Chapter 14: Unexpected Bounty in the Shadows

Right after Newgate had the pirates hand over the money, Karl could already sense multiple waves of hostility aimed straight at him.

He knew there’d be no peacefully walking away from this. Just as well—he was curious to see for himself what it felt like to rob the robbers. Maybe he’d get a lucky windfall.

He stashed the items into his system backpack. Newgate watched them vanish in an instant but didn’t pry further, guessing it must be one of Karl’s abilities.

“Big bro Newgate, you guys head back first. I’ll catch up in a minute.”

Everyone needs a little privacy, after all, so Newgate didn’t ask any more. He just stood up and said,

“Alright, then. I’ll head back. Be careful out there.”

“Alright, boys, we’re moving out!”

Newgate led the pirates toward the bow. He had a pretty good idea that Karl planned on double-crossing someone.

He let Newgate board first while he strolled leisurely toward the pirate ship.

Right at his side was Krell, the fishman.

“So, how’d you end up getting caught anyway?”

Karl really did wonder. For a tiger shark-type fishman, Krell shouldn’t have been weak.

At the same time, Karl undid the restraints on him.

Things were a mess in the New World right now. The big pirates wouldn’t care about Fishman Island, and the small ones probably couldn’t handle it.

The more Karl thought about it, the more it nagged at him.

As soon as Krell saw him take off the explosive bracelet, he said sincerely,

“My captain got jealous.”

Krell told his story—he’d been first mate on a pirate ship, but his growing strength over the years made the captain see him as a threat. One night at a party, the captain drugged him and sold him to the slave trade.

That’s how he ended up for auction. Otherwise, with his strength, almost no pirate crew would be dumb enough to try and take him.

Karl nodded, choosing to believe him.

Just then, Karl entered a dim alley.

It was the only path to the shoreline. Newgate and his crew had already passed through, but Karl had purposely dropped behind to set up this very moment.

He could feel the malice thickening as soon as he walked into the alley. A sly smile tugged at his lips.

“Alright, that’s enough storytime. Our guests are here.”

Karl cut Krell off because he could already sense unfamiliar hostility drawing close.

“Who’s there?”

Krell jumped with a start, obviously rattled—who wouldn’t be, in a pitch-black alley with someone suddenly calling out like that?

He didn’t have Observation Haki yet, so he couldn’t sense the enemies around them.

“Come on out! No point hiding if you’ve already come this far.”

Karl shrugged, totally unconcerned. None of these guys registered as a real threat to him, so he lost any interest in stepping in personally. He wanted to see how Krell handled it, and size up his abilities.

After all, Krell was a fishman and a shark-type at that—he should be plenty strong.

“Alright boys, show yourselves.”

“Well, since you caught us, sorry, but you’re leaving the loot you bought at the auction. We might spare your life for today. Otherwise…”

The scar-faced pirate at the front ran his tongue down the blade as he spoke.

Suddenly, four or fifty thugs emerged from all corners of the alley.

They were the source of all that murderous intent Karl had sensed.

Staring down this motley crew, Karl sighed. Honestly, he couldn’t muster even a flicker of effort against such weaklings.

“Krell, they’re all yours.”

Krell didn’t flinch. This was the perfect chance to vent his fury. He clenched his fists, ready for any attack.

“Get him!”

The instant Scarface gave the order, every pirate charged at Krell.

With agile footwork, Krell darted through their ranks. His fists flew, each strike targeted at a pirate’s vital spot.

For a moment, the alley echoed with shouts, screams, and the clash of fists.

Karl stood aside, quietly watching Krell in action.

He soon realized Krell was far stronger than he’d expected. Not only did Krell handle every attack with ease, he constantly found and exploited enemy openings, downs his foes with lethal precision. No wonder he was a top-tier fishman—his instincts were razor sharp.

In no time, the pirates were knocked all over the place. Some even dropped their weapons and ran, terrified by Krell’s strength.

Scarface watched his team fall apart and his heart filled with terror.

He never imagined the unassuming fishman would be so deadly.

“Y-You… who are you?”

Scarface asked, trembling.

“Me? Just a passerby.”

Karl replied coolly.

Scarface’s fear only spiked when he heard that. His face twisted in panic.

He knew he’d messed with the wrong person. If he stayed, he’d be dead meat.

“Please, spare me! I had no idea who you were. Just let me live!”

Suddenly, Scarface dropped to his knees and begged for his life.

“Krell, finish it.”

Karl was done waiting. In his eyes, if you chose to be a pirate, you’d better be ready to stake everything—instead of groveling like this.

Krell glanced over, then slammed Scarface against the alley wall with a punch, ending him.

Karl nodded in approval. Krell followed orders well. Time to get moving.

“Clang!”

As Scarface hit the ground, a small metal box fell from his clothes.

“What’s this?”

Krell asked, puzzled.

“Hand it over. Let me see.”

Karl had a good idea what it was. If he was right, it should be a Devil Fruit.

He didn’t expect a real surprise tonight—this was a lucky find.

Karl put away the metal box and turned to Krell.

“Not bad, Krell. Let’s go.”

Karl led Krell back toward the pirate ship at the shore.

“Thank you for saving me. Please let me join you.”

Krell knelt on one knee and bowed.

Krell knew—since Karl didn’t care about the explosive bracelet, either Karl was way stronger or he wasn’t worried about Krell running off. Either way, he was grateful.

“Sure. I don’t have a crew yet anyway, so you can join me for now.”

Karl helped him up.

Truth was, Karl already planned on recruiting Krell. He couldn’t start a crew just yet, but the God Valley incident was close. He needed trustworthy teammates—and fast.

They soon walked out of the alley, heading toward the light ahead.

“Karl’s back!”

As soon as Karl reached the shore, Newgate spotted him from the ship.

“Yeah, it was just a couple of punks. I thought there’d be real trouble, but they folded in seconds.”

Karl shrugged.

“Still, there was one unexpected bonus.”

Karl took out the metal box.

“Gurararara!”

“Now that’s a surprise haul.”

“Alright, hop aboard! Boys, set sail!”

A glance with his Observation Haki told Newgate the box held a Devil Fruit. Once Karl was aboard, Newgate ordered his men to set course for Beehive Island!