Raijin Island and Punk Hazard—two "problem islands" in completely different directions.
It was impossible for Davy Jones to appear on both at once.
He'd have to deal with them one by one. Pick a target, resolve it, then move on to the next.
With the pipe stem between his teeth and tobacco smoke curling upward, Davy Jones quickly made up his mind.
Raijin Island.
No matter who or what was behind it, the fact remained—it had attacked one of his crew, Mikita.
If not for the "Contract Mark" engraved upon her, she might not have escaped with her life.
A favor repaid for a favor, a grudge repaid with vengeance.
Davy Jones would never turn a blind eye when one of his own was attacked.
He decided to bring along several trusted crewmates and set sail for Black Pearl Island, where he would rendezvous with Kuro before proceeding to Raijin Island.
At present, the Terror Ghost's forces were divided as follows: the officers Law, Buggy, Perona, and Porche were stationed on Terror Ghost Island;
Kuro and Mikita were on Black Pearl Island;
and Crocodile, holding Thriller Wraith Island, had no remaining officers under his command.
To ease Crocodile's burden, Davy Jones left Alvida and Hachi behind.
Then, on the following day, he gathered the seven "Supernovas" and once again boarded the Thriller Wraith, raising her sails to the wind.
For Kid, Hawkins, Apoo, Killer, and Bege, this was their first time entering the "New World." They stood along the rail, gazing out eagerly at the ever-changing seas.
Throughout the voyage, the weather and climate shifted violently and unpredictably—an unforgiving reminder of what the "New World" truly was.
Had they been aboard an ordinary pirate ship, they would have capsized several times already.
Even if they somehow stayed afloat, they'd have been forced to beach the ship for repairs before daring to sail again.
Drake and Bonney, however, were no strangers to these seas.
The former had once been a Rear Admiral of the Marines; the latter, as a child, had often accompanied her father—Bartholomew Kuma—to the "New World" to visit Vegapunk.
Thus, they were far less curious than the others, each harboring private thoughts of their own.
Drake had yet to find a chance to report his situation to Vice Admiral Tsuru.
He constantly felt watched—by the ravens circling in the sky, and by the "Contract Mark" seared into his hand.
Having come this far, he refused to take unnecessary risks.
Wait a little longer, he told himself. There will be a right time.
Still, he couldn't help worrying—had Vice Admiral Tsuru, upon losing contact with him, grown anxious enough to act rashly and expose his identity?
If word of him being a Marine spy ever leaked, Davy Jones wouldn't even have to intervene—the likes of Kid and Hawkins would hang him by the neck themselves.
No, he reassured himself. Vice Admiral Tsuru will know something's wrong. She'll investigate discreetly. She'll wait.
He had to believe that. Infiltrating a den of monsters required constant self-deception. Only by convincing himself could he stay calm—could he avoid slipping up.
Remember who you are. You're a pirate. You're a pirate…
While Drake silently hypnotized himself, Bonney was occupied with her own thoughts.
Leaning against the ship's rail, her hands resting on the edge, she let the sea breeze lift her long pink hair. The golden crescent tattoo beneath her right eye gleamed faintly.
Since pledging allegiance to Davy Jones, Bonney had done her best to cozy up to Alvida, the "Iron-Mace Wolf Fang" who handled intelligence.
Every so often she'd probe, trying to draw information out of her.
But though Alvida was all smiles and kindness on the surface, she never revealed a scrap of intelligence without the captain's express permission.
The woman was far trickier than Bonney had anticipated.
As a fellow woman, Bonney felt a wary respect for her.
And so, learning anything about her father—the "Tyrant" Kuma—or about Vegapunk, had become nearly impossible.
All she could do now was wait for an opportunity. Perhaps a moment of chance—or enough trust earned—would open the door.
If not, then she'd have no choice but to storm Egghead Island, Vegapunk's base itself, and hope her father and the scientist were there.
She prayed this search wouldn't drag on too long. A few months she could bear—maybe even a year. But two years? That she could not accept.
The world was unpredictable. She had thought that once she entered the "New World," her quest to find her father and Vegapunk would proceed smoothly. Yet now she was caught in this situation.
Still, the crushing defeat Davy Jones had delivered to their group of "Supernovas" served as a valuable reminder.
In the "New World," there were many monsters like him.
