“Worororo! Justice? Kuzan, that’s nothing more than an excuse used by the strong. I don’t think of myself as just, and if you want to call me a villain, that’s fine too. It’s not something worth worrying about.
But can Marines who protect the Celestial Dragons truly be called justice?
Everyone uses power to protect what belongs to them. The World Government and the Marines are the strongest, so they’re called justice. I think highly of you. Now that you’ve officially joined us, you qualify to become a new Calamity.”
Kaido’s logic had never changed. In his eyes, strength was everything. Strength determined all things, including how people perceived the world.
“I’ll pass on the Calamity title. I don’t want people thinking I’m some kind of destruction maniac. Even though I’ve changed sides, I still want to put my own ideals into practice.
Actually, I have a question for you too. If he no longer want to wage war someday, what would you do then?
If the banner of their church were planted across the entire sea, who would you even fight?”
After more than a year, Kuzan had figured something out. The Beasts Pirates were governed by Kaido, but Arceus could restrain Kaido. In the end, it all came down to the fact that Arceus was stronger. Because of that, Kaido would only argue his reasoning with Arceus. Occasionally he would challenge him, but the outcome had never changed.
After rejecting the title of Calamity, Kuzan posed a new question.
“Maybe by then I’ll have fought enough. But I think that day is still far away. And even if there’s no sea left, isn’t there still the sea of stars?”
“The sea of stars?”
“Don’t you spend all your time running around those little Sky Islands? They have astronomy books up there. Have you never read them?”
For some reason, Kuzan felt as though he had just been mocked. The massive, rough-looking man standing before him, wielding a kanabo and drinking heavily every day, somehow seemed to be mocking him for being uncultured.
“Worororo! That’s a problem for the distant future. There’s no need for people to think that far ahead. Besides, if worst comes to worst, don’t I have a daughter?”
“Huh?! Damn father! What does your love of fighting have to do with me? Stop staring at me all day!”
Kuzan’s question time came to an end, and it seemed Kaido wouldn’t have time for him for a while. The bestowment process itself was not particularly complicated. Who’s-Who and Dobon also received what they deserved, as well as accumulating some contributions.
Dobon even exchanged with Arceus for a Hippopotas. Apparently, he intended to redirect his attention by raising a new Pokémon partner, specifically choosing one of the same type as his own ability.
It’s just that the Hippopotas was male. To some extent, Arceus had begun to harbor a trace of suspicion toward Dobon.
After the Divine Blessing Ritual ended, Jack, who had temporarily returned to Onigashima to rest, was sitting by the island’s shore with half his body submerged in seawater. Hardly any pirates approached him; only Page One was fishing nearby.
After all, Jack was simply too intimidating to most people. Young as he was, his fierce and menacing expression greatly amplified his presence. Only a handful of people could completely ignore it.
For example, the Pokémon sitting on his head.
Jack was currently wearing a very unusual hat. Two cloud-like masses draped over his ears, making it look like a cotton-padded hat, but in reality they were the wings of an Altaria.
This Altaria was rather small. It was not only smaller than the giant specimens of its species but even a size smaller than an ordinary Altaria. Sitting atop Jack’s head, however, it fit perfectly.
Even before it evolved, it had shared a close bond with Jack’s Alcremie, and that affection had not faded after evolution.
The two had just spent a long time playing in the sky, and now it was simply resting on top of Jack’s head.
“Pay-tan, you’ve got a bite.”
“I can see that, Brother Jack, but I have a… bad feeling about this…”
As a seasoned angler, Page One could tell what he had hooked simply from the feel of the fishing rod. The sensation was all too familiar.
And sure enough—
As Page One lifted the rod, a Magikarp landed on the shore.
“As expected… another Magikarp…”
Watching the Magikarp flop around on the ground, Page One almost felt it was perfectly normal. With a casual flick, he removed the hook from its mouth.
Freed from the hook, the Magikarp didn’t even need anyone’s help; it bounced its way back into the sea on its own.
“Forget it. I’m done fishing. Today’s feng shui isn’t right for it. There are probably nothing but Magikarp down there.”
“But Pay-tan, there are plenty of sea fish in the water. Look, isn’t this one?”
“…”
Ignoring the voice behind him, Page One picked up his bucket and quickly walked away. That single sentence had ruined much of his good mood.
