A group of Marine bigwigs were chatting in the restaurant. Cross and the others, being relatively insignificant, could only keep their heads down and eat.
Suddenly, Garp, still eating, burst out laughing and said, "I heard you killed the King of Flevance. I never thought you'd do something like that! Wahahahaha—!"
Hearing Garp, Kuzan also looked at Zephyr with curiosity, shaking his head and saying, "When I first heard the news, I thought it was just a rumor!"
"Exactly! Exactly!" Gion chimed in. "They said you publicly shot a king. That really doesn't sound like Zephyr-jisan's style!"
"Zephyr, what exactly happened back then? Was the Amber Lead really toxic?" Tsuru frowned slightly, asking in a low voice.
Hearing everyone mention the Flevance Kingdom, Zephyr's face darkened. He grumbled, "It was just killing trash; nothing to talk about!" After speaking, Zephyr seemed to recall something, his expression growing even gloomier. He picked up his sherry and began to chug it.
At this moment, Cross put down his pizza, took a sip of juice, then slowly said, "Actually, the specifics of what happened are just as the official report stated, with little difference. The royal family of Flevance Kingdom deceived the world for over a hundred years, causing most of the kingdom's citizens to contract Amber Lead Disease, which is incurable. Once a large-scale outbreak occurs, the Flevance Kingdom would be finished!"
Cross paused here, then said hesitantly, "I suspect that the royal family of Flevance attending the World Summit this time was preparing to discuss with the World Government their departure on a World Government ship, completely abandoning the Flevance Kingdom, once a large-scale Amber Lead Disease outbreak happened."
Hearing this, everyone's expressions changed drastically; they could barely believe Cross's conjecture.
A king directly abandoning his own country?!
But then again, the royal family of Flevance had deceived their own people for over a hundred years, leading to the spread of Amber Lead Disease throughout the entire nation.
Abandoning the entire country might not be impossible at that point!
So, Cross's conjecture wasn't without reason.
"Good riddance!" Garp said, his expression furious, as he slammed the table, almost knocking the food and drink onto the floor. Luckily, he still had some sense, controlling his strength; otherwise, that punch would have splintered the table.
Tsuru remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Your conjecture, don't speak of it outside this room. Everyone, forget it as soon as you step out that door!"
Everyone remained silent, making the atmosphere somewhat heavy.
Everyone understood Tsuru's meaning.
If Cross's conjecture was true, it would mean the World Government was colluding with the Flevance royal family, completely unlike what the World Economy News Paper reported, where they claimed to be completely unaware.
However, since the World Government denied it, there was no need to hold onto it. After all, the Flevance royal family was already dead. As long as the World Government flatly denied it, there was no evidence.
Therefore, things without evidence shouldn't be brought up in public, otherwise, the Five Elders would sue you for slander.
"Yawwwn~ I think I'm sleepwalking!" Kuzan yawned, his eyes half-closed, and decisively pulled down his eye mask, leaning back in his chair and falling asleep.
Of those present, only Smoker, Hina, and Gion, the younger ones, still looked indignant. The others, all seasoned veterans, had lowered their heads and were simply eating.
"Bwahahahahaha—" Then, Garp slapped Zephyr's shoulder with his greasy hand, laughing loudly, "Don't look so glum! Anyway, the culprit's dead, so let's drink!"
"Bastard, don't touch me with your dirty hands!" Zephyr angrily slapped away Garp's hand, baring his teeth and roaring.
In the following days, Cross's mission was to be stationed in the Sabaody Archipelago, awaiting the arrival of the fifty kings attending the World Summit to ensure its smooth proceedings.
Also, due to the monotonous waiting, Zephyr didn't require everyone to be on standby at all times. He granted leave to Cross and the other students in batches, giving them the chance to explore the beautiful Sabaody Archipelago.
Half the group was given leave at a time, while the other half remained on the warship on standby for any emergencies.
On this particular day, it was Cross's turn for leave. He and Smoker, along with the others, changed into casual clothes and headed from Red Port to the Sabaody Archipelago for some sightseeing and relaxation.
Thanks to the World Summit, the Marines had a heavy presence in the Sabaody Archipelago, causing criminals on the island to lay low, which significantly improved public order across all islands.
Cross actually wanted to visit Island 13, to drop by Shakky's Rip-off Bar and perhaps catch a glimpse of the 'Right-Hand Man of the Pirate King.' But after thinking it over, Cross decided against it.
He was a Marine now, and he shouldn't get too involved with pirates. Regardless of how charismatic and splendid 'Dark King' Rayleigh might be, a pirate was still a pirate, and their crimes couldn't be erased.
On this point, his view was identical to Borsalino's.
Most importantly, his current strength was still too weak. Meeting Rayleigh now wouldn't allow him to show off; he'd only be watching Rayleigh show off, which would definitely be a terrible experience.
If he waited until he was stronger, he might even be able to compete with Rayleigh in showing off, and the experience would certainly be much better then.
"I won't lose to you!"
"Come on, you already lost to me!"
"I definitely won't lose to you this time!"
"You guys are crazy! Why did this suddenly turn into a race?!"
"..."
Several bubble cars sped across the green grass, even kicking up a gust of wind.
The First Marine Bubble Car Race was in full swing, mainly featuring competitors like Cross, Smoker, and Gasparde. Hina, Masterson, and Yukimura, sitting in the back seats, looked utterly bewildered, their features even distorted by the fierce wind blowing in their faces.
Originally, they had all gone out together to play, even buying various items like Grand Buns and Grand Chocolates, and it had been quite harmonious.
Until they rented the bubble cars… The bubble cars, originally meant for transportation, inexplicably turned into a competitive race.
Hina and the others, sitting in the back, had to hold onto their purchased items while also preventing themselves from being blown off the bubble cars. They absolutely hated Cross, Smoker, and the other competitors.
BANG!
Suddenly, a gunshot echoed from the shopping street ahead, startling the competitors and causing them to instinctively slam on their brakes. Immediately following were several more bangs. The gunshots weren't intense; it didn't sound like a gunfight, but rather… like someone was firing unilaterally!
Masterson looked at the number on the tall Yarukiman Mangrove not far away, and said with some hesitation, "Grove 30… Should we check it out?"
Everyone looked at each other, exchanging glances. They all remembered Zephyr-sensei's warning before they left: If you encounter anyone wearing a bubble helmet, do not interfere, no matter what they are doing. Unless you want to be hunted down by a Marine Admiral, do not harm them.
"Could it be… a Celestial Dragon?!" Cross mused darkly, his gaze fixed on the direction of Grove 30.
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