacked disciplined. They took to the sea for plunder, wealth, fame, and power, not for dreams and freedom, as the age of great pirate treasure had yet to dawn. Infighting over loot was common, even among crew members. Byrnndi Waldo himself would sometimes let them fight it out, believing the weak had no place with him. Getting first dibs on a new batch of arms was essential.
Since their ship wasn't docking, the pirates on those left ashore would naturally snatch up the Donquixote Family's arms first, leaving those at sea with nothing or just the low-quality leftovers.
Despite their frustration, the pirates didn't dare contradict Byrnndi Waldo's presence. They could only silently curse their bad luck.