He had carefully prepared the fishing spot himself, yet all he caught were Magikarp. Meanwhile, Ulti had casually reached into the water and pulled out a large fish with her bare hands.
“Seriously, why are you walking so fast? Pay-tan, wait for me!”
“This brother and sister really haven’t changed at all.”
Jack commented, but only the Alcremie on his head responded in agreement. Before long, large numbers of bubbles rose from the inland sea, and several Fish-Men surfaced.
“Boss Jack, are we heading out to fight again?”
“No. We’ll rest for a few days. There aren’t any combat missions at the moment.”
After receiving Jack’s orders, the Fish-Men dove back underwater.
Wano Country’s structure was quite unique. Originally, the nation had been located at the foot of the mountain. However, during its period of isolation, enormous walls had been constructed around it.
Moreover, those walls were built with a special technique that prevented water from passing through. As a result, years of accumulated rainfall eventually flooded the original Wano Country, forcing its inhabitants to establish a new homeland halfway up the mountain.
The original Wano sank beneath the water. Before the Fish-Men arrived, the submerged land had been silent and lifeless. Now it had become a paradise for them.
Fish-Men affiliated with the Beasts Pirates generally lived there temporarily after arriving at Onigashima. With Tom’s help, they had even created a rest area.
But Jack did not enjoy living underwater for extended periods. At that moment, a gentle breeze swept past. Having finished its rest, the Altaria flew back into the sky, and Jack’s gaze followed the direction of the wind.
“The wind is rising…”
“Dragon, the wind is rising. We’ve discovered large-scale Marine mobilizations. They’re gathering troops, and even the Marine Vice Admirals stationed throughout the various branches have begun moving. The World Government has dispatched ships as well.”
“So the World Government is finally making its move?”
The Marines were only one part of the World Government. Aside from the Marines, the World Government also maintained other military forces—troops trained directly under its authority. While these soldiers could not match the Marines in number, they were far more loyal to the World Government itself.
Most of the time, they were responsible only for maintaining order on the Red Line and rarely intervened elsewhere. If this force was being mobilized, it was enough to show that the World Government’s attitude had changed.
“At the moment, it certainly looks that way.”
Ivankov spread reports of Marine movements across the table. A military mobilization on this scale was impossible to conceal. Many members of the Revolutionary Army had already witnessed the movement of warships.
“How are the battles going in the Four Seas?”
“The momentum isn’t bad. Quite a few people are willing to answer our call, but they’re too weak to be of much use.”
“Don’t underestimate them. It’s precisely because people like that exist that our chances of success will increase.
“I’ve heard the Fish-Men are also destroying Mariejois’ transport ships. Mariejois should be running low on food by now. Are the God’s Knights finally about to move?
“The hardest moment is almost here. We—”
“Wait, Dragon. I never said their target was us.”
Ivankov suddenly interrupted Dragon, realizing that Dragon had misunderstood something.
“You mean…?”
“That’s right. The direction of their mobilization is the New World, not our territory. Surprised? Hee-haw!”
The Revolutionary Army mainly operated in the Four Seas and Paradise. The New World was far too dangerous for them. From the Marines’ movements alone, it was easy to determine what they were planning.
Sensing that the atmosphere had become a bit tense, Ivankov let out a bizarre shout and pulled a ridiculous face with his enormous head. However, he quickly returned to a serious expression.
“That should let us breathe a little easier. However, it seems those Seraphim have all been reassigned to our side. Karasu previously reported sightings of Seraphim and large numbers of Pacifistas.”
“Is the information reliable?”
“There shouldn’t be any problem with it. Do you have something in mind?”
“If their focus is over there… perhaps I should make a trip myself.”
Dragon’s expression became somewhat troubled, as though he were contemplating a major decision.
At the same time, near the waters controlled by the Beasts Pirates, the Sunny had already arrived. Even the Polar Tang had shut down its engines and surfaced, remaining completely silent.
“All right. Up ahead is the Beasts Pirates’ core territory. According to the news, this area roughly forms their first island-chain defense perimeter.”
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s get moving already!”
“Wait, Straw Hat-ya. There’s no way we’re getting in like that. If we simply sail the ship straight in, we’ll be discovered within an hour.
“If we want to enter the heart of their territory, ordinary methods won’t work.”
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