I'm a big pirate, and you said I just went out to sea?

Chapter 199 Crane's Confession
Monger met Kokoro two days ago.

The merchant ship was originally headed to Baltimore Island, and since it was a rare opportunity to meet some of the old crew members, Monger didn't mind escorting the ship to its destination along the way.

As time went by, I naturally encountered this little mermaid who I vaguely remembered.

The young mermaid didn't have a talent for fighting, but in this world, there are more than just the path of being a warrior.

Having strength can avoid a lot of trouble, but not having strength doesn't necessarily mean you'll encounter trouble.

Meeting is fate.

"Miss Kokoro, would you like me to be your backer?"

When he was bored, he listened to Kokoro's business plan and laughed. He said that Kokoro had a general plan for the future, but he could only point out the direction. The details would ultimately have to be executed by his subordinates.

The White Wolf Alliance, spearheaded by the White Wolf Pirates, provides the White Wolf Pirates with tax revenue of up to 10 billion Berries annually.

If this money were simply given to the few crew members of the White Wolf Pirates, it would take a hundred or two hundred years to spend it all. But if they wanted to establish a complete military and educational system, then this money would be far from enough.

And what is the most profitable thing in the entire new world right now?
Of course, it's about going into business!

Because of the conflict between the White Wolf Pirates and the World Government, many businessmen are still in a wait-and-see state. For example, the Baltimore incident could not even be called a clash between the World Government and the White Wolf Pirates, but for many businessmen, it could be a major event that could lead to them losing everything.

However, if they can establish a foothold during this period, they can set up a stable trade route ahead of time.

Previously, Kokoro's trade was purely private, so every voyage was a gamble. But with Munger backing him up, things were completely different.

“Evan, why don’t you join us? You happen to have a merchant ship.”

Monger looked at his old crew member with a smile.

He was once a notorious pirate with a bounty exceeding 100 million, and even though he's getting old, most pirates wouldn't be able to gain any advantage over Ivan.

Ivan already has his own family, and if Monger wants him to return to the White Wolf Pirates, Ivan will definitely refuse.

He's past that age of youthful exuberance and just wants to live his own quiet life; he doesn't want to stand in the public eye like the other members of the White Wolf Pirates.

However, simply helping Monger establish a maritime trade route affiliated with the White Wolf Pirates is much safer than the former.

Besides, he often has to sail out to sea, and there are always risks involved in his line of work.

After much hesitation, Evan finally agreed to Monger's request.

Kokoro was the head of the caravan.

Ivan is a merchant ship captain.

A basic caravan was thus established.

However, it's unclear how long it will take before this hastily established caravan generates revenue for the White Wolf Pirates.

Lox began to act.

According to the location on Rayleigh's Vivre Card, Roger was not in the New World, or even in the first half of the Grand Line.

It's in the South China Sea!
As a group of pirates active in the New World, if they want to reach the South Blue, they can only retrace the first half of the Grand Line and then go upstream along the Reverse Mountain.

The only option is to cross the doldrums.

The former is safer, while the latter involves facing countless sea monsters living in the calm zone, with risks that are unimaginably high.

However, this only applies to ordinary pirate crews.

Although he was only in his twenties, Rocks' strength was already close to its peak. The only thing he still lacked was his crew.

Moreover, since it was Monger who made the request, Monger naturally wouldn't mind providing some assistance to Lox.

After parting ways with the merchant ships, the White Wolf Pirates and the Rocks Pirates, coated with their own materials, infiltrated the bottom of the Red Line, passed Fish-Man Island, and returned to the first half of the Grand Line.

Because of the trade cooperation with Fishman Island, more and more fishmen are starting to serve as guides for human caravans entering Fishman Island.

Generally speaking, coating ships for deep-sea operations involves significant risks.

The greatest risk comes from giant predators in the deep sea.

However, with the help of the merman guide, this risk can be completely avoided.

Therefore, the ship encountered no risks during its voyage.

"Fishman Island is nothing special."

