Chapter 109: Little Brother Is a Kind-Hearted Man

The New World, Hive Island.

Marco slowly descended from above the sea, smiling and greeting, yet ever vigilant, ready to flee at the slightest sign of trouble.

That sword technique just now—splitting the ocean and exposing the seabed—was simply too shocking.

Even great swordsmen like Mihawk and Fujitora couldn't block it.

Marco asked himself: if it were him, he’d surely dodge—only a fool would try to block it; he wasn’t some sword fanatic chasing ultimate technique.

Why take a hit if you can dodge?

But if Bista saw it, he’d probably insist on testing his own sword’s limits.

Perhaps only Old Man’s Sky-Splitting technique could match that astonishing sword strike by Seven.

“Captain Seven.”

Marco pulled out a formal invitation from his pocket.

“Old Man and everyone miss you, so they sent me to deliver this. When you’re ready, we’ll come visit.”

Seven took the invitation and glanced at it.

“Why so formal, Little Marco?”

“I’m free anytime, but best come a month and a half from now—I’ll be celebrating my birthday, we can all gather and have a good time.”

Without realizing it, Seven was coming of age again.

Last time he came of age, it felt like just last time.

For now, the Morning Star Pirates and Whitebeard Pirates have no clear conflict of interest; instead, they border Big Mom’s territory.

Young Luffy is still beautiful, but time has twisted her body and appearance beyond recognition.

Hearing this, Marco instantly relaxed.

The fact that Seven invited Whitebeard Pirates to his birthday party meant he—or rather, the two crews—were still good friends.

Yet for some reason, Marco still felt overwhelming pressure radiating from Seven.

“I’ll tell Old Man right away—he’ll prepare a grand gift.”

“By the way,” Seven pulled out a Den Den Mushi.

“Little Marco, let’s exchange Den Den Mushi numbers. Stay in touch.”

Den Den Mushi really are wonderful—can take photos, send faxes, even livestream.

After chatting awhile, Marco took his leave.

“Captain Seven, I must hurry back to Old Man. See you in a month.”

“See you, Little Marco.”

Marco came and went in a flash, transforming into his Phoenix form and soaring into the clouds.

Watching Marco vanish from sight, Seven sighed regretfully—what a fine thing it would be to trick Little Marco onto his crew.

Marco, who ate the Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Type, Phoenix form, possesses not only superhuman regeneration and high mobility.

He’s fought countless high-level battles.

But his combat power is merely a minor advantage; his Regeneration Flame can heal injuries and viruses, vital for crew endurance.

A perfect ship’s doctor.

If paired with Buggy, the scene would be too beautiful.

The Morning Star Pirates lack no offensive means, nor mobility issues—but they’re short on support-type personnel.

Phoenix, the Surgery Fruit user, fits the bill, but that guy’s vanished somewhere, chasing thrills.

Little Marco, however, is a founding member of Whitebeard Pirates—almost impossible to recruit.

In the original timeline, after Whitebeard’s death at Marineford, Little Marco never abandoned his brothers, protecting the crew’s remnants like an elder brother.

Kaido’s assets? Seven could at least plan to kidnap young Yamato as a concubine.

Later, holding several fat little boys—

Kaido, old man, open up!

Whitebeard Pirates? Truly no way.

Actually, there is a way.

But Seven refused to be anyone’s son—even Roger, he saw as an older brother, never a father.

As Seven sank into thought,

Mihawk and Fujitora suddenly revived, faces flushed with excitement, clearly itching to try again.

Seeing this, Seven grumbled irritably:

“You damn Haki-Mi, I went out of my way to take the damage for you, and you repay me like this?”

“And you, Mr. Fujitora.”

【Fujitora’s title is the protagonist’s joke—explained earlier during the Ohara Massacre, when Kuma asked the crew’s name】

“Get back to work. Don’t wait until Whitebeard Pirates arrive and we’re still rebuilding.”

When the Morning Star Pirates seized Hive Island, they didn’t cause massive destruction; rebuilding meant re-planning the port and docks.

On a planet where 90% is ocean, a good port brings huge profits—especially since Hive Island has gold mines, and all mining supplies must be shipped in.

But with Seven using Thunder Metallurgy, no blacksmiths are needed—he doesn’t even need to smelt steel or other materials, saving even the miners.

The former Hive Island lord only cared about comfort.

He built only luxury zones—hardly helped the stronghold at all.

In the afternoon,

The crew’s officers saw off the First Division at the half-finished port on Hive Island.

Easton and Brogy, with crew members Oimo and Kasi, and the 1 billion Beri treasure given by Seven, boarded the Advancing Giant and returned to Elbaf to visit family and procure supplies.

Such as Adam Tree wood and giant grapevines unique to the Giants.

Since they’d eat grapes anyway, why not eat the giant ones unique to the Giants—especially with so many big eaters on the Morning Star Pirates?

“Captain, we’ll be back soon…”

Seven cut him off: “No rush.”

“You haven’t been home in years—stay longer, spend time with your family.”

“If anything happens, contact me anytime.”

Better not raise flags.

Especially in anime worlds—flags aren’t flags, they’re last words.

Easton boarded the Advancing Giant and waved farewell to shore.

“Goodbye, Captain.”

Watching the Advancing Giant sail away until it vanished, Seven rode his dinosaur pet Duokainai, lazily inspecting his territory.

Rebuilding is also a kind of training.

For example, Fujitora used his Gravity-Gravity Fruit to move stones carved from the back mountain to the port, laying down streets.

Jin Ni opened spatial gates to dump useless construction debris into the sea.

Even Seven’s mount and pet, the Tyrannosaurus Duokainai, could carry smelted building materials to every corner of the island.

In short, waste is the captain’s privilege.

All other crew members must hustle.

…

The New World, Whole Cake Sea.

Dozens of large merchant ships formed a fleet, sailing out of Whole Cake Sea toward Hive Island.

On one merchant vessel, Kizaru disguised himself as a sunglasses-wearing merchant, escorting Rossy all the way.

As parting neared, Kizaru repeated his warnings.

“These dozen ships are supplies ordered by Barzab through Haiyun Company—you’ve seen, every ship flies the Flame Flag, nearly unimpeded in the New World.”

Even Big Mom Pirates could only watch from afar—Barzab’s influence is far greater than we imagined.

Earlier, perhaps he held back for some reason, avoiding large-scale killings of Marines.

Only Kizaru knew why—he’d once promised Kizaru: he’d do his best to avoid killing ordinary Marines.

Little brother, you’re a decent man.

“Remember, your own safety comes first.”

Because Kizaru once served as Sakazuki’s deputy, he took the liberty to advise Rossy—never let passion cloud your judgment and expose your identity.

He thought of this because many hot-headed officers in the Marines followed Akainu to G5 Base.

They’re loudly demanding to arrest Barzab.

Because of this, Kizaru’s eyelid has been twitching lately—he feels a deep unease.

Rossy nodded.

“Uncle, I’ll remember.”

Kizaru scowled, too lazy to correct him.

At thirty-six, already an “uncle”?

Begepang’s chubby subordinate, Zato, calls him uncle too—but Barzab, that little brother, is both decent and polite, always calling him “Big Brother.”

Too bad, little brother isn’t a Marine.

“I’m heading back—Barzab’s Kenbunshoku Haki covers a vast range; keep going and I’ll be exposed.”

Rossy nodded.

"Thank you, sir."