Chapter 138: The Banner (Patreon)

Chapter 138: The Banner

Fish-Man Island Harbor.

From the shadows of the coral reef came the sharp crack of a whip striking flesh, mingled with the muffled groans of pirates.

Sadi stood amidst a group of bound pirates, her curly golden hair cascading like a fluffy flame over her shoulders. Thick bangs obscured her eyes, leaving only the full curve of her crimson lips and a delicate chin visible.

Clad in a tight peach-colored leather suit that accentuated her curvaceous figure, she tucked the hem of her pants into spiked stiletto heels that clicked softly with every movement.

Her earrings dangled like two white candles, swaying gently with each flick of her whip.

"Mmm~" she hummed, the whip slicing through the air before landing on another pirate's back. Watching him writhe in pain, she licked her lips with a sickening delight, her voice dripping with twisted pleasure. "This is fun, but it still doesn't compare to Master's rewards~"

Nearby, leaning against a stack of crates, Porche crossed her arms and frowned, whispering to Perona, "That woman is seriously deranged. Who enjoys whipping people this much?"

"Right? She's terrifying," Perona agreed, floating mid-air as the ruffles of her pink ghostly dress fluttered. "We should stay far away from her."

"What's there to be scared of?" Miss. Valentine flicked her hair dismissively. "She's just the boss's plaything. Sooner or later, she'll be discarded."

Beside her, Paula exhaled a slow stream of smoke, side-eyeing Miss. Valentine. She almost retorted, "You're one too," but thought better of it and kept silent.

On the pier nearby, Who's-Who pressed his black leather shoe into a pirate's back, eliciting a pained grunt.

Glancing at Sadi's antics, his eyes flickered with indifference—same old, same old. The woman never tired of tormenting people with that whip.

His gaze shifted to Mr. 1, who effortlessly sliced through the weapons of a few defiant pirates with his bladed arms, his movements clean and precise.

Who's-Who smirked in disdain—just riding on seniority.

In the few days since joining the Cross Guild, he'd already mapped out the power dynamics here.

The only ones who truly gave him pause were that lightning-wielding Enel and the "Knight of the Sea," Jimbei. The rest? Just early followers of Lord Bahr.

In terms of strength, they weren't necessarily better than him.

As for the women… Who's-Who's eyes swept over Perona and the others, his expression turning ambiguous.

Since Lord Bahr favored them, he'd play nice—no point in stirring unnecessary trouble.

Jimbei might be formidable, but Who's-Who wasn't afraid of him. What gnawed at him was Enel.

Yesterday, he'd foolishly provoked the man and was instantly struck by a searing bolt of lightning. Even now, the memory of that paralyzing pain sent a shiver down his spine.

"Just wait…" Who's-Who pressed harder on the pirate beneath his foot, watching the agony twist his face as ambition burned in his eyes. "I'll surpass Jimbei and become Lord Bahr's most trusted right hand."

"Tch. How boring."

Not far away, Enel lounged lazily atop a giant pearl shell by the docks, tapping his golden rod against his knee as he let out an exaggerated yawn. His voice dripped with impatience.

"These pirate insects are just…"

"Too weak. Not even worthy of entertaining this god."

The two God Enforcers behind him kept their heads lowered, not daring to respond. The pirates they'd encountered at the harbor could be dealt with easily—why would this "god" need to intervene personally?

"You seem quite idle."

Bahr's voice carried through the water as he walked alongside Jimbei on the coral-paved boardwalk. Their shoes splashed through the damp surface, sending up tiny sprays.

"Boss~" Miss. Valentine trotted over in her signature green parasol and stiletto heels, deliberately swaying her hips as she looped her arm through Bahr's and pressed against him. Her voice dripped with saccharine sweetness and feigned grievance. "You're finally back."

"Weren't you having fun at Mermaid Cove?" Enel glanced at Bahr, his golden rod coming to an abrupt halt in his palm. A trace of barely concealed mockery laced his tone. "What brings you here?"

Fooling around with women was one thing, but mermaids didn't even have lower bodies. How could he spend every day loitering around the cove? What could he possibly be doing there?

"Here." Ignoring the sarcasm and letting Miss. Valentine cling to him, Bahr casually tossed over a Devil Fruit with swirling patterns.

Enel caught it reflexively, his fingers brushing against the fruit's rough texture. His brow arched slightly. "This is... a Devil Fruit?"

"Paramecia-Type Target-Target Fruit," Bahr said. "For one of your God Enforcers."

After extracting the ability from Van der Decken, he'd considered who to give it to. Most of his subordinates already had Devil Fruit abilities, leaving only Pascia and the recently freed Sadi.

Sadi, though ability-less, was merely a plaything—giving her the Target-Target Fruit would be a waste. She was better suited for abilities that enhanced entertainment. Pascia, a non-combatant, had no use for it either.