During the last trip to Fishman Island, Stussy was too weak, so he stayed in Akropoulos Port to help Lily liberate the local slaves.

This time, Stussy finally got to see the scenery of Fishman Island.

Although it was shocking.

But after visiting Wano Country and Elbaf over the years, Stussy's experience has gradually increased, and he is no longer the trainee ship's doctor he was when he first joined the White Wolf Pirates.

The current king of Fishman Island, however, is quite savvy.

When the White Wolf Pirates passed by, they gave them many beautiful pearls and gems. No girl could resist such sparkly decorations.

I had originally planned to give Munger two boxes of jewelry, but he refused.

Back when he was a pirate, he was broke. If he met a big spender like Fishman Island, even if they didn't rip him off, they would definitely give him money.

Everyone needs to eat too.

However, as the White Wolf Pirates got on the right track and formed the current White Wolf Alliance, Fishman Island paid a large sum of taxes every year, so this small amount of money was no longer so important.

You can accept the gift.

A few boxes of jewelry are out of the question.

Their actions along the way evaded the eyes of the World Government. On the vast ocean, unless it was a major operation that everyone knew about, even the CP, known as the world's number one intelligence organization, could not keep track of their movements at all times.

As for the help Monger mentioned to the Rocks Pirates...

"You mean I should take my shrunken crew and swim directly across the doldrums to the South China Sea!?"

Upon hearing Monger's words, Lockes was so angry he almost choked.

How could the captain of the Rocks Pirates do something so disgraceful?
"Either you go back to the beginning of the Grand Line, then go upside down the Reverse Mountain and push your ship to the South China Sea, you have to choose one."

Monger shrugged.

"Or, if you can catch a sea king and carry you across the Calm Belt, that would be fine too."

In fact, it's not impossible for either the White Wolf Pirates or the Rocks Pirates to directly sail their ships across the Calm Belt.

However, this means they will definitely face attacks from sea kings along the way.

If Lipley had helped Rocks shrink his crew, then placed Rocks' ships in a tarnished container, and finally let Rocks swim directly across the Calm Belt, it would have been the least risky approach.

"I won't do it!"

"So what if we're just sailing a ship through the calm zone? My crew aren't cowards!" Rocks grumbled.

As he spoke, Lockes glanced at his crew.

then.

All the crew members silently looked away.

Why choose a dangerous route when there are safe routes available?
Given Rocks' speed and strength, even if he used Moonwalk to traverse the Calm Belt the entire time, he probably wouldn't even be out of breath after the whole thing.

If that's the case, then why would they risk being attacked by sea kings to sail their ships through the calm zone?
"A bunch of cowards!"

Rocks was furious. How could he, the captain of the Rocks Pirates, be forced to become a transporter?

"Or we could try to find a sea king that can take us across the Calm Belt," Baroric finally suggested, trying to smooth things over.

Possessing Observation Haki that allows him to see into people's hearts, Baroric can also sense the emotions of animals, including Sea Kings.

If Rocks can capture a Sea King, then he might be able to tame one.

"Now that you've made your choice, go for it."

The initial purpose was to go on vacation and find the Roger Pirates, but now Roger, along with the scientists from Baltimore, has been taken to the South Blue.

It's impossible for Monger to go all the way to the South China Sea just for Roger.

He doesn't have that much face.

Therefore, it was enough to leave the matter to Rocks. Even Rayleigh had temporarily gone to Rocks' ship. It was impossible for him to stay by Monger's side and wait for news when he knew that his captain was in trouble.

Monger was happy to take it easy.

"I'll keep an eye on Im for you. If you encounter any danger, retreat. After all, our opponents don't play by the rules."

"You don't need to tell me that."

Rocks waved his hand impatiently, and finally turned his back and snorted coldly as the two pirate crews parted ways.

"Thanks, old man."

"Heh, this is the commission I arranged for you."

Seeing the Rocks Pirates leave, Munger shook his head with a smile, then casually pulled a soft, delicate body into his arms and chuckled.

