NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23: An ending adventure
When the moon reached its zenith, Nicholas and Roger's pirate crew found themselves immersed in revelry, hosting a rare feast that added a welcome break to the otherwise monotonous life of sailing for Roger's crew.
"Haha! Nicholas, my brother, are you talking to fishes?" Roger, with both hands on the shoulders of Rayleigh and Gaban, cheerfully exclaimed, giant wine glasses in hand.
"Burp~" After a hearty gulp of wine, Nicholas looked at Roger and the others, remarking, "Who's talking to fish? I'm just enjoying." Saying this, he hoisted a wine glass as sizable as his head.
With a thud, they drank vigorously, even turning their glasses upside down after finishing, signifying the complete consumption of their drinks.
"Excellent capacity for drinking."
"Now the captain is under pressure."
Roger's pirate crew cheered. "Now it's my turn." Roger wasted no time in downing his wine, seizing the opportunity to showcase his drinking prowess. "Nicholas, it's your turn." As Roger uttered these words, a sharp gaze suddenly fixed on him. Glancing around, he discovered the stare emanated from the person beside Nicholas, clad in a cloak, donning a crow doctor mask, and enveloped in a protective suit from head to toe.
"Captain, you've imbibed quite a bit," Stussy calmly stated, her eyes focused on Nicholas.
Upon hearing Stussy's words, Nicholas, who was about to boast, reluctantly set down his wine glass. Observing that Nicholas had no intention of continuing, Stussy rose and made her way toward the ship.
"Stussy, the grilled meat is delicious. Take some back to the ship and enjoy."
Nicholas cut a piece of grilled meat, wrapped it, and handed it to Stussy. He then had Vista escort her back to the ship.
Once Nicholas left, Rayleigh inquired curiously, "Nicholas, since the party began, I've been curious. Why isn't that girl joining everyone else for the meal? Is it because Gaban's cooking isn't to her liking?"
"Hey, Rayleigh, if you have an issue with it, feel free to take over the kitchen from now on!" Gaban, engrossed in roasting insects, suddenly flared up.
"Ah, Stussy, she prefers not to dine with everyone. Let's continue the festivities," Nicholas said with a laugh.
In a New World sea area.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The thunderous explosions echoed, painting the entire night sky in a crimson red glow. The sea, once shimmering under the moonlight, now transformed into a fiery expanse.
"Captain, change course; they've blocked the path ahead."
A group of pirates, firing cannons, loudly communicated with the captain on the deck.
The captain, standing at the bow, wore a solemn expression as he gazed ahead at a massive array of warships forming a vast, fan-shaped encirclement. Despair filled his heart.
"I never anticipated the Navy showing up here, and there are nearly a hundred warships!?"
Facing the large fleet of warships ahead, the captain's heart trembled. He knew they couldn't be the target. His strength was insufficient to provoke such a sizable Navy fleet.
The last time the Navy executed such a significant move was probably when they besieged the Rocks Pirates.
"How's it going? Can the Den Den Mushi connect?"
The captain didn't speak but anxiously inquired with his crew. Faced with such a large fleet, they knew escape was futile.
Moreover, the Navy's substantial mobilization suggested a hidden agenda. They couldn't allow the pirates to escape, prompting the captain to relay news of the Navy's large fleet at the last possible moment, seeking retribution.
"Reporting to Vice Admiral Sengoku! The encirclement of the pirate group ahead is complete."
A naval officer respectfully reported to Sengoku, engrossed in studying the sea chart in the flagship cabin.
"Has the information been sealed off? Our actions this time must not be leaked."
"Before they detect us, the information blockade has been implemented. Their Den Den Mushi can't transmit any messages."
"Good. Notify all ships to obliterate them outright. Not a single fish should escape the net!"
"Understood!"
With Sengoku's directive, the distant sound of dense cannon fire was immediately heard.
Ahead at sea, a deep roar reverberated, followed by several sharp slashes and varied attacks directed towards the source of the roar.
Evidently, this was a clash between high-caliber forces.
Soon, the roar faded, and the Navy fleet gradually vanished like phantoms in the distance, leaving behind only a burning pirate ship sinking in place—a testament to the one-sided massacre that occurred here.
"Sengoku, what are the odds of success for this plan?"
In the Navy flagship's captain's cabin, the elegant Tsuru, adorned in a Navy uniform and a cloak bearing the word "Justice," inquired of Sengoku, who was studying the map.
"How can there be certainty? Once the war erupts, the course of events becomes unpredictable. Especially in this kind of large-scale confrontation among top-tier forces, any shift on any battlefield can tip the balance of the entire conflict. All we can do is analyze potential scenarios as thoroughly as possible and devise corresponding countermeasures."
Sengoku sighed as he diverted his gaze from the map adorned with wanted posters and contacts from different factions.
Naval battles differ from kingdom wars. Success isn't determined by troop numbers or superior equipment. It hinges on which side boasts more top-tier fighters, capable of single-handedly challenging a kingdom. Given enough time, these fighters can easily dismantle large kingdoms on significant islands.
"Now, all we can do is hope that Garp and the others follow our planned route, and that the World Government can handle those formidable opponents!"
With Sengoku's words, the sky above suddenly erupted in a thunderous explosion. Dark clouds gathered, and the sea surged with strong winds, transforming the once-calm sea into a tumultuous expanse of waves. The atmosphere became tense, forewarning the profound impact of the impending events.
…
"So, your next destination is Lodestar Island?"
Nicholas looked at Roger, curiosity in his eyes.
"Yes, that will be our final journey in this sea. But since it's an unexplored island, we plan to replenish our supplies and prepare ourselves thoroughly before heading there. We are approaching the end of the world!" Roger declared grandly.
Whether it was the effect of imbibing too much wine or reminiscing about the journey with the crew and the myriad events that unfolded, Roger took a sip of wine. He then turned around and knelt down in front of all the members of the Roger Pirates, expressing his gratitude earnestly, "Thank you all for accompanying me this far! I will always cherish your kindness!"
Rayleigh, Gaban, and others simultaneously raised their wine glasses. Clearly, this concluding journey held extraordinary significance for them.
Observing this scene, Nicholas couldn't help but think, "Aren't you all getting emotional a bit too soon?"