One Piece: It All Started When I Found Shanks' Arm

Chapter 47: Captain Nezumi

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the warship slowly sailed into the pier.

A gangplank, a full three meters wide, was lowered. Two rows of Marines holding rifles lined the sides, their expressions solemn. A red carpet extended from the top of the gangplank directly to the shore.

Only then did a figure in a long white coat slowly saunter down from the ship. He had a long, thin face, a goatee, and his eyes were narrowed into slits.

"Tch, what a show-off," Nami pouted. "Got my hopes up for nothing. In the end, it's just this sleazy-looking guy. He doesn't look like a good person."

"Shh, Nami!"

Nojiko quickly covered her mouth. "That guy is a big shot! Don't talk nonsense, you'll get Big Bro Shane in trouble!"

"Hm?"

Nezumi squinted in their direction. He didn't quite hear what the two little girls were saying, but they were standing right on the edge of the red carpet, which was very much in the way.

He lazily waved his hand. Two Marines behind him exchanged a look, then reluctantly stepped forward to push Nami and Nojiko aside.

But before they could touch them, a strong, powerful arm reached out, blocking the two Marines' path.

"Marines from Branch 16?"

Shane gently pushed the two Marines aside and looked up at Nezumi. "Mr. Captain, what business brings you here so suddenly?"

"Insolence! Do we Marines need to report our actions to you civilians in advance?" Nezumi snorted coldly. "I'll ask you, I heard that the Conomi Islands were attacked by the Arlong Pirates, and their last known location was Cocoyasi Village. I came here with my subordinates specifically to capture this group of pirates. You're a villager here, right? Do you know where those fish-men went?"

"I don't know."

Shane shook his head.

"You don't know?" Nezumi gave a humorless smile. "Why don't you think about it again?"

Of course, what he had said before was a lie.

More than half a month ago, Nezumi had received intelligence that the fish-man Arlong, formerly of the Sun Pirates and with a bounty as high as twenty million Belli, had entered the waters under the jurisdiction of Branch 16 with a large number of subordinates.

How could he possibly provoke someone like that?

Nezumi was terrified, afraid that the other party would come looking for trouble. He had specifically called his superior, who had promoted him, for guidance. The superior's attitude was very ambiguous, implicitly and explicitly suggesting that he should turn a blind eye. He had even specifically reminded him that Arlong and his crew had a deep relationship with the current Warlord of the Sea, Jinbe. The right of legal plunder granted by the World Government to the Warlords might also apply to Arlong.

Nezumi had a sudden realization. And so, for the past half a month, he had been playing deaf and dumb with a clear conscience, ignoring the continuous emergency signals the base received.

It wasn't until a few days ago that he suddenly heard a rumor that the Arlong Pirates had all perished somewhere in the Conomi Islands. Only then, overjoyed, did he rush out from the base.

Now, seeing that Shane didn't seem very cooperative, Nezumi tutted and waved for his men to drive away the other miscellaneous people who had gradually gathered out of curiosity.

Then he stared at the brawny young man before him, who looked obviously simple-minded and easy to deceive, and said with a grin, "Fine, I'll be direct. I just received intel that those fish-men died on this island. You haven't seen their bodies, have you?"

He held up two fingers. "Don't worry. As long as you cooperate honestly, I can give you this much, as a reward for supporting the Marines' operation."

"Two million Belli?" Shane raised an eyebrow.

This guy is too stingy. He wants to pocket the bounty of over eighty million Belli for himself but is only willing to give up this little?

"It's twenty thousand Belli!" Nezumi said irritably. "You're not that old, kid, but you're quite greedy. You really dare to dream. Do you know that for completing such a big case, the reward from my superiors is only a few hundred thousand at most!"

Shane sneered inwardly. Only a ghost would believe that you would go to all this trouble for that little bit of reward money. He probably already found someone to claim the bounty for him and will split the profits later.

He couldn't be bothered to waste any more time with this guy. He wanted to just leave, but he was worried this guy would go into the village and harass and threaten the villagers. So, he simply said, "I killed them."

"Hm?" Nezumi was stunned for a moment, not reacting. "What did you say?"

"The Arlong Pirates, all sixty-seven of them, from top to bottom, were all killed by me," Shane said flatly. He turned his head and shouted, "Manba!"

"Here, Boss!" a rough, manly voice came from the ship.

"Bring out those heads one by one for this Captain Nezumi to see."

"Yes, Boss!"

Before long, a row of fish-man heads was arranged along the ship's rail. To prevent them from rotting and stinking, they had been specially sealed with ice. Looking through the ice, they were all lifelike, many with their mouths open and eyes wide, filled with terror. It was unknown what they had encountered before they died to be left with such expressions.

"This... this..." Nezumi was dumbfounded. "It really is..."

"Captain," a second lieutenant stepped forward. "Should I take some men up to verify them?"

"No need!" Nezumi immediately held up a hand to stop him.

He had been drooling over the wanted posters for these fish-men for a long time. He was very familiar with them; there was no mistake! This was the Arlong Pirates. All the ones with bounties, not a single one was missing, were all here.

"I didn't expect this, I really didn't."

Nezumi laughed loudly, his attitude suddenly becoming enthusiastic. He reached out, wanting to put an arm around Shane's shoulder. "A hero emerges from the young. Such powerful pirates were actually wiped out by you alone. I was wondering why you were all waiting by the shore. Are you preparing to go out to sea to claim the bounty?"

"That's right. I've already contacted Branch 77 and was about to head over," Shane said, lightly sidestepping Nezumi's outstretched arm.

Branch 77?

Nezumi's eyes widened. He quickly moved closer and lowered his voice. "Little bro, you might not know how things work. It's incredibly difficult for even famous bounty hunters to claim the full reward, let alone a commoner like you. Don't believe what Branch 77 tells you. When you get there, you'll be lucky to get even thirty percent of the bounty."

Shane watched him quietly.

"Spit it out. If you have something to say, say it."

Nezumi's smile froze for a moment, but it quickly returned to normal. He coughed and said with a grin, "Don't be in such a hurry. What I mean is, instead of running so far, why don't you just give all these pirates' heads to me? Seeing as we've met by fate, I can make an exception and give you a very nice cut. We'll split it fifty-fifty. You get half, I get half. How about it?"

"..."

Shane shook his head, too lazy to bother with him anymore. He turned and walked towards the ship. "Nojiko, Nami, let's go."

"Oh! Coming!" The two little ones had been engrossed in the show and were startled. They quickly scurried after him.

"Stop right there!"

A roar suddenly came from behind. It was Nezumi, furious and humiliated, directly pulling out his pistol and aiming it at their backs. "Lawless... Who gave you permission to leave?!"

Shane turned his head and, seeing the dark muzzle of the gun, narrowed his eyes.