One Piece: Pirate Code

William had been drifting with the Redbeard Pirates for several days. Even as a newcomer aboard, he could sense the oppressive atmosphere on the ship, let alone as someone with prior pirate experience.

Surrounded by the endless ocean, with not another vessel in sight, the isolation was palpable. The heavy workload, salty sea breeze, and monotonous scenery only added to the crew's growing tension. The ship felt like a powder keg ready to explode at the slightest spark.

At times like these, either the captain's authority would have to soothe the crew, or they'd need a way to vent their frustrations.

Barbarossa clearly understood this. Besides increasing his patrols on deck, he steered the pirate ship along the main trade route, hoping to find some prey.

One day, as William was helping clean the deck, a shout came from the crow's nest.

All the pirates on deck instinctively looked up, including William, who shaded his eyes with his hand to see the commotion. A wiry pirate in the crow's nest was pointing excitedly off the side of the ship, shouting to those below, "There's a ship over there!"

The first mate, Reyes, was also on the deck. Hearing this, he immediately climbed the mast. Despite his bear-like build, Reyes moved with the agility of a monkey, scaling the mast and rigging in just a few swift movements.

William watched the mast sway slightly, genuinely concerned that Reyes might snap it.

Once in the crow's nest, Reyes pulled out a monocular telescope and scanned the direction the lookout had pointed. After a moment, he shouted to the deck below, "Notify the captain!"

Although Reyes hadn't named anyone specifically, William turned and sprinted toward the captain's quarters.

Seeing this, Reyes nodded in satisfaction before grabbing a rope and leaping down from the crow's nest. Swinging through the air and sliding down the ropes with practiced ease, he landed steadily on the deck.

Meanwhile, the ship's navigator, Hayreddin, who had been inspecting the cabin, also emerged upon hearing the commotion. He carried a monocular telescope and made his way to the ship's side. The crew quickly stepped aside, wary of the navigator, whose temper was the foulest among the senior officers.

In contrast to Hayreddin, the crew seemed to have a warmer relationship with Reyes. A few veteran pirates moved away from Hayreddin and gathered around Reyes, eagerly asking, "First Mate, what kind of ship is it?"

"A merchant ship," Reyes replied with a grin.

The crew erupted in cheers.

Elsewhere, William sprinted to the captain's quarters. After knocking twice, the door creaked open, revealing Barbarossa's large, tricorn-adorned head.

"What is it?" Barbarossa asked, peering at William.

Feigning excitement, William replied, "Captain, the crew spotted a ship near the foredeck!"

Barbarossa stepped out of the cabin and nodded at William before striding toward the foredeck.

As they walked, Barbarossa suddenly asked, "I heard you had a little disagreement with Klo a few days ago?"

It didn't surprise William that Barbarossa was aware of the incident—he had intentionally let the information leak. However, he feigned an awkward expression in response.

"You're all shipmates; don't hold grudges against each other," Barbarossa said. "We might have a sea battle soon. You're quite capable, so I want you to stay in the cabin to protect Klo. Don't let him wander around and get hurt. Use this opportunity to strengthen your bond."

William's heart stirred, but outwardly he put on a reluctant expression. Just then, Hutchinson, with his bright red, bulbous nose, rounded the corner ahead. Barbarossa stopped him and ordered him to assist William in "protecting" Klo.

Hutchinson, a seasoned pirate, grabbed the still-pretending-to-be-confused William and dragged him along to find Klo.

William muttered vague complaints under his breath, seemingly disgruntled about being left out of the action. Internally, however, he sneered.

Redbeard Barbarossa's operational model closely aligned with what William had envisioned for a pirate organization:

Utilizing land-based trade companies for intelligence support, leveraging the pirates' might to eliminate competitors, then having the companies fence the loot and provide logistics to sustain the pirates' operations.

William's smuggling network had been established for similar purposes. If he could move contraband like alcohol, he could just as easily handle goods plundered by pirates.

Barbarossa's model, however, was on a grander scale. His land-based allies not only provided intelligence but also wielded official power and even involved the navy.

Yet, compared to William's envisioned system, Barbarossa's model had a fatal flaw.

In William's plan, he intended to maintain absolute control. When negotiating smuggling deals with Sherlock, he'd rather risk breaking ties than relinquish authority.

In contrast, Barbarossa didn't hold absolute power within his system. His relationship with his allies appeared to be more of an alliance. This was evident in how Barbarossa and Reyes tolerated Klo despite his unpopularity; their leniency clearly stemmed from respect for the faction Klo represented, not for Klo himself.

While Barbarossa's alliance-based model allowed for rapid expansion and a stronger power base, to William, it seemed bloated and inefficient.

Even within the same faction, the interests and considerations of various parties differed. Klo's faction viewed their role as fencing stolen goods, providing intelligence, and offering logistical support—therefore deserving a share of the spoils.

Meanwhile, Barbarossa and his pirates focused on plundering...

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