"How is it, Hancock? I had the carpenter's guild pick out the hardest, sturdiest lumber they could find."
"Mmm, it was fine material indeed," Hancock replied, her voice pleased. "Thanks to that, look, just like this."
So saying, Hancock, wearing a leather breastplate over her blouse, drew the wooden bow she held.
Not that I can tell a good bow from a bad one...
Well, seeing how proud Hancock looks, it must have turned out quite satisfactory.
I added, "As for the arrows, the carpenter's guild is making them now, in between reconstruction tasks."
"I heard from Toya, who just returned on rotation," she said, testing the bowstring. "Once we have enough arrows, I shall go hunting in the mountains, to break in the bow as well."
"Ah, that would be a big help."
Hancock nodded. "Mmm, everyone must be getting tired of nothing but salty bean and fish soup."
They wanted to make bows.
Hancock and the other two from the Kuja tribe had brought it up the other day.
Until now, Hancock had mainly fought hand-to-hand, occasionally using a sword or knife, while her two sisters used spears. But all three said what they were most accustomed to was the bow.
Now that she mentions it, I remember the Kuja used bows quite a bit in the original story.
I asked, curious, "Are there many archers among the Kuja?"
"Most warriors can use one. Amazon Lily has almost no connection to the outside world save for plunder, so things like ammunition are precious. Even when we seize it, most is for cannons, so we hardly ever use firearms."
Hancock's words, "so we hardly ever use firearms," made me recall the original story.
...Indeed, I don't really remember them using cannons.
She continued, "That is why most warriors learn the bow as a projectile weapon. They are easy to make, and we can source plenty of arrows even on that island. If we imbue them with Haki, their power is not inferior to a gun."
"I see, that certainly makes sense," I agreed.
It's not so much plunder from the mafia forces, but we've had so many captured goods lately that we aren't short on weapons. However, thinking of future resupply and maintenance, this might be the better way to go until we've solidified our foundation.
If there's a problem, it would be the training time.
―― Captain-san, Hancock-san!
As I was watching Hancock adjust her bow for a while, Robin arrived.
Hancock turned, her expression softening slightly as she chided, "Now, Robin. Although this royal palace is practically our territory now, you have your own particular circumstances. You should not be walking around alone so much. Must you not be more careful?"
"Ah... I'm sorry, Hancock-san."
Ah, right, most of the Guards were out, either maintaining the port or setting up the residential areas for the people.
I stepped in. "My apologies. The royal family, not to mention some of the citizens, have been so cooperative that I let my guard down too. From now on, I'll make sure to assign at least one Guard to you. So, what is it, Robin?"
"Oh, right," Robin said, perking up. "I saw Daz-san's ship returning from patrol, but everyone on deck looked really busy... and they're towing two ships I don't recognize."
Ah, most likely another enemy ship showed up, and they captured it along with its weapons or armaments.
Or maybe, for a change, the nets they cast brought in a huge haul.
It's truly the "Great Pirate Era," just as they say.
Thanks to it, pirates keep bringing us brand-new ships, cannons, gunpowder, and ammunition in droves, which is a huge help on the weapons front.
...The problem is, when it comes to the most crucial part, personnel, we can't just carelessly bring people in, so we have no choice but to steadily increase our numbers and train them.
"Understood," I said, making a decision. "Hancock, I'm leaving Robin with you for a bit. I'm going to the port to assess the situation and take command."
"As you wish," Hancock replied. She turned to Robin. "Robin, my apologies, but help me clean. I have made quite a mess with wood shavings from all the carving and sanding."
"Okay!"
--
Arriving at the port, I muttered to myself, "I know it's the Great Pirate Era and all, but isn't this a bit much?"
A minor chaos was indeed unfolding at the port.
We couldn't very well entrust sorting the weapons to the locals yet, so we'd decided to have our own crew members handle it, but... they were overflowing with so many weapons that our crew couldn't keep up.
You guys are betting way too much of your lives on being pirates.
If you have enough money to buy all this equipment, find a better way to live, seriously...
Daz spotted me and called out, looking relieved. "Captain? Good, you're here. Could you spare some more personnel?"
"Yeah, I already asked Toya to select some trustworthy workers and send some Guards to supervise, but...", I trailed off, staring at the piles of cannons.
Cannons, cannons, and more cannons.
From the looks of it, they weren't heavily used; relatively new models of cannons were being unloaded one after another.
As for guns, I could spot some flintlock pistols and rifles here and there, not just the common matchlock-style pistols.
...Guns, huh. I'm pretty sure one of Whitebeard's commanders used one, and Red-Hair's vice-captain stopped Kizaru with a gun, so they must be effective, but they just don't leave a strong impression in the One Piece world...
Well, being able to update the standard equipment for the soldiers is appreciated.
