"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
Sengoku walked through the spacious corridors of Pangaea Castle. Along the way, he was respectfully greeted by patrolling soldiers and government staff.
Sengoku merely nodded in response.
As the Fleet Admiral of the Navy, he was an absolute top-tier figure, even within the vast structure of the World Government.
Only the Five Elders and the Commander-in-Chief of the World Military ranked above him.
Naturally, the Celestial Dragons were not part of this hierarchical structure.
Although they were universally recognized as World Nobles, aside from the Five Elders, even the Commander of the God's Knights (Holy Knights) did not hold a formal government position. Theoretically, they did not directly wield power.
Theoretically being the operative word, of course.
In any case, Sengoku was genuinely a high-ranking official of the World Government, which is why people greeted him even within Pangaea Castle, the nerve center of the World Government.
But his footsteps were relentless, even speeding up.
This was because he had been summoned by the pinnacle of the World Government, the Five Elders, who held the highest authority in the world.
They were surely going to discuss the sudden battle that erupted in Loguetown.
Conveniently, Sengoku also had many questions about that particular battle.
As he neared the Five Elders' office, a person suddenly rounded the corner of a corridor branch.
"Oh! It's little Sengoku! Have you arrived already?"
This was an old man with white hair and beard, a frail physique, leaning on a cane, his back hunched, and wearing thick, bottle-cap-like spectacles.
Upon seeing Sengoku, the old man couldn't help but smile, generously exposing his gums where only a few front teeth remained. His speech was leaky.
"Mr. Issac..."
A flash of helplessness crossed Sengoku's eyes. "Could you please stop calling me 'little Sengoku'? I'm already fifty years old."
"Hohoho, in this old man's eyes, all you guys are still just kids!"
The elder, Issac, smiled kindly. "The scene of you all joining the Navy feels like it was just yesterday."
"It must be tough, isn't it? That brat Kong died in battle without making any arrangements, and precisely at this time, the Navy faces the most severe challenge it's seen in eight hundred years."
"The pirate alliance led by Roa and the Golden Lion in the New World, and the sea that's starting to spiral out of control because of Roger's final words. Are you getting headaches?"
"Please rest assured, Mr. Issac!"
Sengoku's expression suddenly turned stern. "No matter what challenge we face, the Justice of the Navy will never surrender! Whether it's the remnants of the old era or the pirate alliance dominating the New World, let them come at us!"
"Hohoho! I'm relieved to see you so spirited!"
Elder Issac stroked his snow-white beard, nodding repeatedly. "The Navy's Justice is being well preserved! Just grit your teeth and hold on, little Sengoku. It will get better once Sakazuki and the others grow enough to stand on their own. They are all excellent children, just like you were."
"If things get truly dire," the old man lifted his hand and patted his scrawny chest, trying hard to straighten his back, "this old bag of bones can still fight—"
Before he could finish, there was a crack.
"Agh! My back!"
The old man clutched his lower back, breaking out in a cold sweat.
"You should just continue shining brightly in your position as Commander-in-Chief of the World Military."
Sengoku quickly walked over, supporting the elder with one hand while cautiously rubbing his lower back with the other.
The old man's name was Issac.
Decades ago, when Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, Tsuru, and the others first joined the Navy, he was the Fleet Admiral of that era.
Now, this elder, nearly ninety years old, holds the position of Commander-in-Chief of the World Military for the World Government.
What exactly does this position entail?
Theoretically, he commands all combat forces under the World Government's jurisdiction.
This includes, but is not limited to, the Navy, the Holy Land Guards, various regional police forces, Impel Down Jailers, Enies Lobby Guards, and all the CP systems except for CP0.
However, in reality, his direct influence over these forces is quite limited.
For instance, with the Navy, Sengoku is the man who holds full command. Issac cannot directly order the Navy.
The Commander-in-Chief is essentially the retirement position for every former Navy Fleet Admiral.
"Getting old means the body gives out."
The Commander-in-Chief, supported by Sengoku and shuffling forward step by step, sighed. "But little Sengoku, if you encounter something you really can't handle, just come find this old man! This old, decaying body can still burn one last time for Justice!"
"A man nearly ninety years old shouldn't be as hot-blooded as a youth," Sengoku said helplessly. "If you really want to help, let's walk faster now. The Five Elders are waiting for us."
Fortunately, the distance to the Five Elders' office was already short. Soon, the two entered the Room of Authority, where the Five Elders were waiting.
"Sengoku, Issac, we called you here today for one matter."
The bald Elder with the curled mustache, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, got straight to the point. "The Seven Warlords of the Sea plan is officially beginning. You must give it your full cooperation."
"The Seven Warlords plan?"
Issac, who looked much older than the Five Elders, lagged for a moment. After several seconds, he recalled it. "Oh, that plan! Is it finally going ahead?"
"The Seven Warlords—"
Sengoku's expression suddenly changed. As the Fleet Admiral, he naturally knew about the plan, which the government had been brewing for a long time. Had this incident finally made the Five Elders resolve to act?
"But Five Elders, the idea of legalizing pirates will likely cause huge shockwaves among the Navy personnel dedicated to Justice!"
"That's why we're commanding you to cooperate fully."
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, who was holding a newly forged sword, said coolly. "Ultimately, if the Navy wasn't so underwhelming, would the government be forced into such a passive situation?"
"If we can't rope in Wang Zhi and the others, without them defecting, how do you suggest we deal with monsters like Roa and the Golden Lion?"
Sengoku fell silent.
Roa and the Golden Lion were indeed the enemies the World Government feared the most.
Not only did they possess immense power, but they also had incredible mobility and destructive capability. If they couldn't be instantly killed, the government couldn't afford their retaliation.
"That's the case," Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, wearing a wine-red suit, looked at Issac. "Issac, have the CPs cooperate with CP0. You must successfully recruit Wang Zhi, Silver Axe, and Captain John!"
"I understand."
The former Fleet Admiral nodded slowly. Then, he pondered for a moment and added, "If we are recruiting pirates, isn't there also Whitebeard? There should be hatred between him and Roa as well."
The Five Elders exchanged glances, and their eyes simultaneously lit up.
Ah, yes!
How could they forget Whitebeard!
While it would be impossible to recruit someone as arrogant and defiant as him to become a Warlord, it might indeed be possible to recruit him to fight against Roa.
Roa had turned his hometown, the beloved Sphinx Island, into a living hell!
"Then, the task of contacting the Whitebeard Pirates is also entrusted to you!" Saint Saturn said directly.
"Very well."
The old Fleet Admiral nodded gently again.
"Five Elders," Sengoku suddenly spoke again. "If the plan proceeds smoothly and we go to war with the pirate alliance, how much force can the Celestial Dragons deploy? Or, will the individual who appeared in Loguetown take action? To truly eliminate monsters like Roa and the Golden Lion, we should try our best to gather every force possible."
The Five Elders paused and looked at each other.
Then, Saint Marcus Mars spoke up. "We will discuss that when the time comes."
"Furthermore," his voice turned cold, and he reprimanded, "Sengoku, you don't need to concern yourself with the Celestial Dragons. That is not something you should pry into."
"Yes."
Sengoku felt a tinge of regret.
If he could know more deeply about the hidden power of the Celestial Dragons, he would feel much more confident.
But unfortunately, the Five Elders did not seem inclined to reveal anything more.
"In addition," Saint Saturn added, "The search for the remnants of the Roger Pirates cannot stop. They know too many secrets they shouldn't! Especially Roger's wife and child! They are the top priority of the search effort!"
"Yes."
Regardless, the World Government had indeed begun to act.
In addition to the Seven Warlords plan that Sengoku knew about, CP0 was also quietly mobilizing. Their destination was the Giant Kingdom of Elbaf.
Sometime later.
Egghead Island.
