Chapter 224. Deterring the Celestial Dragons, Bombing Mary Geoise! (Please Subscribe!)
"What!?"
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn looked at the transponder snailwith a shocked expression.
The transponder snail, mimicking the appearance of a Marine on the battlefield, wore a small Marine hat and stared at Satan Saint with wide eyes, nodding:
"Hah, the entire army was annihilated!
Fleet Admiral Kong was killed in battle, Admirals Sengoku and Zephyr were defeated, Vice Admirals Garpand Tsuru lost their fighting capability, and of the tens of thousands of Marines, over a thousand were lost, yet none could withstand a single blow from Eustass!"
The four Gorosei—Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, Saint Topman Warcury Saint, and Saint Marcus Mars—exchanged glances with Satan Saint.
The five men remained silent for a long time.
"Track him!"
Saint Mars stroked his white beard and said.
"Yes, track him, and report his location to us immediately!"
Saint Vahcy nodded.
As long as they informed Imu My Lord of the location, they believed Eustass would not escape his doom.
"We can't track him!"
"Why?"
"He put on an iron man armor halfway and flew away. He was too fast and has already vanished from our sensory range."
"..."
The Gorosei fell silent.
Damn it!
They truly hadn't expected Eustass to possess such equipment!
For decades, Eustass had always fought using his own power. So much time had passed that the Gorosei had almost forgotten about the nano unmanned battle armorhe had.
"Increase the bounty: Eustass Mola, 9.9 billion Berries!"
Saint Vinsmoke said with a serious expression.
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room became heavy.
In fact, considering what Eustass had done, giving him a bounty of ten billion would not be excessive.
However, increasing the bounty felt like boosting his reputation... yet, the men hated Eustass intensely.
So, let's cap his bounty at 9.9 billion Berries... [hostdefeats Pirate King Roger!]
[Reward obtained: 3 DC World Charge Points!]
[DC World Charge Points: 10/15!]
[host defeats Fleet Admiral Kong!]
[Reward obtained: 1 DC World Charge Point!]
[DC World Charge Points: 11/15!]
[host defeats Admiral Sengoku!]
[Reward obtained: Dynamite Rock Great Gift Pack (20 pieces)!]
[host defeats Admiral Zephyr!]
[Reward obtained: Deluxe Dynamite Rock Great Gift Pack (30 pieces)!]
[host defeats Marine Hero Garp!]
[Reward obtained: Lifespan +1!]
[host defeats Marine Vice Admiral Tsuru!]
[Reward obtained: Armament Haki Strength ×4!]
[host defeats Marine Major General Sakazuki!]
[Reward obtained: Strength ×2!]
[host defeats Marine Major General Kuzan!]
[Reward obtained: Lifespan +1!]
[host defeats Marine Commodore Borsalino!]
[Reward obtained: Speed ×2!]
...Above the sky.
Eustass flew through the air wearing the nano unmanned battle armor, checking his system rewards.
He only needed four more points before he could travel to the DC World.
However, before that, he needed to find a way to solve the lifespan problem in the Pirate World.
After all, the system's lifespan extension rewards depended on luck.
Who could stand having their longevity depend on chance?
Not long after.
All over the World.
The Whitebeard Pirates, the Mermaid Pirates, the BIG MOM Pirates, and the Beasts Pirates all received the news of Eustass's victory.
Countless people on islands like Dressrosa, Elbaf, Sabaody Archipelago, Fish-Man Island, and Water Seven, as well as those across the great oceans, also received the news of Eustass's victory.
The whole World was in an uproar!
Not long after, that evening.
The World Economy News Company immediately published the news and updated Eustass's latest bounty.
Eustass Mola—9.9 billion Berries!
"Big news, big news, the most vicious pirate in history!"
"Big news, Eustass might become the first pirate in history with a ten-billion Berry bounty!"
"ONE PIECE! There is treasure there that even the Pirate King and Eustass covet!"
"Wealth, fame, power, and strength—if you dare, go there! There lies the great treasure that can fulfill all dreams! ONE PIECE!"
Suddenly, countless young people across the World set sail, forming pirate crews and heading toward Raftel.
Within the Marine ranks, many ambitious individuals who wanted to understand this terrible era also wished to search for Raftel.
However, the World Government issued a ban, prohibiting any Marine member from going to Raftel.
"Raftel does not exist!"
"It's fake, all fake, a deception!"
"No one is allowed to go, or you will be dishonorably discharged and never re-enlisted!"
"Come back, all of you! If you resign without authorization, you won't get last month's salary!"
After receiving the iron decree from the World Government, the Base Commanders of the various Marine Bases used all their abilities to stop the Marines from going to Raftel.
However, the effort was not very effective.
According to reliable information from later generations, about thirty percent of young Marines in the Marine Headquarters and Marine Branches resigned recklessly to search for Raftel.
The remaining Marines stayed in the Marine faction, but their hearts were filled with doubt regarding the strange demands of their superiors.
In the following days, the World Economy News Company heavily promoted the matter of Raftel and reported on various atrocities committed by the World Government, such as destroying islands to erase historical evidence.
The World Government was furious and wanted to kill Morgans.
However, the CP0 sent to assassinate Morgans found Eustass visiting the World Economy News Companyupon arrival... Eustass immediately killed that CP0 and, while he was at it, gave Morgans a dynamite rock.
A few days later.
The weather was fair and the sun was beautiful, with not a cloud in the sky.
Over a dozen News Coos slowly flew toward Mary Geoise, above an open space on the Red Line not far away. They gripped a dozen ropes, which were wrapped with layers upon layers of newspapers.
One seagull cried out, and the other seagulls quickly released the ropes with it.
The spherical objects wrapped in newspaper continuously plummeted downward, and the News Coos scattered in terror.
The newspaper-wrapped spheres instantly hit the ground, shattering the outer container of the dynamite rock upon impact, allowing the dynamite rock to contact the air.
The newspapers were blown away by the strong wind, the container shattered, and a white and red spherical body rolled out.
The dynamite rock reacted with the air, turning increasingly red, as dangerous purplish-red light spread outwards.
A flash of purplish-red light appeared.
Mary Geoise.
At the edge of the city.
Marine Major General Reginald led a Marine squad on patrol, protecting the safety of the Celestial Dragons.
He suddenly felt a palpitation in his Observation Haki. Reginald quickly turned his head to look at the distant, vast, endless Red Line.
The purplish-red light, which was originally the size of a grain of rice, instantly expanded to the size of a building, then swelled again to the size of half an island, and finally transformed into an explosion of light the size of an entire island.
"BOOM—!"
The terrifying explosion directly blasted an island-sized crater into the distant Red Line. Fiery red flames shot into the sky, the pillar of fire immense, like an island itself.
A Mushroom Cloud slowly rose above the Red Line!
Chapter 225 – Mary Geoise Bows: The Pirate King's Bloodline Will Be Erased! (Subscribe!)
This was the nuclear weapon of the Pirate King's World.
A weapon whose power rivaled the ancient weapons—dynamite rock!
The terrifying blast erupted right beside Mary Geoise; half the explosion instantly swallowed half the city.
Major General Reginold of the Marines and his squad, along with CP Agents on patrol nearby, were devoured by the explosion before they could react.
Buildings and soldiers alike were obliterated by the apocalyptic blast.
Humans were vaporized, structures reduced to ash, and the ground crystallized from the extreme heat.
Countless Celestial Dragons enjoying themselves at home never saw the catastrophe coming.
In more distant districts, CP0 agents hastily wrapped themselves in Armament Haki and dove to shield their Celestial Dragon Masters.
Yet against the super-heated detonation of dynamite rock, even Armament Haki failed; the searing temperature killed both the agents and their Masters.
Mary Geoise.
Only half the city remained standing, and even those buildings collapsed from the aftershocks.
Many Celestial Dragons were pinned beneath the rubble, wailing in agony.
Though only half the city had been directly hit, detonating a single dynamite rock on the Red Line triggered quake-like tremors.
Celestial Dragons standing in open ground stared at the towering red pillar of flame that still speared skyward without sign of abating.
"baka! Who dares attack Mary Geoise!"
A pot-bellied Celestial Dragon roared in fury.
Countless CP Agents and Marine troops sprinted through the streets, rushing to rescue the Celestial Dragons.
High above,
flocks of news-carrying gulls streaked across the sky, releasing cascades of newspapers over Mary Geoise.
The papers fluttered down like snow.
From the Sabaody Archipelago, Water 7, Alabasta, Dressrosa, Totto Land, and nations across the four Blues, news gulls soared overhead, scattering pre-printed papers across the World.
East Blue.
Having just bid farewell to his father—who had slapped a sandal-print across his face—Dragon stood on a ship and caught a falling paper.
"World Government to meddle in World Economy News Company!? dynamite rock says otherwise!"
"Morgans officially names Eustass Mola the second-largest shareholder of the World Economy News Company!"
"I do what I want! Ban a story? I'll print it twice!"
"How to find Raftel: you need four coordinates—because Raftel is always moving!"
The World Economy News Company had foreseen everything and printed millions of papers in advance.
The instant Eustass handed over a dynamite rock and told Morgans to send it via gull to the Red Line as a warning to the Celestial Dragons, those papers flooded the globe.
Across the World, everyone learned that Morgans, with Eustass's blessing, had struck Mary Geoise.
Moreover, Morgans printed the vital Raftel intelligence he'd received from Eustass.
The World erupted; the World Government panicked.
They could no longer touch Morgans—he had Eustass as his patron and could mock the Celestial Dragons in print every single day.
Yet the Government could not retaliate for the attack on Mary Geoise, shattering eight centuries of invincible authority.
Once someone fired the first shot, ever more people and powers would rise to destroy them.
Worse, Eustass had revealed the secrets of the red poneglyph.
Finding Raftel had just become far easier.
The World Government had spent every day hunting rebels; now there were simply too many to catch.
Across the seas, countless individuals set sail as pirates solely to fight the Marines and the World Government.
Mass resignations swept through the Marine ranks.
Ambitious nobles in every kingdom dreamed of toppling the World Government and seizing the Empty Throne for themselves.
The Gorosei now saw traitors in every shadow.
"That madman—what does he want!"
Mary Geoise.
Standing atop the rubble, the Gorosei roared.
"Damn it! Damn it all!"
Cursing, they rushed to the Flower Chamber to beg Imuto eliminate Eustass.
"Leave."
Imu pondered; Eustass's body should have fully recovered by now.
She dared not risk a confrontation.
Thus she chose inaction.
Besides, even if Imu wanted revenge, there was no target.
Eustass had no hometown in this World.
And the World Government knew none of his fixed haunts.
"Oh—and from now on, leave the World Economy News Company alone."
Imu spoke, understanding that the dynamite rock had been a warning.
"Yes, My Lord!"
The Gorosei withdrew at once.
The next day,
Eustass's bounty rose again.
Eustass Mola: 12,000,000,000 Berries!
The Gorosei, half-crazed with rage over the dynamite rock that had killed half the Celestial Dragons and left countless others buried, smashed straight through the 10-billion barrier for his bounty.
The Jaygarcia and Shepherd Celestial Dragon clans had been wiped out entirely.
Morgans: 3,000,000,000 Berries!
Though hardly a top-tier fighter—he had only beaten a few CP Agents who infiltrated his office—Morgans had openly defied the World Government, exposing countless hidden or rewritten histories.
Thus the World Economy News chief earned a 3-billion bounty.
Even those close to Eustass were priced.
Kozuki Toki: 4,000,000,000 Berries.
Simple—she was Eustass's wife.
Whitey Bay: 3,900,000,000 Berries.
Simple—she was his girlfriend.
Samantha of the Merfolk Tribe: 2,000,000,000 Berries.
Doris of the Snake Head Tribe: 1,900,000,000 Berries.
Even Hawkeye Mihawk—just nineteen and fresh from Doris's tutelage—received 800,000,000 Berries the moment he set sail.
Because Doris had raised him as her disciple.
The World Government had no idea how strong Mihawkwas; they simply slapped 800 million on him for that connection.
Mihawk:???
Samantha had taken a pupil named Tiger on Fish-Man Island; the moment Tiger sailed, he too was priced at 700,000,000 Berries.
Tiger:???
Half a month later,
South Blue.
Baterilla Island.
"Move! Search every inch!"
"Find Portgas D. Rouge—now!"
"Kill the Pirate King's last bloodline!"
Marine battleships sealed off Baterilla under orders to hunt down Roger's wife.
"Must we really do this?"
Garp scowled at the transponder snail in his hand; the Gorosei had summoned him to end Roger's final bloodline.
Garp felt it unnecessary—slaughtering an unborn, innocent child for revenge on Roger.
Too cruel. Was this still the Marines he served?
He found himself despairing for the Navy's future.
"You will kill Portgas D. Rouge and the child in her womb! The Pirate King's blood is filthy and vile beyond measure!"
The Gorosei's order crackled through the snail before the line went dead.
"Damn it!"
Garp roared, punching a nearby boulder and smashing it to gravel.
Chapter 226: 226. Let Ace Recognize Me as His Godfather, I'll Protect Rouge and Ace! (Please Subscribe!)
Watchdog!
Eustass's words echoed in Garp's heart.
At this moment, Garp finally understood what the other party was mocking.
'I need to find a way to hide Rouge.'
Garp thought to himself.
What does an unborn life understand!
The Gorosei swore that the Pirate King's bloodline was dirty and evil.
Isn't it out of hatred and fear that the next Pirate King will rise again and threaten their complacent position in Mary Geoise?
Dirty, whose heart is truly dirty!
Evil, no one is more evil than the Celestial Dragons!
"Bastards, a bunch of bastards!"
Garp roared.
Eustass had also done many things that infuriated the World Government, but Eustass was still alive and in his prime.
Furthermore, he still held a large amount of dynamite rock in his hands.
So the World Government verbally called for the Subjugation of Eustass, and even the capture of his family.
But the World Government and the Marine never actually did that.
Because they knew that if they really did, Eustass would march towards Mary Geoise.
As for Pirate King Roger, he was dead, and his crew had disbanded.
Without the threat of force, the World Government dared to retaliate against his family and those who had helped him.
Just this year, Tom, the Fishman shipwright from Water Seven, was facing trial by the World Government.
Because Tom, the Fishman shipwright, built the pirate ship for Roger.
The World Government, bullies the weak and fears the strong.
Garp released his Observation Haki, sensing the presence of Portgas D. Rouge.
In a small wooden house on the edge of the town.
He finally found Rouge's presence.
Garp was about to step forward when he suddenly froze.
There was another presence in that wooden house.
Eustass Mola!
Garp was a little surprised, so that's it, Eustass came to help Roger and protect his family... "Come with me, I'll protect you."
Eustass sat in Portgas D. Rouge's house, looking at the blonde beauty sitting opposite him.
Rouge sat opposite, with smooth blonde hair, wearing a light blue dress, her face gentle, a very kind woman.
Roger had planned from the beginning how to arrange for his wife, and the child in Rouge's belly.
On March fourteenth, Roger used his Observation Haki to sense the presence of a new life in Rouge's belly.
He then directly left his and Rouge's home, preparing to do what he wanted to do.
However, before that, Roger still made a request to Eustass.
Hoping Eustass could help shelter his wife and child.
Eustass thought for a moment and agreed.
At worst, he would adopt Ace as his godson.
However, he estimated that if he adopted Ace as his godson, and the Marineford War could still happen in the future... it would probably be the end of Marineford, the final chapter of Pirate King.
"Thank you, but won't this cause you unnecessary trouble?"
Rouge quickly thanked him, and at the same time asked worriedly.
"No, it won't."
Eustass waved his hand, "Besides, our Carina will have a playmate."
"Ah, that would be wonderful."
Rouge smiled with narrowed eyes.
Soon after.
Rouge packed her luggage and followed Eustass out of the house.
The Marines on the street and the CP0 agents all around instantly spotted Rouge.
"Found her!"
"Catch her!"
The Marines and CP0 agents quickly surrounded them, but everyone looked at Eustass beside Rouge.
One by one, they were too scared to make a move.
"Get lost!"
Eustass roared, releasing his Haoshoku, precisely pressuring the Marines and CP0 agents.
The Marine soldiers and CP0 agents all fainted.
Eustass shielded Rouge behind him, walking in front, with Rouge following closely behind.
Many Marines and CP Agents rushed over, only to be knocked out by Eustass's Haoshoku.
In the distance.
Garp saw Eustass, clenched his fist, and quickly ran over, punching Eustass.
Eustass threw a punch, sending Garp flying directly.
Garp crashed through many walls, fell into the ruins, and narrowed his eyes to watch Eustass leave with Rouge, then quickly closed his eyes and pretended to faint.
This operation made Garp very unhappy.
So he chose to slack off.
Eustass used his Top-tier Observation Haki to predict the future and understood that Garp didn't want to fight at all.
So he also cooperated with the other party's performance.
"Let's go."
Eustass said, and led Rouge to the seaside.
Eustass drew Enma and ama-no-habakiri with both hands, Armament Haki wrapped around the blades, and he slashed forward fiercely.
Many battleships that had surrounded the island and aimed their cannons at them were all sunk by the giant blue slash.
Eustass slashed twice more, sinking the other Marinewarships.
Then, a large number of Parasite Threads flew out from his hand, drilling into the Marines on the only remaining warship.
After boarding the warship with Rouge, Eustasscontrolled these Marines, making them operate the warship and sail away from Baterilla Island.
"Report, this is the Baterilla Island cleanup squad, requesting reinforcements! We encountered Eustass Mola, and he took Rouge!"
On shore.
A Marine stood there, holding a transponder snail, contacting Mary Geoise.
Mary Geoise.
The Gorosei were all puzzled when they learned that Rouge had been taken by Eustass.
Roger was killed by Eustass, so why would he shelter Roger's woman and offspring?
But no matter what was said, it was useless. Rouge was taken by Eustass, so they had no way to deal with the Pirate King's bloodline left in the World.
That night.
The World Economy News Company broke a major story.
[Shocking! The World Government is actually afraid of an unborn child?]
[The Pirate King's bloodline, the Marine besieges and attempts to purge, who is truly dirty!?]
[If you're told to go west, you wouldn't dare go east; the Marine is nothing but a watchdog!]
[Justice Marine? Just private forces!]
Shelz Town.
Eustass took Rouge to his home, allowing her to rest and raise her child there. Rouge and Ace would also live there in the future.
Eustass sat in the yard, looking at Morgans's mockery of the World Government in the newspaper, greatly amused.
In the Pirate World, the World Government and the Marine often do things that backfire every now and then.
But perhaps due to the inconvenient transportation in the Pirate World, the World Government always manages to falsify history and whitewash itself with minimal cost.
As a result, many people are willing to believe that they can save the World by joining the Marine.
In reality, it's not so.
In the future, when the Red-Haired Diva wanted to trap everyone in the Uta World, the Marine went to stop her.
However, the more they tried to stop her, the more trouble they encountered.
At a critical moment, a large number of Marines shot innocent civilians present to resolve the trouble.
In fact, in the later stages, it becomes clear that the Marine is truly a damn watchdog.
If the World Government points west, they absolutely dare not go east.
If it were the Pirate King from before, Eustass might have hesitated about the Marine faction.
But the later Pirate King storylines made the Marineutterly speechless.
Now that Morgans has Eustass as his backer, his courage is truly several times greater than in the original plot.
Morgans provokes the Celestial Dragons every day, constantly reporting on the history that Mary Geoisedesperately tries to whitewash and erase in his newspapers.
The World Government is furious, strictly prohibiting people from buying newspapers from the World Economy News Company, claiming they slander the World Government and fabricate stories.
But the Baterilla Island incident made countless people realize that the World Government is just a Joker.
Chapter 227. 227. Ace: Dad! Buy the Tree of Knowledgein Ohara! (Requesting subscription!)
Marine, Justice?
It's nothing more than a propaganda tool used by the World Government for recruitment.
It's just their way of brainwashing people.
On January 1st, sea circle calendar 1499, Portgas D. Acewas born normally.
His mother, Rouge, did not endure for 20 months before giving birth to Ace like in the original work, so Rouge also survived.
In the same year, the Marine began a new round of World Conscription.
The result, which greatly embarrassed the World Government, was that in 1499, the number of newcomers registering to join the Marine dropped by 30% compared to the previous year, a cliff-like drop in enrollment rate.
If the World Government's troop source continues this way for a few more years, it will collapse.
In the same year, the Marine launched a Buster Call to capture Bullet. Bullet was defeated and imprisoned in Impel Down.
sea circle calendar 1500.
East Blue.
A warship sailed slowly.
Garp sat on the deck, eating a donut, and eventually fell asleep while eating.
The adjutant beside him looked confusedly at the Red Earl, Patrick Redfield, who was handcuffed with Sea Stone cuffs.
They saw the Red Earl when they passed an island.
At the time, they saw that the Red Earl's face was distorted, and he was unconscious on the shore.
That's why they conveniently handcuffed the Red Earland brought him aboard.
They didn't know who had done this, beating even the Red Earl into unconsciousness.
It was strange.
Over the years, every time Garp returned to visit relatives, he would find that many newly rising great pirates or some corrupt Marines in the East Blue had been dealt with.
But they never knew who exactly did it.
Some suspected Garp did it, but Garp felt very innocent; he really didn't do it... Shelz Town.
[The host has defeated the Red Earl, Patrick Redfield!]
[Reward obtained: Lifespan +10!]
Eustass walked along the small path, heading home.
He had gone out to sea earlier and encountered the Red Earl, who followed him the entire way.
Eustass cut off the Red Earl's tongue on an island in a corner of the East Blue, knocked him unconscious, and left him there.
Coincidentally, Garp, who was sailing through the Calm Belt back to the East Blue, picked up the Red Earl.
Honestly, the Red Earl has a really high gold drop rate.
Soon after, Eustass returned home.
"kaa-san! kaa-san! Look, dousan is back~!"
At the entrance.
A delicate and cute Little Girl, tugging on Kozuki Toki's skirt, happily shouted while jumping around.
"Yes, I see him, I see him."
Kozuki Toki gently rubbed her daughter's hair and smiled, nodding.
"Otouto, your Godfather is back~!"
Carina patted the head of Ace, who was barely two years old (by traditional Chinese reckoning), and shouted happily.
Rouge chuckled, watching Carina hold the tiny Ace.
Rouge decided to let Ace become Eustass's godson.
"dousan..."
Two-year-old Ace said in a childish voice.
Eustass walked over and picked up both his daughter and his godson:
"Did you miss me?"
"Yes, dousan..."
Ace said in a childish voice.
A two-year-old child could already speak, let alone someone from the Pirate World, where development is faster.
"Let's go, we're home."
Having said that, Eustass walked into the yard.
Over the years, Rouge had been living in the Eustass Family home, and thanks to Eustass's protection, the World Government never again mentioned hunting down the Pirate King's bloodline.
At least, as long as Rouge didn't leave the Eustass Familyhome, they still wouldn't dare settle scores with Roger's family.
Half a month later.
"I'm planning to go out for a trip. Be careful and stay safe."
Eustass said to Kozuki Toki and the others.
"Okay, come back soon."
Kozuki Toki quickly replied.
"Why are you going out again?"
Whitey Bay asked curiously.
Rouge held her son Ace and looked at him curiously.
"It's nothing, I'm just too bored at home, so I'm going out to acquire some good books to read."
Eustass said.
Ohara's destruction was imminent. He wanted to go to Ohara to save as many books as possible beforehand.
What Eustass hated most in his life were Celestial Dragons, people who committed wrongs but refused to admit fault, instead tampering with and erasing history.
He just wanted to go to Ohara to stir up trouble for the World Government, collect some books, and conveniently beat up Akainu... Since the death of the Pirate King, countless people around the World have flocked to the New World, hoping to find Raftel.
Some wanted to get rich, some hoped for fame, and some hoped to become the King of the World.
However, after many years, people still hadn't found Raftel.
In sea circle calendar 1499, the World Governmentdeployed a large number of troops and fought a great battle against the Pirate Alliance of Kaido and BIG MOM. The World Government managed to seize a red poneglyph from Kaido.
What surprised Eustass, the One Piece fan, was that the World Government had become smarter this time.
They actually knew to steal a Poneglyph, thereby blocking an important clue regarding the coordinates pirates needed to reach Raftel.
But this was normal, as the World Government in the original plot had never suffered such severe setbacks.
Every year, Celestial Dragons were slain by Eustass.
Later, Fleet Admiral Kong was even castrated by Eustass.
Sengoku and others were seriously injured, and tens of thousands of Marine troops had no ability whatsoever to stop Eustass.
The World Economy News Company had also openly challenged them for so many years.
If the World Government hadn't smartened up, they probably wouldn't have survived until the start of the main storyline.
West Blue.
The morning sun rose, the sea breeze gently blew, and seagulls cried as they slowly skimmed the sea, flying towards the distance.
Ohara.
Eustass walked down the street, quickly heading towards the largest tree on the entire island. That tree was lush and covered the whole island.
Eustass looked up at the Tree of Knowledge, then continued walking toward the center.
A figure wearing a gray coat and a hat, with long silver hair tucked inside the hat, passed by Eustass.
Eustass glanced at the person, paid little attention, and continued toward the center.
Upon reaching the Tree of Knowledge, Eustass knocked on the door.
The silver-haired woman walking nearby looked at him in surprise.
