Chapter 22: Hachinosu
Although Charlotte didn't like the rules very much, he didn't say so. He never felt a sense of belonging to this pirate crew from the start.
Now that he was forced to join, he decided to take the opportunity to train hard. Strengthening himself was his sole focus.
"Now that you've become the captain of the Eighth Division, I should tell you our rules. You're responsible for your crew and ship, but you must hand over 30% of your looted goods as part of the financial reports. Do you understand this rule?"
Rocks' voice carried authority that demanded no argument.
"Yes, Captain!" Charlotte nodded solemnly.
"Hm!" Rocks nodded in satisfaction and stood up.
"We'll stay in this port for a day. Prepare yourself," Rocks instructed.
"Understood!" Charlotte agreed.
Edward Newgate and Shiki the Golden Lion didn't end up fighting. The two merely stared at each other for a moment before Shiki turned and floated away. Edward Newgate remained on his deck, gazing at the horizon. A familiar sense of loneliness crept back into his heart.
"When will I have my own family?" Newgate murmured, lost in thought about his future.
The next day, Charlotte arrived at the port with more than one hundred people.
The ten fleets of the Rocks Pirates had replenished their supplies and were ready to depart.
The group following Charlotte were members of the Wild Wolf Gang. After hearing that Charlotte was becoming a pirate, they all insisted on joining him.
Charlotte brought them all aboard. Among them were doctors, nurses, navigators, cooks, shipwrights, sailors, fighters, and maids—all essential personnel.
The ship Charlotte boarded was the one he had been building for over a year. It was finally ready to set sail.
"Hahaha! This kid brought so many people with him. Does he think this is a family outing?" Shiki the Golden Lion smirked as he saw Charlotte's entourage.
"Hahaha! Every child needs their comforts on their first adventure," Rocks replied indifferently.
Charlotte raised the Rocks Pirates' flag and, with a loud command from Rocks, the fleet set off.
As the port began to disappear from sight, Charlotte sighed. He didn't know how long it would be before he returned.
Shaking off his emotions, Charlotte muttered to himself, "I'm letting the people around me influence me again."
Ever since awakening his Observation Haki, Charlotte found his emotions easily swayed by others. It was a frustrating lack of control.
Reflecting on his actions over the past two years, Charlotte realized that many of his choices—such as freeing slaves—had been impulsive, influenced by the emotions he sensed.
But he didn't regret it. He believed that hesitation in the face of action was unbecoming of a man.
"Master!" Sensing his unease, Jenny approached and gently placed her hand on his forehead.
Charlotte reached up to touch her hand, his thoughts momentarily scattered.
Over the past year, he had come to view his five maids as more than just servants—they were family.
"I'll take a nap. Call me if anything happens," Charlotte said, closing his eyes and falling asleep.
Meanwhile, their 100-meter-long ship sailed steadily behind the ten larger vessels leading the fleet.
A few days later, the fleet arrived at Pirate Island, Hachinosu.
"Hahaha! Finally back! That journey felt like forever!" Shiki the Golden Lion was the first to leap ashore, clearly delighted.
After sailing nonstop for over ten days, even the sea's novelty had worn thin. To return faster, the Rocks Pirates hadn't stopped at any islands along the way.
Once Shiki disembarked, the other cadres and pirates followed.
"Is this Pirate Island?" Charlotte looked around, curiosity evident on his face.
Hearing his question, Shiki floated over.
"Yes, this is Hachinosu, our Pirate Island!" Shiki laughed proudly.
"It's more magnificent than I imagined," Charlotte admitted, nodding in approval.
He had expected chaos and filth, but the island was bustling and surprisingly prosperous—much more so than Kami Island, his home.
Though it was filled with weapon-wielding pirates and half-naked slaves, its vibrancy impressed him.
"Captain, you're back!" Three figures appeared to greet Rocks and his entourage.
"Hahaha! John, Silver Axe, Ochoku! Have you completed your mission?" Rocks greeted them with a cheerful smile.
"Don't worry, Captain. We've destroyed those kingdoms and taken the heads of their kings!" John grinned, his greedy eyes betraying his love for treasure.
Anyone familiar with John knew he had likely pocketed a hefty fortune during his mission.
"Hahaha! As usual, hand over 30% to the treasury. The rest is yours to divide," Rocks said with a wave of his hand.
John nodded, though a sharp observer might catch a flicker of dissatisfaction in his eyes. Silver Axe and Ochoku, clad in heavy armor, remained silent.
"Captain, I heard we've got a new crew member. Where is he? Let me meet him!" John scanned the group of cadres, looking for Charlotte.
Charlotte's face darkened. He was standing right there—was this guy blind?
Remembering his need to establish authority as a newcomer, Charlotte decided to make an example out of John.
"If your eyes don't work, donate them to someone who needs them," Charlotte said coldly, stepping forward.
"Oh, so this is our new officer? I heard you're a swordsman, but I doubt you're strong enough to be the captain of the 8th Division," John sneered, his tone dripping with disdain.
"If you're so doubtful, why don't you try me?" Charlotte's eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
"Oh my! A Conqueror's Haki user, and so arrogant too! Didn't your mother teach you how to speak to your seniors?"
John smirked mockingly, then added, "Oh, I almost forgot—you probably don't have a mother!"
The insult hung in the air as Charlotte's grip tightened on his sword.
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