I'm A Plunderer In The World Of One Piece. - Chapter 49: Change 49: A Witch's Castle.

“I…”

Vivi looked at the unconscious guards on the shore, her face pale as she opened her mouth to Shirogai, but ultimately said nothing.

Shirogai, as if not noticing Vivi’s unusual emotions, turned to his companions and said with a smile:

“Let’s go. No one’s stopping us from landing this time.”

Luffy nodded in agreement:

“Since Shirogai has dealt with the people blocking our landing, let’s quickly go ashore and find a doctor—and maybe borrow a wrench and pliers to cure Nami’s illness!”

Nami looked at Luffy, deadpan:

“Do you think I’m a robot? Who uses a wrench and pliers to treat an illness?!”

Shirogai chuckled slightly, thinking of a strange man who once shot beams from his nipples.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Shirogai jumped from the Going Merry, using Moonwalk to glide through the air, arriving leisurely in front of Dalton, who remained dazed.

“Dalton-san, I apologize for the situation. Please rest assured, your subordinates are all alive.”

…

Dalton’s dim eyes flickered. He hadn’t completely lost consciousness—Shirogai had intentionally toned down the Haoshoku Haki aimed at him.

Dalton wasn’t an enemy. He was a kind man—and might even be an ally.

“Now that the apologies are over, let’s talk business.”

Straightening up, Shirogai looked down at the half-kneeling man.

“Captain Dalton, if you don’t want this country to suffer under Wapol’s tyranny again, then it’s best we reach an understanding.”

Dalton’s blurry gaze sharpened. He slowly rose from the snow, eyeing Shirogai with equal parts fear and awe.

“Respected pirate… have you seen Wapol? Where is that bastard?!”

Shirogai narrowed his eyes.

“We encountered Wapol’s ship on the way here. They tried to steal the Eternal Pose from us. I sent Wapol flying, and we destroyed part of their ship. They fled in disarray.”

Dalton’s eyes lit up. He thought Wapol was dead—until Shirogai continued:

“But he’s not dead. He and his crew have regrouped. They didn’t get the Eternal Pose, but they’ll find a route back soon enough.”

Dalton’s anxiety deepened. He knew Wapol’s cruelty all too well. That man had fled the island during the Blackbeard Pirates’ invasion—abandoning his people, taking the nation’s 20 best doctors and fleeing to sea.

In doing so, he condemned countless wounded to death. Only the Witch remained, saving who she could.

Sanji’s question about doctors reopened a painful wound. The townspeople had all lost loved ones due to a lack of treatment. That’s why, when the pirates asked about a doctor, the guards reacted so protectively.

Dalton stood frozen in conflict until Shirogai said calmly:

“I know you’re worried Wapol will return. But you’ve seen what I can do—and I’m only the vice-captain.”

He gestured toward Luffy.

“That’s our captain. If you want to stop Wapol, we’re your best shot.”

Dalton responded bitterly:

“Pirate-san… when Wapol fled, he took everything from our treasury. We can’t afford to hire anyone.”

Shirogai gave a small smile:

“You can afford us. All we need is a quiet room with medical equipment.”

“Medical equipment?” Dalton echoed. Then his expression soured.

“Once, Drum Kingdom was a renowned medical power. But after Wapol’s ‘Doctor Hunt’ decree, most doctors fled with their tools. Owning any medical item meant being labeled a doctor… and punished.”

He sighed.

“If anyone has what you’re looking for, it’s the Witch.”

Shirogai nodded.

“Then take us to her.”

Dalton looked at the unconscious guards.

“May I wake them up?”

“I’ll handle it.”

Shirogai used the [Whisper-Whisper Fruit], planting a gentle waking suggestion in their minds:

[“When you hear the snap after three, two, one—you’ll wake up.”]

“3, 2, 1.”

Snap!

The guards slowly stirred.

“Pirates have landed!”

Some scrambled to point guns again—only to be stopped by Dalton.

“It’s a misunderstanding. We’ve reached an agreement.”

“But Dalton-san…”

“Do as I say. I won’t allow pirates who mean no harm to be treated like enemies.”

Though reluctant, the guards obeyed and dispersed.

“Wait a moment.”

Shirogai called out.

One of the guards froze, trembling.

Shirogai gestured to Vivi.

“Shouldn’t you apologize to the lady you shot?”

“I…”

The man looked at Dalton, then quickly bowed deeply.

“I’m sorry! It was my fault! Please forgive me!”

Vivi blinked, then smiled.

“I hope next time, you don’t shoot so quickly. We aren’t enemies.”

The man nodded frantically and ran off.

…

“The Witch’s castle has what you need,” Dalton said as they began the trek toward the mountain town. “But it’s a hard climb.”

“A Witch’s castle? Sounds exciting!” Luffy grinned, already imagining a new adventure.

__

100 Powerstones = 1 Bonus Chapter

200 Powerstones = 3 Bonus Chapters

Let’s gooooo.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelCet