One Piece: Davy Jones, Captain of the Terror Ghost

Chapter 198 198: The Disdain of the Lowest of the Sweet Commanders

Baron Tamago—his legs impossibly long, his waist encircled by a cracked eggshell—reached into his coat and drew out a strangely shaped Log Pose.

This was a New World Log Pose: three record needles combined into one, specially designed for navigation through these treacherous seas.

For rookie pirate crews, this kind of Log Pose was a lifeline—it pointed out three possible routes, of which they only had to choose one.

Moreover, in the New World, it could record magnetic fields in just half a day, greatly saving time on long voyages.

But such a fixed-route navigation tool was useful only to newcomers.

Veterans, on the other hand, used it merely for rough orientation—not as something to be slavishly followed.

They went wherever they pleased, sailed whichever course they desired. Following the Log Pose's fixed paths step by step was something only greenhorns did.

Real-life sailing was no board game.

Hawk-Eye Mihawk once crossed the Grand Line on a mere wooden raft. The Whitebeard Pirates had effortlessly sailed from the depths of the sea to Marineford itself.

Silvers Rayleigh could navigate the Calm Belt, and Fisher Tiger had scaled the Red Line with his bare hands.

Only rookie pirates followed the Grand Line by the book—step by cautious step. The veterans of these seas, however, treated them as home waters, with every imaginable means of travel at their disposal.

The Big Mom Pirates, of course, belonged to the latter.

After glancing briefly at the needles, Baron Tamago concluded,

"Minister Snack, I estimate we'll reach the seas around Thunder God Island, Mystery Island, and the Red Adventure Isles in roughly half a day. From there, we can descend—Fishman Island lies below."

"Thunder God Island, Mystery Island, Red Adventure Isles…" Snack folded his armored arms across his chest, letting out a low chuckle. "The three starting islands for newcomers to the New World, huh? Heh…"

The "Minister of Fried Food" seemed to relax slightly.

Seizing the moment while Snack's irritation had cooled, Baron Tamago spoke up,

"I've already documented Mama's terms in writing. Minister Snack, may I ask—how do you intend to negotiate with Fishman Island?"

"How else?" Snack raised his thick arm and tapped the broad blade strapped to his back; the clang of metal echoed. "Mama sent me here so that Fishman Island can see the power of Big Mom firsthand."

"Of course, Minister…" Baron Tamago twirled the ends of his curled mustache carefully before asking, "But perhaps, before that, you might allow me to explain the situation to them—to persuade them without bloodshed?"

In his view, it would be best to make Fishman Island submit without a fight.

But Snack shook his head dismissively.

"Without blood being spilled—without lives lost—Fishman Island will never remember our rule. Totto Land is too far away. If we're to hold this distant territory securely, we must use violence—let them fear us."

This was how Totto Land governed all its outposts—those territories scattered between the domains of the other Emperors, the Warlords, and the great pirates of the New World.

Fear had always been the most reliable method.

Seeing that Snack was resolute, Baron Tamago didn't press the matter further, though unease stirred in his heart.

Whitebeard, Edward Newgate, had treated Fishman Island very differently—granting them great freedom and respect. If Snack came down on them with such force, would it backfire?

But Snack was not only the leader of this expedition—he was Big Mom's own son, and one of the Sweet Commanders. His word carried absolute authority.

Baron Tamago had no desire to argue with him.

Suddenly, a rhythmic thump-thump-thump of footsteps sounded behind him. Turning, Baron Tamago saw a lion-headed, humanoid mink approaching—Pekoms.

That one had defected and joined them a few years ago; dependable enough, all things considered.

Baron Tamago got along fairly well with Pekoms—the two, a Longleg and a Mink, often operated together on missions.

"Minister Snack," Pekoms said, his pink overcoat fluttering slightly as he saluted, "our lookout in the mast spotted an island ahead. Shall we make landfall for resupply?"

"There's an island ahead?"

"Yes, sir. It used to be part of Whitebeard's territory."

