Sabaody Archipelago, Island 55.
Night deepened, with sparse stars and a bright moon.
On the deck of the east blue emperor, Seven had his foot on Saint Elaine's backside, gazing at the brightly lit Marine fleet in the distance.
The entire sea area was covered by Observation Haki enhanced by electromagnetic waves, and no movement could escape Seven's perception.
If Kizaru and the Marine tried to approach, purple lightning would descend from the sky to greet them.
On the dog-headed warship, the Marine high-ranking officials executing the Buster Call were gathered around a round table, with Kizaru reporting the progress to Marineford via den den mushi.
"Beelzebul's Observation Haki covers an extremely wide range. Every time we try to cross the three-nautical-mile line, lightning accurately strikes from the sky."
"I just asked Vegapunk—"
"He said this is likely Beelzebul using electromagnetic waves, or even radio waves, transmitted through the air to amplify the range and precision of his Observation Haki perception."
The den den mushi imitated Fleet Admiral Sengoku's tone.
"I originally thought that guy's Haoshoku was merely formidable, but I never expected his Observation Haki to be so top-notch. As expected of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. In that case, we'll wait until dawn... to rescue Saint Elaine."
Akainu interjected, asking, "When will Kuzan be back?"
To avoid repeating the Ohara Buster Call disaster, Akainu wished he could call Fleet Admiral Sengoku as well. It wasn't a lack of confidence in the Marine, but a deep realization that this might be the last chance to annihilate the Morning Star Pirates.
Once Beelzebul and his crew went to the New World, with the Marine's influence there, such a heaven-sent opportunity would never arise again.
"Kuzan will be back in at least three days."
The den den mushi paused, then continued, "We just received news from the CP Agents that the east blue emperor and the yacht will complete their coating before dawn."
"This is our last chance."
Only the Gorosei and Fleet Admiral Sengoku knew about the coating craftsman's tampering, or at least the World Government thought so.
They never imagined that Fujitora's hearing was so sharp that he could hear the CP Agents coercing the coating craftsman clearly and completely.
"Everyone get some rest early. We'll be well-rested and ready. At dawn, we will definitely capture the Morning Star Pirates."
Thinking of the imminent annihilation of an Emperor of the Sea, the Vice Admirals of Marineford were as excited as if they had been injected with adrenaline, their eyes red, cheering loudly.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Garp, who was sleeping soundly, was startled awake by the uniform response, then looked resentfully at the Vice Admirals of Marineford.
You are still too naive.
Although that guy Sengoku definitely had another trick up his sleeve, Garp felt that, given Beelzebul's destructive potential, there was a high probability he would escape to the New World unharmed.
After all, he was a guy Roger acknowledged.
Of course, he, Garp, also acknowledged him.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have specifically buried his training experience in his own yard, waiting for that guy Beelzebul to dig it up. Rouge said it had already been dug up.
Kizaru also had this feeling, because ever since Beelzebul entered the Marine's sight, that guy seemed to have never lost.
Perhaps the closest he came to victory—
Was two and a half years ago, when Kizaru personally went to Sky Island and found Beelzebul and his group.
On the deck of the dog-headed warship, the sea breeze howled, fluttering the justice cloak behind him. Kizaru looked at the east blue emperor and the giant yacht anchored on the distant sea.
Brother, how do you plan to leave this time?
In most cases, pirate ships would submerge to Fish-Man Island, located ten thousand meters underwater, and then pass through the giant underwater hole to the New World.
For someone like Beelzebul, he would definitely not take the ordinary path, so the truth was obvious. Kizaru silently looked up.
Flying over the Red Line?
Is it Fujitora Issho's Zushi Zushi no Mi ability, or Golden Lion Shiki's Float-Float Fruit ability? If you can win over the legendary great pirate Golden Lion, whom you captured alive... then you are too terrifying, brother.
Beelzebul, Mihawk, Fujitora Issho... these three alone are enough to cause a headache. If Golden Lion were to join the Morning Star Pirates as well—
How terrifying.
The only thing to be thankful for is that my brother is about to go to the New World to wreak havoc on the great pirates there, such as the Emperor of the Sea Whitebeard, Kaido who occupies Onigashima, Charlotte Linlin who established Totto Land, the great Pirate King Wang Zhi who occupies Hachinosu Island, and so on.
As Kizaru pondered, the corner of his eye suddenly caught sight of a warship, possibly from Impel Down, slowly docking near the east blue emperor.
"Impel Down... who could it be?"
...On the deck of the east blue emperor.
Seven looked with interest at the first crew member who voluntarily came to join him—
3.4 meters tall, with a strong and well-proportioned physique, a cigar in his mouth, seemingly smirking, wearing an Impel Down Chief Jailer uniform, and a white coat draped over his back: a younger version of Shiliew of the Rain.
