Chapter 9: The Gold Content Is Still Rising

The Grand Line, near the island of Gaya.

Saint Saint Saiwen stood at the bow, constantly swinging the plasma longsword in his hand; he had a feeling he was getting closer to unleashing his Flying Slash.

At that time, the first mate would also take his position.

So the question arises: what should we name this pirate crew, and what should the pirate flag look like…

Saint Saint Saiwen deactivated the plasma sword and looked at Mihawk at the helm: "Mihawk-san, you're well-educated—help us name this pirate crew."

Mihawk smirked: So you've noticed I'm well-educated?

In fact, Mihawk had just realized too: Saint Saint Saiwen's Flying Slash was likely only a flash of inspiration away.

A sword saint in less than half a month!

Such talent is worth cultivating as a swordsperson rival.

He has royal potential, cooks delicious food, brews alcohol, makes sweet drinks, crafts permanent pointers, repairs ships, steers and sails, and draws sea charts…

Most crucially, as a former member of Gol D. Luo Jie's crew who reached the final island, Saint Saint Saiwen is exceptionally young.

Having a guy like him as captain seems genuinely convenient.

At least he doesn't cause trouble.

Unconsciously, Saint Saint Saiwen's training has been wildly successful—subtle as spring rain, silent as dew.

At that moment, the doctor, having finished mopping the deck, ran over: "Captain, don't we already have a pirate flag? Why are we still thinking of a crew name?"

Saint Saint Saiwen pointed to the pirate flag hanging from the mast.

"You mean this? This ship was stolen by me in the East Blue; I forgot to take down the flag."

Since the issue was spotted, Saint Saint Saiwen casually flicked his finger—the electric light shooting from his fingertip instantly burned the pirate flag to ash.

The sight of electricity igniting fire made Saint Saint Saiwen sigh: The Mera Mera no Mi—dogs won't even eat it.

"Now it's gone. If you can come up with a name that satisfies this captain, I'll consider unlocking your Seastone handcuffs."

The doctor's eyes lit up on the surface, but inside he couldn't help grumbling: He's got royal potential, yet he's so poor he doesn't even own a decent ship.

"Hey, News Bird."

Mihawk waved toward the sky—reading the news daily was a mandatory ritual for cultured people.

When the News Bird landed on deck, Saint Saint Saiwen pulled out 200 Berries: "Two copies, thanks."

This doctor is full of nonsense—he's not yet an official member, so naturally he has no right to the crew's benefits—free newspapers.

After handing Mihawk one newspaper, Saint Saint Saiwen had barely lain back in his chair to glance at it when he sat up again.

"Mihawk-san, do you know that bird Morgan?"

Mihawk was equally puzzled—the entire article never mentioned his name.

"Not familiar."

Seeing Morgan's lavish praise of himself on the paper, Saint Saint Saiwen clucked: "No wonder he's the president of the World Economic News Agency—I didn't even notice how he pulled off the shot."

"The photo's great: the environmental coloring is perfect, and the close-up of my face captured seven-tenths of my handsome appearance."

Saint Saint Saiwen didn't care about Morgan's exposure—he was already wanted by the World Government; now he just had one more crime added.

One death sentence is a death sentence; ten death sentences are still just a death sentence.

If the World Government has the guts, let them give me immortality—kill me once, I revive, kill me again…

Saint Saint Saiwen wasn't worried his actions would cause the other crew members to be targeted by the World Government—those guys value their lives more than anyone else; they've all gone into hiding long ago.

Only Lei Li, the first mate, and Xia Qi, the former number-one beauty of the world and the spark of the God Valley battle, remain active in the Sabaody Archipelago.

But Lei Li, the first mate, is a capable man—he probably won't mind.

Right, First Mate?

…

Sabaody Archipelago, Extortion Bar.

After the Luo Jie Pirates disbanded, Lei Li chose to retire here with Xia Qi, earning a living by coating passing ships.

Occasionally when short on cash, he'd auction himself off.

But most of his free time, Lei Li spent drinking with his beloved at Xia Qi's bar.

At the wooden bar counter, the still-striking Xia Qi pushed the newspaper toward Lei Li: "There's a remarkable little brat on your ship."

"What? Shanks?"

When Lei Li saw the high-definition front-page photo and facial close-up, he froze in place, then burst into uncontrollable laughter—as if mocking his own misjudgment.

"Hahaha, it's Saint Saint Saiwen? Tsk tsk tsk… Lei Shen, he ate a Devil Fruit."

Lei Li stared at the aura tearing across the sky on the paper, lost in memory.

"His Haoshoku Haki has grown even stronger."

Among the three little brats on Luo Jie's ship—Saint Saint Saiwen, Shanks, and Buggy—everyone, including Lei Li, had most favored Shanks.

Although Saint Saint Saiwen awakened Haoshoku Haki early, his physical talent paled in comparison to Shanks'.

As for Buggy… hard to judge.

"Never thought the first to rise to fame among the three little brats would be our little cook."

"Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen."

Lei Li learned Saint Saint Saiwen's full name for the first time.

During his time on Luo Jie's ship, Saint Saint Saiwen trained extremely hard, but his innate physical talent was too poor, making him the only non-combatant aboard.

Yet, aside from combat talent…

Saint Saint Saiwen's talent in every other area was almost terrifying—he learned to draw sea charts after only three days under Jaba.

"I miss the food that kid used to make."

Xia Qi rolled her eyes: Fine fine fine, now you're complaining my cooking isn't good?

Go kneel on the laundry board tonight.

"The World Government has lost face this time—either they reclaim it from the kid, or they settle scores with you old bastards."

Hearing this, Lei Li drained his cup: "I'm going into hiding for a couple days."

It wasn't that Lei Li feared the World Government or the Navy—just that he didn't want his peaceful retirement disturbed.

……

East Blue, Loguetown waters.

More than a month ago, after a quarrel with Shanks, Buggy parted ways with him in anger and began searching the East Blue for treasure, guided by a treasure map.

Just to raise enough money to form his own pirate crew.

Today, Buggy lay on a small wooden boat he had just stolen, staring blankly at the sky.

"Shanks, you bastard!"

"You inherited Captain Luo Jie's will—you swore you'd sail your own ship to Laugh Tale—so why change your mind?"

"I misjudged you, Shanks!"

Plop—exactly one drop of bird droppings landed on him, shattering Buggy's composure; he pointed skyward and roared: "Feathered bastard, even you dare bully Big Buggy!"

With a single Four-Part Palm, Buggy snatched the newsbird down, grumbling as he pulled out a newspaper.

When he saw the familiar face on the front page, Buggy's entire body instantly split into countless pieces, his eyes brimming with hot tears.

"Saint Saint Saiwen!!!"

"Hahahaha! I knew I wasn't wrong about you."

"A man like you is the one who should inherit Captain Luo Jie's will! Saint Saint Saiwen!!!"

Buggy's fighting spirit reignited; gritting his teeth, he grabbed the oar: "Wait for me, Saint Saint Saiwen—I'm coming to Paradise right now."

Under Morgans' influence, the news that former Luo Jie Pirate Crew member Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen attacked the World Government and raided its prisoners spread across the Grand Line and the Four Seas within a day.

Ironically, the World Government learned of this news through the newspaper.

The value of leaving no survivors continues to rise.