Chapter 122: After All, He Is Just a Pirate

"Once he passes this hurdle, a broad and smooth road lies ahead."

Hearing the prompt in his mind, Gao Wen couldn't help but sigh, then turned to look at Xiang Keluo beside him and joked:

"Now then."

"You should be worried about whether you'll be surpassed by Ah Jin."

"Him?"

The corner of Xiang Keluo's mouth curled slightly as he shook his head and said:

"Give him ten years and he still won't catch up to me!"

"Is that so?"

Gao Wen remained expressionless, plopped back down into his original seat; Xiang Keluo, feeling it was pointless, turned and left.

Inside the room.

Silence fell for a moment.

Gao Wen sat in his seat, but his gaze landed on a brand-new newspaper by his hand, still carrying the scent of ink.

The headline on the front page marked a recent world-shocking event, the general content as follows:

"Former Warlord of the Sea Hanafaza attacked Loguetown, defeated and killed; replaced by the former bounty of 296 million Berries, the Tyrant Bartholomew Kuma."

Below the title were two photos placed side by side.

The former was the confirmed deceased Hanafaza.

The latter was Bartholomew Kuma, holding a book with "BIBLE" marked on the cover in one hand, wearing glasses so his expression was unclear, but whose build was even more muscular than Hanafaza's.

Looking at the unusually tall, stern-faced Kuma in the photo, Gao Wen fell into thought for a moment.

Originally, in his speculation, after Hanafaza's death, with the potential he had revealed, his immediate combat power, and the impression left by his past,

the vacancy in the Warlords of the Sea would most likely fall to him, yet he never expected history would ultimately bring everything back to its original track.

Comparing his own growth speed, a faint, playful smile appeared on Gao Wen's face:

"World Government~"

"If you don't hurry and invite me in, in another year or two, you'll probably have to call me an Emperor directly."

Having said this, Gao Wen directly put down the newspaper by his hand.

He snatched up Guanshi Zhengzong from the table, flashed out of the room, and casually found a spot behind the port.

Drawing his long sword, he began cultivating his Armament Haki.

A few breaths later.

Zing—!

Sword qi enhanced with Armament Haki shot forth from Gao Wen's hand, slicing down several seagulls that flew past, then vanished into the end of his line of sight.

Marine Headquarters.

Sengoku looked at the document in his hand, his brow furrowing tightly for a moment.

"The Warlord candidates we submitted were flatly rejected by that person, and the one he personally recommended is Bartholomew Kuma."

Tsuru put down the teacup in her hand, pondered for a moment, then nodded and said:

"Indeed."

"Whether in terms of power or reputation, the Tyrant Kuma surpasses the Knight Gao Wen; the World Government's choice is well-founded on this point."

"Moreover, according to the intelligence we received, Bartholomew Kuma is likely a descendant of the Minks, born with a physique far stronger than ordinary humans."

"Borsalino once hinted to me that Vegapunk is conducting research on clones, and has already made clear progress; there is likely a factor related to this involved."

"Once his research is complete, the Warlords of the Sea can be replaced at any time."

"Judging by the situation, it will take at most five or six years to produce results."

"Hmm."

Sengoku acknowledged with a sound, then his gaze fell on a wanted poster by his hand; looking at the overly youthful face on it, he said:

"Then the Knight Gao Wen cannot be left unchecked."

"The growth speed he has revealed now even reminds me of Kaido back in the day."

"Equally young, equally possessing the power of a dragon; the only difference is that the Knight Gao Wen does not have Kaido's cruelty."

"But this great sea cannot accommodate two dragons competing!"

Saying this,

a coldness that could not be suppressed surfaced in Sengoku's eyes.

He had spent decades, pouring out countless efforts, to create the current deterrent balance among the three major powers: the Marines, the Emperors, and the Warlords.

Absolutely no one was allowed to break it.

For a pirate newcomer like the Knight Gao Wen, whose potential was limitless at a glance, it would be safest to lock him up in Impel Down.

Tsuru held the same attitude on this matter.

She had pursued Doflamingo for many years and knew even better that leaving such villains unchecked would only raise them into evil dragons that chose their victims to devour.

Tsuru said calmly:

"Leave this matter to Zephyr to handle; he happens to be recovering in Loguetown for now. The only trouble might be the crusher being damaged; not only does it need to be remanufactured, but it also needs optimization targeting the original problem, which will take some time."

"Fortunately, we can afford this amount of time."

"Moreover, even if something goes wrong on Zephyr's side, Kaido previously said he would return to the East Blue later to settle some private matters."

"Private matters, huh..."

Sengoku instantly realized the situation, his mouth twitching slightly:

"It's probably targeting his grandson."

"That rookie known as Fire Fist Ace?"

"Yes, a Logia-type user. According to the intelligence we received, he is even suspected of awakening Conqueror's Haki..."

"This..."

Tsuru was momentarily speechless. Sengoku, mentioning Ace beside her, could no longer hold back his expression:

"No!"

