Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Heavenly Tribute
"Wahaha, who knew this kid was such a little lecher? Unexpected indeed!" Rocks exclaimed, slapping his thigh and laughing.
The others joined in, laughing as well.
"Captain Rocks, that kid isn't just any lecher. His ship has at least twenty young, beautiful women, all of them stunningly gorgeous! I don't know how he manages them all," John added with a lewd grin.
The group exchanged knowing smiles, even Edward Newgate, Whitebeard, laughed heartily.
When pirates gather, what else do they talk about but women, treasure, and strength? These were the joys of pirate life.
Peaceful times quickly passed.
...
As pirates, they would soon run out of resources if they didn't plunder.
"Listen up! We've received word that the annual Heavenly Tribute is about to commence. Several kingdoms in the New World will be sending their tribute, escorted by Vice Admirals from the Navy Headquarters. Our target is this tribute!" Rocks declared from his throne, addressing his eight officers.
"This time, the task of securing the Heavenly Tribute falls to you!"
"Shiki, Whitebeard, you will handle the tribute from the Kingdom of Kabu Ice."
"Linlin, you and Sharlo will take care of the tribute from the Kingdom of Skor."
"John, Silver Axe, Wang Zhi, and the Kurozumi siblings, you will split into two groups and eliminate these two nations!"
Rocks instructed, watching his officers read the intelligence gathered by Shaki. Sharlo reviewed the information on his assigned tribute, noting the details of the Vice Admiral escorting it.
Vice Admiral Quentin Gunther, user of the Mantis Zoan-type Devil Fruit, known for his formidable strength.
Sharlo quickly memorized the details and pocketed the paper.
"Any questions?" Rocks asked.
The hall was silent.
"Any questions?" Rocks repeated, raising his voice.
"No!" The officers shook their heads in unison, prompting Rocks to nod.
"Then proceed as planned!"
With Rocks' command, the officers left the meeting hall.
"Damn it, John and his group got the easy job," Shiki fumed as they exited, stomping his feet in frustration.
This mission clearly favored John's group, sending them to the front lines while others reaped the benefits. Shiki seethed with anger at the thought.
Whitebeard sipped his sake, glancing at Shiki without comment. Charlotte Linlin turned to Sharlo.
"Ma ma ma! What do you think, Sharlo?" she asked.
Sharlo rolled his eyes. "What can I think? What can we do? Rebel against Captain Rocks? That's suicide. Let's just do what we're told," he sighed.
Joining the Rocks Pirates, Sharlo had learned just how deep the waters ran.
"Prepare to set out soon," Whitebeard said, gripping his bisento, Murakumogiri.
Shiki nodded, puffing on his cigar. Of the four, only Shiki and Linlin could fly, thanks to the Pika Pika no Mi and Linlin's Homie, Zeus.
They boarded a large ship docked at the port.
"Get on board!" Shiki commanded.
The three followed him, and the ship set sail shortly after.
...
On a calm sea, six warships surrounded two transport ships, sailing steadily.
"Kyahahaha!" A wild laugh echoed from the sky.
Countless marines looked up in confusion, unable to understand why there was laughter in the sky. Only the two Vice Admirals realized what was happening.
"Pirates!" Quentin Gunther exclaimed, transforming into his mantis form, a two-meter-tall figure appearing on the deck. The other Vice Admiral drew his sword instantly.
"Prepare for battle! Pirates are attacking!"
As the marines looked up, the sun obscured their vision.
"The sun's getting bigger!" someone finally noticed.
"Prometheus!" a loud female voice shouted.
A massive fireball erupted onto one of the warships, setting it ablaze.
Quentin Gunther looked towards the source of the voice.
"Ma ma ma ma ma! Marines, hand over the Heavenly Tribute, or face destruction!"
Charlotte Linlin floated on Zeus, her fiery hair blazing, wielding Napoleon.
"Rocks Pirates officer, Charlotte Linlin!" the sword-wielding Vice Admiral gasped, stepping back in shock.
"Kyahahaha! And us too!" Shiki arrived, his ship floating beside him.
"Golden Lion Shiki, Whitebeard Edward Newgate, Blood Sword Sharlo! All of them are Rocks Pirates officers!" The marines recognized them immediately.
Ever since Admiral Steel Bone Kong's defeat, the Navy had been wary of the Rocks Pirates.
"They're here for the Heavenly Tribute! Protect it at all costs!" Quentin Gunther shouted.
"Fire the cannons! Repel the pirates, for justice!" the other Vice Admiral commanded.
The marines quickly manned the cannons, firing at Shiki's group.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Seeing the barrage, Whitebeard smirked and punched the air, causing the cannonballs to explode mid-air.
"Brr-brr-brr-brr!"
"Navy Headquarters, this is Vice Admiral Bill Robb. We're under attack by the Rocks Pirates officers. Requesting immediate assistance!" the other Vice Admiral called, taking advantage of the chaos.
"Headquarters here. Which officers are present?"
"Whitebeard Edward Newgate, Golden Lion Shiki, Charlotte Linlin, and Blood Sword Rockefeller Sharlo!" Bill Robb shouted.
"Hiss!" The contact at Navy Headquarters gasped.
"Hold on! I'll report this immediately!"
The operator ran to Admiral Steel Bone Kong's office.
Meanwhile, at sea...
"Calling for backup, are they? We need to act fast; we're too close to the Navy's base," Sharlo noted, using his Haki to eavesdrop.
He drew his sword, slashing at the other four warships. Shiki, seeing Sharlo in action, also made his move, targeting the enemy's Zoan-type Devil Fruit user.
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