The 41st Marine Branch in the West Blue was in a frenzy of activity.
"Hurry up!"
"Load all the ammunition onto the warship!"
"Our target this time is a sniper with a bounty of 30,000,000 Berries. Prioritize long range firepower!"
"No one is allowed to slack off!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Captain Bacchus!"
… …
Watching the busy Marines, Captain Bacchus nodded repeatedly, his mood visibly excellent.
Because just moments ago,
Admiral Aokiji from Marine Headquarters had personally contacted him, ordering him to mobilize the Branch forces and pursue Alvin, the wicked sniper who had previously slipped through his grasp.
He had even provided precise intelligence on Alvin's current location.
At the foot of Garbage Mountain on the Dareleka Islands.
Thinking of this, Captain Bacchus could hardly contain his excitement. As long as he captured or eliminated Alvin this time, he would establish a direct connection with Admiral Aokiji.
Promotion, influence, authority. All of it seemed within reach.
A dozen minutes later, his adjutant jogged over, saluted crisply, and reported, "Captain Bacchus, all weapons and ammunition have been loaded onto the warship. Shall we depart?"
Bacchus gave a firm nod. "Set sail."
"Set sail!" the adjutant echoed loudly.
On the massive warship, the sails were unfurled while the propulsion wheels began turning steadily. Under dual power, the vessel departed from the base port and rapidly advanced toward the Dareleka Islands.
...
Dareleka Islands, at the foot of Garbage Mountain.
Alvin finished his shower just as the rain subsided.
"It is time to earn some bounty points," Alvin muttered to himself while looking at the gradually clearing sky.
The Dareleka Islands were infamous within the West Blue for their chaos. Numerous individuals here carried bounties issued by the World Government. His plan was simple. Farm bounty points locally before moving on.
Having made up his mind, Alvin packed his belongings and headed downstairs to check out.
When he entered the hotel lobby, the atmosphere subtly shifted. Everyone looked at him differently.
After all, he was now recognized as the true top sniper of the West Blue.
With that title came admiration.
And fear.
The newspapers had portrayed him as a ruthless criminal. Most civilians naturally feared such a figure.
If one wanted to find pirates, the best place to start was always the local bars.
Alvin scanned the area outside the hotel entrance, then walked toward a well dressed woman nearby.
"Excuse me, beautiful big sister. Do you know where the most famous bar on the Dareleka Islands is?"
The woman's heart immediately began racing. Even her gaze softened into visible admiration.
"The most famous bar?"
"Yes."
"That would be the 'Chaos Bar.' It is run by local underworld forces and located on the neighboring Little Mushroom Island. Fighting is forbidden inside. You should be careful."
"'Chaos Bar,' I see. Thank you, big sister."
With that, Alvin turned and headed toward Little Mushroom Island.
"He is too handsome…"
The glamorous woman stared dreamily at his departing figure, hands clasped against her chest, completely lost in the encounter.
Alvin reached the shoreline and released his jet ski from spatial storage. Little Mushroom Island was close by. Within minutes, he arrived at the opposite shore.
Storing the jet ski again, he walked toward the Chaos Bar.
Along the way, many recognized him. After yesterday's duel, his name and appearance had spread widely. With the title of West Blue's top sniper, his notoriety had only grown.
————
The Chaos Bar was lively as ever.
Naturally, the topic of discussion was yesterday's duel between Alvin and Daru.
"Daru is pathetic. Losing to a teenager…"
"Who knows? Maybe his strength was exaggerated."
"I do not know if it was exaggerated, but a teenager with a 30,000,000 Berries bounty irritates me."
"Same here. Are the Marines blind? A kid worth 30,000,000 Berries?"
"Heh heh heh. Sounds like everyone is unhappy about our new top sniper…"
"Why do we not just kill him?"
… …
"In that case… I will start by taking care of all of you."
A cold, abrupt voice cut through the noise.
The previously chaotic bar fell silent.
The pirates who had been speaking turned toward the entrance in unison.
A tall young man stood there calmly, his expression stern, an invisible chill radiating from him.
"The Wicked Sniper Alvin!" someone shouted, voice trembling.
"How is he here?"
"Run! If we do not leave now, we are dead!"
Those uninvolved in the earlier insults fled immediately, scrambling out of the bar in panic.
In moments, only the pirates who had openly spoken against Alvin remained.
Some stared at him with greedy anticipation, imagining the fame they would gain by killing him.
Others glared with hostility, weapons already in hand.
Alvin's eyes swept across them, and he felt genuine delight.
There stood a man with an iron hook for a left hand and a flintlock pistol in his right.
"Iron Hook" Jack Sparrow, bounty 15,000,000 Berries.
Nearby was "Poison Snake" Sarah Vayne, bounty 13,000,000 Berries.
And "Sea Wolf" Victor Gray, bounty 21,000,000 Berries.
That alone totaled 49,000,000 Berries.
The rest were lesser known pirates, perhaps with minor bounties, but not worth remembering.
Looking at these restless men and women, Alvin felt exhilarated.
In the next instant,
A sniper rifle materialized in his hands.
He did not hesitate.
He pulled the trigger on "Poison Snake" Sarah Vayne.
Bang.
The gunshot thundered through the bar.
A metallic smell of blood filled the air instantly. Fragments of bone and flesh sprayed outward in a horrifying burst.
Half of Vayne's head was gone.
"Vayne!"
The remaining pirates froze in shock.
They had not expected Alvin to strike first, especially while surrounded.
Then rage replaced fear.
"Kill him!"
"Take this bastard down!"
"Die, Alvin!"
… …
Without further words, the pirates surged forward like a tidal wave, weapons raised, murderous intent blazing in their eyes.
Gunfire erupted.
Blades clashed violently.
In an instant, the once lively Chaos Bar transformed into a battlefield filled with sharp reports of gunshots and the ringing collision of steel.
...
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