Chapter 94: Waters
Shakky's words earned Redfield's agreement—pirates shouldn't bother with honor and morality. If you want something, you take it. If someone stands in your way, you eliminate them.
They weren't short on money, but in the New World, the law of the jungle ruled. Strength determined ownership, and their spoils were theirs by right.
Brook had come to terms with this as well. Since they had already made enemies, there was no need to hold back. Might as well go all in—plundering, looting, and seizing whatever they wanted. As long as they didn't go overboard with civilian casualties, it was fine.
Then again, true civilian islands were rare in the New World. Nearly every island had its share of pirates. Even children might have blood on their hands.
When Whitebeard was young, he had grown up fighting slavers and pirates alike. He had taken many lives before he ever set sail. The New World was brutal—those who couldn't resist were either exploited or enslaved. That was the way of the world.
The fault wasn't with those born in the New World—the fault was with the world itself.
...
The Hell Pirates swiftly ransacked the pirate trade island, their first major haul since leaving Skypiea. It marked their first true raid. Skypiea didn't count—gold was worthless to the Skypieans, after all.
Shakky, ever the opportunist, even tried selling the corpses of the defeated pirates. She attempted to offload them at 40% of their bounty value to a shady bounty hunter lurking nearby, looking to score easy money.
Thinking he could outmaneuver her? Not a chance!
Shakky—ruthless as ever—haggled relentlessly, eventually settling at 30% of the bounty. She had no choice. Brook and the crew were already preparing to set sail.