Settsetse! The Pirate Nemesis

You're working so hard! I'm so moved I could cry!

90. Major General Huoshaoshan

"This is the impact boat you wanted."

They led Sett to the warship's inner dock, where dozens of small boats were lined up. These boats were mostly used for escaping shipwrecks, transporting refugees, and small-scale boarding operations. Among these small sailing ships, one boat stood out.

The all-white color scheme and design are somewhat reminiscent of the small yachts Sett remembers—much better than Hawkeye's shabby little sailboat. There are two separate bedrooms and storage. Including the deck and other external spaces, it could comfortably accommodate five or six people, though it might be a bit cramped. And it would be more than enough for just two people.

Tina, standing to the side, had already begun her explanation: "Military White Sea Shock Clam Speedboat... Don't let its small size fool you, it's not cheap to build. Those shock clams are only produced in small quantities in the White Sea, and whether you can collect them depends entirely on luck. It's precisely because of their scarcity that they can only be used in this type of small speedboat."

"What about the power system?" Sett stroked his chin—the technological level of this world was strange. On one hand, they had no shortage of cannons and missiles, but on the other hand, they still used wind turbines and a small number of steamships for navigation.

"Speed ​​will satisfy you, 85 knots per hour."

"So fast?!" Sett looked at the assault boat with some surprise. You know, 85 nautical miles is about 160 kilometers.

“It’s not that easy,” Tina said. “On the one hand, Shock Shells are extremely rare, only found in the White Sea. These special shells are collectively called ‘Sky Island Shells.’ Legend has it that they come from islands in the sky… Of course, they are all just legends, and no one has confirmed them.”

"Impact shells are less stable than wind shells... Wind shells are similar to impact shells, except they can store wind power and then eject it. Vice Admiral-class flagships are equipped with them."

Shock tanks, on the other hand, require the storage of impact energy. While they offer higher speeds, they cause significant wear and tear on the hull. Furthermore, their stability is generally poor, limiting their application to small speedboats.

Hearing Tina's words, Sett nodded. He silently memorized the term "Sky Island" and then said, "Alright then, there are only two of us anyway... How about the price of the assault boat?"

"Sixty million," Tina said. "No bargaining. If it weren't for your training with General Zephyr, you wouldn't be able to buy it even if I applied."

"The old man still has quite a bit of influence," Sett said with a hint of interest. "The money can all be deducted from Moria's bounty. That guy's bounty was 170 million, the ship cost 60 million, and the port repairs plus compensation cost 20 million... You can give the rest to Robin as pocket money."

"You have quite a lot of pocket money."

Tina wasn't surprised by Sett's reaction. After getting the ship back, the group rested for a while, and Hawkeye went to buy some food that could be stored for a long time.

Although he still wore an expression that said everyone owed him five million, his actions suggested he was quite satisfied with the assault boat—after all, it wasn't something money could buy. It was a technological marvel from the Navy Headquarters; you couldn't get your hands on it without connections.

"Where did you find that guy?" During the rest, Tina looked at Hawkeye, who was familiarizing himself with the performance parameters of the assault boat, with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

Having trained with Zephyr for so long, Tina has developed a keen eye—or rather, she doesn't need one. Anyone Sett approves of traveling with her is someone Tina can guess is extraordinary, even without thinking.

Moreover, Mihawk's sharp, eagle-like eyes and undisguised shrewdness, coupled with his undisguised brilliance, gave him an air of unfathomable depth.

Unlike Sett's strength, which can only be felt through physical contact, a swordsman's strength can be directly manifested through his spirit.

“An accident,” Sett said. “I was chasing that redhead in the Calm Belt. Mihawk helped me cut down two Sea Kings, otherwise I would still be floating there.”

"The Calm Belt?" Tina asked, somewhat surprised. "It seems your experiences lately have been quite unusual."

"Of course!"

Five hours passed in the course of their conversation, and several warships appeared in the distance.

"Major General Fire Mountain has arrived," Tina said. "Let's prepare for the handover...Major General Fire Mountain is also General Zefa's disciple, so according to seniority, you should call him senior."

Do you think I'd yell, Tina?

"No," Tina's voice was calm.

Compared to Tina's calm demeanor, Vice Admiral Firemountain was undoubtedly much more enthusiastic. After the fleet docked, he went aboard Tina's warship. He greeted her, then, with a beaming smile and a cigar in his mouth, approached Sett.

"Haha! You must be Sett, the one Professor Zeff always talks about! You're amazing! You caught a great pirate right after graduation!!"

