bookbashuk Chapter 71 The Fallen Ship
Chapter 71 The Fallen Ship
Chapter 71 The Fallen Ship
a few days later.
The newsbird flapped its wings wearily and tossed a thick bundle of newspapers, still smelling of fresh ink, onto the door of the port's largest grocery store.
The shop owner was a bald old man. He habitually picked it up, smoothed out the curled edges, and glanced at the front page.
The next second, as if he had been scalded, his hand jerked violently, and the newspaper almost fell into the bucket of bleach by the door.
The headline on the front page was chillingly black, with font so large it almost seemed to pierce the paper: "Prelude to the Collapse of the Seven Warlords? Crocodile Changes Hands!"
The subtitle was equally ruthless—
Crocodile announces his withdrawal from the World Government and joins the ranks of "Silver-haired" Norton, bringing his empire with him! Norton boasts: "The Seven Warlords of the Sea are all my subordinates!"
Below is a blurry but recognizable long-distance photo showing two figures facing each other against a backdrop of yellow sand.
The old man opened his mouth, making a "hoarse" hissing sound from his throat.
"Crocodile—has sided with Norton—"
Norton said he wanted to recruit all the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
After a brief silence, a deafening buzz erupted. Shock, fear, and disbelief surged forth in waves of discussion.
Someone rushed over and grabbed the newspaper, the paper ripping as it was torn. More people crowded around, craning their necks to try and see the damn headline and photo.
"How is that possible?! Crocodile—that's a Shichibukai!"
"Norton—the monster who defeated the hero Garp?"
"Recruit the Seven Warlords of the Sea?! Is he insane?! Do you think the World Government will let him get away with this?!"
"Alabasta is about to change—no, the world is about to descend into chaos!"
The news, like a flaming arrow, shot from the docks into the depths of the town, towards the royal capital Albana, towards the Rainlands, and then, via Den Den Mushi and merchant ships, spread at an astonishing speed throughout the Grand Line and to all the seas.
In the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, deep within Pangaea, amidst the power struggles.
A copy of the World Economic News lay open on the low ebony coffee table in the center, front page facing up. The edges of the newspaper were slightly wrinkled, a result of its delivery.
"Morgans' pen is always so—provocative."
"Prelude to Collapse"? Hmph! He certainly knows how to pick his words.
"Crocodile's official document arrived half an hour ago via a secret route. The wording is procedural, acknowledging defeat and voluntarily withdrawing."
They expressed their gratitude for past collaborations.
The fourth voice, sounding older, said: "A Shichibukai has joined a pirate group that openly opposes the World Government. This is no longer a simple pirate fight; it's a contempt for the system and a challenge to authority."
"Norton————"
"It's understandable that the Navy Headquarters needs to save face. But this time, he deliberately intruded into the framework we set. His ambitions are too great."
The firelight in the fireplace flickered.
"Intolerable," the cold voice said. "But large-scale military action is not advisable at this stage. The navy has just suffered a defeat and needs to restore morale, as well as a more convincing reason to mobilize the entire force."
"Defeating a newcomer who has defeated an Admiral" carries a different weight than "defeating a madman who colludes with a former Shichibukai and intends to overthrow the established order."
"Then let the pirates deal with the pirates!"
"Norton's boasts are the best weapon! Get his words, verbatim, to the ears of the other Seven Warlords through the proper channels. Especially—that 'World's Greatest Swordsman'!"
"He may disdain it, but the loyalty of the tyrant Bartholomew Kuma needs to be tested; the position of Fish-Man Island will become more delicate because of Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea; and then there's the Empress of Amazon Lily—how will she react to a man who tries to subdue her?"
"Incite hatred and create conflict. At the same time, increase the bounties." The aged voice added, "Norton, 1.5 billion Berries. Crocodile, the traitor, is set at 640 million. Other key personnel will receive correspondingly large increases."
"The amount must be prominently displayed, and the reasons must be well-founded"—highlighting their treachery and the threat they pose to the world order!
"Seconded. Also, notify CP to intensify intelligence gathering on the Norton Pirates' movements and the reactions of the other Shichibukai. Assist if necessary." Ensure the information is relayed effectively, making sure everyone who needs to hear it does.
I second that.
I second that.
The resolution was reached in a brief conversation, the flames continued to burn silently, and shadows flickered on the wall behind them, like lurking beasts.
The underground secret room of the Rain Banquet Casino.