The door of the Tree of Knowledge opened, and an old man stood inside, sporting a hairstyle resembling two large blue cattail fans, and a beard that also looked like a blue cattail fan.
The Tree of Knowledge is the largest tree in Ohara. It houses the most important and complete documents in the entire World, preserved and researched by the Ohara Clan.
And this old man with the strange hairstyle and beard is the Librarian here, Dr. Kuroha.
"Y-you are Eustass Mola!?"
Dr. Kuroha was so frightened he stumbled back several steps.
Although Eustass's reputation was partly tarnished by the World Government's smear campaign.
But no one would fabricate Eustass's battle achievements.
The man who killed Fleet Admiral Kong and killed the Pirate King.
Anyone who saw him would instinctively feel fear.
"Ah, that's me."
Eustass smiled and nodded. He looked up at the Tree of Knowledge, which was incredibly huge and housed a gigantic library inside.
"W-what do you want!?"
Dr. Kuroha asked in terror.
"Nothing much."
Eustass shook his head. "I just want to buy all the books stored in the Tree of Knowledge."
Kuroha, Nico Olvia: "!!!"
Chapter 228. Buying the Tree of Knowledge for One Berry! Robin's Touching Reunion with Her Mother! (Please subscribe!)
"That's impossible!"
Dr. Kuroha quickly shook his head, stating that they would never agree to sell all the archived books of the Tree of Knowledge, even if it meant death.
"You will."
Eustass said with a smile, "Aren't you going to invite me in for a seat?"
Dr. Kuroha remained silent for a while, then nodded and moved aside, allowing Eustass to enter.
There was no choice.
Even if he didn't want Eustass to enter, he couldn't stop him.
The opponent was a ruthless person who had even killed a Fleet Admiral.
In the current sea, Eustass could be said to be the strongest existence on the surface.
Eustass smiled and walked in, making himself look like a villain.
"The person outside the door should come in too."
Eustass said.
Dr. Kuroha then noticed the woman beside him wearing a baseball cap.
Her face bore some resemblance to the young Robin, and she had silver hair.
It was Nico Olvia.
"You're back, Olvia!"
Dr. Kuroha said in surprise.
"Let's go inside first."
Olvia nodded and quickly walked in.
Eustass walked inside the Tree of Knowledge, sat in the room, pulled a book from the shelf, and began reading.
The scholars inside the library looked at Eustass, who was sitting in the room, and one by one, they looked at Dr. Kuroha with confusion.
"Sigh..."
Dr. Kuroha sighed, shook his head at them, and signaled them not to provoke this person.
"Olvia, why have you returned?"
Kuroha looked at Olvia and asked.
"Long time no see, everyone."
Olvia took off her baseball cap, letting her soft silver hair fall down.
Everyone looked at Olvia, their expressions startled.
A few years ago, Olvia went to sea with the Historical Text Exploration Team, but now the Exploration Team was being encircled and suppressed by the World Government and the Marine.
Everyone in the Historical Text Exploration Team, except Olvia, was persecuted.
Olvia managed to escape, and she recounted the events to everyone present.
"It's coming soon. The presence of the Marine has already appeared within the range of my Observation Haki."
Eustass said, slowly turning the pages of the book.
Inside the library, Dr. Kuroha, the female scholar Olvia, and the many other scholars all fell silent.
They could certainly flee within such a short time, but they couldn't bear to abandon the massive volume of documents in the Tree of Knowledge.
These were the essence of most historical data in the entire World today.
Once the Marine reached Ohara, based on the World Government's conduct in recent years, they would surely erase history, destroy all clues that might allow people to discover the historical truth, and burn all the books inside the Tree of Knowledge.
And they, the scholars, had no way to transport all the books and documents in the shortest amount of time.
However, facing imminent disaster, although the scholars of Ohara felt immense pressure, they did not complain about Olvia, nor did they resent the thirty-three persecuted historical scholars who died.
Everyone looked at Olvia calmly, deciding to work together to overcome the difficulty.
Even if it meant death.
Perhaps it was due to their innocence, or perhaps they had seen through life and death.
"How about selling them to me?"
Eustass laughed, "At this time, it's impossible for you to transfer all the archived books. But based on the World Government's character, they will definitely practice self-deception by erasing history and burning all the books.
Give the archived books to me."
After Eustass spoke, everyone looked at him.
"Can you protect Ohara?"
Dr. Kuroha quickly asked.
"If you become members of the World Economy News Company, as a major shareholder, it's no problem for me to protect my employees while I'm at it, right?"
Eustass said with a smile.
Dr. Kuroha and the others exchanged glances and quickly nodded.
Not long after.
Represented by Dr. Kuroha, they signed the transfer agreement for the Tree of Knowledge Library and all its archived books, as well as the employment contracts for all the historical scholars of the Tree of Knowledge.
And the selling price of the Tree of Knowledge was 1 Berry.
Dr. Kuroha wanted Eustass to help protect these precious documents, so he couldn't actually demand a lot of money from him.
He also didn't want to change the nature of these books. He and Olvia believed that the World Economy News Company, which constantly exposed the truth and opposed the World Government, was absolutely reliable in terms of credibility—at least more reliable than the World Government or the Marine.
"The World Government's ships have docked!"
Just then, as Eustass and Dr. Kuroha finished signing the contract, a young man ran in from outside and violently pushed open the door.
"Let's go."
Eustass said, standing up.
Dr. Kuroha and Olvia exchanged a glance, and everyone followed them.
From now on, they would be working for Eustass.
Correspondingly, he would also protect them.
What kind of experience was it to be protected by a powerhouse who had killed a Fleet Admiral and personally ended the life of the Pirate King?
In the future, no matter how they research Poneglyphs or mess around, they won't have to fear the World Government anymore~
On the street.
A large number of residents saw the World Government's ships arrive; they were more afraid than if they had seen pirates, and they scattered in panic.
A Little Girl wearing a purple dress and having black hair ran laboriously against the flow of people toward the Tree of Knowledge, panting.
The World Government had arrived, and they were probably coming to cause trouble for the Ohara scholars.
Robin needed to warn Dr. Kuroha and the others quickly.
Just then.
Olvia and Kuroha followed Eustass as they rushed over.
Robin saw Dr. Kuroha and quickly ran over:
"This is bad, this is bad, Dr. Kuroha..."
She paused to catch her breath, then continued, "The World Government is here!"
"Robin, it's alright now."
Kuroha quickly shook his head, then looked to the side, "Robin, do you still recognize her?"
Robin looked confusedly at the woman beside Dr. Kuroha.
She felt somewhat unfamiliar, yet also somewhat familiar.
She vaguely sensed a feeling of intimacy from the other party.
"You... who are you?"
Robin looked at the other party with confusion.
Her Mama went out to sea when she was very, very young.
A long time had passed, and the image of her Mama in her memory had gradually become blurred.
"Robin... Robin, it's me..."
Olvia's eyes were filled with tears, and her voice trembled slightly.
Hearing that familiar voice, Robin found the woman increasingly familiar the more she looked, and she whispered:
"kaa-san?"
"Robin!"
Olvia couldn't hold back any longer; tears burst forth, and she quickly squatted down to hug her daughter.
"kaa-san! Wuwuwu, kaa-san—!"
Robin recognized her mother, tears streamed down her face like rain, and she threw herself into her mother's embrace.
Eustass stood not far away, watching the reunion of the mother and daughter who looked about seventy to eighty percent alike and even sounded exactly the same.
To be honest, as an One Piece fan, it felt good to see Robin have a happy childhood.
Although tragedies are the most memorable and deeply unforgettable, he hates tragedies.
Chapter 229 – Killing Spandine, Sheltering Ohara! (Subscribe Please!)
"kaa-san, don't leave me, waaah… I miss you, I miss you so much…"
Robin buried herself in her mother's arms, sobbing out her longing.
"Robin, I'll never leave again; we'll never be parted!"
Olvia hugged her daughter, tears streaming down and soaking their clothes.
"All right, don't—don't cry; we still have business to take care of."
Olvia said hurriedly; Robin nodded resolutely.
Yet mother and daughter couldn't help speaking with choked voices.
"This is Lord Eustass; he'll shelter us from now on. We're going with him to settle some trouble."
Olvia spoke up.
Robin looked at Eustass in surprise; she'd read about him in the papers.
"Thank you, Lord Eustass, for helping us! Thank you so much!"
"Oh? You're not afraid of me?"
Eustass studied Robin curiously.
The World Government has its own propaganda: in their stories Eustass is the vilest pirate alive, the filthiest scum on the seas.
That's normal—whatever isn't theirs gets smeared to the limit.
Standard World Government practice.
"I'm not scared. You backed the World Economy News Company so it could stand against the Government and keep reporting the truth.
So I always felt, Lord Eustass, you must truly respect history."
I'm not afraid of you—I admire you."
Robin lifted her head, excitement shining in her eyes.
"Admire me how?"
Eustass ruffled her hair, puzzled.
"Enough to study the Poneglyphs when I grow up and print the truth of the Void Century in the newspapers."
Robin answered with a grin.
"Hahaha, I'll be waiting for that day."
Eustass laughed and nodded.
As expected of Robin—dreaming of revealing the Void Century to the world.
"Let's go."
With that, Eustass led them toward the shore.
They hadn't gone far
when a squad of low-ranking CP Agents charged into town with rifles raised.
Eustass gave a cold laugh, stepped in front of Olvia, and walked forward alone.
Countless invisible White Threads appeared, coated with Armament Haki, dancing at his command.
The threads whipped through the air and struck the low-tier agents.
"Pfft-pfft-pfft!"
Bodies were sliced clean in half.
When the agents fired, the threads wove into a wall that caught every bullet.
The instant they reloaded, the wall burst into needle-like strands that pierced them through.
Eustass strode ahead while the scholars of Oharafollowed, stunned by the spectacle.
He hadn't even taken it seriously, yet the cannon fodder was wiped out.
On the beach,
Spandine, dapper in his suit, was shouting orders when two CP Agents tapped his shoulders.
"Hm?"
Spandine looked at them, puzzled—what now?
Their faces looked awful.
One was drenched in cold sweat, the other pale as paper.
Had they been visiting pleasure boats?
So drained.
"I-it's…"
CP9's orange-curled Bernie stared ahead in terror.
"What is it? A pleasure boat and you didn't invite me? Not cool."
Spandine glared, then turned to the silver-haired, pony-tailed CP9 agent, Atwood.
"Don't tell me you went too? Cheapskates, not calling me."
"B-baka! Look straight ahead—this is no time for jokes, Spandine!"
Atwood roared.
Spandine turned—and saw a very familiar figure approaching.
"Eustass Mola!?"
Spandine's heart nearly stopped.
The most vicious pirate alive, bounty over ten billion, killer of the Pirate King and a Fleet Admiral.
In Mary Geoise the surest way to hush a crying child is to tell a bedtime story about Eustass.
Works better than counting sheep.
"If you don't sleep, Eustass will come snatch the little Celestial Dragons!"
To most Celestial Dragons he's the lifelong bogeyman.
Spandine's knees buckled—if Eustass killed him, the Government would only dare issue a verbal protest.
"So I hear the World Government wants to make an example of Ohara?"
Eustask slapped Spandine's cheeks as he spoke.
"Y-yes, b-but I'm just a messenger—please let me off like a fart!"
Spandine, true father to Spandam, craven to the core.
"Too foul for the air; maybe bury it?"
Eustass suggested.
Spandine's eyes bulged in horror.
That fate sounded worse than a quick blade.
"The Tree of Knowledge and every book inside it are now my private property.
The scholars of Ohara are my employees.
Go back where you came from."
With that, Eustass declared Ohara under his protection.
"I-I can't decide that…"
Spandine shook his head frantically.
He was merely a lapdog.
He had to carry out the Gorosei's orders yet dared not offend Eustass.
"Then let me gift you a book."
Eustass said, "Title: Celestial Dragons and Their Lackeys Reduced to Ashes."
Spandine gaped—was this man planning to wipe out the World Government?
"Quite the fleet,"
Eustass remarked, tightening his grip on Spandine's neck while watching the horizon: countless Marine warships bearing down on Ohara.
"But numbers aren't everything."
As he finished, Spandine thrashed in panic.
"T-the Gorosei are calling…"
His transponder snail had been ringing non-stop.
Eustass plucked the snail, hurled Spandine aside, and lifted the receiver.
"Spandine, hand the receiver to Dr. Kuroha."
Saint Mars's voice came through.
"Wrong number—he just boarded the express to heaven."
A White Thread pierced Spandine's chest.
"You—!"
Chapter 230. 230. Ohara's Unresolved Grief! Kuzan: What Kind of Justice Is This!? (Seeking Subscription!)
Mary Geoise.
Saint Mars's expression changed in surprise.
The voice on the other end belonged to Eustass!
West Blue.
Ohara.
Eustass looked at the transponder snail in his hand.
The voice came through the receiver again.
"Eustass, how much do you know?"
Saint Mars quickly asked.
They couldn't figure out how to deal with Eustassbecause their strength was insufficient.
However, they wanted to probe him.
At the very least, they needed to understand the extent of Eustass's threat to them.
"Guess how much I know?"
Eustass looked at the transponder snail mockingly.
Mary Geoise.
Inside the conference room.
Saint Mars looked at the transponder snail in front of him, which vividly mimicked Eustass's appearance.
Its mouth was slightly upturned, and its eyes, full of mockery, stared at the Gorosei.
Saint Mars clenched his fist, his face filled with anger:
"If we are willing to allocate you a portion of power, privilege, and status, can you tell us how much you know that we want to know?"
"That's quite a mouthful, Saint Mars. Your eloquence is impressive~"
"Speak quickly."
"Speak what? Are you kidding me? For something like this, you don't really think you can make the decision, do you."
Saint Mars was startled upon hearing this. This fellow actually knew about the person behind them?
"Cut the crap, Gorosei, five old geezers who refuse to die. I'll make it clear right now: I, Eustass, am protecting everyone in Ohara! Even your master can't stop me!"
Eustass roared angrily.
What he hated most were those who tried to distort and tamper with history.
"The Buster Call has been issued. You are just one person, you cannot save everyone under the cannon fire."
Saint Vinsmoke said, suppressing his fury.
"Is it worth it? If you agree, you can instantly become a high-ranking beneficiary (Celestial Dragon). Your strength is so immense that joining us would pose no problem."
Shepherd Ju Peter Saint tried to persuade him.
Saint Vahcy glanced at them speechlessly. Imu My Lordclearly hadn't agreed to that.
This was obviously a trick to lure him over so they and Imu My Lord could join forces to eliminate him.
After all, even Imu My Lord had no certainty of defeating Eustass at his peak.
"Hahaha, go to hell!"
Eustass immediately used a national curse and ended the communication.
He would forever despise and discriminate against those dogs who tampered with history.
He disdained associating with them.
Mary Geoise, conference room.
The Gorosei looked at each other, not quite understanding the national curse.
They only spoke Japanese, English, and the ancient language from eight hundred years ago. They truly hadn't heard this language before.
But they understood Eustass's emotion... in any case, it was extremely unfriendly towards them.
"Is that some kind of language used by the Moon People?"
"Not quite sure..."
The Gorosei shook their heads.
"But he was definitely insulting us, that bastard..."
Saint Vahcy was so angry he puffed out his beard and glared.
"Don't die of anger. Longevity doesn't mean high blood pressure won't take you away."
Saint Mars stroked his beard, speaking calmly and philosophically.
Saint Vahcy: "..."
"Give the order, effective immediately, bypass the gold cicada command, and directly launch the Buster Call. Exterminate as many Ohara personnel as possible, including the residents!"
Satan Saint held another transponder snail and gave the order to the Marine side.
"Aye!"
Sengoku, on the other end of the receiver, responded immediately without hesitation.
"I want to see whether he saves them or not."
Satan Saint said with a cruel expression... West Blue.
The sea near Ohara.
Eustass looked at the large number of Marine warships in the distance. He had killed Spandine, who held the gold cicada, preventing him from directly pressing the gold cicada to launch the Buster Call.
Therefore, the Gorosei would likely use their authority to bypass the rules of the gold cicada and issue a direct order to the Marine to launch the Buster Call.
Rules were set by those at the apex of the World, so they could also be changed by them.
Rules cannot bind those who set them—this is the consensus among the beneficiaries.
Eustass took out his transponder snail and called Whitebeard.
"Moshi Moshi?"
"You owe me one request."
"State it."
"Attack Mary Geoise, now."
"Alright."
"Maintain Observation Haki at all times. Retreat immediately if you encounter an enemy beyond standard scale."
"Understood. It seems this World is far more complicated than we imagined."
Whitebeard agreed without hesitation upon hearing Eustass's request.
Eustass called the transponder snail for Elbaf.
"Moshi Moshi?"
"I will tell you where the Captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates are, and you must agree to one request."
"Agreed!"
"Mobilize the forces of the Giant Country and attack Elbaf!"
"Agreed!"