"Alright, those troublesome guys are gone, let's continue with our original plan."

"Dead ghost~"

Stussy, who was being held in Monger's arms, rolled her eyes at Monger.

"Don't you ever get tired of it?"

"Are you tired of it?"

"Humph~"

If Munger were a grumpy old man, that would be one thing, but after all these years, Munger is even younger than when she first met him.

In addition, Stussy was young to begin with, and as time went on, she found herself increasingly irresistible to mature and energetic men like Munger.

The only downside is that Munger is a womanizer.

Apart from her.

There were a bunch of close female friends on the ship, and she wasn't even in the top tier among them.

"You rascal, when are you planning to eat the crane?"

Stussy drew circles on Monger's chest, and upon hearing her words, Monger gave a wry smile.

"Why do you even say that?"

Lipley had asked the same question before. Did they think he was some kind of pervert who preyed on any attractive woman?
"Hmph, it's only a matter of time."

Stussy knew that Munger intended to train Crane to be a strategist, but assistants are like secretaries—they do things when there's work to be done, and when there's nothing to do, they don't.
In short, she didn't believe that Munger would leave such a tempting offer untouched.

"We'll have to wait until He has thought it through himself before we can say anything."

Well, Monger admits that this is the only hobby he's had in most of his life.

Food color also.

Although he wouldn't force anyone, with his current strength and influence, plus his good looks, he could easily dominate ordinary women with just a flick of his finger.

Why do all the women on the ship like him? Is he the only man on board?

Isn't it because he's the most handsome, the strongest, and the most gentle person?

So isn't it normal to attract women's attention?
Not to mention that Tsuru has been with the White Wolf Pirates for several years, and the only man she spends time with on the ship is Monger. Although Shiki and Zephyr joined at the same time, one is arrogant and the other is silly. How could a mature woman like Tsuru possibly be interested in them?
The only thing that made Tsuru firmly keep her distance from Munger was her identity as a naval undercover agent, which made her hesitant to take any further steps.

However, after witnessing the scene a few days ago where the Navy disguised themselves as pirates to plunder merchant ships, Tsuru's last bit of positive impression of the Navy shattered.

She finally understood why Lorna had left the Navy.

Aside from not being surprised by the navy's identity, the main reason for the disappointment is the navy's actions over the years.

The navy did not do a good job.

Monge is done.

Thus, a comparison was made.

Tsuru also witnessed the flourishing development of the eleven member states that withdrew from the World Government after the White Wolf Pirates became a deterrent.

So, after hesitating for several days, He finally made a decision.

She confessed to Munger.

"Captain, I'm actually a naval spy!"

After saying those words, He felt much lighter.

Regardless of how Monger plans to treat her next, at least she won't have to struggle between the Navy and pirates; she ultimately chose a path of rebellion.

To He's surprise, Munger simply smiled.

"I already knew about this."

"Then why?"

"Because I know you will make the right choice."

If Tsuru were a veteran, Monger would never have wanted to turn her against him. Just like Sora, he fought with Sora so many times, but did he finally convince Sora?

No, I can't convince them. How could someone negate their efforts of the past few decades based on just a casual remark?
But He is different; she is still young.

"You're not the first naval spy to confess to me. Guess who was the last one to do so?"

He paused for a moment after hearing what Monger said, then realized what was happening.

"Zefa?"

"Haha, that's right."

A year ago, Zephyr had confessed to him that the young naval spy believed that Monger was doing the right thing, so he had no way to deal with Monger for the Navy.

However, he also had no way to help Monger fight the navy.

So for the past two years, Munger has been letting Zefa do what he wants to do.

Help ordinary people, protect ordinary people.

Although he is nominally a pirate, Zephyr acts like a real marine!

"So you don't need to worry about me kicking you out after I find out you're a naval spy. The moment you admitted to being a spy, didn't that mean you chose me over the navy?"

"so."

Monge smiled and extended his hand to the crane.

"On behalf of the White Wolf Pirates, I welcome you to the crew!"

(End of this chapter)