Pirates' Magic Odyssey: Unveiling Eight Skills At The Beginning - Chapter 21

Four years ago, Fisher Tiger climbed the Red Land barehanded and caused a commotion in Saint Mary’s Joa by releasing thousands of slaves, making him a momentary sensation in the news.

In the same year, Fisher Tiger established the Sun Pirates.

Because of Fisher Tiger’s actions, which embarrassed the Celestial Dragons, his bounty soared to a staggering 230 million berries. It’s higher than the bounties of many rising stars on the Grand Line.

Then, in the past year, the year Yang Ming traveled to this world…

Yang Ming was still diligently training in the East Blue. One day, major news outlets spread reports that Fisher Tiger and his pirate crew had been ambushed by the Marines, and Fisher Tiger himself was critically wounded and died.

Even the Dadan’s family, living deep in the mountains and forests, received this newspaper delivered by the News Coo, carrying this world-shaking piece of news.

Of course, Yang Ming was well aware of the situation and wasn’t fooled by the one-sided account in the news.

He knew that Fisher Tiger had been ambushed by the Marines on his return journey after escorting a human girl back home. Feeling betrayed by humans, Fisher Tiger refused to provide human blood of compatible blood type which leading to his fatal injuries.

With the loss of Fisher Tiger, the Fish-Man leader, the Sun Pirates were left leaderless and vulnerable.

Thanks to Garp’s identity as a Marine hero and the fact that Garp would delegate unfinished tasks to Yang Ming on weekends to “develop” his abilities, Yang Ming had learned about a piece of information not yet known to the outside world.

The World Government was in communication with the Marine high command, intending to appoint the fish-man Fisher Tiger as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, aiming to ease the growing tensions between humans and fish-men.

It was said that factors from Fish-Man Island’s Queen Otohime’s efforts played a role in convincing the World Government to consider this proposal.

Otherwise, with the arrogant nature of the Celestial Dragons, they would probably want to eliminate all fish-men from the world.

It was because of this that Yang Ming found it strange.

The Sun Pirates were now in a situation where everyone wanted to capture them. If discovered, they would likely face their downfall. So, how could they still have the leisure to come to the Capital of Seven Waters and work at Tom’s Workers’ Shipyard?

A group of pirates actually working diligently for money?

Either I’m crazy, or this world is crazy!

“Yang Ming, what are you daydreaming about?”

At this moment, Tashigi’s voice pulled Yang Ming back from his thoughts.

Tashigi waved her arms towards Yang Ming, with three Brus, aquatic creatures the size of elephants unique to the Capital of Seven Waters, rented from vendors behind her. These creatures were used as transportation in the waterways of the city.

Yang Ming smiled, bid farewell to the stewardess Cocolo, and rode one of the Brus together with Tashigi.

The Brus looked like seahorses, with broad backs carrying wooden seats, suitable for two people. There was enough space for their luggage as well.

According to information from Silver Fox Fukusei, the Donquixote family used this place in the Capital of Seven Waters as a key base for transporting slaves. It was disguised as a hardware store to avoid suspicion.

Yang Ming and the others intended to seize this opportunity to swiftly reach the shop before the Donquixote family received the news and evacuated.

The Brus understood human commands quite well. They only needed to provide an address, and the Brus would know how to get there.

The Capital of Seven Waters was a city with a fascinating layout, with an intricate network of waterways crisscrossing the city. The waterways served as a comprehensive transportation system, connecting every part of the city.

The river water flowed gently, and the blue waves sparkled.

A small bridge over flowing water by people’s homes, boats coming and going swiftly like shuttles.

The cityscape on both sides of the river was picturesque, with rows of native Capital of Seven Waters residential buildings lining the banks. Due to the humid climate, there was a thin steel wire connecting the windows of each building where residents hung their washed clothes to dry which created a lovely sight.

The winding waterways could easily disorient newcomers in this vast city, making it difficult for them to find their way back.

As they approached their destination, the three Brus gradually slowed down and docked at the riverbank.

Yang Ming paused and instructed the other five:

“When we capture the leader of the base later, be aware that they might choose to commit suicide.”

Hearing this, the others seemed somewhat dismissive.

They climbed the stone steps and ascended from the lower levels of the waterways to the ground level.

Unexpectedly, this wasn’t some obscure and deserted place. It was a densely populated residential area, with various types of shops along the banks, including eateries, massage parlors, hardware stores, lumber shops.

The Capital of Seven Waters was renowned for shipbuilding, and in addition to the world-famous shipbuilding companies, the shipbuilding industry had naturally fostered the growth of related businesses up and down the industrial chain. Over half of the city’s population was engaged in shipbuilding-related professions.

Hardware stores and lumber shops were abundant, mainly offering services for ship component replacement.

Following the shop’s address, Yang Ming and the others finally reached their target.

“Ring, ring!”