The Golden Lion dropped everyone off here and immediately returned, needing to recuperate from his injuries before starting his next move.
Kaido also hurriedly transformed into his giant Azure Dragon form and flew back to Wano Country. He had to prepare for the possible retaliation from the World Government.
First, I'll move the fleet away from Wano and roam the territory for a while.
Thus, only Redfield remained. However, he also had no intention of staying long, planning to return to the West Blue after a brief rest to continue his solitary journey.
At Egghead Island's port, the small boat prepared for Redfield was ready.
"Honestly, you come to visit so rarely, can't you stay a little longer and let me be a proper host?" Roa, who came to see him off, said with some emotion.
"Separation is inevitable. What difference does it make whether it's sooner or later?" Redfield said calmly, standing by the ship's rail.
Roa twitched his mouth. Are you giving me a riddle now?
"Then just stay."
Roa offered. "Come join me, Redfield. I can show you the most magnificent sights in the world. And, who knows, maybe we'll eventually transcend this world."
This Blue Star is just a small part of the whole world view, after all, given the existence of Space Pirates.
Once the whole world is turned into a Gourmet World, perhaps we should embark on a journey to space to open up a new Gourmet Paradise?
We could call that story, 'Toriko'.
"I have no interest in serving under anyone."
Redfield was unmoved, calmly refusing Roa's invitation.
However, he paused, then added with interest, "If there is anything interesting going on, I might still help out, just as we agreed."
"What a cold man."
Roa sighed helplessly. "Fine, keep in touch."
Just then.
A News Coo (News Bird) flew overhead, dropping a bundle of newspapers.
Redfield instinctively reached out and caught them. Nearly everyone making a living on the sea would make the same gesture upon seeing a newspaper drop from the sky.
"Hmm?"
Redfield paused, then pulled out several sheets of paper tucked inside the newspaper.
The solitary man's smile gradually widened. "Roa, it's our wanted posters."
"Oh?"
Roa raised an eyebrow. "Did everyone's bounty go up?"
"It skyrocketed."
Redfield said with a laugh. "Kaido's has risen to 3.2 billion Berries. Mine has jumped directly to 3.6 billion."
"And the Golden Lion's is 4.4 billion."
"Ooh, the government is really spending big this time."
Roa raised an eyebrow. Doesn't that just directly dominate the bounty list for all living pirates?
Their bounties had already soared a year ago during the action to seize the New World.
This new surge pushed the amounts into figures that shouldn't typically appear in this era.
Of course, a big budget is a big budget, but the World Government likely didn't expect any bounty hunters to actually collect the reward.
"What about mine?" Roa asked.
"Yours..." Redfield looked deeply at Roa. "There is no one in the whole world with a higher bounty than you."
These new wanted posters truly shocked the world once more.
The very existence of new wanted posters signified one thing.
"Roa and the others successfully escaped Loguetown? Since everyone's bounty increased, it means everyone is still alive, right?"
"Not even Hero Garp and Admiral Zephyr could stop them!!"
Amidst the fear, people couldn't help but be stunned by the astronomical numbers.
"Those four are now the four pirates with the highest bounties in the entire world! No one living is higher than them, except for the deceased Roger and Rocks!"
"Forget Roger, Rocks's bounty was higher than the other three, but it's still lower than Roa's now!"
"That's right! That guy's bounty is a staggering 5 billion Berries!"
Roa's bounty had already been raised to 4 billion a year ago during that operation, making him the highest-bounty person in the world until news of Roger finding the Final Island leaked.
This time, his bounty directly reached 5 billion Berries. Although still slightly lower than Roger's, he was indeed the living person with the highest bounty!
Even throughout history, only Roger's bounty was higher than his!
"So, what in the world did that guy Roa do in Loguetown?!"
The Golden Lion only went from 3.9 billion to 4.4 billion!
It wasn't just the common people on the sea who were curious about this matter.
The moment she saw the wanted poster, Charlotte Linlin immediately started a group chat, asking what exactly had happened in Loguetown.
