"Don't worry, everyone. I'm an expert in theft, wiretapping, and communications. Two weeks ago, I leaked information about this island to the outside world. Someone out there must know by now."
On God Valley, Ginny was encouraging the others. These slaves had gathered here to form an escape squad, which included a shark Fish-Man. He had just used his razor-sharp teeth to bite through Ivankov's chains. Hearing Ginny's words, a question suddenly crossed his mind.
"Umm... would Lord Logan have received your message?"
"Logan? Who's that? Some big shot?"
Ginny had been a slave since she was four years old and was completely unfamiliar with the name. Just as the shark Fish-Man was about to explain, an older slave nearby took over the conversation.
"Logan, eh? Now that is a big shot."
The pirate had picked up a discarded newspaper found on the island and rolled a cigarette using some dried leaves. But after finishing his DIY project, he realized he had no way to light it. He ended up leaning against a withered tree, dangling the unlit cigarette in his mouth just to savor the memory of the taste.
"I was captured and enslaved three years ago. Before that, I heard of his reputation. Captain of the Fish-Man Pirates, a member of the Rocks Grand Fleet, a monster from the deep sea. Back when I was still free... his bounty was already astronomical. I think it exceeded 3 billion Berries."
"Hee-haw! That really is a big shot. Do you know him?"
Hearing the pirate's summary, Ivankov looked toward the shark Fish-Man, surprised that there was someone with such "connections" among the slaves.
"How could any Fish-Man not know Lord Logan! For years now, anyone born on Fish-Man Island has grown up listening to his stories! Though... Lord Logan probably doesn't know who I am."
"Then what's the point of mentioning him? Does receiving the news mean he'll definitely come to save you?"
"Not necessarily," the older pirate chimed in. "It's hard to say for other pirates, but for Logan, he might actually come. Ever since his debut, that guy has been relentlessly attacking World Government slave ships. They say many slaves have gained their freedom because of him.
Among those who were freed, there were musicians who supposedly composed a song for him. I heard it once on a ship; I think it goes something like this..."
Cast off the chains and shackles, weep no more until the dawn,
Hear the sound of the tide calling, moonlight lights the path back home.
Tears turn into blooming spray!
Until the dawn rises once more, and everyone is set free!
Yo-ho-ho-ho~ Yo-ho-ho-ho~
Sing this song! The Wave of Homecoming!
The pirate didn't seem to be a good singer; he ended up singing it to the tune of Binks' Sake. As the most widely known song among pirates, it was the melody they knew best.
"Sounds like a great guy. We should pray he got the message then. If he did, maybe a few more of us will make it out alive."
"A great guy? But I heard he's killed countless Marines. Almost every fleet sent to surround him was wiped out, with barely any survivors..."
While the World Government wasn't always strict about controlling information—meaning negative news often leaked out—it was still the largest governing body on the sea. Most newspapers still framed the World Government as the primary protagonist. Under these circumstances, the reputations of wanted men were, at best, a mix of praise and blame, and more often, pure infamy.
To many, the name Logan belonged to a cold-blooded devil. But to Ivankov, that was a different story entirely.
"I take back what I said. If he killed that many Marines, he must be a great hero! Hee-haw! But for now, that's not our concern. We need to figure out how to save ourselves."
The Celestial Dragons treated him as a slave, and the Marines helped the Celestial Dragons transport them. In Ivankov's eyes, it didn't matter how many such Marines died. However, he didn't pin his hopes on a rescue; he turned back to planning how to steal the Devil Fruits.
Meanwhile, in the waters near God Valley, more and more pirate ships began to reveal themselves.
Sebastian and the others had followed Logan's orders, hiding their ships on a distant island where the crew stood on standby. Logan and Barbell themselves were approaching God Valley aboard the Rocks Pirates' main ship.
"You can't just 'split' Shakky!"
"Which idiot said that? Obviously, let Shakky choose for herself! She'll definitely choose whoever plunders the most treasure!"
"No, it'll be the one who saves her!"
The men on the ship were still in a state of "sexual frustration-induced madness." Even Barbell had joined in; he was interested in Shakky and wanted to win her favor.
Just then, a pirate ship began to approach the Rocks Pirates' vessel. The ship was streamlined, much narrower and longer than most pirate ships, and it moved at a decent speed. Standing at the bow was a man about two meters tall. He wore a neat white suit and a monocle; his outfit made him look more like a CP0 agent than a pirate.
"Pardon the interruption! May I ask if Mr. Logan is on this ship? My name is Valentine, captain of the Valentine Pirates. My bounty is 437 million Berries!"
"Hey! Hey! Logan! Looks like someone is looking for you!"
Whitebeard, leaning against the railing, called out to the side, drawing the attention of the rest of the Rocks Pirates. Logan, having heard the shout, also looked over.
"Mr. Logan, you really are involved in this matter. I heard of your great name long ago, and after becoming a pirate myself, I've seen your name in the papers many times. I have been following in your footsteps, and today I finally have the chance to meet the man himself! By killing you here, I can completely surpass you and use your head to make a name for myself across the seas!"
Silence. A deathly silence fell over the Rocks' ship. Even the frenzy caused by Shakky was dispelled by Valentine's words. Only the whistling of the sea breeze and the crashing of the waves remained.
The next moment, thunderous laughter erupted from the Rocks' ship. Golden Lion Shiki laughed so hard he didn't even notice his cigar falling to the deck. Miss Buckingham Stussy doubled over, seemingly clutching her stomach from the pain of laughing. Streusen was rolling on the floor, as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world.
"Everyone, why do you mock me so? If you act like this, won't you feel embarrassed after I take Mr. Logan's head?"
The ridicule from the Rocks Pirates didn't embarrass Valentine. Instead, he found them ignorant and continued to question them with polite refinement.
At this, even Logan began to find him interesting...
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