"Does he even know how to raise children?!"

"If this boy were under my command, after a few years of training, his future would be limitless. It wouldn't even be impossible for him to take over Sakazuki's post and become a new Admiral!"

"I heard he has another grandson. I must keep an eye on him, so he doesn't take the wrong path again..."

At the same time

Loguetown.

Ain and Binks, moving in a hurry, brought the investigation report on the civil war in Goa Kingdom and entered Zephyr's ward directly.

"Teacher Zephyr, based on the intelligence gathered, we have basically reconstructed the entire process of the Goa Kingdom coup. However, the biggest inducement in this..."

Speaking.

Ain hesitated somewhat. Binks beside him spoke up directly:

"Xiang Keluo and Gin the Ghost, under Gao Wen's pirate crew, jointly attacked the royal palace of Goa Kingdom, killed the former king Sterry on the spot, and reached some kind of agreement with the current king, Ortoluk III."

"Neither side initiated conflict; they even jointly covered up the incident together."

Zephyr's expression instantly turned cold. He took the investigation report from Binks and began to read it carefully.

The ward fell silent for a moment, with only Zephyr's increasingly Solemn expression and the rustling of turning pages.

After a long while.

Zephyr snapped the report shut, a hint of anger already in his eyes:

"Because a few guards who offended the king were executed, he condoned his subordinates attacking the king, nearly plunging the entire nation into war."

Speaking, Zephyr couldn't help but recall what Smoker had said earlier.

Originally, he had felt some curiosity and goodwill toward the knight Gao Wen. After all, having fought at sea for many years, he had seen many special pirates; Whitebeard and Roger were typical examples.

But after learning of this matter, Zephyr was utterly disappointed in Gao Wen.

"After all, he is just a pirate..."

"The final destination of pirates is indeed to be imprisoned in Impel Down."

The voice fell.

Zephyr turned to look at Ain beside him and said calmly:

"How much longer until the new crusher can be delivered?!"

"Because we need to analyze the data and optimize it, it will take at least two more months."

"Is that so..."

Zephyr frowned slightly, clearly dissatisfied with this timeframe.

But he also understood that customizing a weapon for himself, even for scientists within the Navy, required time.

After pondering for a moment.

Zephyr fixed his gaze on Ain and Binks before him, unable to stop a smile from curling his lips:

"Very well, then let us use this time to conduct a special training session for you."

"After all, facing increasingly dangerous battles in the future, your current strength is still far from enough."

"Yes!"

The two saluted militarily, their faces flushed with excitement.

For if one considered combat power alone, Zephyr might not compare to Sengoku, Garp, the three Admirals, or even some Admiral candidates.

But when it came to training disciples, bundling them all together wouldn't be enough to match Zephyr alone.

"Additionally, call Smoker and that little girl as well!"

"Yes!"

East Blue.

Raven Port.

With a large sum of funds pouring in, Jasha's hands and feet became even more unrestrained. The promotion for the Martial Arts Tournament had even accompanied some merchant ships into the Grand Line and parts of the Four Seas.

Naturally, this attracted the attention of many powerful figures.

"The East Blue is holding a Martial Arts Tournament in two months. The winner will receive a prize of three... three hundred million Berries?!"

"Not only that, they can also obtain the Paramecia-type Bone-Bone Fruit, and even have their name left in the Hall of Fame, where all future contestants will be able to see your title!"

"This... is this really something the weakest East Blue could do?!"

"Registration closes at the end of this month?!"

"No!"

"I'm going. I'll set off right now!"

At once, martial artists across the entire world boiled with excitement; some were drawn by the prize money, others by the Devil Fruits.

But for many already established and renowned figures, what truly captured their attention was the Hall of Fame!

The New World.

Eddieo, who had just won the Central Fighting Tournament of the New World, looked at the newspaper in his hand, could not help but stick out his tongue to lick his lips, revealing an expression of keen interest.

"Permanently leave one's name behind?!"

"Even though it is the weakest East Blue, has the promotion already reached the New World?!"

"It seems this competition will not lack opponents."

"After all, even if the East Blue has no opponents that satisfy me, the powerful ones coming from other seas will be enough to make me excited."

Destructive Fist - Eddieo is merely the tip of the iceberg.

Long-Leg Tribe fighter Blue Gilly, bounty hunter Jet, Abdullah, and a host of other formidable figures with names to their credit all turned their gazes toward the East Blue.

The Grand Line.

Loguetown.

Inside a casino.

A pretty, hot-figured dealer was dealing cards, yet her fingers could not help but tremble.

This was because standing beside her were a group of casino enforcers with fierce, menacing appearances.

They had gathered together to jointly scheme against a tall middle-aged man with blind eyes, dressed in a purple feathered robe.

"What are you shaking for? Deal the cards quickly!"

The ringleader of the ferocious gamblers could not help but shout a reprimand, and the beautiful dealer's hand movements immediately sped up.

(End of this chapter)