Chapter 43

Red Line, Shengdimaliqiaoya 。

Pangu City.

In a spacious, bright room, the Five Elders arranged themselves in order; Wochuli Saint sat on the sofa, staring at the just-disconnected Den Den Mushi.

“How could he know about that person?”

Wochuli Saint exchanged glances with the other four; seeing they all shook their heads, he spoke up.

“Barzab Seven, how should we handle this?”

Satan Saint took over the conversation.

“According to Kuzan’s report, Barzab Seven possesses strength comparable to Sakazuki. That blind swordsman, Isshō, fought Kuzan to a standstill for a long time, and then there’s Dracule Mihawk…”

Nasushou Saint, holding the first-generation Ghost Cutter, focused on another angle.

“Three Supreme Grade Swords, three great swordsmen.”

“A bounty of one billion beli clearly doesn’t match Barzab Seven’s strength. Order the Marines to adjust immediately.”

“I second that.”

“I second that.”

“I second that.”

Satan Saint asked in a low voice.

“Regarding Barzab Seven and the Morning Star Pirates… three of them crushed a Pacifista Marine unit. Should we launch a World Government purge, or deploy the Divine Knights?”

“He’s not a D.” Wochuli Saint said coolly.

“Although Barzab Seven’s recent actions have been out of line, his attitude in admitting fault… is still quite proactive.”

“I suggest we continue observing for a while. On one hand, it keeps the Marines in check; on the other, we can assign him tasks we can’t handle ourselves.”

“I second that!”

“I second that!”

“I second that!”

…

West Blue, Emperor of the East Sea.

After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Seven casually took a new outfit from his system space, put it on, and walked slowly to the first floor of the small villa.

“Captain Barzab Seven.” Two Ohara scholars rose, supporting each other, and bowed deeply.

“Thank you for helping us.”

Seven even saw the little black girl, Nico Robin, bowing alongside the woman beside her.

“No need for this.” Seven waved his hand.

“We’re not truly safe yet. The World Government and the Marines will still hunt us down—until we’re dead. Unless…”

Nico Olvia asked urgently.

“Unless what?”

The Marine purge had terrified Olvia. She didn’t mind if she died, but the Marines had even killed civilians and children.

“Unless you give up researching the Void Century.”

The moment he spoke, a scholar immediately replied: “Impossible. Absolutely impossible. We will never abandon restoring history and revealing the truth to the world.”

Seven shrugged.

“Let me introduce myself—I was a member of the Roger Pirates, reached the final island, Laugh Tale, and know the truth of the Void Century.”

“In other words, the truth you’re willing to die for is right here in my head.”

Led by Nico Olvia, the Ohara scholars’ eyes lit up like they’d found a priceless treasure, staring intently at Seven.

“Captain, can you… tell us?”

If they could learn the truth of the Void Century, they would gladly die right now.

“Sorry.” Seven rubbed his temples.

“Even if you now step forward and reveal the truth to the world, it would only create another vanished Void Century. The World Government would rather kill everyone than let it be known.”

Seeing Nico Olvia still wanted to argue, Seven raised his hand to stop her.

“Aren’t you curious why none of Roger’s many crew members ever stepped forward to reveal the truth of the Void Century?”

“Why?” Seven spread his hands.

“Because the time isn’t right.”

The destined hero to resist Yimu hasn’t even been born yet. Unless Seven believed himself invincible, he would never confront Yimu directly.

Even the six peak-level masters—Lox D. Rocks, Garp, Roger, Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido—could not defeat Yimu, who possessed Satan Saint.

In the end, Lox D. Rocks perished.

Seven hadn’t even mastered Conqueror’s Haki.

He’d drawn enough attention lately. It was time to disappear for a while: head to the South Blue and find Big Mom.

He also needed to make clear to Isshō: never again rush headlong into justice, not even to storm a Marine purge.

“If you wish to leave the ship, feel free.”

“Mihawk, Master Isshō, let’s have a meeting.”

The large villa at the stern of the Emperor of the East Sea.

The bar on the first floor.

Seven poured himself a glass of milk: “Isshō, to prevent the Morning Star Pirates from dying before even setting sail, I think it’s necessary to lay everything out for you.”

Isshō nodded: “Alright.”

“Besides the Five Elders, the Marine Admirals, and the Fleet Admirals, the World Government also maintains the Divine Knights, permanently stationed in Shengdimaliqiaoya .”

“Even if the Five Elders and the Divine Knights possess immortality, we’re not afraid.”

Ensuring no one was eavesdropping, Seven continued.

“But there is one person I have no confidence facing. If possible, for the next five or ten years, we should avoid confronting him entirely.”

Mihawk’s expression turned grim. He had never seen Barzab Seven speak so seriously about anyone.

“He is someone who has lived over eight hundred years. Even Joy Boy, Davy Jones, and Lox D. Rocks were defeated by Him.”

“He is the supreme ruler of the World Government, residing deep within the Flower Room of Pangu City, known as the Master of the Empty Throne: Yimu.”

“This thing… is overpowered.”

Seven muttered.

“And he can corrupt and dominate others. Lox D. Rocks was once turned into a Devil by him, later defeated by Roger and Garp together.”

“Master Isshō, I’ve told you all this—”

“Because I hope we can grow in secret. Though none of us are D, for the next few years, I simply have no confidence facing Yimu.”

Isshō stood and bowed deeply.

“I’ve caused you trouble, Captain.”

Seven waved his hand: “It’s no big deal. As long as we’re not facing Yimu, even if we attack Marineford right now, I’m fine with it.”

Isshō picked up the thread: “Then shall we go now?”

“Go where?” Seven rolled his eyes.

“First, we’re heading to the South Blue. Two companions are still waiting there for this captain.”

Digging up Roger’s sword, Enma, from Garp’s old courtyard must wait longer—after all, only Seven knew where Enma was buried.

But Big Mom is different.

Before finding a suitable crewmember to eat the Door-Door Fruit, the transport ability of the Gura-Gura Fruit holds immense strategic value.

If we’re too late, we risk Monkey D. Dragon getting there first.

How could that be allowed?

Any crewmember the Captain wants—even if he has to trick, deceive, and manipulate them—he must bring aboard. If he can’t recruit them, he will not allow Monkey D. Dragon to touch them.

“Captain, what do you plan to do with these four Ohara scholars?”