The door swung open as the six individuals entered, causing the wind chimes hanging at the entrance to produce a clear sound.

The middle-aged man working at the office desk suddenly stopped his work and greeted them with a professional smile.

“Welcome to Habba Hardware Store. I’m the owner, Habba. How can I assist you?”

As Yang Ming and his group entered, they quickly assessed the hardware store.

Overall, the hardware store was modest in size, about 30 square meters. Although it was small, it had a wide variety of items displayed in glass cabinets which made it look no different from other hardware stores.

If someone unaware were to come here, they might actually mistake it for an ordinary hardware store, not realizing that it was an important base for the Donquixote Family to transport slaves.

Hidden in plain sight, with a small presence in the wild.

Donquixote Doflamingo is truly a shrewd and business-minded pirate among many. He understands that the most dangerous place is often the safest. Placing such a crucial base in a densely populated residential area ensures that no one would suspect it, no matter how they think about it.

Smoker and his team surrounded Habba, and Yang Ming took out a Navy identification card from his pocket. It was a temporary document provided by Instructor Zeff to allow them certain authority for arresting and apprehending criminals outside, without facing local government consequences.

“We are from the Marines. You’ve been caught red-handed. Please confess to the Donquixote Family’s human trafficking activities!”

As Yang Ming and the others entered the shop, Habba had already become cautious.

Usually, the customers of hardware stores were adult men. It was rare to see minors, let alone women. Since hardware stores mainly dealt with ship maintenance tools, which involved dirty and tiring work, only male ship workers in the Capital of Seven Waters would need such supplies.

So, Habba had already discreetly reached his hand into a hidden compartment under the counter. He gripping the Donquixote Family’s latest development, a rapid-fire flintlock pistol. This new firearm solved the overheating problem that came with firing multiple rounds in rapid succession, allowing all bullets to be fired in one go.

Facing Yang Ming’s interrogation, Habba maintained a straight face and responded with a smirk:

“Child, it’s okay to eat a messy meal, but you can’t speak recklessly.”

“I, Habba, have always been an honest businessman conducting my affairs straightforwardly. How could I be a treacherous merchant involved in human trafficking? You can’t slander good people like this!”

Seeing Habba’s stubbornness, Smoker spat and said:

“I knew it. Why did we follow Instructor Zeff’s method? Dealing with scum like this, we shouldn’t try to persuade them nicely. Just knock them out and bring them in for interrogation!”

After saying that, Smoker was about to put handcuffs on Habba.

Seeing that he was caught in a difficult situation, Habba knew he couldn’t fall into the hands of the Marines. A sinister look flashed in his eyes, and he swiftly pulled out a flintlock pistol from under the counter. He aimed the gun at the six people in the room and pulled the trigger.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

The gun emitted smoke, and six orange bullets shot out in a straight line, heading directly for the foreheads of the six individuals present.

From his skillful marksmanship, it was evident that Habba wasn’t the honest businessman he appeared to be.

Yang Ming’s group had already anticipated Habba’s desperation. Smoker transformed into smoke, immediately binding Habba’s hands and feet. The other five had preemptively predicted the situation, easily dodging the bullets.

Upon seeing Smoker transform into smoke, Habba’s pupils contracted dramatically, and he exclaimed:

“Devil Fruit user?”

“Or a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit?”

Habba was nearly in tears.

As the base’s operator, how could he receive the treatment of a visit from a natural-type Devil Fruit ability user?

Smoker tackled Habba to the ground and reverted to his human form. He cuffed Habba’s hands and feet, then gave him a solid kick with his combat boots, saying:

“You have hidden the slaves kidnapped by the Donquixote Family. Where are they?”

When Habba realizing he might not escape this time, flashed a sinister look in his eyes and attempted to bite down on the poison concealed in his dentures.

Before the operation, Yang Ming had warned Smoker about this.

Initially, Smoker was skeptical.

But seeing the malicious intent in Habba’s eyes, Smoker was quick to act, gripping Habba’s jaw tightly and exerting force. With a crack, Habba’s jaw dislocated on the spot.

“You really came close to succeeding with that suicide trick,” Smoker said, removing a false tooth from Habba’s mouth. When he saw the concealed poison, Smoker felt a shiver down his spine.

To think that Habba, a loyal member of the Donquixote Family could have such suicidal intentions, Smoker found it hard to believe.

But if that were true, did it mean the Donquixote Family possessed a powerful control mechanism over its members, forcing them to choose suicide over falling into the hands of the Marines?

The others were gathering clues in the hardware store, investigating the possibility of hidden rooms or basements.

Yang Ming took Habba alone into a narrow restroom, closed the bathroom door behind him, and then quickly locked it. His five fingers crackled, revealing a devilish smile in his eyes.

“I know you won’t easily reveal information about the Donquixote Family.”

“So, let’s play a simple game. If you answer correctly, I’ll let you go.”

“What’s 1000 minus 7?”