"Master, we have arrived at the target sea area."
Regarding the Red Stone, Brian set it aside for now after confirming his subsequent plans. There was no use in rushing; it was unnecessary.
Turning his attention, he began special training with the Millet-Millet Fruit.
About three hours later, Number One approached and woke Brian, who was in the midst of crafting Armament Haki Dumplings.
"Alright."
Brian stood up and looked toward the Atoron Sea, which had become a battlefield. The once-bustling scene of ships coming and going had completely vanished.
Over the Atoron Island, a medium-sized island in the New World, thick smoke billowed, and the sounds of screams echoed incessantly.
Numerous pirate ships flying various flags were docked along the island's shores, continuously unloading pirates onto the land.
The entire island had become a playground for these reckless pirates.
The civilians on the island suffered the most, as the pirates rampaged, burning, killing, and plundering—committing every atrocity imaginable.
The chaos had lasted nearly a week, and by now, there were hardly any civilians left on the island.
Witnessing this disorder, Brian sighed inwardly at the waste.
These were a massive labor force, needlessly slaughtered. Who would handle the island's future construction and basic tasks?
Brian the Capitalist remarked that they clearly didn't understand sustainable development—no wonder the economy was struggling.
Unfortunately, Brian also knew that this was the harsh reality of this mad world.
Setting these thoughts aside, he turned to Number One and asked, "The original leader of this island was named Marcus, right? I heard he's still alive. Where is he?"
"Master, we have made contact with Marcus. He is waiting nearby."
"Is Marcus still alive?"
"Then summon him. Let's see what kind of person had the nerve to flee so decisively."
"Understood."
Number One nodded and began contacting Marcus using the Den Den Mushi.
Brrr brrr brrr~
Brrr brrr brrr~
Click~
"Marcus, come over."
"Yes, yes! Thank you, sir!"
An excited voice came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi.
Number One paid no further attention and hung up directly.
He stood by Brian's side, awaiting Marcus's arrival.
"Number One, do you think a scumbag like Marcus deserves to keep living?"
"This subordinate believes such trash is not worth letting live."
"His existence tarnishes the reputation of the Rocks Pirates, and it would also damage your reputation."
With an expressionless face, Number One casually sentenced Marcus to death.
"You're right. Keeping him serves little purpose."
Recalling the intelligence about Marcus he had seen on the way here, Brian had no intention of letting him live either.
Marcus, a mid-level member of the Rocks Pirates, had been stationed in the Atoron Sea for four or five years.
The area hosted a Black Market operated by the Rocks Pirates and was economically prosperous.
Since arriving, Marcus had lived like a local tyrant.
Apart from the usual tributes to the higher-ups, the remaining income from the Black Market had made him immensely wealthy—proof of the substantial profits involved.
Even more detestable was the fact that he was an utter lecher.
For over three years now, he had maintained the practice of taking a new concubine every single month.
If all these women had married him willingly, one could hardly complain—after all, everyone has their own ambitions. Some women seek shortcuts, and if they could endure Marcus, they might even be considered remarkable in their own right.
Unfortunately, Marcus had no interest in those who threw themselves at him.
His perversion lay in his preference for women who despised him.
The more they loathed him, the more determined he was to marry them and torment them thoroughly.
He was an absurd fusion of sadism and masochism.
Over the years, countless civilians on the island had died at his hands.
The sheer depravity of his crimes was enough to shock even the most twisted individuals—truly heinous.
Even among the Rocks Pirates, many found Marcus's behavior repulsive.
Sadly, Marcus had powerful backers protecting him.
He knew his place, consistently funneling tribute to several high-ranking members.
Over the years, he had paid billions in Belly, ensuring his safety for quite some time.
"Fancy meeting you again, Silver Axe. You really have the worst luck, always falling into my hands."
As it happened, Marcus's protector within the Rocks Pirates' upper echelons was Silver Axe.
Or more accurately, the small faction formed by Silver Axe, John, and Wang Zhi.
Within the entire Rocks Pirates, aside from Rocks himself and the four senior executives, this trio held the most influence.
It was by clinging to this powerful group that Marcus had grown increasingly arrogant over the years, treating everyone else on the island as less than human.
Brian was initially surprised to learn that Marcus was under Silver Axe's wing.
But upon reflection, it made sense.
Lucrative positions like this were scarce within the Rocks Pirates.
Only high-ranking executives like the faction leaders had the authority to claim such spoils.
Whitebeard and the others had their shares too, though their territories far surpassed this one.
Brian didn't have one yet—he had joined too recently.
Coupled with his limited manpower, he hadn't begun expanding into such domains.
Of course, in his plans, there was no immediate need to pursue such ventures.
Everything could wait until a year later.
By then, any territory he seized would truly be his own.
Facing off against Silver Axe again, Brian almost felt a twinge of pity for him.
Having just severed his right hand not long ago, he was now about to cut off another limb financially.
Tsk, tsk. Let's take a moment to mourn for Silver Axe.
Before long, a pirate ship appeared, swiftly approaching theirs.
Thud—
The vessels made contact, and a portly figure, accompanied by two attendants, leaped onto Brian's pirate ship.
"Lord Brian! Lord Brian!"
His voice, dripping with familiarity, arrived before he did.
Marcus soon came into Brian's view, his face plastered with obsequious flattery.
To Marcus, this lord's arrival was nothing short of a rebirth.
Brian, however, remained silent, observing Marcus's unctuous, greasy smile and portly demeanor.
There was none of the pirates' typical ferocity or madness—just the pure essence of a ruthless merchant.
"Halt!"
"Stop right there!"
Whoosh—
Marcus tried to approach Brian to pledge his loyalty.
But after only a few steps, a figure materialized before him, blocking his path.
"Watch out, sir!"
Seeing someone obstruct their patron, Marcus's two bodyguards reacted instantly, adopting combat stances.
Cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.
"Yikes, what a fat guy."
Tiger Girl spoke her mind bluntly, showing no consideration for Marcus's feelings as she offered her straightforward assessment.
"Yin, you're way too direct. If you don't know how to use that mouth of yours, just seal it shut."
"None of your business, you wretched woman. I'll say whatever I want."
"Hah, if I weren't worried about you embarrassing our master, you think I'd bother with you?"
"As Beast Girls serving our master, we should have some grace. Do you even understand that, you classless woman?"
"You're the classless one! What, as my defeated opponent, are you looking for another beating from me?"
"Bring it on! If I don't teach you a proper lesson, you'll never understand how formidable I am."
"Pathetic. A mere loser like you dares to be this arrogant?"