The pirates took advantage of Redfield and Brook's conversation to slip away unnoticed.
"Redfield, it looks like your crew just ran off?" Brook remarked.
"It's fine, Captain Brook. Those pirates were just captives I used to navigate the ship and find you. Now that I've officially joined your crew, they're of no use to me anymore."
Redfield explained casually. In truth, his Observation Haki had already picked up on their intent to escape, but he didn't see the need to stop them—chatting with Captain Brook was far more important.
...
"Perfect timing! Let's have a feast to celebrate Captain Brook's acquisition of the cursed sword!" Shakky cheered, clearly excited about gaining a new crew member. The Hell Pirates would only grow stronger from here.
"To think that the legendary cursed sword has chosen Captain Brook… truly befitting of our captain," Redfield praised. However, as his Observation Haki picked up on something else, his eyes locked onto the cane sword in Shakky's hand. It was Brook's old personal weapon, and Redfield couldn't help but feel an intense desire for it—like a fan yearning for a keepsake from their idol.
"Shakky, would you be willing to give me Captain Brook's cane sword? I'm a swordsman, but right now, I don't have a weapon. I came to Aska Island in search of a cursed sword, but I never expected…" Redfield's eyes gleamed as he stared at the weapon in Shakky's hand.
"How do you know my name? And how do you know this is the captain's cane sword?" Shakky asked, suddenly wary. As an intelligence hunter, she was extremely sensitive to information.
"Shakky, please don't misunderstand, I… I…" Redfield swallowed hard, hesitating to reveal the truth. Would the crew see him as a monster?
"Redfield, you've awakened a special form of Observation Haki, haven't you? Promise me—don't pry into the thoughts of your crewmates from now on. Understood?" Brook's tone was firm. He was relieved that Redfield didn't seem to have peeked into his own mind—otherwise, Redfield would likely be in complete shock right now.
"Captain Brook, you know about this ability? That's great! I swear, from now on, I won't look into my crewmates' thoughts!" Redfield quickly explained, eager for their understanding.
"Wait… you're saying you can read our thoughts?!" Shakky gasped, taking several steps back, staring at Redfield in disbelief. Seeing his downcast expression, it was clear he wasn't denying it.
The rest of the crew exchanged uneasy glances—part curiosity, part wariness.
"Observation Haki is something anyone has the potential to awaken. It allows one to sense enemies and predict their movements. At its highest level, it can even let the user glimpse a few seconds into the future. However, there are rare variations. Redfield's special Observation Haki lets him perceive people's thoughts, while other unique forms allow the user to sense emotions. The most extraordinary of all is the ability to hear the voice of all things," Brook explained, hoping to ease the crew's concerns.
"So that means I could awaken Observation Haki too?!" Shakky's eyes lit up, clearly intrigued by the idea.
"It's possible for anyone, but it requires rigorous training. Before we enter the New World, I want all of you to awaken Haki—otherwise, surviving there will be incredibly dangerous," Brook warned. The New World was a place teeming with powerful foes, where almost every pirate of note wielded at least two forms of Haki.
...
Inside a bustling restaurant.
"Congratulations to our captain on acquiring a new sword! And welcome aboard, Redfield! Cheers!"
As the lively one of the crew, Shakky exuded energy, her charm making her effortlessly likable.
"The Hell Pirates are getting stronger! Cheers!"
Antonio raised his glass excitedly, his face flushed with enthusiasm. Brook, Tom, Silva, and their newest crewmate, Redfield, all joined in the toast.
A few diners suddenly got up and quietly slipped away. Redfield noticed and was about to stop them, but Brook held him back.
"Captain, looks like they're going to alert the Marines. We might be surrounded soon."
"So what? The captain is more than strong enough to handle it!" Shakky said confidently. "By the way, Redfield, what's your bounty?"
Shakky had already gathered intel on this island. The strongest Marine officer stationed here was only a lieutenant commander, and she had no doubt Brook could handle even a rear admiral with ease.
"My bounty is already 50 million Belly!"
Redfield spoke with pride. Reaching such a bounty so soon after entering the Grand Line was no small feat. By the time they reached Sabaody Archipelago, his bounty would likely surpass 100 million, placing him firmly in the ranks of the Supernovas.
"That's impressive! None of us have bounties yet. Why don't we fight the Marines this time? Maybe we'll finally get on the wanted list!"
Shakky's words lit up Silva's eyes. As the crew's sniper, he was eager for action. Antonio, on the other hand, remained indifferent. He was more interested in logistics and didn't care much about having a bounty.
However, Tom, the fish-man shipwright, fell silent. His dream was to return to Water 7 and help restore the shipbuilding city to its former glory. If he became a wanted man, would he ever be able to go back?
"Don't worry, Tom. You don't have to fight, and I won't let you get a bounty."
Brook, ever perceptive, had a good sense of his crew's concerns.
"Captain Brook, thank you. But if it comes down to it, I'll still lend a hand."
Tom looked at Brook with gratitude, his voice filled with loyalty.
Sure enough, while they were feasting, the Marine base had already received the report. They quickly relayed the information to a nearby Marine fortress, requesting reinforcements from a rear admiral. A pirate with a bounty exceeding 100 million Belly was not someone a small Marine base could handle alone.
Yet, even after finishing their meal, no Marines had come to arrest them. Shakky was visibly disappointed—she had been looking forward to taking them down and finally making a name for herself on a wanted poster.
The Hell Pirates returned to their ship, the Yellow Springs, and prepared to set sail.
"Wow, what a massive and brand-new pirate ship!"
Redfield immediately leaped aboard, visibly thrilled. Moments earlier, Shakky had handed him Brook's cane sword.
She had shrugged it off, saying, "I'm not into swordplay. I prefer good old-fashioned hand-to-hand combat. So, consider this my gift to you."
Just as Tom steered the Yellow Springs away from the secluded shoreline, three Marine battleships appeared ahead, blocking their path. The ships' cannons were locked onto them.
"Hell Pirates! Revenge Brook! You are surrounded! Surrender immediately, or we will open fire!"
Rear Admiral Temep shouted through a loudspeaker, flanked by Lieutenant Commander Sado of the Asuka Island Marine base.
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+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg