Chapter 40

West Sea, Double Serpent Island waters.

The East Sea Emperor, with a black dragon prow and crimson sails, was sailing toward the direction of Ohara.

On the grass-covered deck, Mihawk stared at the three-story Western-style villa before him... lost in thought.

“Adam’s Tree?”

“Mm.”

Seven began introducing the pirate ship to the crew.

“The East Sea Emperor was built by Adam’s Tree, powered by both wind and electricity; each floor of this villa is nine meters high, designed for taller companions.”

“Mihawk, Mr. Issh, you can go to the second or third floor and pick any room you like.”

“If you prefer a broader view, the lookout platforms atop the two masts are also livable.”

Mihawk nodded slightly: “And you?”

“Me?” Seven grinned: “That big villa at the stern is the captain’s room, bar, bathhouse, cinema...”

The East Sea Emperor’s configuration made Seven feel: every ten thousand points spent were utterly worth it—absolute value for money.

Mihawk immediately asked Seven for several bottles of iced black tea, then slowly chose a room with a broad view on the far left of the third floor.

Issh stood on the deck, bewildered.

“Mr. Seven, I haven’t decided yet.”

He owed ten billion Belly, and by rights, such a debt deserved loyalty aboard this ship—but Issh still harbored some resistance to becoming a pirate.

“Mm.” Seven said, steering the wheel.

“Mr. Issh, the Marines suit you better, but I hope you’ll make your decision after we reach Ohara.”

“At that point, whether you stay or leave, we’ll still be friends. As for the ten billion Belly… pay me back whenever you can.”

Issh’s hesitation was exactly what Seven expected.

How to put it?

Issh had wasted years on Double Serpent Island; he was no longer a passionate youth impulsively swept onto a ship by a moment of fervor.

At over thirty, Issh needed time to adapt to such a drastic change.

Besides, pirates had a terrible reputation.

If he could choose freely, Seven himself would have joined the Marines—the Marines were flawed in many ways, yet still the main force protecting civilians.

Unfortunately, Barzab Seven had already been marked as a member of the Pirate King’s crew.

Most pirates, whether for fame or wealth, were ruthless plunderers who burned, killed, and looted; pirate crews like the Straw Hats, more like adventuring bands, were rare exceptions.

For example.

After devouring the God’s Avoidance, I became the glutton Kid—the captain of Kid’s Pirates, Kid, once slaughtered civilians who mocked his dream.

Whether right or wrong, his actions were the bloody, unvarnished truth of pirates.

“Thank you.”

Issh had said “thank you” many times tonight.

Seven’s fingertips crackled with buzzing electricity as he warned: “Pay attention—the ship’s accelerating.”

The East Sea Emperor’s advantage: electric propulsion.

As a user of the Gura Gura no Mi, Seven possessed near-infinite electrical energy; as long as he had strength, the East Sea Emperor could keep accelerating.

While steering with one hand, Seven channeled the current swirling around his fingertips into the electric propulsion system.

Vvvvvv~

The engine roared to life; the East Sea Emperor instantly sliced through the waves, racing forward at five times its normal speed.

West Sea, Ohara waters.

Ten Marine warships stretched across the sea, their prows aligned forward, forming a grim arc amid the waves.

At the center of the formation, Sakazuki, the current Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, set down his newspaper.

“These cowards actually compromised with pirates.”

At thirty-three, Sakazuki was rigid, cruel, leaving no room for mercy—he would not tolerate even a trace of evil.

He was the one pirate least wanted to encounter.

Without exception.

If pirates met other Marines, they’d likely be captured and locked in Impel Down’s underwater prison—but if they met Sakazuki…

Good luck.

Learning that the World Government had paid ransom to pirates to recover the kidnapped Celestial Dragons, Sakazuki erupted like a volcano about to burst, his rage burning red-hot.

“We never should’ve agreed to Roger’s terms.”

“Had we not, how could that lowly cook of Roger’s Pirates have grown so bold?”

Sakazuki’s roar left no Marine daring to respond—except Kuzan, who spoke softly.

“The World Government approved it.”

“Hmph!” Sakazuki turned his head: “So what if the World Government approved it? Is that a reason for the Marines to let Roger’s Pirates go?”

Kuzan kept his hands in his pockets and said nothing.

Like the Devil Fruits they consumed, Kuzan and Sakazuki had rarely gotten along since joining the Marines.

The current Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, Mozu, quietly tugged Kuzan’s sleeve: “Kuzan, any news on Sauro?”

“Him?” Kuzan shook his head.

“He might’ve returned to Elbaf. Why ask?”

Mozu smiled awkwardly: “You know, Dore is Sauro’s subordinate—she’s been asking me nonstop these days...”

“I see.” Kuzan exhaled a puff of frost.

Kuzan deeply resisted the impending World Government’s Holy War, yet he was powerless to stop it.

The Five Elders ordered it, Marine Commander-in-Chief Warlord signed it, five Vice Admirals, ten warships, over ten thousand Marines carried it out—his personal will could not stop it.

Kuzan strangely envied Borsalino, who merely ran errands—rescuing the kidnapped Celestial Dragons—and was promoted straight to Admiral.

Warlord submitted the promotion report in the morning; the Five Elders approved it by afternoon—incredibly efficient.

Whereas he… had to make agonizing choices just for a shot at becoming Admiral.

If someone showed up to interfere now, his promotion and raise would vanish instantly.

But no one would dare, right?

Five Vice Admirals, ten warships, over ten thousand fully armed Marines—Kuzan truly couldn’t imagine who would have the guts to stop them.

Thinking of this, Kuzan couldn’t help laughing.

Hearing the laughter, Sakazuki turned and glared: “Kuzan, what are you laughing at?”

Sakazuki’s bizarre reaction made Kuzan laugh even louder: “Arararara.”

Finally, the ten Marine warships, carrying ten thousand Marines, arrived at Ohara’s shore.

Spandam, head of CP9, strode onto Ohara’s land with the Golden Phone Worm to activate the Holy War, never forgetting to turn back and give orders.

“Wait for my signal.”

The Ohara scholars who studied the Void Century, especially Crouching D. Clover, were the primary targets the Five Elders ordered eliminated.

Rarely given such an opportunity, Spandam intended to: savor this supreme authority to the fullest.

Arriving before the All-Knowing Tree, Spandam waved his hand: “Kick down the door. Capture every scholar inside—leave none alive.”