You read ahead up to 15 chapters on my Patreon and I've also activated a (date-to-date) subscription model on my Patreon https:///darkshadow6395
Regardless of whether the dire indicated by the cat was correct, Rojen had no specific destination in mind, so he decided to follow where it pointed.
Two days ter, he began to see the feline in a new light.
"You're not pletely useless after all! You actually navigate at sea."
Rojen was genuinely amazed. It was unheard of for a cat to possess su ability.
"Meow!"
The cat crossed its front paws, gave Rojen a proud gnce, and strutted away with an air of cold arrogance.
Standing on the deck, Rojen could now see an isnd roughly three kilometers ahead.
"Finally, we might find some clues."
His eyes gleamed, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
Half an hour ter, 'The Logan' docked.
"Hmm?"
As he stepped onto the shore, his gaze fell upon three or four ships moored nearby, each flying a skull-marked Jolly Roger.
"Pirates, huh?"
A glint flickered in his eyes. A pirate crew of this size would be sidered a major for the Four Seas, likely numbering over a hundred members.
"Meow."
Just as he was about to step forward, Rojen noticed the cat trembling. Its fur bristled as it stared at the fgs, eyes filled with fear.
"What's wrong?"
Rojen crouched down, the cat closely. Though just an animal, he had spent enough time with it ts almost human-like expressions. Unknowingly, he had already beguing it as a panion.
"Meow!"
The cat lifted a paw, frantically pointing at the pirate ships, eyes filled with terror. Finally, it g to Rojen's leg, as if urging him to leave.
"You wao run? Are these pirates really that terrifying?" Rojen pondered aloud.
"Meow! Meow meow! Meow meow!"
The cat gestured anxiously, its cries being more frantic. Watg its erratic behavior, Rojen narrowed his eyes. Then, a cold light fshed within them.
"So these bastards were the ones who raided that mert ship."
At the sight of these pirate fgs, the cat had reized them— the same crew that had sughtered the people on the ship it once called home.
"I see."
Rojen pced a hand o's head, his expression darkening.
Seeing the grief and lingering fear in the feline's eyes, he uood. This ersonal.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."
Gently pig up the cat, Rojen turned his gaze toward the pirate vessels swaying with the tide. A chilling aura radiated from him.
"I'll avenge you."
His voice was steady, his usual carefree demeanor repced by an unyielding resolve.
The cat hesitated before mustering its ce, climbing onto Rojen's shoulder. It nuzzled against his face, its small body trembling slightly.
"o be scared. They're the ones who should be afraid."
"After all, I'm strong."
Rojen whispered to his panion before stepping forward, leaping off 'The Logan', and heading straight for the anchored pirate ships.
---
A dozehs ter, aboard one of the pirate ships.
Four or five pirates sat cross-legged on the deck, cursing and grumbling ame of cards.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed over them, prompting them to turn around.
"Who the hell are you, brat?"
"This ain't a pyground. Scram before I get annoyed."
Standing before them was a young man with a peculiar-looking cat perched on his shoulder, its wary gaze locked onto them.
"I'm here to kill you."
Rojen's voice was eerily calm. Some of the pirates instinctively reached for their ons.
His right haed lightly on the hilt of his sword.
The moment they moved—
'g!'
A brilliant arc of steel fshed through the air. Before they could react, his bde had already returo its sheath.
The pirates stiffened, eyes widening in terror. Their hands flew to their throats, desperately trying to stop the blood gushing from their fatal wounds. Within moments, their vision faded into darkness.
Orike. That was all it took.
Rojen stepped over their fallen bodies, his expression unging.
" ship."
He leaped off and boarded the remaining vessels.
---
Less than half an hour ter, the once-rowdy pirate ships had fallen into utter silence.
Rojen now stood aboard the rgest of them, surrounded by corpses.
"So this was the captain's ship."
Looking down at the fallen leader, his gaze sharpened.
The pirates here had been strohan those oher ships. Especially their captain— he had required three strikes to go down.
Most others had fallen with a single blow.
But in the end, it didn't matter. Orike or three— the result remaihe same.
'Death.'
"Meow."
The soft cry of the cat snapped him out of his thoughts. The ess in his expressioed slightly, and he gave the feline a small pat on the head.
Therode toward the captain's quarters.
For pirates who pilged and pluhere was bound to be treasure hidden somewhere.
His search quickly led him to a cealed trapdoor beh the captain's desk. Without hesitation, he sliced it open and dropped into the lower hold.
The moment his feet nded, golden light flooded his vision.
A slow grin spread across Rojen's face.
"Just as I thought."
Nothing pared to the feeling of stag up wealth. To him, true satisfa came from watg his crow.
This haul— he estimated— was eveer than what he had found near Reverse Mountain i Blue.
"Does this mean I'm close to reag my first goal?"
His grin widened as he stepped forward.
Reag out, he touched a particurly rge pile of gold s and closed his eyes for a moment.
"Time to cash in."
A few moments ter, the treasure began to vanish, disappearing into a hidden vault only he could access.
Then, a voice echoed in his mind.
''Total estimated value: 75 Million berries. Would you like to store it?''
"Store 70 Million. vert 5 Million into cash."
Almost instantly, a stack of banknotes materialized in his hands, while his hidden reserves climbed to 120 Million.
A fortune, unlike anything he had seen before.
At this rate, targeting pirates might just be the most profitable path forward.
Ba East Blue, when he worked as a bounty hunter, it had taken him ages to amass 70 Million.
Now, after just two raids, he had nearly doubled that.
"With the money secured..."
Rojen turoward the isnd's interior, a glint of determination in his eyes.
"It's time to get back to business."
---
'(End of Chapter)'
