Chapter 30: Battle Erupts on Beehive Island

“Captain Rocks, the Giant Pirates have reached the frontmost island.”

Dozens of islands, big and small, surround Beehive Island.

Today’s messenger was the person on watch on that furthest island, calling Beehive Island with the news.

“Our guests are finally here. Can’t keep them waiting—let’s go.”

With a big excited grin, Rocks marched off toward the harbor.

“Get the cannons ready—double time.”

The moment Rocks got the message, he’d already ordered the pirates to get ready to take down the Giant Pirates in one fierce swoop.

So before they’d even reached the harbor, the defenses there had been set up tight.

Meanwhile, Krell brought Long Yi and Long Er to a spot a thousand meters from the port. They stood atop a building, watching the action on the ocean.

Rather than let them wander off, keeping these two near him was far safer.

Krell knew better than anyone how bold those two could get. If anything happened to them out there, he’d never forgive himself—Karl had entrusted them to his care.

“They’re here!”

At that moment, Long Yi was sprawled atop a rooftop, peering through his tiny spyglass out to sea. He spotted a massive fleet surging toward them.

“Really? Let me see, bro!”

Long Er immediately started tussling with Long Yi over the spyglass.

“Alright, cut it out. Let me make this clear—you two are to stay where I can see you when fighting starts, got it?”

“Got it, Krell!”

Long Yi and Long Er answered in unison, all innocent and obedient.

But the more cooperative they acted, the more on guard Krell became. He knew just how much trouble these two whirlwinds could stir up when Karl wasn’t around.

“Captain, Beehive Island is right ahead!”

On the lookout, a pirate instantly relayed the update to Jorlul.

“I’ve already sensed their presence.”

Jorlul stood straight on the deck, his Observation Haki sharp enough to feel Gold Lion and several other captains already waiting for them at the harbor.

As the two sides drew closer, heavy clouds started gathering overhead.

A fierce wind whipped across the waves, making the whole scene look straight out of a doomsday nightmare.

Jorlul was massive, towering a full thirty meters tall. Even without moving, the pressure from his body sent chills through everyone around.

“Did my son die by your hand?”

As the Giant Pirates neared land, Jorlul shouted at Karl with a voice like thunder. He’d seen Karl’s photo and picked him out among the waiting group right away.

“Who’s your son supposed to be?”

Karl looked confused. Truth be told, he didn’t realize that the person he’d casually dealt with on his way back from the Fill Kingdom was actually Jorlul’s son.

“Jorlul, you’ve got guts showing up on my turf. Time to find out who the real powerhouse is around here.”

With that, Rocks unleashed a torrent of Conqueror’s Haki that crackled through the air. He locked eyes with Jorlul, his fighting spirit blazing.

“Rocks? What are you doing here?”

Jorlul’s disbelief showed in his voice. According to the reports, Rocks wasn’t even supposed to be on this island.

Could he have been misled? His mind raced through the possibilities.

“I’m the one who leaked that info—can’t believe a brute like you actually fell for it.”

“Kehahaha!”

“Now that you’re here, forget about leaving.”

Rocks had been waiting for this chance to split up the Giant Pirates and the X Pirates. This was his perfect opportunity.

Slowing things down with the Tyr Kingdom could wait.

Rocks didn’t waste another word. In a flash, he charged Jorlul, his small form kicking up a hurricane-force wind.

Rocks’s blows, wrapped in Armament Haki, slashed toward Jorlul like a violent gale.

Jorlul knew he’d been tricked, but he was a giant warrior, not the kind to run. He counterattacked—retreat was out of the question.

As the battle broke out, Gold Lion, Newgate and the others joined in as well, each facing off against a captain of the Giant Pirates.

Everyone found their opponent—Gold Lion went up against the Giant Pirates’ vice captain Fred, Newgate squared off with first division captain Herman, John and the prince joined forces to barely hold off the second division captain Eloy, third division captain Bakura was left to Charlotte Linlin, and the fourth division captain Angelo… well, he became Karl’s adversary.

Meanwhile, the Giant Pirates’ ships docked, bringing the fight up close and personal with the pirates ashore.

The battlefield erupted in an instant.

“Dang, dang, dang!”

Jorlul and Rocks clashed explosively—each blow thundered through the air, shaking everything nearby. Their speed and power rose with every exchange, the battle like a wild unstoppable storm.

Other pirates quickly scrambled far from those two, avoiding the fallout from their titanic fight.

In no time, six empty zones had formed across the battlefield—just the shockwaves between the captains could tear ordinary pirates apart.

“Bang!”

“You must be Karl, right? Not bad at all.”

“Likewise, Angelo—you’re no pushover.”

Elsewhere on the field, Karl faced the Giant Pirates’ fourth division captain Angelo.

Angelo was a giant, and his every move radiated a crushing sense of power.

But giants weren’t slow as people imagined. If anything, Karl found them even quicker on their feet.

Plus, all the division captains among the giants had mastered both Armament and Observation Haki.

When it came to raw strength, Karl was a touch outmatched for now.

But with every attack, Karl wove in a bit of Daoist Thunder Magic, gradually numbing Angelo’s enormous body.

Meanwhile, Long Yi and Long Er slipped quietly around the edges of the battlefield.

Taking advantage of Krell being distracted by the chaos, they broke free from his watch in an instant.

Soon enough, they found themselves facing a sub-captain of the Giant Pirates.

“Little ones, being a pirate isn’t a game for kids.”

That said, this pirate didn’t hold back at all—he hefted a heavy blade and swung straight at the pair.

“Heh, we’re not scared of you.”

“Ha! Bring it on!”

Without another word, the sub-captain took a full swing at them with his long blade.

Long Yi and Long Er carried no weapons, but their fists glowed with golden light from the Golden Light Spell. For a moment, they went toe-to-toe with the sub-captain, neither side giving an inch.

“Huh? Where’d they go?”

Krell, though he’d been caught up in the battle’s spectacle, was distracted for only a moment.

When he looked back, Long Yi and Long Er had vanished from his side. He glanced around, alarmed.

Eyes sweeping the battlefield, he searched every corner.

He quickly spotted two small flashes of golden light on the left side of the battleground—no doubt, it was them. Krell rushed over immediately.

…