Late at night, in a tavern somewhere in Kraken Harbor.0

Shwaaah!0

A storm raged outside, and the torrential downpour beat against the tavern walls, generating a cacophony of noises. Captain Joshua, drenched from head to toe, stepped inside with water dripping from his soaked leather coat.0

He handed his coat to the tavern keeper and ordered a beer. Then, he dragged a chair to the table where Siegfried, Hamchi, Bellatrix, and Baroque were seated.0

“I didn’t expect to find everyone gathered here. So, you must be Captain Drake?” he said, extending a massive hand for a handshake.0

Towering at a hundred ninety centimeters tall, Joshua was a giant of a man, and his hand resembled the size of the lid of a large cauldron.0

“Francis de Drake,” Siegfried replied, shaking Captain Joshua’s hand firmly before glancing at the other Pirate Lords seated with him.0

The tension in the air was palpable as it hung like a heavy fog over everyone.0

Captain Bellatrix made no effort to hide her disdain for the unexpected arrivals. 0

Meanwhile, Captain Baroque’s expression remained concealed by his white mask, but his fingers tapping on the table showed his obvious irritation.0

Captain Joshua cast a quick glance at his ally, Captain Baroque, and then smiled warmly at Siegfried.0

‘Heh, I can practically hear their thoughts,’...0