Arceus's Pirate Journey

Chapter 904: Chapter 903: Sources of Funding, Encroaching Darkness

From a certain perspective, Francis Drake and Kikunojo’s journey is quite convenient. Drake is carefree and more masculine than men, but without issues with gender identity, and dresses in ordinary women’s clothes.

On the other hand, Kikunojo’s identity differs, always considering herself as female, also wearing women’s clothes, with lifestyle habits closer to a woman’s, resulting in them only needing to shop at women’s clothing stores when going out.

Similarly, due to psychological discrepancies, Denjiro finds Kikunojo’s compromise beneficial, but to Kikunojo, it’s unsettling to constantly have a supposedly dubious ”friend” staring at him, making it hard to accept.

Kozuki Oden has been dead for 18 years. Over a long period, Kikunojo’s perception of Drake has changed to seeing her as a friend to converse with — nothing more significant yet.

”Hey, you all better keep your hands in check!”

”Ah... It’s going to break, it’s breaking, let go now!”

At this moment, Drake and Kikunojo are on a cruise, with Kikunojo initially enjoying the sunset on the deck, but suddenly hearing commotion from behind.

Drake is currently stepping on a man’s back, twisting his arm into an odd shape.

”Let me correct that, it’s not going to break; it’s already broken, if you can’t control your hands, there’s a price to pay.”

With a snap, the man’s arm goes limp, seemingly suffering a crushed fracture, causing him to faint from the intense pain.

The ferocity of this woman has thoroughly frightened those nearby.

”Miss Drake, perhaps you should... let go of him?”

”Huh? Ah Kikunojo, your kindness won’t do. This guy brought it upon himself wanting to grope someone.”

”But he’s already fainted...”

At this moment, guards on the ship arrive, looking somewhat perplexed upon seeing the fainted man.

”Sir... Sir Will! What have these two women done to Sir Will?”

A person resembling a butler also appears in the crowd and exclaims upon seeing the man on the ground.

”Sir? This guy’s actually a ’Sir’? Your kingdom must be rotten.”

”What did you say? Guards! Where are the guards? Arrest this person who harmed Sir Will!”

This cruise has various people, some with numerous guards for their adventures; Sir Will is one of them.

Seeing soldiers coming over, Kikunojo tugs on Drake’s arm. He’s not worried for Drake’s safety, but fears she might kill everyone nearby in anger.

Drake’s actions remind him that although she has a gallant and bold side, her profession is being a pirate.

Yet, Drake’s actions puzzle Kikunojo; she not only refrains from attacking but assumes a surrendering pose, asking the others what to do.

”Miss Drake, what are you planning to do...”

”What to do? Have fun, of course! Rarely being out, it’s necessary to enjoy life properly.”

Under the care of the ship’s doctor, Sir Will slowly awakens and, having heard some whispers from his butler, he responds.

”Compensation! Dare to injure me so badly, medical fees, psychological loss fees, unless there is ten million Belly, don’t think of getting off easily! If you can’t afford it, you and your friend can just...”

As someone who tried to grope on the ship, his goal is clear, seeking compensation merely as an excuse. Unexpectedly, Drake tosses a stack of cash in front of him.

Aiming to enjoy her trip thoroughly, she brought plenty of Belly. Ten million is no difficulty for her.

”Ten million is just a part; this is nowhere near enough!”

He seems to think Drake is intimidated by his guards, and directly starts raising the price, asking for increasingly higher amounts, while Drake remains unresponsive.

The crowd grows, with some even egging Sir Will on, seeing Will’s grin growing more arrogant, Drake readies her plan to end the charade.

BANG!

A gunshot silences the deck as people eye the smoking barrel in Drake’s hand, feeling a premonition.

”Will’s followers to the right, those egging on to the left, onlookers should get out, starting now, robbery!”

Originally, Drake worried about travel expenses being insufficient; Will is a boon of cash for her, just a cat-and-mouse game for fun earlier.

”This is a joke; a woman trying to act like a pirate?”

Nearby guards and soldiers don’t yield but approach Drake, only to fly back faster in the next moment.

”I’m not pretending, I am a pirate, perhaps I should change clothes?”

Drake removes her wig, discards her coat, revealing a Pirate Flag design on her back, and only then do people recognize who she is.

Hundred Beasts Pirates - Thunder Lion - Francis Drake

Wanted - 500 Million Belly

As arrogant as Will was, he’s equally terrified now. After having his property plundered, Drake breaks his other arm before departing on a lifeboat with Kikunojo.

If she didn’t want to appear too brutal, it wouldn’t just involve two arms.

With Will’s ”friendly donation,” Drake gains substantial funds, continuing her journey.

Based on Kozuki Hiyori’s advice, they quickly reach the First Half of the Grand Line and encounter a remarkable individual on a Summer Island.

...

”Come out! You’ve been following all the way, what exactly do you want?”

”Zehahaha, discovered me? What a perceptive woman! I’m recruiting now, you seem decent, and not bad looking; any interest in joining my pirate crew? Your female companion can join too.”

A rugged, hairy, robust middle-aged man appears on the street.

Three pistols tucked at his waist with a rum bottle and various adornments, Drake is no stranger to him, or indeed any pirate in the New World.

Blackbeard - Marshall D. Teach, he’s the man who betrayed Whitebeard, previously becoming well-known due to the Whitebeard Pirates’ bounty in the New World.

Since Roger’s death till now, he’s been the first pirate to defy Whitebeard’s iron rules.