On the second day of Vlad's encounter with the Handsome Pirates, the location was an unnamed sea in the New World. The crew, including Captain Cavendish and the other pirates, were present. The weather?
A storm! Dark clouds! Thick, heavy clouds covered the sea, making it seem one could touch them just by reaching out.
Gale-force winds! Blowing in from the horizon, it was as if the wind god was enraged, threatening to overturn the entire sea.
Huge waves! The fierce winds raised massive waves, towering tens of meters high—enough to quickly destroy any city on the coast if they crashed ashore.
Torrential rain! Compared to the gales and waves, the downpour seemed less threatening, but the raindrops, as thick as fingers, pounded the sea with a relentless, cracking noise. When they hit the deck, it was as if they were going to pierce through the solid wooden boards.
The relatively small pirate ship tossed and turned in the storm, seeming like it could be shattered by the waves at any moment.
"Wow! What an incredible storm!" Vlad stood calmly on the deck, crossing his arms as he faced the storm. His tone was casual, seemingly unconcerned. "Such a massive storm is rare even in the New World, isn't it?"
"Don't just stand there talking nonsense, you bastard!" A frustrated voice called from nearby. It was Cavendish, running back and forth on the deck, adjusting the sails, and patching the ship. The sudden storm had disrupted their peaceful voyage, and Cavendish could no longer maintain his usual elegant and handsome demeanor—now, he looked like a drenched rat.
"Hey, hey, I'm not doing that." Vlad leisurely strolled into the cabin, speaking as he went, "This is your ship! Why should I care what happens to it? After all, I can fly!"
"You—you—you bastard!" Cavendish gritted his teeth. "You're upset because I rejected you, aren't you? That's definitely why!"
"Heh, don't overthink it, White Horse!" Vlad replied lazily, "I'm not that petty. I couldn't care less if you rejected me!"
"Your words and actions say otherwise!" Cavendish shouted, "You're acting totally embarrassed and angry!"
"Oh? You still have the energy to argue with me?" Vlad's eyes and mouth widened in a mockingly exaggerated expression. "Aren't you worried about that giant wave heading straight for us? Of course, I'll help—if you agree to my terms."
"What?" Cavendish quickly turned to see a massive wave looming over the ship, threatening to crush it into the deep sea if it hit.
"Damn it!!" Cavendish gritted his teeth. There was no time to argue with Vlad now—if he didn't act, the ship was doomed.
Drawing his sword, Cavendish leaped into the air, his body spinning like a whirlwind.
"Beautiful Sword—Round Table!" A massive slash flew from his blade, heading straight for the wave.
Cavendish was a skilled swordsman, and executing such a powerful airborne slash was no problem.
…
"Alright, time for me to go!" The storm had passed, and the sky was evident once again. Vlad stood on the deck, looking down at the Handsome Pirates. The crew was sprawled out on the deck, utterly exhausted, as if their bodies had been drained of all energy.
With a bounty of 280 million berries, even Captain Cavendish lay on the deck like a man who had partied all night with veteran courtesans in a pleasure district. He barely had the strength to move, yet he tried to fix his messy hair—a truly persistent fellow.
No wonder he was so worn out. After cutting down countless waves, his stamina was utterly drained. Vlad sympathized with him.
"Though I was only on this ship for two days, you guys," Vlad said, "weren't so bad after all!"
"Scoff!" With a flap of his broad, red wings, the dragon-man floated into the air. Smiling, he looked down at Cavendish and his crew. "Hey, White Horse, I helped out earlier, didn't I? So, according to our agreement, you're now my subordinate! If anyone bullies you, just mention my name!"
After Cavendish had exhausted all his energy earlier, Vlad had stepped in to help the pirates survive the last part of the storm.
"Well, since we're all men of the sea—"
"Whoosh!!" With a flap of his wings, Vlad shot into the sky.
"We'll meet again someday!"
"Tch, self-important bastard! How could a big star like me ever join your crew?" Cavendish muttered irritably from where he lay on the deck. "But damn, that guy is terrifyingly strong!"
…
"You say you want to join Mama's crew, lick-lick?" Perospero, Vlad's older brother, licked the candy in his hand, his long tongue curling around it as he eyed the man before him suspiciously. The man wasn't unknown in the New World—he had a bit of fame as the leader of a small pirate crew that operated independently of the Four Emperors but wasn't a significant power.
"Yes, I hope to receive the protection of BIG-MOM!" The man spoke sincerely.
"Mama's protection? Lick-lick, don't be ridiculous, fool! Do you think you can just join the BIG-MOM Pirates that easily, lick-lick?" Perospero scoffed. "You think we'll just accept anyone who asks?"
"Because in the New World, only the Four Emperors can contend with each other!" The man responded.
"What?" Perospero's brow furrowed.
"Unfortunately, the captain of the pirate crew we recently defeated didn't perish with his crew. Instead, he joined the Whitebeard Pirates—one of the Four Emperors."
The man explained, "So I need to quickly find a force strong enough to protect me!"
"Don't be absurd, idiot. Just because you've offended the Whitebeard Pirates doesn't mean we'll take you in, lick-lick!" Perospero sneered. "Why should we protect you?"
"Because the BIG-MOM Pirates don't fear the Whitebeard Pirates, right? The Whitebeard Pirates wouldn't seek trouble with another Emperor's crew over something a new member did before joining!" The man calmly replied. "If I offend both pirate crews, there won't be anywhere left in the New World for me to sail. That's why I'll be eternally loyal to the BIG-MOM Pirates. My loyalty can be guaranteed, and of course, I'll be protected."
"Besides, my strength should be enough to earn me a place in the BIG-MOM Pirates, right?" The man added with a touch of pride.
"..."
"A bounty of 530 million berries. Two years ago, a Supernova." Perospero's eyes narrowed slightly. "Saw Blade Eibon!"
"Not a weak guy, that's for sure!"