Chapter 209

Beckman didn't rush to respond; instead, he lit a cigarette slowly, letting Shanks vent all his frustration.

"I really can't understand why Saint Saint Saiwen has become like this."

"Ten years ago, he boarded a ship on the East Blue…"

"He used to hate the Celestial Dragons more than anyone."

"In just a few years, he's become so alien, like a completely different person."

Only after Shanks finished speaking did Beckman reply: "Eliminate every impossibility; whatever remains must be the truth."

"A man like Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen, if he betrayed his original ideals, could never have achieved what he has today."

"Then there's only one truth."

"Shanks, your brother chose to become a Celestial Dragon for his own reasons—perhaps…"

Beckman exhaled a smoke ring.

"Infiltrate the enemy from within."

Hearing this, Shanks's eyes lit up.

Yes, Saint Saint Saiwen appeared harmless on the surface, but inwardly he was stubborn—once he decided on something, even Captain Luo Jie couldn't change his mind.

When Shanks first saw the news of Saint Saint Saiwen becoming a Celestial Dragon, his concern clouded his judgment.

Only after Beckman's explanation did he realize: Saint Saint Saiwen never acted without preparation.

Becoming a Celestial Dragon must be a distraction—or a delay to conceal his true plan.

"This guy hasn't changed at all."

Remembering his own identity as a Celestial Dragon, Shanks suddenly had an idea.

"Beckman, I'm going to infiltrate the enemy too."

Beckman crushed out his cigarette.

"Infiltrating the enemy isn't a problem."

"But not now—at least not until the Red-Haired Pirates have grown stronger, Captain."

"With Jesus and us, we're only three people. If you go undercover, who'll handle recruitment?"

Shanks's newly formed idea of going undercover was ruthlessly extinguished by Beckman.

Unlike the Morning Star Crew, which had people and territory, the Red-Haired Pirates were still in their infancy—this captain couldn't afford to disappear for long.

"Sigh, recruiting is so hard."

"We've traveled the entire South Blue for the past half year and haven't found a single decent crewmember."

"Saint Saint Saiwen's got such incredible luck!"

Beckman deeply agreed.

Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen was indeed a man favored by fate—he met Mihawk in obscurity, then discovered Master Tenghu in a West Blue casino.

Simply by arriving in the Solbe Kingdom of the South Blue, he encountered Bartholomew Kuma and Jin Ni—both exceptional talents.

In barely half a year, he assembled the core of the Morning Star Crew and rapidly built his reputation.

At under twenty years old, he transformed from a Sea Emperor into a Celestial Dragon—a legendary journey unmatched in history.

With a brother like him, no wonder Shanks has felt such urgency lately.

"You're rushing again, Shanks."

"Am I rushing?"

Shanks tried to argue back, but the words died on his lips; he could only offer a sheepish grin.

"Thank goodness you're here, Beckman."

"Without you, I wouldn't know how to keep up with Saint Saint Saiwen's pace—his changes over the past few years have been truly insane."

Shanks had no doubt: if Saint Saint Saiwen were given another ten years, he would unify all four seas.

By then, Saint Saint Saiwen would be under thirty—more glorious than Captain Luo Jie's own journey.

And the Chosen One Luo Jie spoke of wouldn't appear for another twenty years; Shanks was increasingly suspicious whether Luo Jie had been deceived.

With Saint Saint Saiwen here, there was no need to wait for the Chosen One in twenty years.

Beckman smiled.

"I heard the Marines' global conscription has recruited many capable hands from all four seas."

"Talents across the four seas are scarce, and both Saint Saint Saiwen and the Marines have swept through them twice—I suggest lowering the age limit for future recruitment."

"Start with interns."

Shanks slumped his shoulders: "Fine."

Because Saint Saint Saiwen destroyed the Marine Headquarters in Marineford, the Marines were forced to launch a global conscription to replenish their junior soldiers and mid-level officers.

This drastically increased the difficulty of recruiting for the Red-Haired Pirates.

Beckman chuckled teasingly.

"Don't lose heart—we're not the only ones struggling to recruit; other pirate crews are having just as much trouble."

"Any decent strong fighter, especially those from the East Blue, is thinking of joining your brother."

Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen keeps his promises and is Heavy on Emotion—a perfect captain. If Shanks hadn't come first, even Beckman might have gone to join him.

You can imagine how hard recruitment is.

"Our target this time is Lafitte, twenty-one years old—a unique constable."

"Unique?" Shanks perked up.

The most unique constable in the East Blue was Garp.

If Lafitte is also called "unique," he must be a rare talent.

"Yes, Lafitte worships violence."

……

Holy Land Mary Geoise, the Ancient Capital.

At the World Conference of the World Government member states, Saint Saint Saiwen was quietly chatting with King Cobra, who sat nearby.

"Violence may not solve all problems, but violence can solve the people who create the problems."

King Cobra nodded slightly in agreement.

As a superpower in the first half of the Grand Line's Paradise, Alabasta has a population of tens of millions, with a standing army of six hundred thousand alone.

Violence is indeed an indispensable means; otherwise, Alabasta would have been flooded with pirates long ago.

"Saint Saint Saint Saiwen," Cobra lowered his voice: "Your country's Sea Prism Stone products..."

"Easy to discuss."

Saint Saint Saiwen casually wrote down Master Tenghu's Den Den Mushi number, folded it, and handed it to Cobra: "Master Tenghu, the Chief Internal Affairs Officer of Inazuma. Discuss the specific transaction with him."

"Thank you." Cobra extended an invitation.

"If Saint Saint Saint Saiwen has time, you are welcome to visit Alabasta at any time."

Although Saint Saint Saint Saiwen is said to be of pirate origin.

But as the saying goes, heroes are not judged by their origins, and Alabasta also needs such a powerful ally to deal with the Great Pirate Era.

"That is exactly my intention."

Saint Saint Saiwen vaguely remembered: the Jinchuriki of Saxi, Crocodile, is currently in Alabasta.

The Sand Crocodile attempted to seize Alabasta under the guise of a national hero; his true purpose was to obtain information on the Ancient Weapon Pluton.

The Sand Crocodile, known for his fifty-fifty win rate, rarely submits to others, but Saint Saint Saiwen wanted to try.

"However, it may take some time."

After the World Conference ends, Saint Saint Saiwen must go to the Marine Headquarters to cancel the Morning Star Crew's bounty, and then head to Fish-Man Island to invite Jinbe to join the ship.

Then find a way to locate the Giant Lantern Fish.

There is indeed no time recently.

"That is excellent." Cobra smiled.

"Once I return to Alubarna and make preparations, I will welcome Saint Saint Saint Saiwen's arrival at any time."

Hearing that the Sea Prism Stone transaction was concluded during their casual chat, the kings in nearby seats finally could not sit still and began to speak up with requests.

"Saint Saint Saint Saiwen, my lord, my country also wishes to purchase some Sea Prism Stone products."

"Easy to discuss, easy to discuss."

Saint Saint Saiwen was not indiscriminate in his acceptance; as a strategic resource for countering Devil Fruit users, the market demand for Sea Prism Stone is enormous.

If all were sold through normal channels, the profits would ultimately be limited, which completely contradicts Saint Saint Saint Saiwen's nature as a pirate merchant.

Earning less would be nothing short of a massive loss!