One Piece: The Saiyan Pirate

Chapter 89. Wapol and the Bliking Pirates

A colossal vessel, the pride of the Bliking Pirates, sliced through the open ocean with an imposing presence. This massive ship, adorned with the emblem of its captain, Wapol, boasted reinforced steel plating along its hull, a testament to both its durability and the might of its leader. The deck was bustling with activity as crew members scurried about, ensuring the ship's course remained steady.

At the helm stood Wapol, a man of considerable girth and stature. His rotund figure was draped in regal attire, a lavish fur-lined coat cascading over his shoulders, and a distinctive cylindrical hat perched atop his head. His presence exuded authority, and his eyes gleamed with anticipation as the silhouette of a snow-covered island emerged on the horizon.

Beside him were his two loyal lieutenants: Chess and Kuromarimo. Chess, the former Minister of Defense, was a tall, slender man with a sharp visage. His attire was reminiscent of an archer, complete with a quiver slung over his back and a bow resting against his side. His keen eyes scanned the approaching island with a mixture of nostalgia and vigilance. Kuromarimo, on the other hand, was a stark contrast to his counterpart. With a robust build and a distinctive afro hairstyle, he exuded an air of brute strength. His dark attire blended seamlessly with the shadows, and the spherical tufts of hair on his beard added to his unique appearance.

As the ship drew nearer to the island, the familiar icy peaks and snow-laden forests of Drum Island came into clearer view. The crew couldn't help but feel a sense of homecoming, albeit tainted with memories of their hasty departure. The vessel navigated through the icy waters, approaching a river that snaked its way deeper into the island's interior.

One of the crew members approached Wapol, bowing slightly before speaking. "Captain Wapol, we've arrived at Drum Island."

Wapol grinned, revealing a set of metallic teeth. "Excellent. Proceed along the river. Let's remind these islanders of their true king."

As the ship ventured deeper into the island, Wapol and his council stood on the deck, taking in the familiar sights. The snow crunched underfoot as the crew prepared to dock, their breaths visible in the frigid air. However, their attention was soon drawn to an unfamiliar ship anchored along the riverbank. This vessel was unlike any they'd seen before, with a unique Jolly Roger emblazoned on its sail: a skull and crossbones adorned with a straw hat.

Wapol's brow furrowed as he observed the emblem. "A Jolly Roger with a straw hat? Quite odd, don't you think?"

Chess nodded in agreement. "It doesn't belong to any crew we've encountered before."

Wapol's eyes narrowed. "Chess, Kuromarimo, destroy that flag. Let them know whose territory this is."

Without hesitation, Chess retrieved his bow, nocking a flaming arrow with practiced ease. Drawing the string back, he took aim at the flag atop the mast of the unfamiliar ship. With a swift release, the arrow soared through the cold air, striking the flag squarely. The fabric ignited instantly, flames consuming the straw hat emblem. Within moments, the flagpole snapped, sending the burning flag plummeting into the icy waters below.

The commotion caught the attention of those aboard the other ship. A man with green hair, wearing a white shirt and green pants, emerged onto the deck. Three swords hung at his waist, their hilts glinting in the dim light. He leaned over the railing, his sharp eyes locking onto Wapol's ship.

Another figure joined him, a lanky man with short, scruffy hair and a light beard. He wore a gray undershirt, gray pants, and a gray headband with blue stripes. Four circular earrings adorned his ears, catching the light as he moved.

The green-haired man called out, his voice carrying across the water. "Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Wapol sneered. "Just reminding trespassers of their place."

The scruffy-haired man glanced at the burning remnants of their flag. "You realize that attacking a pirate's flag is a declaration of war."

Wapol chuckled. "Consider it a warning."

The green-haired man smirked, his hand resting on the hilt of one of his swords. "A warning, huh? Well, we don't take kindly to threats."

The scruffy-haired man nodded, reaching into his blazer to pull out a pair of tonfas, each tipped with heavy iron balls. "Since you're the first mate, I'll follow your lead."

The green-haired man's grin widened, feeling the respect emanating from his crewmate. "Then let's teach them a lesson they won't forget."

The cold wind howled as Zoro gripped the hilts of his swords, Yubashiri and Sandai Kitetsu, their steel glinting under the overcast sky. His smirk was sharp, promising nothing short of carnage. Beside him, Gin twirled his tonfas with fluid precision, the iron balls at the tips whistling ominously through the air. Both men stood firm, their breaths visible in the icy air, their eyes locked onto Wapol's ship.

Wapol, flanked by Chess and Kuromarimo, stood arrogantly at the bow. The captain sneered, his metallic teeth catching the light. "You two think you can take on the Bliking Pirates? Chess! Kuromarimo! Let's not waste our strength on these small fry. Send in the crew."

