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The large transport ship was like a sharp blade cleaving the ocean, its snowy-white wake etched upon the water.
Zephyr, dressed in a porter's uniform, with tattoos drawn on his cheeks and neck, and a bag of flour stuffed into his back to feign a hunchback, was inspecting the ship's hold.
The tall Wei Lun, on the other hand, was mingling with the sail-haulers, wearing a gum mask over the upper part of his nose, sitting on the deck listening to their conversations and gathering information.
One of the sail-haulers, looking at Wei Lun, who was built like an iron tower, joked, "Warren, you wear that mask every day, how do you eat normally?"
Wei Lun unzipped the gum mask, revealing his mouth inside, and didn't answer.
Everyone immediately showed a look of understanding and burst into laughter.
The foreman noticed the weather starting to cool, looked up, and saw sparse snowflakes falling as the distant sun gradually sank into the sea, leaving a crimson sunset that dyed the sky.
The foreman's expression became serious: "We're about to enter Winter Island's waters. Everyone, stay extra vigilant and avoid conflicts with pirates."
"Understood, Uncle Benn!!!"
The sail-haulers put away their joking attitudes and, under Benn's arrangement, stood up and went to their assigned posts.
Fuluo, carrying his cane, was conducting a routine inspection on the deck, and he couldn't help but feel a bit fortunate when he remembered Umit's resolute decision to sign an agreement with Winter Island.
After half a year of trading with Winter Island, they had made a fortune.
Now, he had changed his initial disdain for the impoverished Winter Island.
The transport ship gradually sailed into Winter Island's dock. On the dock, pirates were waving small flags, directing the transport ship into the shallow bay to anchor.
The sail-haulers shouted chants as they furled the sails. Two sailors carried a huge anchor and threw it overboard. It plunged into the deep sea with a thick, stiff steel rope, gripping the rocks at the seabed.
The ship was secured.
Fuluo and the leading pirate chatted briefly, then he waved his hand, and the workers swarmed down the gangway, starting to load cargo onto the transport ship.
Zephyr and Wei Lun met up and secretly snuck into Winter Island under the cover of night.
They moved swiftly, traversing the ice and rocks as if on flat ground, despite the heavy snowfall.
Seeing pirates guarding a warehouse in the distance, they exchanged glances and decisively chose to attack.
Bang!!
Zephyr's punch caved in one pirate's chest. The pirate, like an arrow released from a bow, crashed through the warehouse door. Inside, four pirates who were eating bento boxes paused, blinking as they looked at the doorway.
Heavy snow poured in through the door. Wei Lun, clad in a Marine coat, lunged in. They had no time to react before two pirates were grabbed by their heads by Wei Lun and slammed to the ground like rags.
With a bang, the ground vibrated. The other two pirates finally realized there were intruders, drew the guns from their waists, and pulled the triggers on Wei Lun!
"Iron Body!!"
Wei Lun's sharp voice came, his body seemingly transforming into a block of steel. Bullets struck him, making a clanging sound.
The two pirates' eyes widened. They wanted to drop their guns and run, but Wei Lun grabbed them by the back of their necks, one in each hand, lifted them, and threw them like bowling pins, smashing human-shaped holes in several other walls of the warehouse.
Zephyr strode in, his coat fluttering in the storm. He punched open a stack of wooden crates, revealing several dark firearms inside.
"Tsk... just as I expected. They're selling weapons. Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I've touched one of these."
Zephyr grinned, slinging two guns over his shoulders and loading dozens of bullets.
On the other side, Wei Lun smashed open a wooden crate, revealing a rocket launcher.
"Vice Admiral Zephyr, this one's got more kick!"
The bearded Wei Lun said, raising an eyebrow.
Zephyr lit a cigarette with a torch, exhaled a puff of smoke, and threw the torch onto the pile of wooden crates. The warehouse immediately burst into a raging inferno.
"Let's go!!"
Zephyr racked his gun, then strode out of the warehouse. Outside, dozens of pirates were already on high alert, armed with guns.
"These pirate brats are quite alert, aren't they? Support arrived so quickly." Zephyr laughed heartily, unleashing a barrage of gunfire. However, his marksmanship was surprisingly poor; most shots narrowly missed, with only a few bullets hitting the pirates' limbs.
And the pirates' marksmanship was even more astonishing, perfectly avoiding Zephyr and Wei Lun.
It was truly a clash of amateurs.
After firing two clips, Zephyr triumphantly tossed his guns aside and charged towards the pirates!
Vice Admiral Wei Lun followed closely behind him.
Inside Winter Island's palace, Kaido, who was drinking alone, suddenly received a report from his subordinate: the warehouse on Winter Island's west side had been infiltrated, and all the pirates sent to suppress the invaders had gone missing.
"Hmm?"
Kaido narrowed his eyes, a faint cold glint in their corners. His Observation Haki immediately spread out, covering the entire island within its "sight."
Then the range contracted, encircling the west side of Winter Island.
The next moment, under his Observation Haki, he could "see" two distinct presences.
"They are not someone you can deal with!"
Kaido glanced at the pirate, who was so scared he fell to the ground, sweating profusely.
He drained the jug of sake in one gulp, then swayed as he stood up, slowly walking out of the palace.
At the same time, the moment Kaido's Observation Haki spread out, Wei Lun and Zephyr's expressions changed.
"Was that Observation Haki just now?!"
Wei Lun's face was grim. He had studied Haki for many years, so he naturally knew about Armament and Observation Haki.
Observation Haki was like an information network. When the opponent's Observation Haki spread out, they could also perceive the opponent's aura for a moment.
It was like an insect caught in a spider's web; the moment he was locked on, he could sense the opponent's chilling aura.
Zephyr was equally shocked. They seemed to have underestimated Kaido's strength.
Zephyr, holding a pirate, said to Wei Lun: "Contact Vice Admiral Kerber and the others immediately. We have successfully infiltrated. It's time for them to make their move."
"Alright, no problem!"
Wei Lun immediately pulled out a Den Den Mushi from his Pregnant, dialed a code, and soon the Den Den Mushi connected, but the sound of artillery fire from inside the Den Den Mushi startled him.
"Wh-What's going on?"
Wei Lun was astonished, staring at Zephyr with eyes as wide as copper bells.
Then, Vice Admiral Kerber's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Vice Admiral Wei Lun, we've been attacked. A warship was shelled and can no longer provide support. The enemy seems to be intentionally luring us over."
Zephyr's expression was fluctuating, as if he had a bad premonition: "First, rescue our comrades. Vice Admiral Kerber, lead a warship to pursue them, and remember to stay in constant contact with us. The other warships must come to Winter Island immediately!"
"Yes!"
Hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Zephyr pinched the bridge of his nose. The situation was deviating from his expectations.
It sounded like Kaido's side had prepared for the attack on the warship, so it seemed some information must have leaked.
But if information had leaked, then their infiltration plan would certainly have been detected by the enemy as well.
Which meant... from the moment they started planning the encirclement of Winter Island, their warships had been targeted.
Fortunately, however, they had successfully infiltrated Winter Island. Although unexpected circumstances arose, it was still considered the completion of the first step of their initial plan.
Zephyr's mind was quick. After connecting several events, he instantly understood the underlying connections.
"Hmm?"
Zephyr suddenly sensed something, frowning as he looked into the distance.
In the far distance, something seemed to be rushing towards them at high speed, creating a huge commotion, stirring up large waves of snow along the way, and smashing into several buildings!
Thump thump thump thump!!
Rapid, continuous tremors came, and the bullet casings and rubble at Zephyr's feet bounced violently!!
Kaido had arrived!!