Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Don't Move, This Ship is Mine!
After providing an initial report to Headquarters, Zephyr assigned Wright a task and, per his request, dropped him off at Water 7.
Although Water 7 lay along the route of the Mad Dog Pirates, they never docked there, obtaining all their supplies from the Sabaody Archipelago instead—an obvious precaution to avoid naval ambushes in a relatively unregulated area like Water 7.
"No problem, Teacher Zephyr! I've thought it through. Head back to HQ and wait for my good news!" Wright waved as Zephyr departed. A solo mission—it had been far too long!
Watching the warship disappear into the horizon, Wright secured his small boat and stepped onto the shores of Water 7. The sight of the majestic city left him stunned. Even after being awed by it in the anime, seeing it in person was on a completely different level.
After changing into casual attire and enjoying a sumptuous meal featuring the city's specialties, Wright chose a decent-looking inn near a tavern for his stay. Settling in, he activated his Observation Haki.
"Who needs a tavern for gathering intelligence? That's amateur stuff! Lying in bed and eavesdropping—now that's the pro move." Wright smirked, fully embracing his role as a seasoned intelligence expert.
"First, I need to pick a pirate crew of moderate strength—someone with a bounty around 30 or 40 million berries..." Water 7 was a shipbuilding haven with the best craftsmen and repair facilities. Naturally, it was frequented by pirate crews needing repairs or new ships.
After spending an afternoon "listening in," Wright finally came across useful information.
"Hmmm… The Fang Pirates, led by Captain Edmond, with a bounty of 38 million berries. He's a Zoan-type user, Mouse-Mouse Fruit: Squirrel Form. Pfft, a squirrel? That's adorable!" Wright chuckled. "Oh? Their ship gets repaired today, and they're leaving tomorrow? Perfect. Looks like this dog will have to handle a mouse—it's a classic scenario!"
After a good night's rest, Wright rose at dawn and headed to the port where the Fang Pirates were docked. The distinctive pirate flag—a skull with two oversized buckteeth—made the ship easy to spot.
Using Observation Haki, Wright slipped aboard unnoticed and hid in the captain's quarters. Captain Edmond had yet to board, making this the ideal spot to wait.
Hours passed before commotion outside signaled the crew's return. Soon, the ship set sail.
Under the constant surveillance of his Observation Haki, Wright quickly identified the ship's strongest presence—Captain Edmond himself. He could even pick up Edmond's thoughts:
"Damn it! Those shipwrights in Water 7 are bloodsuckers! Repairs cost me half my fortune!"
"We'll need to plunder along the way. This little money won't even cover the coating costs at Sabaody!"
"So, he's broke too." Wright rolled his eyes, unsheathing Ashes. He waited patiently for Edmond to walk into the lion's den.
A loud bang echoed as the door was kicked open. Still fuming over his expenses, Edmond froze in shock, staring at Wright casually seated in his chair. For a moment, his mind went blank.
Before Edmond could shout, a flash of golden light streaked past. He felt a sharp pain in his neck, followed by the warm trickle of blood as a magnificent, gold-tinged long sword rested against his throat.
"Shh… Quiet."
Wright watched in satisfaction as Edmond's expression shifted seamlessly from confusion to fury, then to fear, and finally to forced obedience. Well-trained, isn't he?
"For a 'big-time' pirate with a 38-million berry bounty, you sure have a strong survival instinct," Wright said, patting Edmond on the shoulder. "I hear you're a Devil Fruit user. How'd you manage such a bounty while being so spineless?"
Edmond, a small-framed man, trembled at Wright's mocking tone. He wanted to protest but swallowed his words. How could he fight someone capable of silently ambushing him? Not surrendering on the spot was a sure way to lose his head!
"L-Lord… You jest. As a Zoan user, the Mouse-Mouse Fruit: Squirrel Form excels in agility and speed. Achieving a bounty of 38 million berries requires a keen sense of self-preservation…" Edmond stammered, then added cautiously, "Um… about your sword…"
Wright smirked, withdrawing Ashes and resettling into the chair. Any sudden moves from Edmond would see his head lopped off before he could even transform.
Understanding this, Edmond nervously closed the door and stood aside. "I take it you're not here to kill me, Lord. A man of your strength wouldn't go to such lengths for that. You must need my… assistance?"
"Smart," Wright replied with a pleased nod. Talking to intelligent people was always a relief. "I need you to do something for me."
"Whatever you say, Lord."
"You'll continue to Sabaody Archipelago at your usual pace, but slow down along the way. I need you to 'coincidentally' encounter the Mad Dog Pirates."
"!" Edmond froze. The Mad Dog Pirates were infamous. Having spent time in Water 7, he was well aware of their captain, Daniel Joyce, a pirate with a bounty over twice his own.
"You… you want to…"
Catching Edmond's panicked glance, Wright spoke in a chilling tone: "Relax. My target is Daniel Joyce, not you. I'm just 'asking' for a ride."
"You're precisely the kind of prey the Mad Dog Pirates enjoy. Running into them should be easy enough, don't you think?"
Edmond felt his knees weaken. Crossing paths with the Mad Dog Pirates was a nightmare, not a coincidence. But what choice did he have? His ship had already set sail, and as a Devil Fruit user, there was no escaping into the sea. Opposing Wright now was a death sentence.
"Understood… Lord…"
A native of the South Blue and no stranger to peril, Edmond found himself walking on eggshells around Wright. The man's seething disdain for pirates and the faint bloodlust he exuded were suffocating. Just how many pirates had this guy slaughtered? Edmond could only speculate.
To prevent any foolish crewmember from provoking Wright and meeting a swift end, Edmond ordered the navigator to reduce speed and keep an eye out for the Mad Dog Pirates. He also concealed Wright's presence, claiming he was unwell and forbidding anyone from entering his quarters unnecessarily.
Thus, five tense days passed.
One morning, as Wright meditated, Edmond burst into the room, his face pale and frantic. "Lord! The Mad Dog Pirates have been spotted ahead!"
Edmond was practically in tears, overjoyed at finally shaking off this living nightmare. If this lunatic left to deal with the Mad Dog Pirates, peace would return at last!
"…"
Wright opened his eyes, grabbed Ashes, and strode out. "Finally. Let's see how this dog deals with a rat."
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