Chapter 423: Give Blackbeard a Boost

In the year the World Government was overthrown, Blackbeard witnessed firsthand the changes upon the sea and saw the United Kingdom's rule grow ever more stable.

Just thinking about it filled Blackbeard with despair.

The Marines, the Revolutionary Army, the Four Emperors, Wano, Elbaf, Fish-Man Island, the legendary Sky Island, Alabasta… all of them belong to Bai Mao.

Such a terrifying force was even more despair-inducing than the former World Government.

Even if his father Rocks revived and led the peak Rocks Pirates, they still wouldn't be a match for Bai Mao.

With such a terrifying enemy, could Blackbeard truly still have a chance to win?

Blackbeard fell into depression again.

Seeing Blackbeard standing alone at the bow, his face filled with despair, Lafitte knew: it was time for him to act.

He must keep pumping Blackbeard full of hope—everything future and glorious depends on Blackbeard!

"Captain, don't lose heart."

Blackbeard's eyes instantly welled with tears; even now, the Lafitte brothers still urged him not to give up.

"Lafitte… I…"

"Captain," Lafitte slapped Blackbeard's shoulder: "The United Kingdom only appears terrifying on the surface—in truth, its inner circles are rife with flattery and sycophancy; just think of Morgans."

"And how much better could anyone else be?"

"Besides, you yourself said: back then, all three of Saint Saint Saiwen Saint's men couldn't match you—what does that prove?"

Blackbeard blinked.

"They're not that strong?"

"Exactly," Lafitte nodded firmly.

"They're not that strong—you've just been unlucky so far. Once we reach the Flower Country and gain the support of the old nobility, the Blackbeard Pirates will have the chance for explosive growth."

"The Four Seas are vast—there are still people who prefer the old era."

"Under your leadership, we will overthrow the United Kingdom and restore freedom to the sea."

Admittedly, Lafitte had a gift for manipulation; in just a few words, he revived Blackbeard's spirit.

"Hehehehehe~!"

"Lafitte, you're right—we'll make the sea free again together, and I—"

"Will become the King of the World!"

Nearby, Wapol sneered, convinced Blackbeard was insane—and Lafitte even more so.

Any clear-eyed observer could see: the United Kingdom's rule would only grow stronger; as long as Saint Saint Saiwen Saint lived, there could be only one King of the Sea.

Could Blackbeard be stronger than the Fleet Admiral?

If Blackbeard were stronger than the Fleet Admiral, he wouldn't have broken into cold sweat the other day upon seeing the Fleet Admiral in the Sabaody Archipelago.

He wouldn't have screamed in his dreams: "Bai Mao, please, spare me!"

How could a man who begs for mercy from Saint Saint Saiwen Saint in his dreams ever accomplish great things?

As for that fellow Lu Bianyi, wanting revenge against Saint Saint Saiwen Saint? Utterly ridiculous.

With the pitiful strength of the Blackbeard Pirates, even one Marine Admiral could utterly annihilate them.

And the Admirals? The United Kingdom currently has six: Admiral Akainu, Admiral Aokiji, Admiral Kizaru, Army Admiral Mihawk, Red Count, and Barrett.

Not to mention.

Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, Navy Hero Koby, Army Admiral Dragon, and the Three Four Emperors: Whitebeard, Gold Lion, and Kaido…

Loki, the Giant Prince of the Giant Kingdom.

Saint Saint Saiwen Saint doesn't even need to lift a finger—just two Admirals would leave the Blackbeard Pirates with no way up or down.

Blackbeard wants to become King of the World?

Dream on! In dreams, you can have anything.

Wapol was certain the three of them had lost their minds—he couldn't stay aboard the Blackbeard Pirates for another day; as soon as they reached the Flower Country, he must find a chance to escape.

Otherwise, when things eventually came to light,

his entire life would be ruined.

Wapol still planned to use his Munch-Munch Fruit ability to serve the Five Elders one day and join the United Kingdom to secure a position.

The behavior of Blackbeard and his two companions—strong as they are, yet refusing to join any official structure—was sheer stupidity.

Meanwhile, in the Holy Land's Sky City.

After more than a year away from the Red Line, Elaine followed behind Yuzhi Xiliu, staring in awe at the Sky City, more majestic than Mary Geoise.

Good heavens—the rumors of the sea were true.

Saint Saint Saiwen Saint truly was a god fallen to earth.

Elaine had no fear he'd be executed by the United Kingdom; after all, he and the Morning Star Crew had shared years of bonds.

He had cooperated fully with Saint Saint Saiwen Saint, kidnapping a hundred Celestial Dragons, and had repeatedly exchanged gifts with the Morning Star Crew.

Saint Saint Saiwen Saint was Heavy on Emotion—he would never execute him.

But the others? That was another matter.

"Sigh," Elaine sighed.

"Big Brother Xiliu, I've done many wrong things—I once tried to steal Shi Daila from Tazolo… Tazolo… isn't in the Holy Land anymore, right?"

Yuzhi Xiliu smoked a cigar.

"They've had three kids together—stop dreaming about her. As for whether Tazolo will seek revenge? That depends on how useful you are to the Captain."

"If you're useless to the Captain," Yuzhi Xiliu's lips curled into a bloodthirsty smile: "I'd even cut off your head myself and keep it as a trophy."

"After all, living Celestial Dragons are rare—and those of noble birth like you are rarer still."

Elaine wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Big Brother Yuzhi, I'm happy to give you my head—just please spare my wife. She's innocent; she knows nothing."

Yuzhi didn't respond to that, but urged instead.

"Stop dawdling. The Captain's waiting for you."

Finally, in the magnificent palace shimmering with radiant light, Elaine saw Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen handling state affairs.

"Lord Barzab… it's been a long time."

"Sit." Barzab smiled. "It truly has been a long time. I heard you got married?"

"Mm." Elaine explained.

"That day, I graduated from Begepang. I planned to return to Holy… Mary Geoise, but then I saw you overthrow the World Government."

"A few of my escort guards tried to tie me up to claim credit from you. During the standoff with the other guards, I slipped away and transformed into an airship to escape."

"Later, I lost strength and landed on the Sabaody Archipelago. My father-in-law rescued me, and I've lived there ever since."

"As long as you're alive, that's enough." Barzab nodded.

Learning Elaine could now transform into an airship, Barzab couldn't help but marvel: the Superhuman-type Ship-Ship Fruit was truly worth anticipating.

Fortunately, he never sold it on a trading platform.

"What are your plans going forward?"

"You're not going to kill me?" Elaine continued. "I've done many wrong things in recent years—often imitating other Celestials by killing slaves for amusement."

Barzab had other plans for Elaine.

"Death is spared, but punishment is unavoidable."

"The shipbuilding division still needs an engineer. Someone will take you to report in. Don't neglect developing your Fruit ability—there will be monthly evaluations."

Barzab hoped that one day, Elaine could transform into a spaceship—inspiring the shipbuilding division while mutually validating their designs.

After dealing with Im or collecting all twelve talismans, we'll take a trip into outer space.

"I've arranged a home for you in the Holy Land. It's not large, but I hope you'll like it."

Elaine exhaled in relief, silently murmuring in his heart: Thank you, Ship-Ship Fruit. Thank you, Lord Barzab.

"Thank you."