Crocodile sat in his large leather chair, sinking deep into it. He had changed into a black silk shirt, over which he wore his usual fur coat. A metal hook rested on the table beside him, and a newly lit cigar was between his fingers, but he hadn't taken a puff in a long time, letting the bluish-gray smoke rise straight up.
In front of him stood five people in a row, each with a different posture.
Mr.1 Daz Bonis stood ramrod straight, with Paula standing half a step to his side and slightly behind, the bandages on her ribs faintly visible beneath her shirt.
Mr. 2 von Clay, unusually, didn't strike an exaggerated pose, while Miss Merry Christmas squatted on Mr. 4's broad shoulders.
-
"I saw the newspapers," Crocodile finally spoke, his voice a little hoarse. The room was so quiet that you could hear the hum of the ventilation ducts and the faint, muffled noise from the casino in the distance.
"Baroque Workshop, from this day forward, ceases to exist," he continued, his tone flat. "Your mission is over. The contract is dissolved."
He took a puff of his cigar, slowly exhaling smoke as he looked at them through the haze: "Those who want to leave can leave now. There are enough Baileys in the drawer. Those who want to stay—"
He paused for a moment, then said, "To follow me is to follow Norton. You know what that means."
Silence descended once more, heavier than before.
Mr. 1 was the first to move. He didn't speak, but simply took a step forward, bent his right knee, knelt heavily on the carpet, and bowed his head.
Paula glanced at him, took a soft breath, and knelt down on one knee as well.
Mr.2 twisted his waist, slid to the side, and knelt down in an awkward posture.
Miss Christmas tugged at Mr. 4's pant leg. Mr. 4 slowly said "Oh," leaned his baseball bat against the wall, and knelt down with a thud. Miss Christmas then squatted on his back.
Crocodile's gaze swept over them one by one.
"Daz Bones, Paula," he called out two names. "Go to the port, board the White Pearl, and find Norton. From now on, you'll be the liaison between the two sides."
Mr. 1 and Paula looked up, their faces showing no surprise, only obedience: "Yes."
"The rest of you," Crocodile said, looking at the remaining three, "stay with me in Alabasta for now. We have—other things to do."
Mr. 2 blinked but didn't ask any further questions. Mr. 4 and Miss Merry Christmas naturally followed Mr. 1's lead before, but now that Mr. 1 had new orders, they tacitly obeyed Crocodile's direct arrangements.
"Get up," Crocodile said.
The five men rose and bowed silently. Mr. 1 and Paula exchanged a glance, then turned and walked towards the door. The heavy soundproof door opened and closed again, and the secret room fell silent once more, leaving Crocodile alone.
He sat alone in the chair until the cigar burned out, the long ash breaking off and falling onto the tip of his shiny leather shoe. Only then did he move, crushing the ash with the sole of his boot.
Norton's plan was for him to stay in Alabasta for the time being, plundering passing pirates to build up his fleet and manpower, while also taking care of some unfinished "personal matters." He would join Norton in the New World once Norton had established himself there.
In the afternoon at Youcaihua Port, the heat was intense.
Ten ships were slowly entering the depths of the harbor, approaching the berth where Norton's fleet was located. These ships varied in size, but they shared the common feature of being extremely well-maintained, with smooth hull lines, neat sails, and deep drafts, clearly indicating a heavy load. They did not fly any conspicuous pirate flags or markings, silently cutting into the water.
On the dock, the Norton Pirates had already received orders and were waiting. Led by Kuro, Sanosuke, Dalton, and others stood by the pier.
The ordinary pirates, on the other hand, were divided into groups to prepare for connecting cables and setting up springboards.
"Port side, mooring lines!"
"Secure the springboard!"
Deep commands and hurried footsteps replaced the usual clamor. On the newly arrived ship, the silent sailors worked together to throw out the mooring lines and lower the anchor.
Crocodile held a thick list and nautical charts in his hands, his sharp eyes behind his glasses scanning each ship that docked. He occasionally spoke in hushed tones to a bespectacled man beside him who looked like an accountant; the man was Crocodile's handover supervisor.
"Ship number one, 'Sand Boat,' with a carrying capacity of 300 tons, mainly made of teak, with three masts—"
"Ship number two, 'Diamondsnake,' the assault clipper—"
The items on the list were confirmed one by one. It wasn't just the ship, but also the mountains of supplies: barrels of fresh water, cured meat, vegetables, and more.