We'll test-fire them, including the cannons, get some data, and then adopt them during the reorganization.
I turned back to him. "How many enemies?"
"There were six ships," Daz reported. "Four of them were so annoying that I had Perona sink them... Sorry, I wanted to capture the ships if possible, but..."
"Ah, it's fine. Losing even a few of our trained elites by trying too hard to capture ships would hurt more."
That goes for the Imperial Guards from the Kingdom we saved, and also for the members who joined our ranks after the battle with the Regional Manager; they're developing into a proper fighting force. I don't want to lose them over something trivial.
In the first place, it takes skill and experience just to operate a ship. He shouldn't be doing anything that would needlessly get his subordinates killed. Daz, having acted on that, lives up to my expectations as always.
"Still, that's one hell of an arsenal they had..."
"Yeah," Daz said, wiping his face with his hand. "Not just the ones fixed to the ship, but as you can see, they had wheeled ones crammed all over the deck... Their cannon fire was just relentless..."
"It was sooo annoying, dammit!!", Perona, who had shown up at some point, was gulping down water and letting out a "Pwaah!" acting strangely like an old man.
What's with you, Perona?
Daz continued, ignoring her outburst, "They completely avoided not only direct combat, but also the mid-range firefights we excel at..."
"And they kept fleeing to the very edge of my ghosts' range!" Perona complained loudly. "So I had to charge in while using Mini-Hollows to shoot down their cannonballs, and then hit them with a Special Hollow! Aaah, I'm exhausted!"
I frowned. "...They're adapting faster than I thought. What about Amisu?"
Amisu has also started taking ships out to train her command abilities as a division commander.
If Daz is back, she should be proceeding with preparations for the next patrol.
"I've already informed her," Daz replied. "She said she'll be temporarily loading two of the captured long-range cannons onto the second and third ships, just in case."
"...Are the cannonballs and powder sufficient?" I asked.
"There are plenty. It seems they were trying to finish us off with a one-sided bombardment from outside our range..."
That's what's bothering me... or rather, making me uneasy...
To be precise, the fact that there's a power out there, other than the World Government or the Marines, that wants to finish us off badly enough to go to those lengths... gives me a bad feeling.
It doesn't seem like the mafia groups, either.
I came to a decision, "...Daz, once Toya brings the personnel, I'm leaving the rest of the work to you."
Daz looked surprised, "Including the inspection of the temporary housing and the reconstruction work?"
"That's right. Use Hancock or Robin if you think it's necessary. Of course, make sure not to leave Perona or Robin alone."
Beside me, Perona is kicking me repeatedly, as if to say "Don't treat me like a kid," but she is a kid, so it can't be helped.
It'd be a different story if she could fight without her powers, like Hancock.
I looked out at the sea. "I'm going along on the patrol. Just in case of an emergency."
If it were me, even in the worst-case scenario, I could just run on the sea or through the air and slice through the enemy ship's side or its mast.
Robin and the others made me new Cat Claws, and I'm confident I can pull that off now.
I added quietly, more to myself, "I doubt they'd be foolish enough to commit their forces piecemeal..."
If there's someone out there who wants to crush us, it's only natural they'd be analyzing our tactics.
I just hope another unnecessary enemy doesn't show up before our decisive battle with the Marines blockading the West Blue...
--
...Why is this happening?
The sheer absurdity of the situation made me want to hold my head in my hands.
Amisu's voice was crisp, "Captain Kuro, what are your orders?"
"...They are flying a white flag, after all. I suppose we have to hear them out."
We'd been on patrol for about half a day. Under Amisu's command, we passed the scheduled points, and just when I thought this would end as a simple patrol inspection, a very familiar ship is heading this way. Are you serious?
"Amisu, the Den Den Mushi," I ordered.
"Yes, sir. It's already connected to the speaker," she replied instantly.
Thanks.
But Amisu, it's written all over your face.
Your face is screaming, "Can't we just sink them right now?"
Ahem, for now—
I took a breath and spoke into the receiver. "We have confirmed your lack of hostile intent. I will now board your vessel."
In response to my voice, a small zzzt of static came from the other ship—that incredibly familiar ship—and then,
"Heh heh heh, normally you'd demand the captain come over here alone. You're a strange pirate, as always. Eh?"
"You're never alone even when you come alone," I retorted.
"—Bege."
"Hah hah ha! Same as ever, Kuro!"
You... Why the hell would you come all the way out here!?
And you're flying a white flag just to talk!?
"I've got something to discuss with you. Well, come on up. First, you'll want to disarm us, right? We can talk after that, heh heh heh."
'Discuss'?! I know damn well it's just going to be trouble, dammit!!
I know it, dammit!!!!
--
Donate some powerstones people, only around 50 needed before next bonus chapter.