Chapter 21: Target Set - Saraka Island "Pirate's Paradise"

"Hero, this is definitely a true hero!" 

"My god, dare to attack the Celestial Dragons, my role model!" 

"...Aside from the Revolutionary Army, does anyone else dare to raise a knife against those guys?" 

"Well done, those God-forsaken Celestial Dragons who killed many of my fellow townspeople, finally someone came out and punished them!" 

"This isn't good... A life is still a life, so is it so reckless? It's better not to kill innocent people indiscriminately. We must unite and condemn the killer!" 

"Oh great Buddha of the West Blue, oh Virgin of the East Blue, please make the sinners pay!" 

(T/N: Honestly, I don't understand much beyond them praying to some endemic gods or beliefs, like the Virgin or Buddha. Remember that the news spread worldwide, so these are reactions from people all over the world.) 

The news of the Celestial Dragon's disappearance gradually spread to the outside world starting the next day. 

By the third day, the whole world was engulfed in a storm of disbelief but astonishment. Without a doubt, everyone, without exception, was talking about it. 

It is definitely the most important point of the era, the one that occupies the top spot in rumors, gossip, and conversation topics! 

Most people are very excited about the occurrence of this incident. After all, I fear there is no one who does not hate the Celestial Dragons. 

Therefore, whether openly or veiled, almost everyone applauds the accident involving the Celestial Dragon. 

Of course, there are inevitable exceptions. Some people, with their great compassion and nonconformity, have different opinions on this matter, standing in opposition to the common perspective. 

But who cares? Such comments are drowned in the overwhelming condemnation of justice! 

All in all, the disappearance of a Celestial Dragon, which almost ignites the world's powder keg, is a truly great event not seen in decades. 

In at least twenty years, apart from Roger's execution, there is probably nothing that can match the influence of this matter. 

As for the 'culprits' who caused this incident, Karl and Blackbeard, they left the waters hundreds of nautical miles from the Sabaody Archipelago long ago... 

For the global chaos caused by this matter, these two obviously just considered it a joke and didn't care much. 

"I never expected that one day I would be praised for my virtue! Zehahahaha, it's so funny just thinking about it!" 

Sitting on the deck of the large captured sailboat, Blackbeard enjoyed drinking rum. As he read the information in the newspaper, he couldn't stop laughing. 

"Praising merits for nothing, you and I, pure pirates who can't be any purer, still worry about these so-called 'good reputations'?" 

"Stop joking, Teach." 

On the other hand, Karl tossed the empty whiskey bottle aside without a care. 

Although the two cannot be considered rich today, they are much better off than when they first went to the Sabaody Archipelago. This captured ship has a pretty good economic fortitude. At the very least, the wine cellar and kitchen are fully stocked... 

As for the Blackbeard Pirates, who only have two people, these supplies are no problem to enjoy for three or five months! 

"That's right, Zehahahaha, but I love seeing the misfortune of those damn tenryūbito!" 

As he spoke, Blackbeard unconsciously looked towards the rear of the cabin, where the aft deck was located. 

The design of this sailboat is similar to that of most pirate ships. In the front half of the large ship, in addition to the living and entertainment areas on the bow and deck, most of the rooms are lounges, kitchens, and control rooms. 

On the other side of the aft deck are service quarters and places for livestock breeding, which are used as living quarters for ships that sail long distances at sea. 

San Leschar, the tenryūbito who was kidnapped by them, is imprisoned here at the moment! 

"It's a shame that the chaos caused by the Sabaody Archipelago is too great to have a massive recruitment of crew there." 

"Teach, do you have any good places to go?" 

Karl rubbed his head and asked Blackbeard. 

Although Karl knew a lot about the situation of this world and the special island, no matter how much he knew, he couldn't compare to the indigenous Blackbeard. 

According to his previous plan, he wanted to use these Devil Fruits to recruit a group of crew members and improve the overall strength of his team. 

The Sabaody Archipelago, originally a good choice, has enough pirates and many talented people. 

But the disappearance of the Celestial Dragons had too much impact, and along with the somewhat sensitive Devil Fruit, it was obviously impossible to carry out such an influential recruitment campaign there. 

Even if they back off after a period of time, it's not realistic and will definitely attract the attention of the world government. 

That's not good for them... 

"It seems... there really is one!" 

Upon hearing this, Blackbeard thought for a moment and then replied, "Saraka Island, an island called 'Pirate Paradise'!" 

"Six years ago, I came here with oyaji. It was quite lively there, zehahahaha, which makes me miss it now." 

"The people who frequent there are almost all pirates, some pass through and others set up their old nests there. 

The island is impossible to compare to the Sabaody Archipelago in its entirety, but it is certainly a lawless zone where a greater number of pirates of all types and forms await..." 

"That place is the true unrestricted zone!" 

"Marines normally don't set foot on that island!" 

Speaking of this, Blackbeard suddenly showed a bit of pride on his face and explained, "But friend, you'll know when you go to the New World." 

"Compared to there, the first half of the entire grand journey is actually a paradise, a pigsty of low-status pirates, defeated, losers, and trash, Zehahahaha!" 

Upon hearing this, Karl's face darkened. 

Brother, why are you here to show your superiority to me? Has the whole chain of contempt ended? 

However, things are still important at this moment. Karl really doesn't have the urge to respond in kind. After all, he was also excited about the place Blackbeard mentioned! 

Saraka Island, he had never heard of this place, but as Blackbeard came up with it, it's definitely worth a visit! 

Sometimes, this type of development route is better than the 'backup' one. Too much interference may not be a good thing. If you follow the trend, there may be some surprises! 

(T/N: In this case, Karl refers that he should still follow Blackbeard's guidelines and ideas, lest making too many drastic changes distort the original plan.) 

"Saraka Island... you can go see, we'll go there!"