The seven-day voyage passed with surprisingly calm seas.
Warm sunlight shone down, and a gentle breeze filled the sails as the Swordfish glided smoothly across the blue ocean.
Taking advantage of this precious time, the Jellyfish Pirates carried out emergency repairs on the ship.
Although the newly nailed planks and rough caulking made the vessel look like it was covered in patches, Sami didn't mind. After all, he had already planned to replace it with a much better ship once they reached Water Seven.
The Berries he had saved over the years—combined with the share from selling Vena this time—should be enough to buy a pretty decent vessel.
Unlike the Straw Hat Pirates, Sami's crew didn't maintain any kind of communal fund.
After all, piracy was a profession where one's life hung by a thread. No one knew whether they might die in the next fight, so most preferred to spend their money while they still could.
After every operation, the loot was divided according to a prearranged ratio, and each person managed their own share.
This system also ensured that Sami retained absolute ownership of the ship—legally speaking, that is… if pirates even had such a thing as legal ownership.
All across the deck, crew members wrapped in bandages could be seen training.
Even Ardo had stripped to the waist. Though the bandages around his body hadn't yet been removed, he still gritted his teeth and hoisted two massive dumbbells above his head.
Not far away, Cahelo's twin blades flashed into a dazzling storm of silver light as he sparred with Feich, who wielded a long staff.
Other crew members fought in pairs or performed endurance exercises. Sweat dripped onto the deck, only to be quickly dried by the sea breeze.
"Man, the sea's been really calm these past few days. The Grand Line doesn't seem as scary as the legends say."
A sailor wiping the deck straightened up and stretched lazily.
"Yeah, yeah," another man replied between push-ups, breathing hard. "Feels no different from the West Blue."
"Haha! Maybe it's because our captain's aura is so overwhelming—even the Grand Line is showing him some respect!"
Laughter and lighthearted chatter spread across the deck.
Meanwhile, inside the helm room, the atmosphere was completely different.
Hans gripped the wheel with his left hand while holding the Log Pose in his right, staring intensely at the sea ahead.
From time to time, he turned his head to observe the direction of the clouds, the speed of the ocean currents, and then quickly glanced at several crude measuring instruments beside him.
"Hans, relax! The weather outside looks great. Take a break—you haven't slept for days!"
Marcus leaned against the doorway, grinning.
Hans suddenly turned his head.
The sight of his face—dark circles under bloodshot eyes—startled Marcus so much that he instinctively stepped back.
"(・_・)..."
Hans didn't even have the energy to argue. He simply stared at Marcus with hollow eyes.
…
"Boss, Bolse Island is ahead. We'll be able to dock in two hours."
Sami nodded.
"After docking, no one leaves the ship yet. Hans, Feich, Ardo, Cahelo—you come with me. Bring Vena too. Same old method: gag him and pack him into the crate."
When the Swordfish finally docked at Bolse Island's harbor, everyone let out a sigh of relief.
"Finally…"
But at that very moment—
"Ship doctor! Come quickly! Hans—he… he collapsed!"
Everyone was startled and rushed toward the helm room.
Hans was sprawled on the floor beside the wheel. His face looked pale, but long, steady snores were coming from his mouth.
Marcus crouched down to check him, then burst into helpless laughter.
"This guy… he just passed out from exhaustion."
Looking at Hans's peaceful sleeping face—and remembering the ghost-like state he had been in over the past few days—the crew didn't know whether to laugh or worry.
Sami shook his head.
"Carry him to his room and let him sleep."
Soon afterward, Sami and several others left the ship, carrying the sealed wooden crate containing Vena.
The harbor town of Bolse Island was fairly large.
Stone houses layered along the slopes, shops lined the streets, taverns released the rich aroma of alcohol, and vendors' calls mingled with tourists' laughter. The whole town felt lively and full of life.
But Sami's group ignored it all.
Following the information they had obtained earlier, they quickly moved through the streets.
After several turns, they entered a noticeably run-down and deserted district and finally stopped in front of an inconspicuous house.
After exchanging the agreed-upon code, the door quietly opened.
"Hahaha! My dear business partner—Captain Sami! Long time no see!"
The man greeting them had an exaggerated pompadour hairstyle.
It was Gillian.
"Long time no see, Gillian. Business going well lately?"
"Not bad, not bad—just making a living!" Gillian said warmly. "Sit, sit! But you, Captain Sami—you really surprised me!"
"Oh? How so?"
Instead of answering, Gillian pushed a stack of newspapers and bounty posters across the table.
"Vicious Pirates Attack Alabasta! Prison Stormed, Marine Fleet Broken!"
"'Predator' Bounty Soars! Marine Headquarters Issues Priority Capture Notice!"
The top sheet was Sami's new bounty poster.
[Predator – Riberra Sami]
Bounty: 150,000,000 Berries
Captain of the Jellyfish Pirates. Extremely dangerous. Dead or alive.
The photo captured the moment Sami unleashed Poison Cascade · Thousand Needle Rain, knocking down Marine soldiers. The image radiated oppressive power.
Behind him, faint sounds of inhaled breath could be heard—his officers were clearly excited.
But since negotiations were underway, everyone restrained themselves.
Sami merely glanced at the poster and placed it back on the table.
"We can talk about that later. Let's finish the deal first."
"Of course," Gillian replied, his smile unchanged.
"But… the price needs to change."
The moment he finished speaking, the officers behind Sami placed their hands on their weapons. The atmosphere instantly tightened.
Sami narrowed his eyes. His voice carried neither anger nor warmth.
"Gillian. We've worked together for five or six years. Are you trying to go back on our deal… or have you taken an interest in the bounty on my head?"
"No, no, you misunderstand!" Gillian waved his hands quickly, though his arrogant grin remained.
He gestured to a subordinate, who handed him another bounty poster. Gillian slid it across the table.
[Short-Legged Vena]
Bounty: 85,000,000 Berries
(Previous bounty: 73,000,000 Berries)
"We originally agreed on eighty million. But now his bounty has risen to eighty-five million. I won't take advantage of you—let's settle at ninety million. How about that?"
Sami stared at the bounty poster for a moment without speaking.
Behind him, several officers were also stunned.
Vena's bounty had increased as well?
Though they didn't know why, earning an extra ten million Berries was certainly good news.
Sami looked up at Gillian.
"You could have kept quiet and pocketed the difference."
"Hahaha—I did consider it! But we've worked together for years, and you've got quite the future ahead of you. Ruining a good relationship over a little money isn't worth it."
His words were blunt, but honest.
Besides, Gillian knew very well about Sami's vindictive personality.
Back in the West Blue, when Sami had been bullied by a certain mafia group, he later spent three entire years hunting them down after gaining power—until the gang disappeared from the world completely.
"Alright," Sami said with a smile. "Ninety million it is. A pleasure doing business."
The wooden crate was pushed across the table, the Berries were counted, and the deal was completed cleanly and efficiently.
"If you get more good merchandise like this in the future, remember to come to me!"
"Of course."
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