~ Support & Read 15 Advanced Chapters on Patreon!
❁❁❁❁
The New World, Thunder God Territory.
In the expansive grand hall of the Thunder God Temple, Arthur was idly sampling a spread of delicacies while listening to Stussy's latest intelligence report.
The atmosphere in the temple was intimate, with only five people present: Jessica, who had just stepped out of the lab to provide Arthur with a restorative massage—Stussy, who managed the territory's affairs—the "little secretary" Kalifa—and the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock.
"You're telling me Marine Admiral Aokiji and Chief Instructor Zephyr have brought two disciples and want to join the Thunder God Pirates?" Arthur wiped his mouth, leaning back to enjoy Jessica's expert touch. The news struck him as more peculiar than alarming.
Kuzan was a man of independent thought—his decision to let Nico Robin go during the Ohara Incident proved that. Arthur wasn't entirely surprised that a man like him might defect to the pirate side.
However, Zephyr was a different story. The man harbored a blood-deep hatred for pirates—his family and his students had all been slaughtered by them. For him to follow Kuzan into such an unthinkable alliance was truly "incredible."
"Do you think they might..." Stussy began to analyze the situation, but she was quickly cut off.
"Lord Arthur, an Admiral betraying the Navy to join pirates is undoubtedly a conspiracy!" Hancock interjected, casting a competitive glance at the silent Jessica.
"Even a fool can see they have a hidden agenda," Stussy remarked flatly.
"What did you say??" Hancock's temper flared instantly, but she quickly shifted her tone to a piteous plea. "Lord Arthur, look at her..."
"A conspiracy?" Arthur laughed, a flash of pure disdain crossing his features.
"It's merely a sign that they cannot stop my momentum. The World Government won't sit idly by as we grow, but as long as they are bogged down by the Revolutionary Army, they won't risk an all-out war with us."
"Likely, Kuzan realized this and thought he could restrain us from the inside. Heh... Hahahaha!"
"How shall we handle them? Draw them in and execute them?" Stussy asked.
"Hmph, as if Lord Arthur would even bother with them! How naive!" Hancock sniped back.
"Let them come. It doesn't matter," Arthur said dismissively. "There can only be one decisive voice on this sea. A war with the World Government is inevitable, and to ensure they confront us with everything they have, we must first clear out the distractions that divide their focus."
"Are we moving against the Revolutionary Army? Wouldn't that just benefit the World Government?"
"No. The Government is indecisive. To force their hand, we'll simply have to 'help' them make a choice."
..............
On the docks of Raijin Island, nearly a dozen Division Captains had gathered. They were debating the intentions of the two powerful Marines with a clinical lack of concern.
Over the past year, they had used the captive Edward Weevil as a living whetstone. Their strength had surged so rapidly that their confidence had reached a point of near-arrogance. They watched as the captured warship slowly drifted toward the harbor.
"Captain's orders: don't interfere. Let them do as they please," Shiryu remarked, blowing a ring of smoke.
Having followed Arthur for so long, Shiryu understood the Emperor better than anyone. If Arthur viewed the world as a game, his interest was dictated entirely by the difficulty level. If a situation was too simple, he wouldn't even lift a finger.
'He doesn't care if Zephyr or Kuzan have a plan,' Shiryu thought, watching the rowdy captains around him. He just wants the coming war with the Government and the Revolutionaries to be more exciting. Perhaps he also wants to see if you lot have actually made any progress.
The warship docked, and four figures with cold, indifferent expressions stepped onto the pier. They ignored the blatant taunts of the pirate captains as if they were nothing more than a light breeze.
"Shiryu... take us to see the Thunder Emperor," Zephyr said. He looked at the man—his former student who had fallen to the dark side and eventually became the top-tier "Admiral" of the Thunder God Pirates.
Sensing the suffocating pressure and the scent of blood radiating from Shiryu, Zephyr realized with a heavy heart that he might no longer be a match for his former pupil.
"Follow me."
Shiryu was a man of few words. He led the way up the golden stairs toward the temple.
..............
Inside the grand hall, Arthur sat upon his golden throne, looking down like a deity observing mortals. Surrounded by beauties, his voice boomed through the hall like a thunderclap.
"Kuzan. Falling into darkness to pursue justice... is that your answer?"
Perhaps it was the question Arthur had posed ten years ago that had finally led Kuzan to discard his Marine honor and cast his lot with the "vile" Thunder God Sea.
"Arara... a single sentence from a decade ago decided my life's path. I suppose that's the weight of the Thunder Emperor?" Kuzan replied nonchalantly. He looked entirely at ease, showing none of the tension one might expect from a defector in enemy territory.
"And you, Mr. Zephyr?" Arthur offered a modicum of respect.
Zephyr was the first "big figure" he had encountered when he first set sail nearly twenty years ago. Back then, the man had tried several times to pull Arthur back from the path of piracy. Now, the world had changed, and so had they. The cruel, relentless sea buries everything in the past, yet remains unchanged itself.
Zephyr adjusted his sunglasses, a cold smirk touching his lips. "Zephyr no longer exists. From this day forward, I am simply... Z."
"Z, is it? The dream of being a 'Hero' refuses to die even on the brink of the grave?" Arthur raised an eyebrow.
The resolve of men on this sea was a stubborn thing—even in death, their will usually found a successor. Zephyr's childhood dream was to be a hero—that was why he joined the Navy. Now, having sought refuge in the darkness, he had reclaimed that identity. His goal was transparent.
"Fine. I don't care what your goals are. I'll even let you do as you please within my territory," Arthur laughed arrogantly.
"But first, a meeting gift... ROOM!"
The translucent surgical field instantly expanded, enveloping Ain, who was standing just behind Zephyr. With a casual flick of his finger, Arthur "cut" through the space.
"Ngh—!"
Ain's face turned deathly pale. Her iron will allowed her to suppress a scream of agony, but she felt as if a fundamental part of her soul had been ripped away. She collapsed to the floor, her body trembling.
Arthur had just stripped her of the Modo Modo no Mi (Back-Back Fruit)—one of the most strategically terrifying abilities in existence.
❁❁❁❁
~ 15 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)