The King of Elbaf agreed immediately without hesitation. To retrieve the two Captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates, they were willing to fight anyone.
Eustass dialed the transponder snail number for Fish-Man Island again.
"Master?"
"It's me. Effective immediately, plunder all celestial tribute ships and cut off the World Government's funding chain!"
"Yes!"
Doris and Samantha heard this and agreed immediately without hesitation.
Whitebeard and Elbaf would tie down the vast majority of the World Government's and Marine's forces, as well as their top combat power.
Fish-Man Island, starting its frantic plundering of celestial tribute ships, would face very little pressure.
After all, if even early Doffy could plunder celestial tribute ships, two Yonko Commanders are more than enough.
Eustass called Big Mom's transponder snail, relaying the same message, though this time it was a threat.
If Big Mom didn't obey, he would kill her next month and destroy her Totto Land.
Charlotte Linlin quickly agreed to help tie down the World Government and Marine forces.
Charlotte Linlin's two greatest wishes in this life were, first, to help the Nun fulfill her wish: to build a nation where all races, regardless of status, could sit equally at one table for a tea party.
The other was to become the Pirate King.
If she died, she would lose everything.
Ohara.
Eustass smiled as he looked at the large number of warships preparing for battle ahead.
Come on, let's hurt each other.
The Tree of Knowledge was now his property. If the Marine bombed the Tree of Knowledge, he would cut off the World Government's financial income.
All the news-carrying birds around the World were Morgans's informants; knowing the location of the celestial tribute ships was effortless.
Morgans could find out in minutes.
Ultimately, Eustass intervened in the Ohara incident because, as a loyal One Piece fan, he truly did not want the Ohara tragedy to happen to Robin again.
Robin was one of his favorite female characters.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Sengoku looked at the transponder snail. "Launch the Buster Call! Leave no one from Ohara alive!"
West Blue.
Ohara.
On a warship.
Kuzan, who had been promoted to Vice Admiral, looked at the transponder snail, his face startled:
"Are you kidding me! There are still civilians here!"
"All Marine Vice Admirals heed this order: Open fire! Draw your swords, and do not hesitate for a moment! If even one remnant of Ohara escapes, this operation will be deemed a failure!"
Sengoku's voice came through the transponder snailreceiver of every Vice Admiral.
Sengoku didn't want this either, but this was an order!
He would strictly carry out the iron decree of the Gorosei!
"You—you must be joking!"
"baka yarou, what kind of justice is this!"
Several righteous Marine Vice Admirals were enraged.
"Open fire!"
Vice Admiral Sakazuki pulled down his hood and said in a deep voice to his subordinates.
"Boom! Boom! Boom—!"
Chapter 231: One Man Can Match a Buster Call! Sauro: The Marines Are Nothing but Lapdogs! (Subscribe!)
Boom—Boom—Boom—!
Shells burst from the gun barrels, arced through the sky, then plunged straight down toward the island.
Residential quarter.
Buildings took direct hits; roofs were blasted open, shells smashed into homes, and terrified screams erupted.
An instant later.
Explosions roared. Fire swallowed a small family; flames raged, a figure staggered in terror, took only a few tottering steps before collapsing—gone, life extinguished.
On the streets.
People kept fleeing.
A shell landed; a blast of fire flung women and children screaming through the air.
Even those who scattered were pierced by shrapnel, left to bleed out and die.
High above, bits of debris drifted down like rain.
Aaaaah!
A Little Girl watched in horror, shrieking and shivering, hiding beneath a market stall cart as she witnessed the carnage.
People fled in panic.
Shells kept falling, blasting groups into the air; those farther away were killed by the shock-waves alone.
In war, ordinary folk are fragile—not everyone is a monster from the Grand Line who can keep fighting for ONEPIECE no matter how many times they're knocked down.
Stop it! Stop it! This isn't Marine justice—cease fire, you Bastards!
Thud-thud-thud!
The ground shook as a Giant Race Marine lumbered forward in a panic.
Seeing shells hurtling toward defenseless civilians, he dove and threw himself in their path.
Boom-boom-boom!
The shells slammed into Hagwal D. Saul's back.
The Little Girl, crouched among the crowd, gazed up at the giant with tears in her eyes.
"Hss…"
Sauro grimaced; his back was torn and bleeding.
He forced a grin at the terrified children:
"Dereshishishi~! Doesn't hurt a bit~!"
The kids and mothers stared—was this giant for real?
"Run—run and don't look back!"
Sauro's Observation Haki sensed another salvo; he roared.
Snapping out of their daze, the adults grabbed their children and fled.
"Idiots… that really hurt…"
Sauro rose, faced the sea, muttered curses, and lumbered toward the shore to stop the Buster Call.
If anyone had glanced back, they'd have seen his back—shredded beyond recognition.
At the coast.
Sakazuki glared grimly at Eustass, sprang into the air, and hurled himself ashore to strike.
Red-Dog—stubborn as ever.
In the next instant Eustass predicted Red-Dog's prediction; Sakazuki's fist missed, and Eustass clamped a hand around his throat.
The ground turned to White Thread under Eustass's power; waves of white strands shot skyward, forming a wall that blocked every shell.
With the Tree of Knowledge's archives in hand, Robinwould no longer need to scour the World to uncover the truth of the Void Century.
After all, Dr. Kuroha had used those very texts to reveal the truth of the Great Kingdom.
That showed just how vast the Tree's records were.
"So, lapdog—is this your justice?"
Eustass narrowed his eyes at Akainu.
To him, no army could be called absolute justice.
And in this Pirate King World, the Marines' actions were even less worthy of the name.
Launching operations for the Celestial Dragons' private ends—justice?
Private army fits better.
"This… is… a trivial price… for justice…"
Choked by Eustass, Sakazuki rasped, still defiant.
"If I slaughtered your family and the World found peace, would you thank me?"
Eustask stared at Akainu.
"I… have… no family."
Akainu's eyes dimmed.
"Figures—you'll never understand justice."
With that, Eustass snapped Akainu's limbs.
Even with his regenerative powers, Red-Dog would be bedridden for a good while.
Inside the White Wall.
Robin, her mother, and Dr. Kuroha were all shielded behind it.
"Robin, you're safe—thank heavens!"
Vice Admiral Sauro came running.
He had helped Robin's mother escape her cell; after washing ashore, he met Robin and they became friends.
It was Sauro's goofy "Dereshishishi" that taught her to face everything with optimism.
"Sauro! Big Brother Eustass kept us safe—go help him!"
Little Robin cried anxiously.
Too young to grasp just how monstrous Eustass's strength was.
One punch could make the Gorosei cry "Daddy."
"Don't worry, Robin—if it's Eustass, every Marine who comes will die."
Sauro's face was grave.
'Eustass, branded the World Government's most evil pirate, is doing what's right—protecting history.'
'Yet the Marines, hailed as the embodiment of justice, have become the Celestial Dragons' hounds, trying to erase history and play the devil.'
'Who, then, is truly the most evil?'
The more Sauro thought, the angrier he grew; his faith in Marine justice began to crack.
He started to question the very purpose of the Marines.
They existed not to protect civilians.
But to safeguard Mary Geoise's supreme rule.
"Lapdogs—you pack of lapdogs!"
Sauro roared through the towering White Wall that sheltered the entire island, screaming at the Marines outside.
"There are innocent civilians in here—how dare you open fire!
Is your justice built on the blood and tears of the people—false, cruel, nothing but brainwashing?
Despicable, shameless—I want nothing to do with you! Aaaaargh!"
Everything became clear; Sauro pounded the wall, desperate to rush out and fight those hypocrites, to sever all ties with the Marines.
"Sauro's lost it—keep attacking! Only villains studying forbidden history are inside—no civilians! Fire at will!"
Outside.
A Celestial Dragons' lackey shouted, distorting the truth.
Cannons thundered; under orders the Marines attacked like madmen, unwilling to stop even if it meant death at Eustass's hands.
Once the truth of history was revealed, the Celestial Dragons—enthroned for centuries—would be torn down by a vengeful World.
Chapter 232 – Hijacking 11 celestial tribute Ships! Choking the Lifeline of Mary Geoise! (Please Subscribe!)
When a god tumbles from the clouds and loses every shred of dazzling majesty, he becomes nothing more than fat mutton waiting for the wolves… aboard a Marinewarship.
Kuzan stood on deck, fists clenched, rage twisting his face.
Yet in his heart he could not tell whether it was justice itself that bewildered him, or something else altogether.
Just as in the original tale, he lacked the courage to choose.
From this moment on, the fire in Kuzan's heart would freeze for thousands of miles, mirroring his Devil-Fruit power.