Chess stepped forward, his bow slung over his shoulder. "As you wish, King Wapol." He turned to the amassed pirates on deck, each armed to the teeth and radiating menace. "You heard the king! Tear those fools apart!"

The deck of Wapol's ship erupted in activity as over two dozen men leapt into action, shouting battle cries as they swarmed toward Zoro and Gin.

The first wave of pirates stormed down the plank connecting Wapol's ship to the shore. Zoro was the first to move, his swords a blur as he charged headlong into the fray. His feet crunched against the snow as he swung Yubashiri in a wide arc, cleaving through three pirates with one fluid motion. Blood sprayed across the pristine snow, staining it crimson.

Gin followed close behind, his tonfas spinning with lethal precision. A burly pirate lunged at him with a rusted cutlass, but Gin sidestepped the attack with ease. His tonfa smashed into the man's temple, caving in his skull with a sickening crunch. Without pausing, he spun and drove the other tonfa into the chest of another assailant, the force breaking ribs and sending the man crumpling to the ground.

"Is this all they've got?" Gin sneered, stepping over the body of his latest victim.

Zoro chuckled, parrying a blow from a dual-wielding pirate before delivering a devastating counter-slash that disarmed—and disarmed—the man in one brutal strike. "Guess they didn't bring their best."

The second wave was larger, more organized, with a mix of swordsmen, archers, and brawlers. Zoro and Gin didn't falter.

An archer perched atop Wapol's ship loosed a flurry of arrows. Zoro deflected one with the flat of his blade, the impact vibrating up his arm. Another arrow zipped toward Gin, but he caught it mid-flight with his tonfa and snapped it in two.

"Nice try!" Gin taunted, launching himself into the group of archers with a wild grin. He moved like a whirlwind, his tonfas cracking bones and shattering weapons. Blood splattered across his face as he took down one opponent after another.

Zoro, meanwhile, found himself surrounded. Six pirates rushed him simultaneously, their weapons gleaming. He grinned, gripping his swords tightly. "Perfect."

With a roar, he spun in a full circle, his blades carving through flesh and steel alike. Limbs flew, blood sprayed, and screams filled the air. One pirate managed to get close enough to slash at Zoro's arm, the blade grazing him and drawing a thin line of blood.

Zoro glanced at the wound and smirked. "Not bad. But not good enough." He drove Yubashiri through the man's chest, kicking the body off his blade as he turned to face the next wave.

The snow around them was now a battlefield, littered with bodies and stained red. Gin fought like a man possessed, his movements brutal and efficient. He jabbed the pointed end of his tonfa into a pirate's eye socket, the man's scream abruptly cutting off as he collapsed. Another pirate swung a spiked club at him, but Gin ducked under the blow and slammed both tonfas into the man's knees, shattering them.

"Get up now, I dare you," Gin growled, stepping over the writhing body.

Zoro was no less ruthless. A particularly large pirate wielding an axe charged at him, roaring with fury. Zoro sidestepped the attack, bringing Sandai Kitetsu down on the man's arm. The cursed blade bit through flesh and bone effortlessly, severing the limb. The pirate fell to his knees, clutching the bloody stump as Zoro ended him with a swift slash to the neck.

The Bliking Pirates kept coming, but their numbers were thinning. Zoro and Gin stood back-to-back, their breath coming in heavy puffs, their weapons slick with blood.

"This is getting boring," Zoro muttered, wiping blood from his cheek with the back of his hand.

Gin smirked, flicking a piece of gore off his tonfa. "You're telling me. Where's the main event?"

As if on cue, the remaining pirates suddenly fell back, retreating toward Wapol's ship. Zoro and Gin exchanged a glance, their eyes narrowing.

"Something's not right," Zoro said, scanning the battlefield.

Gin nodded, his grip on his tonfas tightening. "They're gone."

Zoro's gaze snapped to Wapol's ship. The captain and his two henchmen were nowhere to be seen. Amid the chaos of battle, they had slipped away.

"Those cowards," Zoro growled, sheathing his swords.

Gin sighed, his shoulders relaxing. "Guess they weren't ready to face us after all."

The battlefield was silent save for the groans of the injured and dying. The snow was a macabre canvas, painted red with the blood of the fallen. Zoro and Gin stood amidst the carnage, their weapons still drawn, their senses alert.

"This isn't over," Zoro muttered, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

Gin nodded, his expression grim. "They'll be back. And next time, they won't be running."

The two men turned their backs to the battlefield, their minds already focused on the next fight.

[A/N: Can't wait to see what happens next? Get exclusive early access on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels. If you enjoyed this chapter and want to see more, don't forget to drop a power stone! Your support helps this story reach more readers!]