Chapter 110

In the New World seas, a maritime fleet.

After the Huang Yuan left, Rossydon donned a black feathered cloak and stepped onto the deck, where the howling sea wind tussled his neatly styled golden hair.

The turbulent sea mirrored the turmoil stirring within Rossydon's heart.

The Marines… harbor a false sense of security.

Only the Huang Yuan sees clearly: the Admiral Father and those bloodthirsty officers have been misled by the two previous Holy Wars.

They believe the target would never kill Marines.

A man like Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen, for him to act this way, must have some unknown reason.

Is it because of Vice Admiral Garp?

As Sengoku's adopted son, Rossydon had once overheard his father grumbling about the complex friendship—both rival and ally—between the Marine hero Garp and the Pirate King Luo Jie.

And Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen is a former member of Luo Jie's pirate crew, so naturally he knows Vice Admiral Garp—then—

Is he trying to spare Vice Admiral Garp undue hardship?

Or does he have a larger scheme?

After pondering for a moment, Rossydon prepared to return to the cabin and report to his father, when a boy his own age sidled up beside him.

"Bro, lend me a light."

Rossydon was just craving a smoke; the two turned their backs to the sea wind and lit cigarettes, puffing clouds into the air.

"Bro, what's your name?"

"Rossydon. Yours?"

The boy, with pink hair and horns sprouting from his head, wore golden hoop earrings and grinned as he extended his hand.

"I'm Fuz F, Rossydon. Are you here to join Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen too?"

Rossydon's gaze sharpened slightly.

"Too? Are you also?"

Fuz F chuckled.

"Not just us two—most who snuck aboard are small-time pirates seeking to join. Real big-time pirates usually operate alone."

He'd approached specifically to reduce the risk of exposure; arriving at Hive Island together was far better than drawing attention as a lone stranger.

"Those two middle ships are slaves—gifts from the Maritime King to Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen."

Fuz F shared trivial intelligence, trying to draw closer to Rossydon—

The little golden-haired kid smoked at such a young age; clearly a born pirate. This fake had to blend in with the real thing, and quickly learn pirate ways.

Rossydon was weighing the same thought—

The little pink-haired kid, smoking, wearing earrings—he was practically a born pirate's vessel. This fake had to blend in with the real thing, and quickly learn pirate ways.

"They say Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen has extremely high standards. I'm afraid I won't impress him."

Even so, Admiral Sengoku had already prepared Rossydon's token of loyalty.

Fuz F nodded in deep agreement.

That's why Satan Saint granted him an Ancient Species Devil Fruit, and made the whereabouts of a rare Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit his entry token to board.

After all, the Morning Star Pirate Crew is publicly recognized as the most exclusive Imperial Pirate Crew.

Think about it—who's been invited aboard?

The great swordsman Mihawk, the great swordsman Master Tenghu, and especially the great pirate Golden Lion, who boarded with his own resources.

"Keep at it. I believe you can make it."

With mutual intent, the two quickly bonded into surface brothers who shared everything.

Meanwhile, aboard another cargo ship, Vegapunk finally found time to report to Doflamingo.

Hearing the news, the Den Den Mushi's expression turned sly.

"Fufufufu~"

"Don't worry. I've arranged to meet Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen next month in the North Blue. Until I order you to withdraw, act as you see fit."

"By the way—can you confirm you'll be accepted?"

To Doflamingo, Admiral Sengoku's maneuver was a tremendous surprise—he'd been searching for a way to connect with the Emperor of the Sea.

The North Blue suits the Donquixote Family well, but the second half of the Grand Line offers even greater horizons.

Vegapunk hesitated slightly.

"Young master, I have little confidence."

"You know—Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen has impossibly high standards. Despite the vast East Blue, not a single person has impressed him. I'll likely be rejected."

Compared to Mihawk, Master Tenghu, and Golden Lion, I'm nothing.

Admiral Sengoku is truly stingy—he won't even provide a token of loyalty for an undercover agent, and tells me to "fully utilize my initiative."

Initiative my ass.

If initiative alone could make someone an Admiral, would you be Admiral Sengoku?

I, Vegapunk, am more than capable!

Doflamingo paused, then replied.

"Here's what I'll do—I'll prepare a Devil Fruit in Flevance, North Blue. Use it as your token. Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen won't refuse."

Doflamingo knew: Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen cares only for Devil Fruits—otherwise he wouldn't have agreed to travel to the North Blue.

Hearing this, Vegapunk's eyes filled with tears.

"Young master! Loyalty!!!"

Only his own young master thinks so thoroughly—he truly treats Vegapunk like family, unlike the stingy Admiral Sengoku who only dangles empty promises.

Even if the promises are empty, he won't even hand you a bowl—you can tell he never intended for you to eat.

"Alright, I'm waiting for your good news."

"Yes, Young Master."

After hanging up the phone worm, Virgo wiped away his tears,

a warmth and lightness he couldn't put into words, but the moment he thought of having to maneuver between three factions, his good mood vanished by more than half.

"Young Master, the Navy, the Sea Emperor..."

Virgo knew that the moment the ship reached Hive Island would be the test of his acting.

Saint Saint Saiwen days later.

The cargo fleet slowed abruptly; the massive skull-shaped structure of Hive Island came into view, and as the merchant convoy's manager disembarked for handover, the pirates hidden among the merchants lined up in a dense crowd.

Yuzhi Xiliu, clad in a military overcoat and carrying his sword Lei Yu at his waist, was sizing up the group of pirates before him.

The Captain's order: don't let a single cow or horse slip through—especially not the ones with dreams.

Only the cow or horse with dreams is a good cow or horse.

At the center of Hive Island, the skull-shaped building, rebuilt with Kozuki metal, had its two enormous eye sockets converted into the Captain's office and the officers' office.

Inside the Captain's office.

Saint Saint Saiwen was meeting with the former members of the Flying Sky Pirate Crew, gathered by Golden Lion.

Golden Lion sat on the sofa, puffing smoke.

"Captain, you handle the arrangements—they've followed me for years, they still have some fighting strength."

Of the former Flying Sky Pirate Crew—or rather, the men Golden Lion had brought back—only one and a half satisfied Saint Saint Saiwen; the rest were low-grade pirates.

One: the chemist Andigo, who studied violent transformation creatures and IQ drugs (the one who walked like he was farting and never spoke).

The other half: Electric Duck Billy.

"Andigo."

Andigo, pale-faced and resembling a clown's costume, immediately snapped to attention and saluted: "Captain!"

Saint Saint Saiwen made his arrangements.

"You'll be captain of the Second Division, primarily responsible for R&D—I'll get you the funding, personnel, and facilities as soon as possible."

"Yes, Captain."

Andigo exhaled in relief; for a mad scientist like him, having the Captain provide funding and facilities was simply perfect.

Personnel didn't matter much.

The rest of the former Flying Sky Pirate Crew were assigned by Saint Saint Saiwen to Master Tenghu and Yuzhi Xiliu; as for Electric Duck Billy, of course, the Captain chose him first.

Watching Saint Saint Saiwen playfully teasing Electric Duck Billy, Golden Lion's eyes burned with fiercer battle lust.

The last time he lost, Golden Lion later summarized three reasons—

First: Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen acted dishonorably, three great swordsmen ganging up on one.

Second: the helm on his head severely hindered his reaction.

Third: he had lost both legs.

Now, Golden Lion was the Complete Lion, restored to his peak—he must fight Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen again to prove himself.

"Captain."

"It's time for another duel."