One Piece: The True Codex

Kuro had utterly lost face in front of the entire Red-Beard Pirates crew. Yet Barbarossa's response to Hayreddin's actions was merely to offer Kuro a few words of consolation. He didn't reprimand Hayreddin, not even as a superficial gesture to save Kuro's dignity.

While Barbarossa wasn't as volatile and short-tempered as his fearsome reputation suggested, he was far from a benevolent or magnanimous leader. He was a pirate—a great pirate—but nothing more. He had little interest in catering to Kuro's feelings.

If Barbarossa had ever intended to curb Hayreddin's temper, he would have done so long ago. And he certainly wasn't going to make an exception for Kuro.

Kuro had no choice but to swallow his humiliation. He couldn't afford to show any overt resentment, lest he invite even harsher treatment.

After drifting at sea for what felt like an eternity, the ship finally reached land.

Near the capital of the Navia Kingdom, Kalmar City, the Red-Beard Pirates lowered their pirate flag. Under the cover of night, they carefully navigated past hidden reefs, riding the sea breeze into a secluded private harbor. With a heavy clunk, the anchor was dropped.

In the darkness, only the faint outline of a dock could be seen. Reis, accompanied by a few seasoned pirates, nimbly leapt ashore. Before long, several torches were lit near the dock, piercing through the pitch-black night.

By the torchlight, William surveyed his surroundings. The private harbor was rudimentary at best. It appeared to be a natural cove, surrounded by rocky hills that provided both concealment and shelter from storms. Its proximity to Kalmar City made it an ideal location. A small hill stood at the entrance to the harbor, serving as a natural lookout post for any docked ships.

The only drawback was its size. The harbor was cramped, with only the barest of constructions to improve it—crude and makeshift at best.

The Red-Beard Pirates often docked near Kalmar City for extended stays. It gave the crew, hardened by life at sea, a chance to blow off steam in the bustling city while also restocking supplies.

While basic necessities like food and water could be replenished in rural villages, weapons and ammunition could only be procured here.

However, the capital was no lawless frontier. Even the infamous Red-Beard Pirates, who struck fear throughout the East Blue, couldn't act with impunity here. They had to disguise themselves and sneak into the city. Fortunately, they had allies within Kalmar City—powerful allies.

A crude warehouse stood by the dock, offering some shelter from the elements. The pirates unloaded their spoils—items like tea leaves and tobacco that they couldn't sell themselves—and stored them in the warehouse. Only after their work was done did Barbarossa begin organizing the crew into groups, granting them permission to enter the city in shifts.

Perhaps due to his status as a reserve navigator, William found himself included in the first group allowed ashore.

To be honest, after such a long voyage—during which they had only briefly stopped at uninhabited islands to replenish fresh water—William was just as eager as the rest of the crew for a break on solid ground. While he didn't cheer like some of the others, he was relieved to finally have a chance to rest.

Once ashore, William wasn't alone. After spending so much time aboard the ship, he had become well-acquainted with the crew. On a ship this size, it was impossible not to run into the same faces every day—whether scrubbing the deck, eating meals, or even using the latrine. Life aboard the ship was less about living and more about being confined together.

With his solid skills, knowledge of navigation—a critical talent on any ship—and his seemingly straightforward and cheerful demeanor, William had earned himself a decent reputation among the crew. Several seasoned pirates invited him to join them for some fun, a stark contrast to the solitary figure of Kuro, who disembarked alone.

As they approached Kalmar City, encircled by its sturdy walls, William couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern. However, the guards at the city gates, upon receiving a jingling pouch tossed by Reis, promptly allowed the group of burly, suspicious-looking men to pass without question.

Once inside, the pirates broke into smaller groups. Some sang loudly, while others enthusiastically discussed their plans to find some women for company. They quickly scattered, seeking outlets for their pent-up energy.

A few of the older pirates, debating where to find the best women, invited William to join them. He declined with a feigned shyness.

In truth, William, a seasoned "veteran" in his past life, was tempted. But memories of the Age of Exploration and the various diseases spread by sailors around the world quickly doused his enthusiasm. Besides, he had more pressing matters to attend to.

Wandering the city alone, William appeared aimless, weaving through streets and alleys. Occasionally, he would stop to ask passersby for directions, pretending to be unfamiliar with the area. In reality, he was carefully observing his surroundings, ensuring he wasn't being followed.

Only after confirming he was in the clear did William casually make his way to an inconspicuous tavern. Scanning the main hall and finding no sign of any Red-Beard Pirates, he ascended the stairs to the second floor.

The doors on the second floor were all tightly shut. Standing in the hallway, William took out his Transponder Snail, "Watson," which he had kept hidden on his person all this time. He spoke into it, "I'm here."

As soon as he finished speaking, one of the previously closed doors creaked open. Without hesitation, William strode over.

Once inside, Edmond peeked out to ensure no one was nearby before shutting the door. Leaning against it, he braced himself to prevent eavesdropping.

At the table, Sherlock and Aramis rose almost simultaneously to greet him.

"William."

"Sherlock."

The two longtime collaborators shared a brief embrace. Aramis, ever the gentleman, pulled up a chair for William.

The presence of Edmond, Aramis, and Sherlock in Kalmar City seemed bold, but upon closer consideration, it wasn't as reckless as it appeared.

Though the city was within enemy territory, the victors—flush with their triumph—were likely to underestimate William and his allies. From the time of Vallon and Edmond's ambush to the present, enough time had passed to suggest that their enemies had moved on. The behavior of the Red-Beard Pirates and the city guards made it clear: their adversaries had likely dismissed them as a threat.

Blending into Kalmar City had been relatively easy for Edmond and the others. The clandestine nature of their meeting was more a reflection of William's cautious nature than actual necessity.

Once William was seated, Sherlock wasted no time. "The ones connected to the Red-Beard Pirates are likely the Buendía family, and their head, Arcadio."

Lighting a cigarette, William gestured for Sherlock to continue while he processed the information.

Sherlock obliged. "The Buendía family has been a noble house in the Navia Kingdom for over a century. Arcadio himself holds the position of Minister of Finance and bears the title of Count. Among the four chief ministers, he ranks as the most prominent."

"A big shot, huh..." William exhaled a ring of smoke, his tone laced with sarcasm.

~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~

Explore More Amazing Fanfiction on My Patreon!

Unlock 30+ Advance Chapters and Enjoy Exclusive Stories Early!

��� patreon.com/GoldenLong