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"No, Captain Ochoku… it's not just the news of Roger's execution in Logue Town!"
The moment Ochoku laid eyes on the front page of the newspaper, his face turned pale. His grip on the paper tightened, and a chill ran down his spine.
Hearing his tone, John furrowed his brow. "What are you trying to say?"
Ochoku's voice was low and filled with disbelief. "Just… just look at this yourself."
The pirates quickly handed John the newspaper. Silver Axe stepped closer, folding his arms across his chest, radiating silent tension. As his eyes skimmed the headlines, his smirk faded.
"Are these guys trying to provoke us?" Silver Axe muttered.
The atmosphere on the deck shifted immediately. The mood turned grim as the gravity of the news settled in.
"What does it say, Ochoku?" John asked, already sensing something was off.
Ochoku's eyes narrowed as he read. "Ayr… he fought and defeated the three main combatants of the Roger Pirates in Logue Town—Scopper Gaban, Rayleigh, and Jabba. Alone."
"What?!" Silver Axe's voice broke the silence like cannon fire.
"How is that even possible!?" John shouted, the corner of his mouth twitching in disbelief. Cold sweat began forming on all three of their brows.
They had once considered Ayr dangerous, yes, but this was something else entirely. To defeat three of Roger's core officers single-handedly? That was a feat even monsters like Kaido and Big Mom would hesitate to attempt.
"Believe me, this man Ayr... you all should remember him. He's always been a threat to both us and them," Ochoku said grimly.
Silver Axe looked to the sea, muttering to himself. "If this is true... then we're facing a nightmare."
Just as tensions peaked, a ship bearing the flag of the World Government appeared on the horizon. Its sails were billowing with insignias of CP—a Cipher Pol unit.
The muzzles of dozens of pirate battleships immediately turned, aiming at the incoming vessel.
Ochoku, without hesitation, activated his Observation Haki, scanning the ship.
"They're not strong… at least not compared to us," he murmured, still cautious.
"Talk about cooperation?" Silver Axe sneered. "Sounds like a trap."
John gestured to hold fire. "Wait. Let's hear them out. If they're from the World Government, and they're this bold to appear in front of us… something big must be going on."
The CP agent on the bow raised a speaking trumpet and shouted across the water.
"Don't be alarmed! We come bearing news—and a proposal for cooperation!"
John, Silver Axe, and Ochoku exchanged a tense glance.
"You want to talk about cooperation… with pirates?" John spat, clearly incredulous.
"We represent the World Government," the agent continued. "And we are prepared to offer a vast sum of treasure in exchange for your alliance… against Ayr."
That name froze the air on deck.
"The World Government wants to fight Ayr… and they want us to help?" Silver Axe scoffed. "Why now?"
"Because," the agent replied, "even the Government recognizes that Ayr is a threat unlike any before. He has already allied with the likes of Kaido and Golden Lion Shiki to attack Marineford once. Now, he's taken out Rayleigh, Gaban, and Jabba."
"Bullshit…" John muttered, but even he sounded uncertain.
The agent continued, "We've also contacted Red the Aloof and Byrnndi World. Both are powerful pirates with grudges of their own. If the three of you—John, Ochoku, and Silver Axe—agree to this alliance, you will be part of a force of five great pirate groups. Together, we can eliminate Ayr."
Silence followed.
The idea wasn't ridiculous. It was horrifyingly rational. But the implications…
"You want us to fight alongside other pirates for you?" Silver Axe narrowed his eyes. "What's in it for us?"
"You'll be given treasures and pardon, as well as a blank check for territories post-war."
"Is this a joke?" John asked, throwing the paper to the deck. "The World Government—working with pirates? You've all gone mad."
"But it's true," Ochoku said quietly. "They're desperate. And desperate men offer desperate deals."
Silver Axe paced a few steps, then turned back to face them. "Ayr… he's not the same man from years ago. If this report is true, even the three of us combined might not be able to take him."
"I thought about launching a full-scale assault on Ayr just this morning," Ochoku admitted. "But after this… I'm not so sure."
The thought gnawed at them—was it even possible to win?
John looked at the agent and shouted, "And what happens if we fail? If we attack and lose, he'll come for us next. Every man, woman, and ship will be torn apart."
"He's right," Silver Axe added. "It's not just about whether we can win—it's what happens if we don't."
"But can we just stand back and let him rise further?" Ochoku asked. "Sooner or later, he'll come after us anyway."
The CP agent raised his voice once more. "This is your only chance. We bring power, allies, and resources. You bring influence and strength. Together, Ayr can be stopped."
The three pirates stood quietly, each thinking the same thing.
If we don't stop Ayr now… who will?
"If the Red Earl and Byrnndi World are truly onboard…" John began.
Silver Axe interrupted. "Then that makes five top pirate forces… and the World Government behind them."
"The five great pirate groups of the New World, plus the Government…" Ochoku echoed.
The sheer scale of it was daunting—and tempting.
"Then let's do it," Silver Axe said after a long pause. "I'll agree—on one condition."
"What condition?" asked the CP agent.
"We strike first. Not you," Silver Axe declared. "This is still pirate business."
"Fine," the agent replied. "But the mission must begin soon. Ayr won't wait forever."
As the ship approached, the pirate fleet didn't fire. For now.
The terms of war were being drawn.
And the sea would soon run red again.
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