Chapter Seventeen: The Nine Serpents Pirate Crew

It wasn’t to say that the two were the same thing, merely that they shared certain similarities and commonalities.

As Kizaru fused spiritual energy with physical energy, an immense surge of chakra erupted from him. The finest cypress wood floor, centered around Kizaru, cracked with a dense spiderweb pattern, as if tangible chakra instantly filled the entire cabin.

A marine guarding the door, hearing the commotion, was about to check what was happening when he saw the sturdy wooden door blasted open by some force.

“Admiral Kizaru!”

For a fleeting moment, the marines thought an enemy had infiltrated the warship and was fighting Admiral Kizaru inside the cabin. Fortunately, Kizaru intervened in time to stop the disturbance.

He had somewhat underestimated the amount of chakra his physique could refine.

Although Kizaru was still far from a true tailed beast, as a Marine Admiral, his physical constitution naturally allowed him to produce far more chakra than even the so-called Uzumaki clan.

However, after confirming he could refine chakra, Kizaru did not rush to practice the ninjutsu and forbidden techniques Orochimaru had sent him.

On one hand, these ninjutsu and forbidden techniques had a learning threshold; mastering them was no easy feat.

On the other hand, whether Orochimaru was willing to deliver first was his own matter. Kizaru did not want to start learning the ninjutsu before the actual transaction was complete, as it would make him feel like he was taking advantage of Orochimaru.

Fortunately, Kizaru would soon obtain the Devil Fruit since the Amazon Lily, home to the Kuja Pirates, was now within reach.

Over the next few days, Kizaru periodically practiced refining chakra, rapidly improving his chakra control. He no longer lost control and caused chaos around him.

Refining chakra was only the first step; to learn those profound ninjutsu and forbidden techniques, one needed a strong mastery over chakra.

Otherwise, wasting chakra was one thing, but failing to learn or use the techniques was a serious problem.

“Admiral Kizaru! A ship bearing the Kuja Pirates’ flag has been spotted ahead!”

The original captain of the warship hurried over to report. Since little Nami was not present, Kizaru had temporarily appointed this colonel-captain as his deputy.

“Oh, they’re here to pick me up. You all may return to headquarters first; I still need to recruit the Seven Warlords of the Sea.”

Kizaru carried a small leather suitcase, which naturally contained the scrolls of ninjutsu and forbidden techniques sent by Orochimaru.

“Yes, Admiral Kizaru!”

The temporary deputy had no doubts. As the captain of a direct warship under Vice Admiral Strowberry, he was naturally a naval hawk.

Though he was not eager to declare war against the Seven Warlords, he had no interest in dealing with these so-called “legitimate pirates.”

Kizaru lightly stepped on the ship’s rail and leapt; in the next moment, his figure transformed into light and landed directly on the Kuja Pirates’ ship.

“My Lord Kizaru!”

As Kizaru touched down, a fragrant breeze swept over!

Boa Hancock, cheeks flushed red, rushed out of the cabin without hesitation and threw herself into Kizaru’s embrace.

The Kuja Pirates’ female crew were accustomed to this; in fact, if Hancock could restrain herself from leaping onto Kizaru, that would be the strange thing.

“Thank you for your efforts, Hancock.”

Kizaru wrapped one arm around Hancock’s waist and gently spun her halfway around. Hancock, wearing only a tight vest that revealed her smooth skin, felt incredibly supple under his touch.

Even the battle-hardened Kizaru felt slightly intoxicated.

Fortunately, his willpower was strong enough; otherwise, he would have long since fallen helplessly into the pirate Empress’s tender embrace.

“As long as it is your command, my lord Kizaru, I will do my utmost to fulfill it!”

Hancock nestled against Kizaru’s chest like a delicate bird. Thanks to Kizaru’s height, she could lean comfortably in his arms.

“My lord Kizaru, the severed head of Blood Demon Rock has already been sent to Branch 114. The two superhuman-type Devil Fruits you requested are prepared.”

Hancock’s two younger sisters, Sandasonia and Marigold, each carried a box containing the Devil Fruits meant for Orochimaru’s trade.

In a sense, under Hancock’s “prodigal daughter” leadership, the Kuja Pirates had become subordinates of Kizaru.

However, the Kuja Pirates had not suffered a loss. Apart from the “legitimate pirate” status Kizaru helped them obtain, his repeated interventions had already earned back all their costs.

Moreover, with an Empress who was an unabashed romantic, it was fortunate Kizaru showed some conscience. Had it been a ruthless man like Sakazuki, the Kuja Pirates would have long been stripped to the bone and thrown into the deep-sea maximum-security prison.

“Good job. Put these classified documents away for me, as usual.”

Kizaru nodded with satisfaction and casually handed the small leather suitcase containing the ninjutsu and forbidden technique scrolls to them.

Hancock, resting in Kizaru’s arms, gazed dreamily. It had been a long time since she had been this close to Kizaru; now, she only wanted to hold him tight and never let go.

“Yes, my lord Kizaru!”

Sandasonia took the suitcase.

Then, she watched helplessly as her sister was carried into the cabin by Kizaru, and soon, soft, alluring sounds drifted out.

“Set course for home!”

Marigold gave the order.

Under Kizaru’s guidance, the Kuja Pirates had now escaped the predicament of surviving solely by plundering.

In the past, to maintain the existence of Amazon Lily, the Kuja Pirates had to frequently leave the Calm Belt and raid ships in nearby sea lanes.

With their continuous plundering, the number of ships along those routes began to dwindle, forcing the Kuja Pirates to expand their raiding range, eventually creating a vicious cycle.

When Hancock became the Empress of Amazon Lily, under Kizaru’s tutelage, the Kuja Pirates began offering escort services to merchant and cargo ships crossing the Calm Belt. Apart from the Kuja Pirates, the Navy’s main fleet could also traverse the Calm Belt, but the Navy Headquarters obviously did not have the leisure to provide escorts for civilian vessels.

Though the rewards for escorting were much less than for plundering, suitable targets were not always available for raiding.

Moreover, plundered goods were not always useful; selling unwanted goods meant dealing with unscrupulous underground merchants who would squeeze them hard.

Providing escorts was more stable, especially with the invisible guarantee of a Marine Admiral and the astonishing profits from Calm Belt trade routes. In just a few short years, the Kuja Pirates had tripled in size.