Hearing this, Baron Tamago tapped his cane on the deck and advised,

"Minister Snack, it'll take another half a day to reach the Thunder God region, and we've been sailing nonstop for a full day and night. This would be the perfect place to rest."

Snack's eyes flicked toward him. From behind his heavy scarf came a low, muffled voice:

"Then dock in that island's harbor. Go ashore and see if you can take some supplies from the local settlement."

"Yes, Minister Snack."

As the two ships drew closer, the island's outline became visible—and soon, a crewman rushed over, reporting something unusual.

"Minister Snack! There seems to be pirates already stationed on that island! We spotted a Jolly Roger through the telescope—it's not Whitebeard's flag."

"Pirates already there?" Snack frowned. "Baron Tamago, any idea who might be operating in this area?"

Baron Tamago thought for a moment before answering,

"That shouldn't be possible. The Whitebeard Pirates are in disarray, and Jinbe and the Sun Pirates have vanished…"

Pekoms offered a theory.

"Could it be rookie pirates—fresh out of Paradise—who seized the island and claimed it as their base?"

Snack found that plausible and scoffed,

"Those weaklings? They think they can hold this place without years of strength and investment? Hmph."

"Minister Snack," Baron Tamago still sensed something off. "If you'll allow, I'll take a closer look."

"Go ahead," Snack said with a wave.

Baron Tamago climbed up the mast, peered through his telescope, and got a clear view of the flag fluttering over the harbor.

When he recognized the emblem, his expression froze in disbelief.

Hastily descending the mast, he ran back to Snack.

"Minister Snack," he said, his face tense and uncertain. "I saw it clearly—that Jolly Roger belongs to none other than Davy Jones, the 'Demon King of the Deep Sea.'"

"Davy Jones?" Snack thought for a moment, recalling the information he'd heard about the newly risen pirate. "So his crew has taken this island?"

"That appears to be the case," Baron Tamago replied hesitantly. "I didn't expect them to have claimed a base here. What shall we do, Minister?"

Snack didn't hesitate. A cold snort escaped him.

"Davy Jones establishing a foothold here? That's suspicious. We'll use this opportunity to wipe them out."

The island lay directly along the route between Totto Land and Fishman Island. If they allowed another power to occupy it, it would interfere with the transport of cakes and goods to Fishman Island. For safety's sake, they'd have to take a detour—unacceptable.

Not even a Sweet Commander, much less Big Mom herself, would tolerate that.

Since when did the Four Emperors ever detour around a newly risen pirate crew?

Pirates entering the New World were supposed to bow to Big Mom—not block her way.

Baron Tamago hesitated. "Minister Snack, as far as I know, the Davy Jones Pirates include not only Davy Jones himself but also Crocodile, the former Warlord. They also have several members with bounties exceeding one hundred million…"

"You afraid?" Snack shot him a sidelong glare. "Your bounty's over four hundred million, and Pekoms' exceeds three hundred million. Are you telling me you fear a handful of weaklings under Davy Jones?"

Bounties weren't a perfect measure of strength, but the fact that only Davy Jones and Crocodile in that crew exceeded three hundred million made Snack regard them with complete disdain.

To him, the only ones worthy of his blade were those two—everyone else were walking corpses who just hadn't realized it yet.

What irked him most was the timidity of Baron Tamago and Pekoms. Was this the bearing of Big Mom's subordinates?

Sensing his growing anger, the two quickly responded in unison:

"We're not afraid! We'll serve Big Mom with absolute loyalty!"

"That's more like it," Snack said coldly. "Otherwise, I'd begin to doubt your devotion. As for Davy Jones and Crocodile—I'll handle them myself."

Baron Tamago couldn't help but protest softly,

"Minister Snack, even for you—as one of the Sweet Commanders—it might be difficult to take on both of them at once."

Snack's eyes flared wide with fury.

"Are you suggesting that a son of the Charlotte Family should bow his head and steer clear of them?"

"If I return to Totto Land having made Fishman Island submit—but leaving that thorn unremoved—Mama would scold me for failing to crush them when I had the chance!"

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