Trafalgar Law's silence felt exceptionally long in the deathly quiet port.
Orion clearly had little patience.
Gazing at the figure on the submarine, his voice carried no warmth.
"Make your choice, Trafalgar Law!"
"First, abandon your pirate identity and lead your Heart Pirates in complete surrender to the Marines."
"Second, be executed on the spot."
He paused, as if stating the simplest of facts.
"Your presence here and recognition of me indicates you should be well aware that when it comes to dealing with pirates, I never show mercy."
The moment his words fell, Morgan and the marine soldiers behind him moved in unison, dozens of black gun barrels simultaneously aiming at Law on the submarine.
The air seemed to freeze.
If Law hesitated for more than ten seconds, even without the Fleet Admiral's order, bullets would tear him and the submarine beneath him to shreds.
On the training ship, Luffy, Ace, Zoro and others curiously observed this suddenly appearing man with spotted hat, wondering what choice he would make.
A trace of cold sweat trickled from Trafalgar Law's temple.
Just two seconds.
He decisively sheathed his long sword and bowed deeply to Orion.
"I, Trafalgar Law, am willing to surrender to the Marines and pledge loyalty to the Fleet Admiral."
...
...
Two days later, the training ship set sail again, beginning its next patrol.
On the deck, after two days of interaction, Trafalgar Law had already become familiar with Luffy, Zoro and the others.
Though Luffy's enthusiasm was somewhat overwhelming.
"Hey! Tora-o! Let's go fishing at the bow! We might catch a Sea King!" Luffy rushed over excitedly, slinging an arm around Law's shoulder.
Law's temple throbbed as he corrected for the umpteenth time.
"It's Trafalgar Law."
"Ah, your name's too long, what a hassle! I'll just call you Tora-o!" Luffy grinned, laughing without a care.
Law felt his blood pressure skyrocketing.
Nearby, Zoro who was cleaning his Wado Ichimonji said without looking up.
"Don't mind him, that idiot's always like this."
Leaning against the railing to enjoy the breeze, Ace lazily added.
"You'll get used to it."
...
Night fell, waves gently lapping against the ship's hull.
In the captain's cabin, Orion was reading a progress report about the World Government taking over affiliated nations' regimes under the lamplight.
The door quietly opened, carrying a faint fragrance.
Hancock, wearing a light silk nightgown, silently entered.
Unlike usual when she would immediately cling to Orion, she simply walked quietly to his side, refilled his tea, then sat quietly nearby, gazing obsessively at his profile as he worked.
Since that night when Orion erased her slave brand, their relationship had naturally progressed.
Orion set down the documents and looked up, meeting her peach-blossom eyes filled with affection.
"Not sleeping yet?"
"Just looking at you, my heart is content." Hancock's voice was so tender it could drip honey, completely devoid of her usual haughty queenly aura.
Orion chuckled softly, reaching out to draw her into his embrace.
Outside the window, moonlight flowed like water, while inside, warmth filled the air.
...
After three more days of sailing on the sea, the training ship slowly entered the port of a wealthy nation known as the 'Kingdom of Giltear' in the North Blue.
This was a prosperous country famed for its exquisite clocks and jewelry.
Following standard procedure, Orion led a group of trainees ashore into the town, allowing them to experience firsthand the customs and culture of a different nation.
However, less than ten minutes after they left the port—
The calm sea surface was suddenly dotted with pirate ships emerging like phantoms, a dark mass so numerous that a rough count revealed forty to fifty vessels!
At the forefront was a massive pirate ship with a menacing steel skull as its figurehead.
On the deck, a burly middle-aged man with a thick beard was raising a barrel of ale, roaring with maniacal laughter.
He was Borg, captain of the 'Iron Skull Pirates,' known as 'Iron Fist' Borg—a notorious North Blue outlaw whose bounty had surpassed a hundred million berries a year ago.
Upon learning that the World Government had ordered all affiliated kingdom monarchs to relocate to the Holy Land, Borg immediately recognized this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
He united over a dozen infamous pirate crews from the North Blue, forming a massive 'Plunder Alliance,' and headed straight for the wealthy Kingdom of Giltear!
"Men! Look! Ahead lies Giltear! Gold and jewels carpet the ground, all waiting for us!"
Borg raised his ale barrel high, his wicked laughter echoing as if he could already see mountains of treasure glittering before him.
"Oooohhh!"
The pirate lackeys on the deck erupted into bloodthirsty roars, rubbing their hands eagerly, their eyes gleaming with greed and brutality.
Soon, the enormous pirate fleet sailed into the port.
Just as Borg was about to order the landing, a lookout beside him suddenly pointed at a Marine warship docked at the pier, stammering.
"C-Captain! A Marine ship! Damn it, the Marines have already arrived!"
Borg followed the direction and, upon spotting the clearly training-oriented vessel, curled his lip in disdain, spitting into the sea.
"Don't make a fuss! It's just a Marine training ship! If they dare stand in the way of my fortune, we'll slaughter them too!"
He abruptly drew the giant axe at his waist, raising it high, and roared with all his might.
"Men, heed my command!"
"Before Marine reinforcements arrive, we strike hard and fast, emptying this nation of all its treasures!!"
"Charge!"
"Kill!"
Nearly two thousand pirates following him erupted in a deafening roar.
The moment their respective ships docked, they surged ashore like a bursting black tide, brandishing blades and guns, their faces twisted with malice!
The entire port was instantly engulfed in an atmosphere of slaughter and greed.
One moment, the air was filled with the calls of merchants and the laughter of travelers; the next, it was torn apart by shrill screams and beast-like howls.
"Kill!"
"Money! Jewels! Women! They're all mine!"
Like a black plague, the nearly two thousand pirates poured from dozens of ships, their eyes bloodshot, faces contorted with greedy grins, their axes and swords mercilessly hacking down upon the civilians who had no time to react.
Blood instantly stained the cobblestones of the pier.
A fruit vendor was slashed to the ground, his money pouch snatched, his stall kicked to splinters.
Apples and oranges rolled everywhere, mingling with blood and water.
The panicked crowd scattered like a disturbed anthill, screaming and crying as they desperately fled toward the town.
Pursuing them were relentless wolves.
The pirates reveled in the slaughter and plunder, storming into portside shops and sweeping away anything of value.
The slightest resistance was met with a fatal blade.
Panic spread rapidly, screams echoing one after another over the wealthy kingdom.
---------
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