Setsuna revealed a friendly smile. "Now, this ship belongs to me."
A vein throbbed on Moria's temple. He desperately wanted to lash out and fight to the death. But he sadly realized that even if he gave his life, it would only mean Hogback and Perona would die for nothing.
He couldn't even defeat one of the other side's officers. What use would fighting to the death be?
For a moment, Moria felt lost. Were his efforts all these years to defeat Kaido really meaningful?
He couldn't even defeat these rookie pirates. How could he take revenge on Kaido?
"It seems your Captain is having a tough time with the 'divorce'. Take your Captain away," Setsuna casually waved his hand.
Hogback and Perona were as if granted amnesty, moved almost to tears.
This Warlord not only spared their lives but was willing to let them go. What a truly great person!
-As for any objections Absalom might have?
They didn't care. Let Absalom come out and tell them himself.
"Oh, right. Have your Captain return the shadows of those zombies. I plan to turn this ship into the number one restaurant in the Grand Line, the world's premier gourmet institution. Those eerie things are just too unpleasant," Setsuna called out to them.
Hearing his beloved Thriller Bark was to be turned into a restaurant, Moria immediately fainted from anger.
Perona and Hogback quickly accepted on their Captain's behalf. "Yes, we will definitely comply."
"From now on, this ship will be called the [Gluttony]. Everyone, go build your own residences," Setsuna announced.
"Woo-hoo! Great!" Bonney cheered loudly. Even Ace and the others were quite tempted.
Although life at sea was full of fun, space was ultimately limited.
On this massive ship, comparable to an island, they could freely design their own houses.
At that moment, Lola stepped forward, saying in a sweet, coquettish tone, "Captain Hero, you saved me. To express my gratitude, I am willing to…"
"Stop!" Setsuna's expression changed dramatically, as if facing an extremely terrifying enemy. He quickly struck her mute pressure point.
Ace's face turned serious. "Captain, does she possess a terrible Devil Fruit ability like Uta's?"
"No. Even more terrifying," Setsuna didn't want to elaborate, simply waving his hand. "When we reach Sabaody Archipelago, drop her off along with the others who had their shadows stolen. Until then, do not let her come near me."
Everyone looked at Lola as if facing a great threat, 'For Captain to be so wary, was this woman a powerhouse on the level of an Emperor like Big Mom?'
…
Perona and Hogback carefully dragged the unconscious Moria onto a simple, small boat.
The moment the boat left the shore, Moria abruptly opened his eyes.
"Captain! Great, you're awake!" Hogback said excitedly.
"Moria-sama, Chiaki Setsuna wants you to return the shadows of those zombies…" Perona reminded softly.
"Hmph, he's quite kind," Moria snorted coldly but promptly dispelled his ability.
Seeing this, Perona secretly sighed in relief and asked, "Moria-sama, where do we go next?"
Moria fell silent. He didn't know where to go now either.
"Go to Wano Country," A low voice suddenly spoke. A figure coalesced from sand flew from the shore.
"Ah!" Perona screamed, nearly throwing her parasol. "Y-you're the Warlord Crocodile?!"
Hogback also retreated in fright. "Another Warlord?!"
"Former Warlord," Crocodile corrected. "Moria, you too will soon be a former Warlord."
Moria's face darkened, but he didn't refute it. Although Setsuna said it was just a fight between subordinates, no harm done, anyone could see he had lost his pirate ship… a complete and utter defeat.
The World Government didn't need pirates who had lost their deterrence as figureheads.
"What are you doing here?" Moria asked warily.
"I've come to invite you to go to Wano Country together," Crocodile said.
"Wano Country?" Moria's pupils constricted sharply. "Have you joined Kaido?"
Crocodile didn't get angry, speaking calmly instead. "Moria, you don't need to be wary of me. We are the same kind of people. I was defeated by Whitebeard. You were defeated by Kaido. We returned to the first half of the Grand Line, gathering strength, trying to take revenge on the Emperor."
Moria's expression softened. Yes, he and Crocodile were indeed a pair of unfortunate avengers.
Crocodile continued. "I've realized now. Only by relying on our own strength can we take revenge on the Emperor. Haki is the power of will. You probably can't even use Haki anymore, can you?"
Moria's face turned extremely ugly. If he could still use Haki, how could he have been defeated so easily?
Crocodile said, "I have completely awakened. Now it's time for you to wake from this long nightmare."
Moria took a deep breath and asked, "So, what do you want me to do in Wano Country?"
Crocodile replied, "I received information. The Ancient Weapon, Pluton, might be in Wano Country."
Moria couldn't help but mock. "Just now you said to rely on our own strength, and your final answer is still to search for Pluton?"
"It's different," Crocodile said coldly. "My previous thinking was that I needed Pluton to defeat Whitebeard. But now I think: defeat Kaido, then obtain Pluton. Pluton is just a power I'll obtain on my path to becoming Pirate King."
Seeing Crocodile's spirited demeanor, Moria felt dazed for a moment.
There was a time when he, too, looked down on the world's experts like Crocodile.
Moria said gravely, "Your idea isn't bad. But I must remind you, Kaido is no weaker than Whitebeard. He might even be stronger."
Crocodile said, "I know. That's why I came looking for you."
Moria felt somewhat proud. So someone still acknowledged his strength. He hesitated. "But if I just leave like this, what about Chiaki Setsuna…?"
Crocodile sneered. "Is taking revenge on Kaido more important, or tangling with that brat more important?"
Moria answered without thinking. "That bastard Kaido, of course!"
After all, Setsuna only killed one of his subordinates, while Kaido killed his entire crew.
"Then it's settled. Moreover, if we can obtain Pluton, that itself would be the most powerful revenge against Chiaki Setsuna," Crocodile said with a cold laugh.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Moria didn't understand.
"Information about Pluton was something he actively told me," Crocodile lit a cigar, a 'shrewd' glint in his eyes. "Based on my deduction, he is likely royalty from Wano Country. That's why he knows Pluton's location and used this information to provoke me into fighting Kaido, paving the way for him."
Moria was shocked. "Is what you're saying true?"
Crocodile sneered. "A man like Kaido, occupying Wano Country for twenty years… do you think that's normal?"
"That does seem odd," Moria was suspicious. Pirates were usually cruel to outsiders but governed their own territories normally.
For example, Big Mom's Totto Land, or Whitebeard's territories.
But Kaido never seemed to have any real intention of ruling Wano Country, completely disregarding the lives of its people.
If Crocodile's theory was true, it made sense. Kaido was deliberately oppressing Wano Country, forcing its people to find Pluton to rebel against him.
"To think that Chiaki Setsuna is royalty from Wano Country. So he's a loser too," Moria mocked, suddenly feeling much better.
Crocodile curled his lips. "After we obtain Pluton, why not test this Ancient Weapon's power on Wano Country first? Let Chiaki Setsuna live in regret forever!"
"Kishishishi…" Moria burst into laughter upon hearing this, already immersed in beautiful fantasies of the future.
Beside them, Perona and Hogback trembled in fear, 'We had barely survived, and now they were going to challenge an Emperor?'
'Moria-sama, snap out of it! Please don't do this!'