Shark fired his laser almost instantly, killing the man on the spot—
but the Den Den Mushi had already connected.
"Mos… moshi…"
"...I understand. I will avenge you."
After a few seconds of silence, the voice on the other end immediately realized that all the World Government agents on this side were already dead. It left only that single sentence before hanging up without hesitation.
Shark raised his gun and shot the Den Den Mushi to pieces.
He knew it was pointless, but he still did it anyway—just to vent some of the tension in his chest.
He had escaped from the World Government once before. He knew better than anyone how terrifying they truly were. And he knew that from this moment on, the people coming after him would no longer be low-level operatives—but far more dangerous hunters.
Turning to Chenos, Shark spoke with an apologetic tone.
"Chenos… sorry about this. But I have to start running now. I'll have to ask you to get off the ship. If we meet again someday, I'll give you an eighty-percent discount on the ship."
Chenos, however, laughed.
"Why would I get off the ship? I've taken a liking to this one. I want to buy it. And now I believe you really did build it yourself."
"…What?"
Shark stared at him.
"No, listen to me," Shark said, trying to stay calm.
"I'm being hunted by the World Government. You heard that call too. I need this ship to escape. I cannot sell it to you. Do you understand?
Whether I built it or not isn't the point anymore!"
Chenos nodded, then casually pulled out a Den Den Mushi and dialed.
"Tesoro, come to Dock One immediately. I'm on a fully steel-built ship. We're leaving."
Shark looked at Chenos in disbelief.
Is my language ability that bad?
Why can't he understand what I'm saying?
Suppressing the urge to explode, Shark patiently explained again.
"Chenos, I can't sell you the ship. I'm being chased by the World Government. Please get off. I don't want to drag you into this."
Chenos smiled.
"I understand. What I mean is pretty much the same as yours.
I want the ship—and I want the person too. Become my crewmate. Let's leave Water Seven together. I'm in a hurry to leave as well."
Shark froze.
"…Huh?"
His brain completely stalled.
The ship?
Me?
A crewmate?
A pirate?!
Once he processed it, he immediately refused.
"Sorry, Chenos. I know you mean well, but I really don't want to drag you or your partner down with me.
I'm being hunted by the World Government. If I join you, I'll only get you killed.
And you heard it yourself—they're going to send even stronger people next. I might not even be able to handle them.
If you take me with you, you'll be hunted too!"
Seeing Chenos nod, Shark finally relaxed, thinking he had finally gotten through to him.
"Yeah, I get it," Chenos said calmly.
"I'll help you kill whoever comes after you. After all—you're my crewmate."
Shark snapped.
He grabbed his own hair, looking like he was about to lose his mind.
"You—get the hell off my ship!"
At that moment, Tesoro climbed aboard and greeted Chenos.
"Boss, this ship's amazing. Oh—this is our new member?
Nice to meet you, I'm Tesoro. Looking forward to working with you!"
Shark stared blankly at the hand Tesoro extended. He shook it unconsciously—then snapped back to his senses and violently flung it away.
"Work my ass! I haven't agreed to sell the ship! And I sure as hell haven't agreed to join!"
Chenos only smiled.
"Shark, let's go. Start the ship. We'll talk after we leave Water Seven.
If we don't move now, the World Government will be here any second. Move, move."
Shark clenched his teeth.
"…Fine. Let's leave first."
He thought it through—if he kept arguing with Chenos, the hunters might arrive any moment. Better to leave first, then dump these two on the next island.
With that decision made, Shark shot Chenos a helpless glance and headed for the control room.
Once the engine was activated, Shark moved to the helm on deck and slowly guided the ship out of Dock One. After reaching cruising speed, he adjusted the heading toward the Sabaody Archipelago and locked the course, letting the ship sail automatically.
Just as he was about to head inside and make it clear he wouldn't be joining them—
A sharp tearing sound cut through the air.
Shark looked up and saw a small black dot in the sky, hurtling toward the Freedom at terrifying speed.
"…They're here already. That fast."
A voice suddenly spoke beside him.
Shark jumped in fright.
"Damn it—don't you make any sound when you walk?!"
Seeing the black dot growing larger, Shark turned anxious.
"Chenos, stop messing around. There's no time. You and your partner need to get off the ship now—maybe you can still escape—"
Before he could finish, Chenos interrupted him.
"I told you already. You're my crewmate now.
Your enemy is my responsibility as captain. You just stay here and watch."
Shark nearly shouted.
"Are you insane?! The one coming is the one they called for revenge!
That thing's strength won't be normal—I might not even beat it!
Please, I'm begging you. Get off the ship. Don't throw your lives away because of me!"
Chenos ignored him and looked skyward.
"They're here. Shark, you and Tesoro stay on the ship and get familiar with it. I'll be right back."
With that, Chenos stomped hard on the deck, leapt into the air, then stepped again midair—launching himself straight toward the approaching World Government enforcer.
Seeing this, Shark finally realized—
This guy isn't weak at all.
Even so, worry still filled his eyes. He had seen firsthand how terrifying those execution machines were—especially CP0. Each of them was a monster beyond reason. Even with his modified body, Shark wasn't confident he could win.
Tesoro noticed Shark's expression and smiled reassuringly.
"Relax," he said.
"Chenos is very strong."
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