At this moment, 80% of the Magic Protector's exterior consisted of transparent, glass-like viewing panels. They could see the outside world with perfect clarity; even the crystalline droplets of water scattered across the hull from the breach mirrored the sunlight with dazzling brilliance.
Drake and his crew took it in stride, but Scheit and the fat lackey were completely floored.
You had to understand—this was the New World! Finding sunlight this pure was like seeing a ghost. When had this dark, terrifying sea ever looked so beautiful?
And this ship? Was it not a submarine? How was the visibility comparable to a surface vessel?
"Surface Navigation Mode," Drake commanded calmly.
"Understood. The Magic Protector is switching to Surface Navigation Mode. Captain and crew, please prepare for transition."
Hearing the peculiar voice coming from seemingly nowhere, Scheit and the fat man looked horrified. Drake's group, however, simply found their seats and sat down.
"What's happening—" Before Scheit or the fat man could finish, the ship jolted violently. The low hum of mechanical shifting and grinding gears hammered against their hearts.
Rumble...
Following a series of intense sounds, the Magic Protector underwent a structural transformation. The special walls that had previously surrounded the second level slowly retracted and vanished.
"Whoa—!" Losing their balance, Scheit and the fat man tumbled to the floor.
In just a few moments, the group found themselves no longer in the sub-deck, but standing in a spacious, grand hall. Drake rose and pushed open the heavy doors. Before them lay the boundless ocean under a cloudless, brilliant sky.
"This..." The group was stunned. Even Kenshin and Bell, who knew the ship was special, hadn't expected this level of sophistication. This wasn't just a submarine; it was a high-grade pirate ship that rivaled a Navy warship. The hull was made of an unknown, heavy-duty metal that looked incredibly thick, yet the ship glided through the waves with zero resistance.
Drake took one look and knew the defensive capabilities of this ship must be terrifying. After being cooped up in a sub for so long, he breathed in the fresh air and stretched his limbs. His gaze eventually landed on the two captives.
The fat man, who was trying to pull his boss up, saw Drake looking and flinched so hard he let go of Scheit's hand.
"ARGH! Fatty! Do you want to die!?" A howl like a stuck pig erupted as Scheit hit the deck again. Drake winced just watching it.
"Quiet down!" Bell stepped forward, a fresh coil of rope in his hand. "Do you forget you're captives?"
"I..." Looking at the "shrimp" he used to bully, Scheit felt a surge of rage, but one look at Kenshin's sharp gaze and Drake's relaxed indifference made him swallow his pride and stay silent.
"Wait... what's that?" the fat man suddenly blurted out.
"Shut your mouth!" Scheit snapped, venting his frustration on his subordinate.
Drake ignored the comedy duo and walked to the railing to take in the New World scenery. If a normal pirate knew what he was thinking, they'd probably curse him out. Everyone else entered these waters with extreme caution; he looked like he was on a luxury cruise.
"Hmm?" Drake soon realized the fat man wasn't just making noise—there actually was something on the water.
He hadn't killed these two yet because he intended to squeeze every drop of value out of them. Specifically, that 200 million Berry bounty was worth two Senzu Beans in his mind. He wasn't about to let that investment go to waste.
"Magic Protector, proceed toward 9 o'clock."
"Confirmed."
Kenshin and Bell walked over. "Drake, why the change in course?" Kenshin asked.
"Look over there." Drake pointed.
Following his finger, they saw a small, fragile-looking boat drifting in the distance. There was a faint movement on deck. In the New World, a boat that small shouldn't even be afloat.
"There's someone on it!" Bell pulled out a pair of binoculars to get a better look, then gasped. "There really is! Two people!"
"Really?" Drake and Kenshin were surprised.
"Whoa... a total beauty..." Bell's eyes turned into hearts. "There's a beautiful big sister on the boat! She's stunning!"
Drake: "..." Kenshin: "???"
"Let's check it out."
They pulled alongside the small vessel quickly. The people on the boat looked up at the massive, gleaming ship in desperation.
"Please! Let us board! Our boat can't hold out much longer!" A woman with exquisite features and flowing, water-blue hair looked up at them with pleading eyes.
"This..." Bell hesitated. Growing up in the Dark Clan, he knew how cruel this world was. Most pirates wouldn't let strangers board—the risk of a trap was far too high. This was the New World, after all. Who sails a tiny dinghy out here by accident?
"Drake-san, what do you think...?" Bell deferred the decision.
Sensing that Drake was the leader, the woman turned her tearful gaze toward him.
"Sure."
He answered without a moment's hesitation.
"Drake-san..." Bell was shocked. He hadn't expected his captain to be so trusting of two complete unknowns.
"Thank you... thank you so much!" the woman stammered, bowing repeatedly. Drake noticed the faint tear tracks on her face; she had clearly been through an ordeal.
"The person next to you is injured, right? If you're looking for a doctor, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. The Dragon Flag Pirates just formed, and we don't have a doctor yet," Drake said, gesturing to the man lying unconscious behind her.
"It's alright," the woman said, shaking her head. "I am a doctor."
"Fair enough. Bell, bring them up."
With Bell's help, the woman and the unconscious man were brought aboard the Magic Protector. They were given a room, and as the woman began treating the man with focused intensity, the trio stepped back outside.
Scheit and the fat man watched the whole thing with dropped jaws. He actually saved them?
Bell followed Drake with renewed admiration. Most people would worry about a Trojan Horse scenario, but Drake didn't seem to care. Why?
Was it because of his strength? Was it the absolute confidence that no matter what scheme they planned, they couldn't possibly hope to defeat him?
Actually, Drake just thought she looked like she really needed a hand.
You've rescued a mysterious doctor and her companion! As a senior "Brother-Protector," are you worried this might lead to trouble, or is this the first step in expanding your crew's "Elite" roster?