With a warm pat on Sett's shoulder, Rear Admiral Firemountain, clearly influenced by Zephyr, greeted him with the first words: "So! Any plans to join the Navy? Admiral Zephyr has high hopes for you!"

"You're too kind," Sett said, as if he had expected it.

--------------

Time to eat!

91. Impact Boat Paint Scheme

The burning mountain was more intense than Sett had imagined.

"Are you really not planning to join the Navy? With your strength, plus Moria's achievements, it probably won't be long before you become a Rear Admiral."

As he spoke, a hint of emotion appeared on Huoshaoshan's still sparsely bearded face; "It's a pity it's a bit late. If it had been a few years earlier, when the great generals of the Warring States period retired, you might have been able to compete for the position of general candidate!"

"Forget it," Sett said casually, waving his hand. "If I were to become a Marine, I reckon the Marine Headquarters would declare war on the World Government the very next day."

"...That's really dangerous."

Upon hearing Sett's words, Fire Mountain scratched his head in exasperation.

Fire Mountain had heard a lot about Sett's personality from Zeff. Although they hadn't gotten to know each other well since their first meeting, based on Admiral Zeff's description, Sett was indeed not suited to the Navy's rules and regulations... But even so, Fire Mountain hadn't given up on the idea of ​​having Sett join the Navy.

“Personality can be changed,” Huoshaoshan said with a friendly expression. “Although the World Government has made mistakes, it is still much better than the unbridled pirates. Especially now that the Great Pirate Era has arrived and the Navy is short-handed, if you are willing to join, your promotion will definitely be fast.”

"Soon? But I heard from Tina that you've been a lieutenant general for several years." Sett looked at her with suspicion.

Huoshaoshan said with some helplessness, "A lieutenant general is already very powerful. A general is not someone who can become a general just by relying on seniority."

As a veteran vice admiral, Firemountain was one of the few doves who participated in the Buster Call on Ohara. Although he had enough seniority, what an admiral required was to be a role model for all the navy.

“You are General Zephyr’s disciple, there are some things you should know.”

No, I don't know anything... Sett stood blankly to the side, completely clueless about what Firemountain was talking about—he was never one to think things through.

Lost in his own world, Huoshaoshan, cigar in hand, muttered to himself, "The next boom of the Great Pirate Era is about to begin. Pirates are everywhere—the four seas, the Grand Line, the New World. Children in cities and villages are all clamoring to go to sea and become pirates… What do they know about being pirates?"

“Some people can maintain their kind hearts even when they become children, but what about the rest? They are too easily corrupted.” As he said this, Huoshaoshan took a puff of his cigarette; “Although I don’t want to admit it, Admiral Zephyr’s approach is indeed a bit outdated… The Five Elders don’t like it either. I suppose that when the next admiral is elected, the entire navy’s spirit will be transformed into a fighting-obsessed hawk.”

"Isn't this good?"

Although he couldn't understand the internal political struggles at the Navy Headquarters, Sett still said nonchalantly, "I also feel that we've been too lenient in dealing with pirates. If you ask me, killing all these trash would definitely result in some innocent people being wronged. But if we shoot every other one, at least half of them will escape."

"That's not how it works." Hearing Sett's abrupt decision, Fire Mountain said with some helplessness, "Pirates certainly can't be let off easily, but if they're all hawks who are obsessed with fighting, then the peace the Navy is trying to maintain will only backfire..."

Seeing that Lieutenant General Fire Mountain was still rambling on and on, seemingly trying to say something, Sett quickly waved his hand and prepared to leave.

Seeing this, although somewhat disappointed, Fire Mountain didn't stop them, simply waving to Setsett and calling out, "Come visit Marine Headquarters sometime~ Being a Marine is great~~~"

Nobody would believe you.

Sett rolled his eyes—it was only because Firemountain was gentle and warm-hearted, and supposedly took good care of Tina and the others, that Sett wouldn't have bothered with him.

Upon arriving at the port, Sett searched for a long time but couldn't find his ship. A moment later, he spotted Hawkeye on the harbor, bent over, slicing something with his katana.

"……What are you doing?"

With a hint of doubt, Sett leaned closer.

Hawkeye, his eyes fixed on the object, replied, "Decoration."

Faced with those two simple words, Sett didn't reply. After a moment of silence, Hawkeye continued, "The impact boat is too plain... I want to change the paint job."

"...Then what the hell are you doing?" Sett's face was full of disgust as he looked at the shell in Hawkeye's hand, which resembled a large coffin lid—the paint job looked ominous.

Upon hearing this, Hawkeye remained silent for a moment, then looked up in surprise: "...Isn't it beautiful?"