Grain, timber, tar, canvas, ropes —
Nami stood not far away, holding her own notebook and abacus. Her eyes shone as she looked at the supplies, her fingers moving rapidly across the beads as she muttered to herself. But her face soon fell. With so many people on the ship, the daily consumption was astronomical.
Further away, the port's native inhabitants and members of other pirate crews watched from a distance, not daring to approach. The Norton Pirates were expanding at a visible rate.
On the White Pearl, Norton stood behind the porthole in the captain's cabin, quietly watching the bustling port. His expressionless face was reflected in the windowpane. These ships and supplies were Crocodile's accumulated wealth over many years, now becoming his asset.
In the evening, the lights were turned on in the captain's cabin.
Crocodile sat opposite Norton. "The ships and the stuff, you see. More than the list. The men—about eight hundred came with my men."
Norton nodded, toying with a gold coin in his hand. "Alabasta, you know it well, stay. Keep it as it is, but keep your eyes open."
The Grand Line has no shortage of lost fools. Ships, I want them; people, keep the useful ones, the useless ones—you deal with them.
Crocodile's eyes flickered. This arrangement was exactly what he wanted. "Okay. I'll keep an eye on it."
"Mr. 1 and Paula, come with me," Norton continued.
"They know the rules," Crocodile replied curtly. Leaving senior officers behind as liaisons and, in a sense, "hostages" was an unspoken understanding.
The conversation ended there. Crocodile stood up, grabbed his coat, slung it over his shoulder, opened the door, and went out.
Norton remained seated, his gaze fixed on the gold coins on the table. Outside the window, lights gradually illuminated the newly arrived ships at the port.
On the morning of the last day before departure, Nami rushed into the captain's cabin, her hair disheveled, clutching the record pointer tightly in her hand.
"Norton! Something's happened! The pointers—the pointers have all gone mad!" She placed the record pointers on the table.
Inside the glass sphere, the pointer, like an iron nail attracted by a magnet, was firmly "nailed" upwards at an angle almost perpendicular to the table.
-
Zoro followed him in, rubbing his eyes and muttering, "If the pointer is broken, just replace it—"
Sanji rushed over upon hearing the commotion: "What do you know, you green-haired rascal!" But when he looked at the pointer, his expression changed. "What—what's going on?"
Norton picked up the pointer. The glass bulb was cool to the touch, and the pointer inside stubbornly pointed to the top of the cabin. He gently shook it; the pointer trembled slightly, but the angle remained unchanged.
"It's not broken," Norton said, setting the pointer down. "There's something on it. The magnetic signal is too strong, overwriting the magnetic field record below."
"Up there?" Nami looked up blankly.
"Sky Island," Norton uttered.
"Skypiea?!" Nami exclaimed. To the navigators, this was practically a legend.
Chopper hid by the door and whispered, "The medical books mention that some rare medicinal herbs are said to come from there—"
Just then—
boom!!!!!!!!!!!!
An indescribable roar came from the sea outside the harbor! A violent tremor followed immediately! The entire dock suddenly sank downwards and then shook violently!
The pointer box on the table clattered off, and books on the bookshelf tumbled down with a crash. The hanging oil lamp swung wildly.
"What's going on?!"
"Enemy attack?!"
Amid screams, everyone instinctively rushed to the ship's side, grabbing onto anything that could secure them.
The sea outside the harbor was a breathtaking sight.
A huge, black object was half-submerged in towering waves. The force of its impact was so terrifying that it created a large crater in the sea, and seawater rushed in, forming a chaotic whirlpool.
That was a ship! A huge, ancient-looking ship!
The hull was a dark brown, almost black, covered with a thick, indistinguishable layer of debris. Several horrific lacerations marred the hull, gaping holes through which seawater poured in. All three mainmasts were broken, the remaining canvas tattered and mangled.
It lay there quietly, half floating and half sinking, like a giant beast that had fallen from ancient times.
A moment of deathly silence fell over the dock, then erupted into an even louder shout: "A ship! A ship!"
"It fell from the sky! I saw it with my own eyes!"
"What kind of ship is this? I've never seen one like it before!"
Nami gripped the cold ship railing tightly, her breathing becoming rapid.
Norton also stood on the ship's side, gazing at the mysterious crashed vessel, the cold steam from the wreckage hitting the water seeming to hit his face.
"Kroo! Get a team together and salvage this ship!"
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