"The World Government is wrong—but does that mean I should become a pirate to do what's right? Or is my vision still too narrow to find a perfect answer?"
Kuzan remained on the ship, staring at the island.
He wanted to ride his bicycle nowhere in particular, toss away his Marine duties, and simply travel—travel until he understood the World and the riddle that had plagued it for centuries.
But even in the original story, the more places he saw, the less hope he found.
"Eustass can save one Ohara, yet he refuses to be a saviour—how many more 'Oharas' could he possibly rescue?"
Kuzan frowned at the scene before him, frustration gnawing his gut.
"I've seen another organisation that erases history on a whim rather than face its own rot."
Eustass stood at the island's edge. "You're just like them—stupid, arrogant, lazy, clinging to your hereditary seats so the World can stay exactly as it is."
He let cannonballs slam into the white wall behind him; the wall never wavered while he kept mocking the Celestial Dragons.
And on that day… "What good will it do? On Ohara, the documents slated for destruction are countless; you can't possibly move them all.
How long can you protect them? Abandon them—for the greater order of the World, accept this tiny sacrifice."
A Marine Vice Admiral on the warship spoke, his face contorted with pain.
"Justice—what a joke. I call you gate-dogs; who agrees, who disagrees?"
When Eustass finished, every Marine with a conscience fell silent.
Only the lap-dogs of the Celestial Dragons kept barking, defending their so-called justice, whitewashing their crimes.
"Portgas D. Rouge—before her child was even born you vultures were already clamouring to kill that unborn life."
He had done nothing
You lot are more hateful than any pirate!"
If this is your idea of justice, then congratulations—welcome to your own private hell."
With those words Eustass drew Enma in one hand and ama-no-habakiri in the other.
Kuzan's face changed; he leapt high, racing to stop him.
Eustass simply kicked the approaching Kuzan flying.
Then, twin blades in hand, he slashed horizontally.
Two titanic azure arcs roared forward; every warship in their path was cleaved clean. The slashes were so immense the hulls detonated on impact, blown to splinters.
The ships turned to dust, crewmen screaming as the shock-waves ground them out of existence.
"baka—how… how could you slaughter them all! Aaargh!"
Sakazuki lay on the ground, roaring in fury.
"The moment a soldier points his gun at another, he'd better be ready to die."
Eustass regarded Sakazuki with icy detachment.
He never killed those who did not bear arms; only warriors met his blade.
The reason was simple: if you're prepared to kill, be prepared to be killed—fair is fair.
That was justice enough for him.
His swords never touched civilians unless civilians struck first; they fell only on soldiers who had accepted death.
"As a soldier you pass; as a champion of justice you're a fraud."
Eustass's voice was cold.
He glanced at Kuzan:
"Whichever side you pick, you fail—hesitating like some timid housewife."
Having said his piece, he looked away.
In the original tale, Kuzan's secret protection of Robin had been touching—his one redeeming act.
But everything that followed went from bad to worse.
He turned on his teacher Zephyr and killed him.
Whatever the excuse, patricide is patricide—unforgivable.
Later he even became a pirate, whether as mole or turncoat no one could say.
To Eustass it was pointless theatre.
The World Government screamed for Luffy's head while letting Blackbeard grow unchecked in the shadows.
By the time Blackbeard was a threat, sending Kuzanundercover was a joke.
Only an idiot would believe Blackbeard wouldn't notice—he was one of the rare true brains on the seas.
Utterly redundant posturing.
Not long after, fresh Marine fleets arrived to reinforce Sakazuki and resume the Buster Call.
Dozens of shells screamed toward the island in unison.
The warships stayed just beyond maximum range, dodging Eustass's counter-strikes.
The Gorosei's plan was simple: stall until Eustass lost patience, then erase Ohara and every document with it.
Ohara would fall; not even Joy Boy could stop them!
Moments later…
Mary Geoise.
"Burupurupu~ Burupurupu~"
Finance Warrior God Saint Vinsmoke snatched up the transponder snail.
"My Lord, disaster! Mary Geoise's garrison is under assault—naval bases everywhere are being hit!"
Before the plea for help ended, the whole of Mary Geoiseshook.
"Rumble-rumble-rumble—!"
An earthquake—Whitebeard!
"baka! Send Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr—drive them out!"
Science Defense Warrior God Satan Saint bellowed.
"But—worst of all—celestial tribute from three nations has been seized!"
Saint Vinsmoke's blood pressure spiked; only now did he understand why the report reached him.
If this hurt the World Government's revenue, Imu would punish him—he was doomed!
Cold sweat soaked him.
"Update: four nations' tribute lost!"
The snail's voice delivered fresh bad news.
"Crisis! Totto Land, Elbaf, even the Beasts Pirates heard how fast the money flows; eleven nations' tribute has now been hijacked!"
The news nearly gave Saint Vinsmoke a triple coronary.
By the year 2022 of the sea circle calendar the World Government counted some 170 member kingdoms; in this earlier era there were only 150.
Losing eleven tributes at once meant one-fifteenth of their annual income—gone!
Delay any longer and next year they'd be drinking the wind!
"Who did this!"
Saint Vinsmoke demanded.
"Eustass Mola!"
All five Gorosei felt their blood pressure explode.
Meanwhile…
West Blue.
Ohara.
Eustass had caught a Sea King, skewered it over the shell-craters on the beach, and was calmly grilling his meal.
He ate his barbecue at leisure, waiting for the Marines to surrender.
Chapter 233 – Shocking: Moving the Ohara Clan Next Door to Mary Geoise? (Please Subscribe!)
Not long after.
The Marine warships withdrew; a Marine Vice Admiralarrived and told Eustass that the World Government had announced the cessation of all operations against Ohara.
From now on, the World Government would no longer interfere in Ohara's affairs.
The Gorosei hoped to end the matter there and preserve their celestial tribute.
"Then it's settled."
With that, Eustass picked up the transponder snail and contacted Whitebeard and the others, telling them to stop.
As for the disobedient Big Mom and Kaido, Eustasssimply threatened them—and of course they stopped.
Naturally, the celestial tribute that had been plundered was something they would never spit back out.
"celestial tribute?"
Vice Admiral Gojir hurriedly asked.
The Gorosei still hoped the other party would return the tribute.
"Tribute? What tribute?"
Eustass looked at him in puzzlement. "I only helped you talk some sense into those reckless pirates; I wasn't the one who organized this."
Vice Admiral Gojir's mouth twitched—this man was shameless beyond belief.
"All right, beat it. Take your men with you."
Eustass waved him off.
The Vice Admiral sighed and carried off the defeated Kuzan and Sakazuki.
Only then did Eustass have time to check the system prompts.
[host has defeated Marine Vice Admiral Kuzan!]
[Reward: Strength ×2!]
[host has defeated Marine Vice Admiral Sakazuki!]
[Reward: Speed ×2!]
Eustass sighed—so-so.
Dispelling the White Wall, he looked back at Ohara; he intended to move its people elsewhere.
After all, the World Government would never swallow this humiliation.
If the people of Ohara stayed, Im would definitely erase the entire island the moment he was away.
"Arigatou, Eustass big brother!"
A crisp, adorable girl's voice rang out.
Robin ran over happily; Eustass knelt and she threw herself into his arms.
"Dr. Kuroha, get ready to relocate. Otherwise, with the World Government's vengeful nature, they'll retaliate sooner or later."
Eustass glanced at the island's civilians. "Stop being naively stubborn; your naïveté will only get countless innocent people killed. It's pointless—you'll die like fools, ridiculous to the end."
When he finished, Kuroha and the others sighed and nodded.
By now, there was no other choice.
Afterward.
Eustass took every Ohara refugee and sailed out of the West Blue.
Three years later.
Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1503.
Fish-Man Island.
Eustass held his daughter Carina in one hand and little fan Robin in the other as they walked down the street.
He had moved his family and the Ohara people to settle on Fish-Man Island.
The entire island—princesses of the Ryugu Kingdom above, commoners below—welcomed them.
Eustass was the true protector of Fish-Man Island; only with him here was it truly safe.
And Eustass had chosen Fish-Man Island after careful thought.
The World Government's thirst for revenge was too strong.
After the Oharans left and took every book from the Tree of Knowledge, Im obliterated the island with overwhelming force.
The World was stunned.
To prevent retaliation, Eustass had the Oharans live on Fish-Man Island.
The reason was simple: Im's special erasure would be hard to use here, because Fish-Man Island sits directly beneath Mary Geoise.
Unless Im was ruthless enough to destroy Mary Geoisealong with it.
