Chapter 131 - 131. White Berets

The ship was anchored on the shore of Sky Island.

The crew gained some strength after resting for a while. They set up camp and started to prepare meals.

Leo and Shinobu were resting under a small open outhouse. It was already on the beach when they got there.

"Captain, the ship's been damaged and it would require two days to be fully operational."

Mace reported.

Leo nodded and said, "For now let's not move around. From that inspector it's evident that people live here. Since she is an inspector information about us must have been transferred to people up here."

"They will come to us."

Mace agreed with Leo's suggestion. In a foreign land it's always best to abide by their rules to avoid conflict.

And as Leo expected people from Skypiea did come for them. However the ones that came were weird.

They were a group wearing white cloud pattered pants and violet t-shirt with a white cap on their head. They were crawling on the ground and only got up after reaching the camp.

"So you guys are the illegal entrants who came from the Blue Sea!?"

Illegal entrants?

Leo raised an eyebrow when the heard the man leading this group of weirdos.

Mace couldn't help but ask, "Sir, what do you mean by illegal entrants?"

The leader among the group pulled out a bunch of photos and said, "No need to deny. Amazon, the inspector of Heaven Gate sent up pictures taken by a Vision Dial."

Shinobu asked, "Is this about the extol fee?"

Leo nodded, "Seems to be so. That old hag didn't mention anything about becoming a criminal because of that."

The bunch of men infront of him loudly said, "We White Berets will bring Heavenly Judgement upon you!"

Leo stepped forward, "We are terribly sorry for trespassing but is there any way for us to resolve this issue?"

Seeing his amicable attitude the leader softened, "This problem isn't completely unresolvable. Right now, you guys are 11th degree criminals. If you pay 10 times the entrance fee, you can become tourists on the spot."

Mace couldn't help but ask, "How much is 1 berry to extol?"

The leader replied, "10 thousand extol is 1 berry."

10 times the entrance fee. 27 of them, so 27 billion. Ten times that is 270 billion extol, change that into berry... 27 million!

F.u.c.k! Why don't you go Rob a bank!?

All of them cringed when they calculated in their minds.

"Is there no other way?"

Leo asked helplessly. He really didn't want any issues to crop up here.

The leader heard him and shook his head, "That's the only way."

Sighing Leo said, "I am sorry. We don't have that kind of money."

The leader's face hardened, "Then I will have to arrest all of you!"

The crew got angry when they heard him.

"Hey, your entrance fee is ridiculous! Even top countries down below doesn't require any fees!"

"Yeah! Is your island made of gold!? For god's sake, you want us to pay 27 million berries or go to jail? Dream on?"

Curses flew everywhere. The sky island men's expression turned ugly.

"Silence!"

Leo said softly. However his words reverberated through the air. The crew immediately toned down.

Staring at the leader Leo said seriously, "The entrance fee is ridiculous, you solution is even more ridiculous. I don't accept such nonsense, so, sorry. We won't be going anywhere!"

Oooh!

The crew cheered when they heard their Captain.

The White Berets leader clenched his fist and said, "Since you don't comply... men, take them down."

The men behind him took out bows and arrows when they heard his order. They took aim and fired.

The arrow whizzed towards Leo and his crew. Their tail end gave out purple clouds that hardened in mid air, creating a long trail of solid path.

The White Berets expected the illegal entrants to panic however all of them were calm and dodged the attacks.

Who were they joking. They were marines, they were trained to take out ruthless pirates.

Startled at their opponents strength the White Berets immediately took action. Their boots were replaced with small boat shaped shoes.

They used the purple cloud path created by the arrows and rode towards the marines.

Mace led the men and clashed against them. The battle didn't have much suspense.

The marines crushed the White Berets.

Their leader stood there stunned upon seeing this sight. He took a step back and ran away.

However he yelled back as he ran, "This isn't over! You have obstructed and harmed official officers. You are now 2nd degree criminals. You will be judged and executed by Priests from Upper Yard!"

His men saw their leader escape and followed his lead.

The marines didn't chase them. They felt as if they very rejuvenated. They got to release their pent up frustrations on those guys.

Mace asked, "What now, Captain?"

Leo said, "We will camp here for our stay here. Patrol the area in a group of three, take turns every three hours."

Mace nodded and asked, "What about you Captain?"

Leo looked into the distance. He saw white steps in the distance which seems to be leading to the inner area of Sky Island.

"We will look around."

He walked away with Shinobu after saying that. Mace shook his head and got to work.

Along the way Shinobu said, "It's not going to be easy to gather information. Atleast not without trying some unconventional methods."

Leo nodded, "I remember you made something like a truth serum awhile back. Do you still have it?"

Shinobu pulled out a small vial from her robes and handed it to him.

"It's a good thing you keep certain samples with you."

"Hehe, force of habits. Anyway, I am surprised you are willing to use such a forceful method."

Leo shook his head, "This is a foreign land and we are criminals now, so it's not gonna be easy to get information. Under such circ.u.mstances it's better to try some unorthodox methods."