After conquering such a vast territory, Bege immediately brought in management personnel from the sky island to work with his combatants. They began to survey the islands and compile data, preparing to take complete control. The subsequent work was carried out in full swing. Every important island was garrisoned by a captain-level officer, while smaller islands were overseen by mid-to-high-ranking officers.
The Fire Tank Pirates were currently riding a wave of momentum, and no one dared to cause trouble for Bege.
Most importantly, the vast sea was guarded by the Sea Patrolling Beasts. Although Bege had rescinded the kill-on-sight order, any ship not flying the flag of the Fire Tank Pirates would still be attacked.
If anyone dared to cause trouble in his waters, the Sea Patrolling Beasts would ensure that both the ship and its crew were sent to the bottom of the sea.
One day, a large warship sailed into Bege's territory, cutting through the waves and heading straight for the heart of his domain.
Three tall figures stood at the bow of the ship.
The man in the center wore a suit, a tie, and a large cape, a long cigar clamped in his mouth. He was covered in glittering gold, looking like a nouveau riche tycoon.
This man was no ordinary figure. He was one of the six kings of the underworld, the "God of Fortune" Du Feld, the Loan Shark King. He controlled the dark financial lending of the underworld.
To his left stood a stout man with a wild mane of golden hair, like a lion's. He wore a half-mask that covered the upper part of his face, leaving only a bizarrely large mouth exposed. When he smiled, it gave off a sinister and terrifying feeling. He held a weapon that looked like a scythe and exuded a heavy scent of blood.
This man was also a significant figure. He was "Giberson" the Undertaker, another of the six kings of the underworld. He was the boss of the funeral industry, responsible for handling the aftermath of battles, or in other words, the one who dealt with pirates after their deaths.
After any major battle with heavy casualties, his people would appear, specializing in handling the last rites and cleaning up the bloody battlefields.
The aftermath of a war was always gruesome, with severed limbs and mangled corpses everywhere, a nauseating sight that ordinary people couldn't stomach. This was the environment that gave birth to the funeral industry.
Of course, the funeral business was not just about disposing of bodies. Their main enterprise was harvesting the organs of the dead. That was their most important business: taking the intact organs from the recently deceased, freezing them, and selling them all over the world. There was no shortage of people who needed better organs, and this was how Giberson the Undertaker had become one of the six kings of the underworld.
To the Loan Shark King's right stood a beautiful woman in gorgeous attire. She had short golden hair, a stunning face, and a perfect figure. Any man who laid eyes on her would be instantly smitten.
However, no one on the ship dared to look at her for more than a second.
This beautiful woman was also one of the six kings of the underworld, Stussy, the "Queen of the Pleasure Quarter." She controlled the largest red-light district in the world.
Three kings of the underworld, traveling on a single warship to Bege's territory. Their intentions were certainly not simple.
As they entered the sea region, they were immediately targeted by a Sea Patrolling Beast. A giant creature shot up from the depths, its massive shadow appearing beneath the waves before it broke the surface. It was a giant Sea King that resembled a swordfish, its dozens-of-meters-long, sharp bill glinting with a cold, white light in the sun.
The swordfish Sea King began to circle the warship, its tyrannical eyes radiating a strong killing intent.
"They say Demon Dragon's men can control Sea Kings. It seems to be true," Stussy said with a smile.
The other two underworld kings nodded, their expressions cold and stern.
"No wonder Demon Dragon was able to pacify such a large territory in such a short time," Giberson the Undertaker's hoarse voice rasped. "Du Feld, your goal this time might not be so easy to achieve."
The Loan Shark King's face was grim, a sharp glint in his eyes.
"I really don't know how he controls Sea Kings. Could it be a method provided by the Shipping King? The relationship between the Shipping King and Demon Dragon is not simple."
"No, the Shipping King only has a dozen or so island whales and a few Sea Kings under his control. That's his biggest secret; he would never give it to Demon Dragon. Demon Dragon must have another way."
"The Sea King is making its move," Stussy said suddenly. The swordfish in the sea charged at the warship, its long bill aimed like a spear.
"I'll handle it," a tall figure from the warship leaped out. He grabbed the long bill with both hands, and with a surprising show of strength, he managed to divert the Sea King's charge, pushing it away from the ship.
To be able to move a hundred-meter-long Sea King with sheer strength, the forces under the three kings were indeed formidable.
The cannons on the ship then opened fire, and a volley of cannonballs exploded against the swordfish's body, but they couldn't even scratch its scales. This only served to enrage the Sea King. It thrashed its head violently, throwing the stout man off its bill, and charged at the warship again.
"You're no match for it. Let me handle this," Giberson the Undertaker said, walking to the edge of the ship. Just as the swordfish was about to ram them, he stepped off the warship. His scythe flashed with lightning speed, striking the swordfish and slicing right through its scales. The scythe sank deep into its body, tearing a massive gash dozens of meters long.
The intense pain sent the swordfish Sea King thrashing in the water. A look of fear appeared in its tyrannical eyes. It shot a hateful glance at Giberson before diving into the sea and quickly disappearing.
Giberson stepped back onto the warship through the air, flicked the blood from his scythe, and rested it on his shoulder again, his expression completely relaxed.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
The Loan Shark King applauded, praising Giberson's strength.
"Was that really a good idea?" Stussy said, her eyes narrowed. "No matter what, that was one of Demon Dragon's Sea Kings. Scaring it away would have been enough, but you seriously injured it. That's a direct provocation to Demon Dragon."
"As a newly crowned king, a young and hot-blooded one at that, he's not going to take kindly to being provoked."
The Loan Shark King and the Undertaker's faces instantly darkened, and they shot Stussy a sinister look.
"Why didn't you say that earlier?" the Undertaker snorted.
Stussy covered her mouth and giggled. "Don't be angry. Maybe after all those battles, Demon Dragon doesn't have the strength to start another war with us."
"Hmph. Stussy, don't forget which side you're on. We're on the same side," the Loan Shark King said coldly.
The warship continued on its course. Half a day later, a pirate ship appeared in the distance, speeding toward them at an incredible rate.
"It's the flag of the Fire Tank Pirates," Stussy said, her eyes narrowed as she watched the distant ship rapidly approach, the massive pirate flag now clearly visible. "It seems they know we injured their Sea King."
The Undertaker and the Loan Shark King's expressions grew serious and grim.
The two ships quickly closed the distance. Two bolts of lightning shot from the sky, landing on their ship with incredible speed. Two young figures now stood on the railing.
One was standing, the other squatting. One had a serious expression, the other a mischievous grin. The two of them gave off completely different impressions, but the one thing they had in common was the astonishing lightning that crackled around their bodies.
"The Fourth Division Commander of the Fire Tank Pirates, 'Thunder God' Enel, with a bounty of 850 million."
"The Fifth Division Commander of the Fire Tank Pirates, 'Thunder Beast' Wiper, with a bounty of 730 million."
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