One Piece: Starting with Breathing Techniques

Chapter 145 You're very smart!

The old man was taken aback, then nodded repeatedly, his smile becoming increasingly fawning.

"My lord, you may call me Appes. I am absolutely the person on the entire island who knows this place better than anyone else!"

He showed Kiro his empty right sleeve. "For some reason, I was expelled from the pirate crew and could only eke out a living on Beehive Island—"

"But don't worry, for just one million Berries, I can take you to every place on Beehive Island that meets your needs!"

Kiro understood; clearly, the man in front of him was a guide who made a living by leading people around.

However, recalling Xia Qi's earlier warning, he wasn't completely at ease. "Why did you come to me?"

Appes gave an awkward laugh. "My lord, my line of work requires a lot of—reading between the lines!"

"I saw you arrive at the pier just now, and I could tell at a glance you're no ordinary person! You're definitely a big shot, visiting Hive Island!" Kilo interrupted Appes's flattery, "Stop!"

Appes was taken aback, looking somewhat embarrassed. Then, seeing that Kilo didn't seem angry, he whispered, "Sir, I see you're a bit unfamiliar with Beehive Island, and you happen to need a guide like me."

Seeing Kiro's eyes narrow, and a faint, chilling killing intent emanating from him, Appes quickly changed his tune, saying, "Sir, 100,000 Berries will do!"

Upon hearing this, Kiro couldn't help but chuckle.

Having clearly concealed all his aura, he was treated like a fat sheep to be slaughtered on this pirate island where everyone looked fierce.

However, he wasn't annoyed and glanced with interest at Appes, whose forehead was covered in cold sweat.

"Then—can you take me to Schi?"

The moment Kilo finished speaking, Appes' pupils contracted.

Schip? The most powerful boss on Beehive Island?

In an instant, his mind went blank, and his heart was filled with terror.

Is this young man in front of me going to find Schi?

That's a formidable character that even pirates with bounties of hundreds of millions wouldn't dare to mess with!

He instinctively wanted to blurt out a refusal, but the words stuck in his throat.

Appes swallowed hard, his gaze shifting uncertainly before finally looking up at Kilo.

"You need to pay more!"

"I want 500,000 Berries!"

A fierce glint appeared on Appes's face. He gritted his teeth and said, "Give me 500,000, and I'll take you straight to see Schi!"

Based on his extensive experience in recognizing people, the young man before him was probably a powerful lone pirate or bounty hunter. His seeking out Skye was likely a way of offering himself up to the strongest being on Beehive Island!

Kiro smiled. "Okay, but you have to take me to find Schi first."

Appes nodded, then turned and led Kilo in a certain direction.

As he led the way, he explained the situation of Beehive Island to Kilo, who was new to the island.

"Since the Rocks Pirates disintegrated, Beehive Island has been plunged into war and has been divided into five different regions according to geography, each ruled by one of the five forces."

"Compared to the other four forces led by pirate crews, Sitch's force is quite unique. There is no clear division of pirate crews, and the entire region obeys only his orders."

"It is said that Schi's demonic forces have countless powerful individuals, and their scale of power even vaguely exceeds the sum of the other four forces. If it weren't for their full-scale restraint, Schi would probably have already unified Hive Island."

As he spoke, Appes skillfully led Kilo through the rugged roads and chaotic buildings of Beehive Island, navigating countless winding paths.

As they ventured deeper, the number of pirates around them gradually decreased, and more elite pirates appeared on the road.

Compared to the pirates on the outskirts, they were mostly taciturn, but their aura was more fierce. Their weapons were all stained with dark red blood, clearly indicating that they had taken countless lives.

Seeing Kiro's gaze sweep over these desperados, Appes explained as he led the way, "These are the elite of the pirates. They are much stronger than those trash on the outskirts, and they have countless lives on their hands!"

"But don't worry, they won't attack us randomly!"

Kilo followed Appes in silence, and seeing this, Appes wisely shut his mouth as well.

After walking for a while, Kiro suddenly asked a question after encountering another group of fierce-looking pirates.

"Are all the people on this island like this?"

Appes was taken aback, then noticed the strange emotion in Kiro's eyes. Thinking Kiro was intimidated and considering retreating, he quickly explained, "All the pirates who come to Beehive Island are like this. There aren't many good people. Which one doesn't have a few lives on their hands? Even I—"

'

He coughed. "But don't worry, if you join Lord Schi's forces and have some ability, he will definitely not let you go to the front lines and fight like those desperados."

"Lord Schi is known for his generosity. Although he appears cruel to outsiders, he treats his own people exceptionally well. He would not only bestow upon them wealth that they could never spend in a lifetime, but he might even reward them with priceless Devil Fruits!"

Appes led the way with his head down, a barely perceptible glint in his eyes.

After Kiro and Appes passed by, the elite pirates all raised their heads and silently watched the two figures gradually disappear into the distance.

Upon seeing Appes, someone let out a barely perceptible sigh, their expression strange.

"Another unlucky guy?"

"Shh, shut up!" Someone slapped the person who had spoken, their expression grave. "Shut up if you don't want to die, in case anyone else hears—"

Once Kilo and his companion were out of sight, the street fell silent again, leaving only a deathly stillness.

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A moment later, Appes stopped in his tracks; before him stood a massive steel gate.

He tapped the gate four times rhythmically, and the monitoring window of the steel gate opened. A pair of sharp eyes scanned Appes from head to toe before the steel gate slowly opened.

A pirate clad in heavy armor nodded to Appes and looked at Kiro behind him.

"—Is this the one?"

Appes quickly nodded and led Kilo toward the inside of the gate.

Inside is a cluster of buildings. Compared to the chaos outside, it is much cleaner and tidier, and the architectural style has also changed, with traces of technological creations faintly visible.

The surrounding streets were bustling with people, all of whom were fierce and powerful pirates, yet they exhibited an unusual sense of order.

"This is Lord Schi's territory!"

"Just a little further ahead—" Appes pointed to a massive steel fortress not far away, "and you'll find Lord Schi inside!"

Kiro nodded thoughtfully, and as he followed Appes to the massive fortress, a smile played on his lips. Suddenly, he asked, "Aren't you the Director? Why do Schi's men know you?"

"If it were truly a disciplined organization, how could it let just any outsider in?"

Appes froze, cold sweat breaking out on his face. He turned around to explain, but then heard a hoarse, weathered voice coming from the direction of the fortress.

"You're very smart—"

"Too bad you're too smart!"