"Huh?" Silence. Then Sett said with a questioning look, "Are you trying to surf on your coffin? Or do you think the spray from the Impact Shell looks like ashes, so you're planning to match it with a paint job?"

Hearing Sett's words, even Hawkeye felt a little strange.

Just as Hawkeye was still thinking, a white figure rushed towards Sett with a whoosh.

92·Published in newspaper

Although there was no hostility, the moment Sett sensed the wind, his eyes narrowed sharply, and without a word, he instinctively kicked at thin air.

bump!

Aaaaaahh ...

Glug glug glug glug...duang~

He didn't use much force, since he didn't sense any hostility or killing intent. But even so, with Sett's instinctive kick, the white figure rolled five or six meters on the ground before crashing into the wall and stopping.

"What the hell?" Sett was annoyed. He was discussing the paint job with Hawkeye when this random guy suddenly showed up...

Before Sett could say anything more, the white figure that had been kicked away scrambled to its feet in a flash!

It wasn't human; it looked more like a large chocobo with white feathers.

Although his body was a mess from Sett's kick, Morgans didn't care at all. He even ran up to Sett again and stretched out his wing-like hands. "Hello! I'm an intern reporter from the World Economic News Agency!"

"A reporter?" Upon hearing Morgans introduce himself, Sett didn't shake hands. Instead, he stroked his chin and circled Morgans twice. "The Mink Tribe? But did Ha say the Mink Tribe has birds?"

"I am not a Mink!" Morgans said; "I am an Albatross Man, the user of the Zoan-type Devil Fruit, the Bird-Bird Fruit, Albatross Form!"

"Birdman?" Sett chuckled upon hearing this and continued, "Birdman reporter? What do you want with me?"

“That’s how it is.” Morgans cleared his throat, showing no displeasure at Sett’s words—on this high seas, there were countless people with eccentric temperaments. As a journalist, Morgans had long since corrected his own thoughts and mindset.

When Morgans opened his eyes again, they were filled with excitement. "I feel like Mr. Sett is involved in some really exciting news! So I want to follow up on it! I wonder if that's possible!"

"Get out of here," Sett said. "I don't have time to keep idle people around. Say whatever you want in the newspapers, just don't bother me."

Upon hearing Sett's words, Morgans' eyes lit up—although Sett refused to be followed by reports, it was clear that Sett didn't care about his comments being published. In that case, all he needed to do was keep his distance from Sett.

"Very well! It's enough that Mr. Sett is willing to publish this in the newspaper! Morgans will never refuse to help you with anything in the future!"

As if afraid of displeasing Seti, Morgans flapped his wings and soared into the air.

Seeing this, Hawkeye glanced at Sett and then said, "Is this a good idea? If you don't refuse, it won't be long before the whole West Blue knows what you said..."

"I'll show them!" Facing Hawkeye's question, Sett showed no hesitation, his face filled with arrogance and conceit. "I'm Sett! What can they do if they know what I've said? Can they blacklist me? If they push me too far, I'll become a pirate and see who comes crawling to me begging for mercy!"

"You won't even let me say a few words, and you expect me to help you catch pirates? Dream on!"

Faced with Sett's rude remarks, Hawkeye was speechless. Generally speaking, bounty hunters are people who don't want to be marines or pirates but have a certain level of strength. Among them, the Marines, as the ones who issue bounties, usually maintain a good relationship with the marines.

In fact, a large portion of bounty hunters are themselves retired Navy personnel who violated discipline. Maintaining good relations with the Navy is practically a prerequisite for any bounty hunter... but Sett...

Ok.

After recalling Sett's identity, Hawkeye shook his head helplessly.

Indeed, setting aside Sett's relationships with Tina, Zeff, and others, the mere fact that he arrested Moria was enough to make Sett a legend in the first half of the Grand Line… Under such circumstances, such a powerful figure didn't consider becoming a pirate, but instead worked as a part-time bounty hunter dealing with marine debris. The World Government would probably be too busy promoting and courting him to even consider it. To criticize him over some verbal issues? Wouldn't that be indirectly encouraging people to become pirates?

After resting on Sunny Island for three days, thoroughly familiarizing themselves with the structure and operation of the assault boat, Sett and Hawkeye purchased some supplies before setting sail.

Just as they set sail, contrary to Hawkeye's expectations, Sett's remarks did not spread throughout the West Sea. After Morgans sent the original interview transcript back to the World Economic News headquarters, the World Economic News immediately revised the plaintiff's statement and made a large-scale copy.