Two days later.
Boom!
Boom boom!
The azure sea, fierce bombardment, the Black Ship was surrounding a merchant ship just a size smaller than it, using solid shots to smash the cannon, and chain bullets to break the sails, bringing the merchant ship to a halt.
The Black Ship approached the merchant ship, a large number of pirates grinning menacingly, weapons in hand, leaping from the bow onto the merchant ship, issuing a series of howling noises.
Lily stood on the second-floor balcony, her fair hand clutching the railing on the balcony, watching as the pirates carried crates and barrels of needed supplies and valuable treasures from the merchant ship, sighing softly.
Still no news...
In two days' time, they hadn't seen the news bird bringing any updates, nor had they received a call from Sage.
Of course, there was also none of that inexplicable storm...
Although the Grand Line's weather is still as capricious, this unpredictability is somewhat within controllable limits now.
The storm lasts only a moment, the rain only a moment, the wind only a moment...
All the weather, through changes in clouds and winds, can be assessed in advance, thus enabling avoidance.
Most importantly, they encountered a merchant ship.
Including this one, in just two days of sailing, Lily came across five merchant ships, not exactly filling their coffers to the brim, but they've gained quite a bit.
They didn't want the cargo, having plundered plenty from Water Seven, but couldn't yet sell it; however, the goods and cash inside the merchant ship are abundant, enough for the pirates to earn a tidy sum.
It certainly wouldn't compare to raiding a town, but the victory lies in how simple it is—fire a few shots, force the merchant ship to stop, go aboard and plunder, without resistance or combat.
Seeing the flag of the Disaster Pirates was enough to terrify these merchant ships out of their wits.
Excluding Sage's absence, things were going even more smoothly than before.
Especially...
Squeak.
A space on the deck suddenly opened with the swing of a door, and Blueno walked out carrying several bags of flour, followed by a group of CP9.
"This is all we found."
Blueno said in a low voice: "The rest was snatched already by your men."
"But we can't say we didn't contribute." Kaku, carrying several bags of apples, put them down and said.
Lily furrowed her brows slightly, saying, "No need to use your abilities, we're just plundering a merchant ship; in this kind of robbery, you can choose not to participate, as per the rules on the ship, non-participants will still receive half the spoils."
CP9 had boarded two days ago, for this Lily even took the risk of approaching the vicinity of Enies Lobby, and then the space on the deck opened with a door, out came that man with the horn-like hairstyle, bringing these people out along with a heavily injured man on his back.
The ship has a Doctor Corps, and there's an abundance of medical supplies; treating combat wounds is a basic skill for the doctors, so there's nothing to worry about.
Once settled, these CP9 became pirates aboard the ship.
Lily is actually wary of these people, truth be told she hadn't intended to agree initially, but thinking of Sage's personality, she finally consented.
Sage never refuses talented individuals, regardless of their identity, and just because Sage isn't here, doesn't mean the Disaster Pirates should become timid.
She intends to maintain the Disaster Pirates' consistent style!
Even if she can sense that the severely injured man is strong, should strength alone be grounds to reject someone's allegiance?
CP9 is strong, but does that mean the Disaster Pirates aren't strong?
"Let's still pitch in a bit, we're at least a part of the Disaster Pirates now."
Jabra carried two barrels of wine on his shoulder, with two more tucked under his arm, laughing heartily.
Owl bounced around and said, "Actually considering that if we're to leave the ship, it would count as repaying this favor, chattering!"
"Hey!" Jabra angrily put down the barrel of wine and stretched out his hand to pull at Owl's face, "Don't say everything that comes to mind, you idiot!"
"Yo yo yi!"
Kumadori knelt on the ground, drawing his Ryofu with a sorrowful expression, "I am greatly indebted to the Disaster Pirates, yet we're preparing to disembark; loyalty, duty, friendship, and gratitude cannot all be chosen, it fills me with remorse, hence I can only commit seppuku!"
"Tekkai!"
Clang!
The tip of the Ryofu was stuck against his abdomen, unable to pierce through.
"Such a pity I can't die."
"Hurry up and die already!" Jabra shouted.
Compared to Kaku and the others who haven't quite fit in yet, Jabra and the others are quite at ease, having stayed aboard for some time, they're more at liberty...
Of course, being too free isn't great, it looks quite dumb now.
Lily gazed down at them from the second floor, saying calmly, "I said before boarding, as long as you don't cause chaos on this ship, you're free to do what you want."
It's mainly because Sage isn't here.
Otherwise, once aboard, wanting to leave wouldn't be so easy.
No matter what type of crew, once aboard, disembarking must be approved by the Captain; those crew members leaving without a word was possible because Sage didn't mind.
But as for CP9, if Sage were here, it wouldn't be so easy for them to disembark.
But Lily couldn't stop them.
She's confident she can prevent CP9 from causing trouble aboard the ship, but if they are determined to leave, there's nothing she can do to prevent it.
Now although they have boarded, Lily knows very well that it is just a temporary alliance.
Until Rob Lucci's injuries are fully healed...
Just as she thought of this, a red dot suddenly appeared in her pupils, looking towards the direction of the cabin, she saw the hatch door near the banquet hall opening up, and then from between the stairs emerged a blonde woman.