Chapter 9: The Value of Leaving No Survivors Is Still Rising

The Grand Line, near Jiayadao Island.

Seven stood at the bow, swinging his plasma longsword continuously; he felt he was getting closer to unleashing his Flying Slash.

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

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

Seven deactivated his plasma sword and looked at Mihawk, who was steering: “Mihawk, you’re cultured—come up with a name for our crew.”

Mihawk smirked: So you’ve noticed I’m cultured?

In fact, Mihawk had just realized too—Seven’s Flying Slash was likely only a moment of inspiration away.

A sword saint in less than half a month!

Such talent is worth cultivating as a martial arts rival.

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

Most crucially, as a former member of Roger’s crew who reached the final island, Seven is exceptionally young.

Having a guy like him as captain seems genuinely convenient.

At least he doesn’t cause trouble.

Unconsciously, Seven’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?”

Seven 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 old flag.”

Having spotted the problem, Seven casually flicked his finger—a streak of electricity instantly burned the pirate flag to ash.

The sight of electricity igniting fire made Seven sigh: The Mera Mera no Mi—dog food.

“Now it’s gone. If you can come up with a name that satisfies this captain, I’ll consider unlocking your Sea-Prism Stone handcuffs.”

The doctor’s eyes lit up on the surface, but inwardly he grumbled: 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 paper daily was a cultural person’s mandatory habit.

When the News Bird landed on deck, Seven handed over 200 Berries: “Two copies, thanks.”

This doctor was full of nonsense and not yet an official member—he had no right to crew benefits like free newspapers.

After giving Mihawk one newspaper, Seven lay back in his chair, glanced at it, then sat up again.

“Mihawk, 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, Seven clucked: “No wonder he’s the CEO of the World Economic News Society—I didn’t even notice how he pulled it off.”

“The photo’s good—environmental coloring is perfect, and the close-up captured seven-tenths of my handsome face.”

Seven 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 grant me immortality—kill me once, I revive, kill me again…

Seven wasn’t worried his actions would make the other crew members targets of the World Government—they were all cowards who’d long since gone into hiding.

Only the first mate, Lei Li, and the former world’s most beautiful woman, Xia Qi—the spark of the God Valley battle—were still active on the Sabaody Archipelago.

But Lei Li, a capable man, would surely bear the burden without complaint.

Right, first mate?

…

Sabaody Archipelago, the Knocking Over Bar.

After Roger’s crew 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, still elegant Xia Qi pushed the newspaper toward Lei Li: “Your crew has produced an extraordinary little guy.”

“What? Shanks?”

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

“Hahahaha! It’s Seven? Tsk tsk tsk… Lei Shen—he ate a Devil Fruit.”

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

“His Conqueror’s Haki has grown even stronger.”

Among Roger’s three young ones—Seven, Shanks, and Baki—everyone, including Lei Li, had most favored Shanks.

Though Seven awakened Conqueror’s Haki early, his physical talent was nothing compared to Shanks’.

As for Baki… hard to judge.

“Never thought the first to rise to fame among the three little ones would be our little cook.”

“Barzab Seven.”

Lei Li learned Seven’s full name for the first time.

During Roger’s crew days, Seven trained extremely hard, but his innate physical talent was too poor—he became the only non-combatant aboard.

Yet, aside from combat talent…

Seven’s talent in every other area was almost terrifying—he learned map-drawing from Jia Ba in just three days.

“I miss the food that kid used to make.”

Xia Qi rolled her eyes: Fine fine, you’re complaining my cooking’s bad?

Kneel on the washboard tonight.

“The World Government lost face this time—they’ll either get it back from the little guy or settle scores with you old folks.”

Hearing this, Lei Li drained his cup: “I’ll go hide for a couple days.”

It wasn’t that Lei Li feared the World Government or the Marines—he just didn’t want his quiet retirement disturbed.

…

East Blue, Roguetown waters.

Over a month ago, after a quarrel with Shanks, Baki parted ways and began searching the East Blue for treasure, following a treasure map.

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

Today, Baki lay on his newly stolen wooden boat, staring blankly at the sky.

“Shanks, you bastard!”

“You inherited Captain Roger’s will—you swore you’d sail your own ship to Laugh Tale—why change your mind?”

“I misjudged you, Shanks!”

Plop—a bird dropping landed perfectly, shattering Baki’s composure—he pointed upward and screamed: “You feathered bastard, even you dare bully Big Baki!”

With a single Four-Part Split palm strike, Baki snatched the News Bird down, grumbling as he pulled out the newspaper.

When he saw the familiar face on the front page, Baki’s entire body instantly split into countless pieces, tears streaming from his eyes.

“Se～ven!!!”

“Hahahaha! I knew it—I never misjudged you!”

“Only a man like you deserves to inherit Captain Roger’s will! Seven!!!”

Baki reignited his determination, gritting his teeth as he grabbed the oar: “Wait for me, Seven—I’m coming to Paradise to find you.”

Under Morgan’s influence, the news that former Roger crew member Barzab Seven attacked the World Government and freed its prisoners spread across the Grand Line and the Four Seas within a day.

The irony? The World Government learned of it through the newspaper.

The value of leaving no survivors is still rising.