"All right, you two head home; I have to go out for a bit."
Eustass watched his daughter Carina and little fan Robin, seeing them to their doorstep.
"No, no! Carina wants to sail with dousan and beat the Marines till they cry for mercy!"
His daughter Carina declared, waving her tiny fists.
"Big Brother Eustass, Robin wants to go with you and see the World."
Robin clutched his pant leg, gazing up at him in adoration.
Over the years she had grown up on tales of his exploits; now she was his most devoted little fangirl.
"All right, enough sweet-talking—inside, both of you."
Eustass ruffled their heads.
Carina and Robin reluctantly went indoors.
Eustass left the house, headed for Mermaid Cove, boarded his pirate ship, and departed Fish-Man Island.
Several days later.
Grand Line, first half.
Sabaody Archipelago.
"Ah-haha, what a cute little slave~!"
Celestial Dragon Chester Saint gazed at the three pretty girls inside an iron cage, laughing delightedly.
A girl with long, straight black hair sat in the cage—the prettiest of the three sisters.
Boa Hancock held one sister in each arm, glaring in fury at the Celestial Dragon outside the bars who looked at them as mere goods.
"Sister, I'm scared, I'm scared!"
Boa Sandersonia, her green hair silky, stared outside in terror.
"Sister, I wanna go home, wuu…"
Boa Marigold, long brown hair hiding her face, trembled in her big sister's embrace.
The three Boa sisters had yet to eat Devil Fruits.
Hancock was not yet the user of the Love-Love Fruit.
Sandersonia and Marigold had not eaten any fruits and had not turned into the ugly, obese figures of the future.
The two petite sisters huddled in their big sister's arms.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here…"
Hancock soothed them while scanning for any chance to escape.
Sadly, no one dared help them.
Still young and powerless, they had no hope of fleeing.
The three Boa sisters were ultimately taken away by Celestial Dragon Chester Saint.
Several days later.
Red Line, Mary Geoise.
Large Slave Pen.
"Clang-clang~"
"Food, food~"
The sound of sticks striking bars echoed through the cells.
A high-ranking guard walked the corridor, stick in hand, servants behind him handing food into each cell.
Celestial Dragons usually dumped slaves here; to keep them from risking their lives to harm a Celestial Dragon, they gave them only enough food to survive.
And since slaves weren't considered human, the ingredients were the cheapest and vilest.
Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold hurriedly grabbed the hardtack thrown in, hugging it as they ate.
They cried while they chewed.
Hancock regretted everything; she shouldn't have been so curious about the outside World.
Driven by curiosity, she had sneaked aboard the Perfume Yuda with her sisters, slipped off at an island, and got lost.
Then they met a group of people—and were tricked by Human Traffickers.
To make money, the traffickers packaged the three Boasisters and delivered them straight to the Celestial Dragons.
When she first set sail, young Hancock had been truly naïve.
Kozuki Toki could see through traffickers and escape, whereas Hancock only realized "Oh, I was tricked!" after it was too late.
Chapter 234: The Soaring Dragon Hoof Mark! Kidnapping the Empress at Mary Geoise! (Please Subscribe!)
The more innocent a child is, the harsher the hurt they receive, the more extreme their personality becomes.
That's why, in the original timeline, Hancock grew up so proud that she'd kick the impolite Elder Gorgon aside and look down on everyone.
She had just finished eating.
After days locked in a cell, Hancock was taken away by a female CP0 agent.
Inside a small dark room.
The young Hancock cowered in the corner, trembling at the approaching footsteps, tears streaming down in terror.
Creak!
The iron gate screeched open; Hancock stared at the doorway in horror.
"Little Girl, grit your teeth and it'll be over; don't hate me."
A woman stepped forward, a branding iron bearing the Soaring Dragon Hoof Mark in hand, walking toward Hancock.
"Once this mark is on you, you'll be able to please the Celestial Dragon My Lord."
"Stay back, stay back!"
Hancock backed away, tears pattering down as she screamed in fright.
"Seize her! If the Celestial Dragon blames us, none of us can bear it!"
"Yes, sir!"
Outside, hordes of Marines rushed in to pin her down… Red Line.
Eustass, twin blades at his waist, strode across the Red Line.
He arrived near Mary Geoise, glanced in a certain direction, and locked eyes with Imu across the distance.
Eustass sneered; he hadn't come to kill Imu.
He only wanted to visit the crater beside Mary Geoise and admire his own handiwork.
Seeing Eustass stand by the dynamite rock crater without attacking Mary Geoise, Imu finally exhaled and left.
She turned away from the edge of Mary Geoise and returned to her own chambers, each keeping to themselves.
As Eustass admired the crater, his Observation Hakicaught a vision.
A beautiful Little Girl in a dark room, pinned to the ground by Marines.
A woman who could rival Granny Rong held a branding iron, ready to do her harm.
"Boa Hancock, don't be ungrateful; serving the Celestial Dragon My Lord is your blessing!"
the vicious woman snarled.
Eustass looked over—Boa Hancock?
The future Empress!
Eustass pointed toward Mary Geoise; Imu, just back in the Flower Chamber, tensed and glanced over warily.
Dense White Thread gathered in his hand, forming a pellet.
In the next instant, the pellet wrapped in Armament Hakiwas flicked away.
Boom, boom, boom!
Every building in its path was pierced as the pellet raced toward the slave quarters.
CP Agents and Marine officers unleashed Rokushiki, Haki, and sword arts alike.
Yet no one could stop Eustass's White Thread pellet.
Any Marine who tried to block with Haki was drilled clean through.
Mary Geoise.
Admiral Sengoku was reporting the year's Marine affairs to the Gorosei.
Then, in the next instant—
The Gorosei, Admiral Sengoku, and CP0 all whipped their heads toward the disturbance.
"Damn it, someone's attacking Mary Geoise!"
CP0 exclaimed.
"That madman!"
"What does he think he's doing!?"
"Eustass—damn him!"
"baka-yaro!"
"Sengoku, you're Acting Fleet Admiral now—go stop Eustasu immediately!"
The Gorosei raged and cursed.
Saint Saturn hastily ordered Sengoku to intercept Eustass.
"Yes, My Lord!"
Hearing himself promoted to Acting Fleet Admiral, Sengoku's eyes lit up.
Didn't that mean the full post was within reach?
Flushed with excitement, he dashed out.
Reaching the door, he froze.
The Gorosei weren't following?
CP0 wasn't backing him up?
Fight alone—my family jewels!
Sengoku knew his limits; without the Gorosei or CP0, and with Garp disdaining Mary Geoise, Zephyr—though a newly minted Admiral—loathed guard duty here and stayed away on missions…
So it was just him against Eustass—no chance in hell!
He couldn't win!
"My Lords?"
He turned back to the Gorosei.
They sipped tea at leisure, giving him a puzzled look.
What, what?
Old-age forgetfulness—slipped their minds~
"Eustass is terrifying; please send more CP0 to support me!"
Sengoku pleaded for reinforcements.
"Very well—take him."
Saint Mars said, pointing to a CP9 doorman outside.
The Gorosei had relaxed once they realized Eustass's target was just a Little Girl in a dark room.
They decided to put on a show; a real fight might send them to their graves.
No big deal—so they sat it out… Truly the Gorosei: these five old hands who knew the Pirate King storyline saw Yellow Ape as no slacker—the real slackers were these five Masters of playing dumb.
They slacked their way through, letting Luffy run wild till he became nika.
"Hurry, Sengoku—remember your place!"
Saint Vinsmoke glared at him as if at a slave.
To the Gorosei, slaves in the pens or Marines alike were merely slaves—
one set for amusement, the other higher-ranked and useful for labor.
"Yes…"
Sengoku swallowed his pride and left… Inside the dark room.
A pellet whistled, instantly boring through the Celestial Dragon servant holding the branding iron.
Moments later several more pellets flew, piercing the remaining Marines.
Boa Hancock heard the thud of falling bodies.
She scrambled up, staring at the dead soldiers, then fearfully lifted her gaze to the riddled wall.
Sunlight streamed through the fresh holes, falling across her face, warm and bright.
"Am… am I saved?"
she wondered, afraid to move, unsure of the pellet-slinger's intent.
Rescue—or execution?
Bang!
Crash!
Outside, Eustass didn't bother with the door; in classic pirate fashion… he kicked the wall!
One brutal kick sent bricks clattering down in a heap.
A flood of sunlight poured in, driving out the darkness.
Kneeling inside, Hancock watched the tall figure lower his long leg.
One hand in his pocket, back to the brilliant light, he looked at her:
"You okay, Little Girl?"