But Enel's four God Enforcers—aside from Shura, who possessed the Invisibility Fruit—were still ordinary humans. After traveling together for so long, their rapport and trust were well-established. Letting Enel distribute the fruit was the obvious choice.

Enel weighed the fruit in his hand, showing no hesitation. With a glance at his subordinates, he tossed it casually. "Satori, it's yours."

"Many thanks for the god's generosity." Satori caught it hastily with both hands, bowing as he stepped aside. Excitement flickered in his eyes, impossible to conceal.

Having spent so long in the Blue Sea, they'd all witnessed the power of Devil Fruits. Watching Shura flaunt his Invisibility Fruit had inevitably stirred envy. Now, it was finally his turn.

Nearby, Jimbei observed the oddly shimmering fruit in the water, his brow furrowing slightly. His gaze was complicated.

He'd long known Bahr's strength was unfathomable, but he hadn't expected him to outright steal Devil Fruit abilities. Such a thing was unheard of—it completely overturned everything he knew about Devil Fruits.

Bahr had no objections. Once the fruit was given to Enel, how it was distributed was his business. He couldn't be bothered to care.

Just then, Nico Robin approached. She wore a deep purple off-shoulder gown with an asymmetrical, wavy hem, layered with a short black jacket. Her presence carried a quiet solemnity that stood apart from the surrounding bustle.

Jet-black straight hair cascaded over her shoulders, a few stray strands brushed against her cheeks by the sea breeze. She tucked them behind her ear, revealing the soft curve of her jawline.

"Boss." She stopped before Bahr, her voice measured as she pulled a rolled parchment from her canvas bag. "The Cross Guild's flag design is ready. Take a look."

As Bahr unfurled the blueprint, an overwhelming dark aesthetic leaped from the page. The first sketch depicted crossed black-iron swords piercing through a cracked obsidian shield, spiderweb fractures oozing crimson light from their depths, the edges entwined with thorned vines where every leaf bore barbs.

The second design grew more sinister—a silver cross with four closed black buds at each tip, set against a backdrop of crumbling stone pillars submerged in deep sea, their surfaces carved with indecipherable ancient script.

Though simplified, the final drafts all concealed ominous details: raven silhouettes coiled in corners, or twisted lines sketching cage outlines. Each radiated graveyard gloom yet carried the weight of an archaeologist's historical precision.

"Your taste..." Bahr flipped to the last page, unable to resist commenting, "Couldn't you design something sunnier? Like a smiling cross?"

Nico Robin's gothic aesthetic suited her perfectly—he never should've assigned her this task.

"Sunny styles don't suit the Cross Guild."

Bahr dismissed arguing. His gaze lingered on the final draft: a minimalist black cross outlined in slender silver, devoid of ornamentation yet exuding the stark pressure of an excavated relic.

"This one." He tapped the cross's center. "Change the background to the most eye-catching navy—the brighter the better." After a pause, he added, "Spare me the dark aesthetics lecture. We're a mutual aid group, not a haunted house."

Robin arched a brow, fingertips tracing the paper's edge. I still think the first one has more deterrent power."

"That'd scare people off." Bahr side-eyed her. "Only you could make a recruitment flag look like a cemetery ticket. Still scheming as ever."

Unfazed by the jab, Robin's lips curved slightly, amusement glinting in her eyes. "As you wish, Boss. Simplify the thorns into scrollwork and add gilded trim?"

"Do it." Returning the blueprint, his fingers brushed her knuckles. "Hang the first one at Fish-Man Island. Let them see we're here to recruit—and incidentally, make a statement."

"Understood." Robin carefully folded the design into her coat and turned to leave.

Bahr's attention shifted to a distant figure—Sadi, her tall frame accentuated by fiery red leather, idly twirling a whip between her fingers.

"Sadi, with me to the hold." He tilted his chin, tone casual.

"Mmm~" Sadi drawled, excitement dripping from her voice. She cracked her whip, metal clasps chiming, and sauntered after him with a predator's grace.

The rapid click of stiletto heels kept pace, their sharp "tap-tap-tap" beating out an urgent rhythm, as if providing accompaniment for the impending "game."

This scene fell into the sight of Miss. Valentine not far away, filling her with indignation.

"It's so unfair!" she muttered through gritted teeth. "Why does that woman always get to follow the boss into the cabin? Just because she knows a few tricks?"

"Now, now, the boss's thoughts aren't something you can guess," Perona, passing by with her Hollows plushie, curled her lips. "Besides, Sadi's 'skills' are indeed much better than you just using the Kilo Fruit to smash people~"

"What do you know, you little brat!" Miss. Valentine huffed, glaring back with flushed cheeks. "I'm practical! Unlike her..."

The words caught in her throat, too embarrassed to voice those explicit descriptions. With a heavy snort, she turned and stomped toward the lounge, mentally cursing both Bahr and Sadi a thousand times over.