Chapter 682: SFDI - 682
Drake sat cross-legged on Gura Gura’s back, looking at the newspaper in his hand with a strange expression.
The content itself wasn’t particularly noteworthy—just a clash between Fairy Tail and elite Marines at the G5 Branch, which eventually ceased due to the Red Hair Pirates’ intervention.
The Navy’s operation this time had been quite grand. If Morgans had missed this, he might as well have retired the title of "Big News."
However, he did show some survival instinct. The report didn’t mention the Navy’s near defeat, making it seem to uninformed readers as if the Navy’s mission had been in vain solely due to the Red Hair Pirates’ sudden appearance.
Furthermore, the news mentioned the immense power of Fujitora and Ryokugyu, who had joined the Navy during the World Conscription. Yet, their debut clearly hadn’t yielded any significant results.
Therefore, smart people, just by seeing that the news didn’t trumpet a Navy victory, knew which side had suffered a loss.
Drake wasn’t concerned about what the news said about him, but rather the photograph...!
Drake truly couldn’t understand how Morgans’ reporters managed to take it.
Putting away the newspaper, Drake decided not to dwell on it.
Just then, Natsu suddenly pointed downwards and said, "Drake, look quickly! That island is so interesting, let’s go take a look!"
Drake wasn’t particularly interested at first, as many islands in this world were quite unique; normal islands were actually the rarity.
However, after a glance, Drake also became interested.
It was an island dotted with various square buildings, and the first thing that caught his eye was the giant skull erected on the island.
The flat, massive skull also bore signs of artificial modification, appearing to be a uniquely shaped skyscraper.
Drake recognized the island—it was Pirate Island Hachinosu!
Perhaps because the giant natural skull on the island resembled a pirate symbol, this island had always been a gathering place for pirates.
The previous ruler of this island was named Rocks, and his Rocks Pirates rampaged across the seas. It could be said that the seas of that era belonged to them.
Whitebeard, Shiki, Kaido, BIG MOM, Kyo, John, Ochoku—these figures who dominated the seas in the old era were all members of that pirate crew.
In the God Valley Incident, Roger, Garp, and the Celestial Dragons’ Holy Knights joined forces to defeat the Rocks Pirates.
Of course, it was also because of the conflicting ambitions within the Rocks Pirates that this behemoth collapsed overnight.
After that, Hachinosu Island, the former territory of the Rocks Pirates, became a place where many pirates gathered, and it became a notorious lawless zone in the New World.
Ochoku, who took over the island, clearly lacked Rocks’s power, so he could only be considered a manager rather than a ruler of the island.
In the original story, Blackbeard, who stole Whitebeard’s Gura Gura no Mi, came to this island. After the Rocky Port incident instigated by Trafalgar Law, Blackbeard successfully replaced Ochoku and became the island’s master.
The Rocky Port incident also made Koby a hero of the new generation of Marines. In the future, because he was captured by Blackbeard, Garp launched an attack on Hachinosu Island, ultimately sustaining severe injuries and his whereabouts becoming unknown.
However, this time, Blackbeard was dealt with by Drake in Makugakure Town, so these events naturally wouldn’t occur.
Therefore, the island’s current owner should still be Ochoku.
As a pirate of the same era as Whitebeard and BIG MOM, even Kaido was a junior to Ochoku.
However, pirates have no concept of seniority; strength is the most important thing.
And Ochoku, like Whitebeard, had long since become old and frail due to the passage of time.
However, Blackbeard assembled a crew of great criminals from Impel Down, and it still required outside help to bring down Ochoku, demonstrating his formidable strength.
After all, anyone bearing the title of "Old Era Remnant" is a monster, one and all!
Drake’s interest was piqued, and he directed Gura Gura to descend.
Upon stepping onto Hachinosu Island, Fairy Tail immediately attracted a lot of attention.
It truly lived up to its name as Pirate Island; Drake’s vision was filled with pirates bearing skull tattoos or emblems, with hardly any civilians in sight.
And among the auras Drake sensed were only chaotic and corrupted malice. Of course, these pirates who roamed the New World were all strong to a man.
It was like a wolf pack’s den, surrounded by bared teeth and hungry wolves, ready to pounce and tear at any opportunity!
But the members of Fairy Tail merely showed expressions of disgust, not fear or retreat.
Even when entering a wolf pack, a dragon does not fear. No matter how sharp the hungry wolves’ claws, they cannot damage a dragon’s scales.
So, who should be the one to fear?
Black-red lightning flashed in Drake’s eyes, and a phantom of a crimson dragon roared behind him. A wave of air spread out from Drake’s center, sweeping over all the pirates.
Bang! Bang! Bang...!
For a time, the sounds of bodies colliding with the ground echoed incessantly, and in a blink of an eye, the number of standing individuals dwindled.
But even those who remained trembled on their legs, their eyes filled with fear. Indeed, Shanks’s move was quite effective; at least its deterrent power was sufficient.
Natsu complained: "I thought this was supposed to be an interesting place, but it’s full of these guys!"
Drake said: "After all, this is a place that concentrates the most dangerous people. Forget it, let’s eat and leave!
We’ve learned almost everything we needed to in this world. After a brief tour elsewhere, we’ll continue our journey."
The group found a tavern, and as they entered, the entire establishment immediately fell silent.
Drake led everyone to sit around the largest table in the center. A pirate with a fawning smile approached and handed them the menu.
As expected, among pirates, strength is the most important thing. After a small display of power upon landing, the pirates’ attitude changed immediately.
The menu went around the table, and they quickly finished ordering. The chef here also brought out their best dishes, and soon the table was laden with food.
Since there was no one among them who would stuff their mouth with food from others’ plates while enjoying their own meal—no big eaters—the atmosphere at the table was relatively harmonious.
Alcohol is a necessity for pirates, partly because fresh water is difficult to preserve during long voyages, and non-perishable alcohol can satisfy some of their hydration needs.
But the main reason is that pirates are generally hedonists who live for the moment, and alcohol is something they love the most.
Therefore, Hachinosu Island had plenty of good wine. Although not connoisseurs, Drake could tell that the sparkling wine they were drinking had a rather pleasant taste.
Just as Drake reached out to take the wine bottle on the table for another glass, he suddenly felt a strange sensation. The next moment, his hand grasped empty air—the wine bottle had vanished.
Drake turned his head and saw a young boy in a black coat standing beside him, holding the wine bottle.
"It’s indeed a good wine. Could you share a glass with me?"
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