"Captain Beelzebul, the Marine has assembled three Admiral-level combat forces, preparing to launch a Buster Call against the Morning Star Pirates after rescuing the Celestial Dragons."
Shiliew originally expected to see at least a trace of panic and anger in Beelzebul's eyes, after all, the Marine had assembled a Buster Call fleet.
However, Shiliew not only saw no panic, but even saw disdain and amusement in Beelzebul's eyes.
As expected of the Captain I've set my sights on!
"Thanks, Shiliew."
Shiliew of the Rain was slightly surprised: "A man like you has actually heard of me?"
Seven didn't answer the question, but pointed to the brightly lit Marine fleet in the distance.
"Marine Hero Garp, Admiral Kizaru, Admiral Akainu, an unknown number of Marineford Vice Admirals, twenty Marine warships, and at least twenty thousand Marineford Marines."
"Even with all that, you're still willing to join the crew?"
Shiliew immediately laughed even more wildly.
"It is my honor, Shiliew of the Rain, to fight alongside a man like you. I crave worthy opponents, not to live aimlessly in Impel Down."
"Captain Beelzebul, no matter what you plan to do in the future, I, Shiliew of the Rain, hope to become the sharpest sword under your command."
Seven extended his hand with a sincere smile.
"Welcome to the Morning Star Pirates."
Shiliew was stunned for a few seconds, then reached out and shook his hand.
Shiliew only felt that Beelzebul's hand was very soft, like a woman's hand, completely unlike what an Emperor of the Sea with a bounty of three billion should have.
Seven took out three Devil Fruits.
"Logia Swamp-Swamp Fruit, Paramecia Teleportation Fruit, Paramecia Baku Baku no Mi. Choose one."
In the original timeline, after Shiliew joined the Blackbeard Pirates, he ate the Clear-Clear Fruit, which was eaten by Gekko Moriah's subordinate, Absalom.
It was somewhat difficult to understand.
What do you, a swordsman, need invisibility for? Encountering a strong person like Fujitora Issho, who possesses top-tier Observation Haki, wouldn't you be completely useless?
The radio waves and electromagnetic waves that Seven could control also completely countered the Clear-Clear Fruit. Invisibility was just invisibility, not making one's reflective surface disappear.
As Seven was complaining, Shiliew's heart was churning with immense waves: joining the crew meant getting a Devil Fruit, and being able to freely choose one from three Devil Fruits.
"Aren't you afraid I'm a Marine spy?"
Shiliew stared intently into Beelzebul's eyes, trying to see suspicion or scrutiny, but what met his gaze was clear sincerity.
"I believe in myself, and even more in my comrades."
Whether it was naturally innocent yet cunning, or sincerity being the ultimate weapon, it didn't really matter.
What mattered was that Seven believed in his own strength. No matter where a traitor fled, they would not escape the fate of a traitor.
His eyes flickered as he glanced at the three Devil Fruits, but Shiliew ultimately shook his head.
"Captain, I feel that my swordsmanship still has room for improvement in the future."
This answer surprised Seven somewhat. He hadn't expected Shiliew to refuse to eat a Devil Fruit, just like Mihawk.
After a moment of thought, Seven understood.
Shiliew of the Rain was only twenty-two years old, just one year older than Mihawk, and was in the most fiercely striving stage of his life: the 'nuclear-powered workhorse' phase.
"Alright, we'll talk about it later then."
"Captain, I'll take the night watch."
Before coming, what Shiliew acknowledged was Beelzebul's unfathomable strength and his mindset that transcended all beings.
It was a cold and realistic judgment, a measurement and confirmation between strong individuals born of instinct, like one sharp blade acknowledging the sharpness of another.
However.
When Shiliew truly stood before Beelzebul, what awaited him was not the expected, strength-based quid pro quo.
Beelzebul simply pushed, and three Devil Fruits, enough to stir up storms on the high seas, were presented before him.
No probing, no collateral needed.
This pure, almost foolish generosity didn't just display strength itself, but something even more astonishing beyond strength: the magnanimity of treating treasures as commonplace.
It was this almost arrogant generosity that shattered the last barrier in Shiliew's heart.
His strength commanded awe, his mindset earned admiration, and now this magnanimity, transcending all calculations, made Shiliew willingly bow his head.
Seven nodded: "You've worked hard."
Picking up Saint Elaine, who was like a meat cushion, Seven went to the ship's cabin to check on Golden Lion, who was too excited to sleep after taking off the ship's helm from his head.
"Beelzebul."
"Your ship... has it been blessed?"