Rushing ahead blindly was never a good idea.
Bonney might well find her father or Vegapunk… or she might end up a captive of some great pirate—or the Marines themselves.
And if she had to be someone's prisoner… she would rather it be Davy Jones.
At least under him, she had more freedom—and if she proved herself useful, perhaps even a chance to rise again.
Ugh, what am I thinking?
How could I ever truly serve Davy Jones?
This is only temporary… only until the time is right.
Bonney shook her head, trying to dispel the strange thoughts that had taken root.
While the "Supernovas" were each lost in their own minds, Davy Jones was focused entirely on the ancient black compass in his hands.
Its needle pointed unerringly toward his intended destination—Black Pearl Island.
The island wasn't far from Thriller Wraith Island. In less than half a day, its silhouette appeared on the horizon.
Before long, the Thriller Wraith, flying the Jolly Roger, glided slowly into the harbor.
Black Pearl Island was smaller than Thriller Wraith Island, and its docks were simpler—just a single wooden pier extending into the sea.
Waiting there were Kuro, slick-haired and suited like the butler he once was in the East Blue, and Mikita, now recovered from her injuries, holding a parasol like a porcelain doll.
They had already been informed via Den Den Mushi that Captain Davy Jones would arrive today.
Around twenty crew members stood behind them in loose formation.
When the Thriller Wraith drew alongside the pier, Kuro shot them a sharp glare, and they hastily straightened into proper ranks.
The gangplank was lowered, thudding onto the dock.
Davy Jones descended first, followed by the seven "Supernovas."
"Captain," Kuro and Mikita saluted in unison, leading the others in respect.
Kuro knew well that Davy Jones disliked excessive ceremony.
But whether the captain liked it or not was beside the point—if Kuro set the wrong example, the other officers would be the ones to tear him apart.
Especially now, with the chain of command within Davy Jones's forces clearly defined.
At the top stood Davy Jones himself.
Below him, the second tier—Crocodile, who guarded Thriller Wraith Island, and Jinbe, who held Fishman Island.
And beneath them, the third tier—Kuro, Alvida, Law, and others.
To rise from the third to the second tier, Kuro's rivals were clear: Alvida and Law.
And both of them had been making moves.
Alvida had helped Davy Jones subdue Fishman Island and the "Supernovas."
Law, on the other hand, had slain Snack, the lowest of Big Mom's "Four Sweet Commanders," to secure his own territory.
But Kuro?
He'd seized an island—but had no further achievements to his name. Now even the issue with Raijin Island required the captain himself to intervene.
Shame burned within him, though he kept his face impassive and followed closely at the captain's heel.
Black Pearl Island's conditions were far poorer than those of Thriller Wraith Island, and it had only recently been captured.
Their headquarters, by necessity, was set within an overgrown ancient ruin choked with vines and moss.
Fortunately, Kuro and Mikita had already seen it cleaned and restored to a decent state.
Davy Jones took the main seat within the hall and turned to Mikita.
"What happened on Raijin Island?" he asked.
Mikita's face tightened into an awkward smile as she nervously shifted the closed parasol in her hands.
"Captain… I failed you. I couldn't investigate further before being struck by one of the thunder pillars."
Davy Jones didn't sound angry. "Those bolts—they were aimed directly at you, weren't they?"
"Yes," Mikita answered, her voice trembling. "I believe… it must have been a Devil Fruit ability."
"If that's the case," she continued, "its power is terrifyingly strong."
She shuddered as she recalled that day—the sky splitting open, lightning falling like divine punishment.
But Davy Jones felt no fear. After all, he was the "Deep Sea King"—one who fed on fear.
He turned to Kuro. "How many 'Lightning Umbrellas' do you still have?"
"We bought a large batch from a group of strange witches, Captain. Enough for everyone to go ashore."
Kuro answered cautiously, then added, "However, our biggest problem now is not the natural lightning, but the unknown attacks mixed within it."
"Then we won't need everyone to land," Davy Jones replied. "Mikita and the others will stay behind. Tomorrow, you and the 'Supernovas' will come with me. Nine umbrellas will be enough."
"Yes, Captain," Kuro responded immediately.
Hearing that they were to set foot on the lightning-struck island, the "Supernovas" showed no fear—only eager excitement.
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