#47 The Night of Decisions

As the evening settled in, not a single living soul remained on Salakka Island. Carlo and Blackbeard's recruitment event had turned into a massacre, and any survivors were quickly finished off.

The majority of the Kuja Pirates had already left, returning to Amazon Lily. The only ship with any activity near Saraca Island was Blackbeard's pirate ship.

By late afternoon, Burgess and his team, along with Hancock's squad, had scavenged all the surrounding pirate ships. Even though Carlo allowed the departing Kuja Pirates to take most of the supplies, there was still plenty left. The original owners of the ships were dead, so it made sense for the remaining pirates to take the supplies.

After scavenging, they destroyed or sank most of the remaining ships at the port. It wouldn't look realistic for a battle if all the pirate ships were left untouched.

Once that was done, they brought a large amount of food and drinks back to Saraca Island. They found a spot far from the blood-soaked plaza and began setting up for a grand feast.

With plenty of supplies, they didn't worry about shortages. They could party for days, even weeks if they wanted to. The seven women from Amazon Lily, skilled in cooking, started preparing the food. If it had been up to Blackbeard and Carlo, they would have ended up with simple, quick meals like ham and meat legs.

After about two hours, around 8 PM, everything was ready. "Zehahaha! Let's get this party started, boys! Drink up!" Blackbeard shouted.

In one of Saraca Island's streets, under bright lights, the group of fourteen set up two long tables for a grand feast. Hancock, however, didn't sit with the other Kuja warriors. Instead, she ran over to Carlo, standing behind him.

Nearby, Burgess was gnawing on a huge meat leg. Suddenly, he felt a chill run down his spine. Turning, he saw Hancock's icy glare. Panicking, he choked on his meat, almost suffocating.

"Lady Hancock, please, take my seat. I'll move." Burgess stammered, quickly moving across the table to give Hancock his seat.

Blackbeard raised his bottle, "Zehahaha! Brother, our crew is growing so fast. We must celebrate!"

Carlo clinked his bottle with Blackbeard's, both taking large gulps. Hancock, seeing this, quietly took out her glass and gently clinked it against the bottom of Carlo's bottle, her face flushing with a shy smile as she sipped her drink.

Carlo noticed her gesture but didn't say anything, a small smile playing at his lips.

"Cough… cough, Captains, what's our next plan?" Doc Q asked, coughing a few times as he looked at Carlo and Blackbeard.

"Our current strength means nothing can stop us in the first half of the Grand Line, except for the Navy and the World Government. This is our chance to make the Blackbeard Pirates famous!" Van Augur added, holding his sniper rifle.

Lafitte and Burgess didn't say anything, but their expressions showed agreement. The new members were eager for action, and with Hancock joining them, they feared no one but the Emperors of the New World.

"Can't wait, huh? I've been patient for so long, and you guys just got here and can't sit still?" Blackbeard laughed, glancing at Carlo.

"It's fine, tell them. They're part of the crew now, no secrets." Carlo replied, understanding Blackbeard's concerns about loyalty and leaks. But Carlo trusted these new members, knowing they would be with Blackbeard till the end.

"Alright!" Blackbeard stood up, his cape swirling dramatically. "Our plan is to capture the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Fire Fist Ace!"