Roa had nothing to hide and told them the full story.
"In other words," after listening to Roa's account, Charlotte Linlin's voice became sharp, "There is at least one individual, perhaps even stronger than Roger or Rocks, hidden among the Celestial Dragons?"
Not just her, but Wang Zhi and the others couldn't help but gasp.
If that were true, things were incredibly bad!
"But there's no need to worry. That guy isn't invincible," Roa said with a smile. "As long as we all stick together and help each other, there's nothing to fear."
Saying this, he couldn't help but laugh.
The others couldn't help but join in the laughter.
The chat room was instantly filled with cheerful sounds.
Stick together and help each other. Of course, their alliance existed precisely to jointly resist the World Government.
Whole Cake Island.
Charlotte Linlin hung up the call, the smile instantly vanishing from her face.
"Those bastards are completely unreliable! This old woman needs more power!"
She raised a hand and stroked her flat stomach.
Honestly, being pregnant was never a painful experience for her.
Her size was so massive, and generally, the babies born were not much larger than normal human infants.
They just slid right out.
It was common for her to carry multiple fetuses while wielding a sword and fighting on the battlefield.
Successfully becoming pregnant with a child of the Buccaneer Tribe was supposed to be a joyous occasion for Charlotte Linlin.
But now, that joy was utterly gone.
Power!
To conquer this world, she needed more power!
The child must be born, but other avenues couldn't be neglected!
"Has that man still not agreed?"
Charlotte Linlin looked at her eldest son. "He's not only a Buccaneer, but he also possesses a powerful Devil Fruit. This old woman has generously promised not to divorce him, that he can remain my husband forever. What more is he dissatisfied with?"
Perospero twitched his mouth.
You won't divorce him, but that doesn't mean you won't have children with others.
Wouldn't that be even more miserable? He'd be better off divorced! He's guaranteed to wear green hats until he can wholesale them!
"Katakuri has been trying to communicate with him."
Perospero decisively deflected the responsibility. "I'll go ask him for an update on the progress."
"Mhm."
Charlotte Linlin nodded slowly. "That man's power absolutely cannot be wasted!"
In a certain town on the island.
Katakuri leaned against a wall, watching with interest the man inside the hastily constructed clinic, who was treating a line of patients.
"Don't move."
Kuma said gently, simultaneously tapping the chest of the elderly person in front of him with his palm.
As a red bubble was popped out from the old man's back, his expression visibly relaxed.
"The pain in my back is gone immediately!"
The old man thanked him excitedly, bowing repeatedly. "Your Royal Highness, thank you so much!"
Your Royal Highness...
Hearing this title, Kuma's expression visibly twisted.
But he quickly put on a gentle smile again. "It's nothing, just a minor thing."
Katakuri smiled faintly.
What an interesting fellow.
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An Important Announcement: Time to Write Our Own Novel!
Hello everyone!
Thank you all so much for your support; it truly helps me keep going!
I have some exciting news: after translating many fanfics, I've decided it's time to start writing my own Novels! I plan to begin with a new fanfic—I'm currently thinking of either the Avatar: The Last Airbender or Douluo Dalu universe, featuring a Neutral protagonist.That is exactly what I meant by Neutral Protagonist (This refers to the character's Alignment. A Neutral Protagonist is not strictly bound by concepts of absolute good or evil, nor are they necessarily tied to Law or Chaos. Their actions are generally motivated by their own survival, personal goals, or a desire for balance, operating in a morally gray area.)
Once I've written a few fanfics and gained more experience, I can then move on to developing my own original novel soon after.
If you want a direct hand in shaping the main character's destiny and giving input, be sure to join the poll!
I've launched a poll on my P@t reon page!
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE:
1. Head over to our P@t reon page and become a member. (Don't worry, even those with a free membership can join the poll and share their input!)
2. Select any option you desire in the poll
3. Leave a comment on the poll post or send me a DM if you have any specific thoughts or ideas!
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