Onmyoji of the Grand Line

Page 281

This is a "great sea route".

Two circles were formed, dividing the sea into four parts, each with its own name.

0.5 East China Sea.

West Sea.

South China Sea.

North Sea.

The East China Sea, however, is labeled the "weakest." Why is it the weakest?

No one knows why. It seems to be a settled conclusion that the pirate strongholds in the East China Sea are the "weakest" in other sea areas, but there is no evidence to support this claim. Perhaps it's because the East China Sea has the strictest security regulations of the navy, so the pirates are weaker; or perhaps it's because the seas are calm and navigation is relatively safe, thus weakening the pirates' strength.

In any case, the pirates' weakness was something to be thankful for.

Chapter 322: On the Pirate Ship!

An isolated island in the ocean.

Like an oasis in the desert, merchant ships, pirate ships, and other vessels all dock here, provided with water, food, and equipment. His demands weren't high; even a small town sufficed. With fine wine, clean taverns, and beautiful waitresses, this was the ultimate indulgence.

This is a small island in the East China Sea.

Although not large in scale, it had a dock and harbor, as well as fresh water, wine, meat, and timber. At the end of the alley was a tavern.

But now, the island is no longer peaceful and tranquil.

The devil's nails were driven into the island, robbing all happiness of its inhabitants.

This is a nail known as the "Devil's Tower."

The further you walk, the larger the tower becomes; even the spires of famous cathedrals aren't this tall. It truly embodies the phrase "soaring into the clouds."

Snap snap snap—one

22 slaps - 6

The machine made a rhythmic sound. Whoosh—whoosh! Occasionally, shouts and screams could be heard. Seven

Around the base of the "Demon Tower" lies a workshop resembling an ironworks. Enclosed by high walls and resembling a prison, numerous villagers captured by pirates are bustling about. Armed pirates monitor their every move.

"Hey, stop standing there, get to work!"

The gruff voice of the bearded pirate rang out. A villager was carrying goods when they fell to the ground. 5

"Hi..." Nami greeted. (5)

"If you keep dawdling, I'll throw all the kids on the island into the sea! How about that?"

The villagers, pale-faced, picked up the fallen goods. The surrounding villagers looked at him with worry in their eyes.

If you look closely, you'll see that the villagers are covered in bruises, their faces are haggard, and they look listless. It's easy to imagine that they are starving, their families are being held hostage, and they are enduring violence and threats from pirates.

"Get to work! For Mr. González's sake!"

The pirate with a full beard, in charge of supervising the scene, shouted in a hoarse voice in all directions. The villagers, terrified, silently lowered their heads and continued working.

Three figures hid in the shadows of wooden crates in the factory, holding their breath.

Luffy, Zoro, and Metalacman in armor.

The three easily infiltrated the "Demon Tower." Gonzac's guards were far too careless; not a single person was on guard around the tower and the workshop. The guards at the entrance were also sound asleep, drunk in broad daylight.

Do you think you can completely control this island this way?

Zorro muttered to himself. Perhaps because all the men on the island had been conscripted to factories, leaving only the elderly and children in the town, they didn't feel the heavy security. The three ran through the harbor's alleyways toward the "Devil's Tower." No one greeted them. They were afraid of pirates, afraid of González.

"These guys are still building cannons—"

Zorro hid in the shadow of the wooden crate, peering into a corner of the workshop. There, several cannons were mounted on a turret, their muzzles constantly being adjusted for accuracy. It was a rotating turret, a type of turret rarely seen even on the most modern naval warships. For a group of pirates, this was undoubtedly a heavyweight piece of equipment.

"I don't care about cannons, but what about food?"

Luffy stood up nervously and looked around.

"You idiot, you'll find out about me!"

In a panic, Zoro grabbed Luffy's hat and dragged him to the ground.

"But what about the food?"

"My goodness!"

Zoro is getting anxious. That's just how Luffy is. If there were a mirror that could reflect a person's inner world, Luffy's head would probably be filled with a huge pile of ribs.

"Where's my father?"

Even Medaka was starting to get restless.

"Hey! That would give us away!"

Zorro's voice rang out again.

"Dad!" Nami called out.

"You brat!"

However, Medaka bypassed Zorro, who was lying on the ground, and rushed out from the shadow of the wooden box.

"Ah..." A shrill scream rang out.

"Metaka?"

The villagers nearby recognized Medaka.

"Father? Where is he? 710, help!"

Medaka looked around, searching for her father. She gripped the iron bars of the isolation cell with both hands and looked to the other side.

boom!

Medaka's arm was held down.

"Oh dear, little girl."

"meet again."

The people who appeared were none other than Aldo and Zeke, who had been thoroughly humiliated by Luffy at the beach earlier.

"Let go, let go!"

"Stop! How old is she?!"

The villagers sensed danger from Medaka.

"Shut up!" Nami shouted.

A thick, tattooed arm reached out to the shouting villager—a bearded pirate. He grabbed the villager by the neck and dragged him to the ground.

"Hey, you damned pirate! Where's my father? Give me back my dad!"

"Noisy!"

Aldo rebuked without giving a chance to explain.

The rude curses brought tears to Medaka's eyes. No matter how stubborn she was, she was still just a ten-year-old girl.

Chapter 323: The Octopus Monster!

"Oh, it's you guys! Do you have anything to eat?"

At that moment, Luffy appeared, looking completely indifferent.

Aldo and Zeke were speechless, their eyes filled with shock as they looked at Luffy. This suddenly appearing straw hat kid had caught them off guard for a moment.

"Give it to me," Ye Futian said.

Luffy begged and pleaded, reaching out his hand.

"Oh my god!" Nami screamed.

"It's you! It's the octopus monster!"

The two pirates recognized Luffy and their expressions changed drastically.

"Who are you talking about?"

Luffy looked somewhat displeased. Aldo and Zeke looked as if they had just swum in the Arctic Ocean; their faces were pale and they were shivering.

"That...that guy who ate the Devil Fruit?"

The pirate with a full beard also looked grim.

"Hey!"

Luffy looked at the bearded pirate.

"What a joke! You've got some nerve, daring to barge in and cause trouble... I give you a thumbs up!"