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Lodestar Island, Hoenn Resort.
Due to limited conditions, everything in the resort was built from stone and wood, lacking extravagant furniture but possessing a unique charm.
Reception Hall.
Daichi sat at the head of the table, looking at the Cross Guild's officers and Buggy, whose head was mounted on the wall.
"Long time no see, everyone."
"Daichi-san."
Everyone responded.
Even Crocodile treated Daichi with extreme politeness. It wasn't an act—he genuinely considered Daichi a partner.
To him, Daichi had long since transcended the realm of pirates, resembling a new World Government. Cooperating with him was akin to his past role as a Warlord.
Since there were no conflicts of interest and they weren't enemies, there was no need for animosity. They could each take what they needed.
Furthermore, given Daichi's formidable strength, due respect was warranted.
Mihawk shared the same sentiment.
Jinbe's feelings were slightly different—he was grateful to Daichi. It was Daichi who'd given them a flag to protect Fish-Man Island in Whitebeard's stead, so serving him was voluntary.
Jinbe took the initiative to speak, asking the question most on everyone's mind. "Daichi-san, are you here to search for the great treasure as well?"
"No, I'm just here to observe."
Daichi waved his hand with a smile. "It doesn't matter who finds the great treasure. I'm not interested in it. My purpose in coming here is for you all."
"For us?!"
Everyone was startled, their gazes serious.
"Is a war about to begin?"
"That's right."
Daichi nodded.
The Cross Guild had benefited from him, so naturally, they had to pay a price. There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
"The world has suffered under the Celestial Dragons for too long!"
"I plan to send troops to attack Mary Geoise and wipe out the Celestial Dragons once the pirates find the great treasure!"
"You all will be my allies!"
"But don't worry, my helpers aren't just you. The Beast Pirates, Worst Generation, Totto Land, and other forces will also participate in this war!"
Aside from unpredictable factors like the Straw Hat who recently emerged, almost all influential forces in the New World had vested interests with Daichi.
Hoenn Real Estate alone had allowed the vast majority of underground forces to profit immensely, even seizing the opportunity to wash their hands of their past and go legitimate.
It was all for money and power. If they could enjoy life peacefully, why live precariously in the underworld, never knowing what tomorrow might bring?
"We understand."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
When the Cross Guild was first established, Daichi had mentioned this point. Bounties on the Marines were also for the purpose of confronting the World Government.
They'd long been mentally prepared.
Moreover, the chance to drag the high and mighty Celestial Dragons into battle and utterly crush them was a rare opportunity!
Crocodile's gaze was profound.
"Daichi-san, I have a question that I need you to answer."
"Please speak."
Daichi raised his hand, indicating for him to proceed.
Crocodile took out a cigar, lit it, took a deep drag, and then voiced the long-held doubt in his mind.
"Once Hoenn replaces the World Government, how will you treat us?"
Burning bridges after crossing them was all too common.
Once the World Government was destroyed and the common enemy gone, they, as underground forces, would undoubtedly become the Hoenn Government's next target.
"I won't do anything."
Daichi smiled.
"I can't manage that much. No matter how excellent a government, it's impossible to perfectly manage the entire world. Simply maintaining order is enough to keep the Hoenn Government overwhelmed."
Governing the world wasn't something he could do alone. He didn't have that much energy, nor did he intend to manage too much.
Besides, the world was too vast to control.
Looking at the world, the underground forces in the New World were only a minor issue—just like the World Government, which had never taken pirates seriously before.
Pirates would consume each other.
Daichi pondered for a moment.
"I know you plan to establish an unrestrained Utopia. That's fine. As long as it doesn't affect the outside world, you can do whatever you want."
"That would be for the best."
Crocodile's mind settled.
Daichi's promise carried significant weight.
But he was still very worried.
Without external plunder, how would Utopia sustain itself, especially concerning population? That wasn't an easy problem to solve.
Daichi saw through Crocodile's thoughts.
"If you have difficulties, seek the organization. As long as you conduct business legally and compliantly, our Hoenn Government will not interfere."
"..."
Crocodile came to his senses.
That's right!
If they had any needs, they could just approach the Hoenn Government. As long as they didn't cause trouble, with the Hoenn Government's increasingly complete political ideology, it wouldn't interfere in other countries' internal affairs.
A great weight lifted from his heart.
Seeing that everyone was silent, Daichi casually asked.
"By the way, how many Road Poneglyphs have you found?"
"..."
After a brief silence, everyone shook their heads.
They hadn't found a single one.
Daichi was somewhat speechless.
"Then how did you all get here so quickly?"
"This idiot's doing!"
Everyone's gaze fell on Buggy.
According to Buggy's theory, finding the great treasure didn't require clashing with other strong individuals. They just needed to get ahead of everyone else.
The problem was, without Road Poneglyphs, how could they get ahead?
The only clue was Lodestar Island, and they'd indeed arrived here first. But what to do next? Waiting on the island would only make them targets for later arrivals.
Seeing this, Buggy immediately gathered his courage and loudly explained. "The four Road Poneglyphs only point to a coordinate, which might be an island, or perhaps ruins. In any case, finding the great treasure requires luck and time!"
"What we need to do now is wait—wait for others to find the location of the great treasure, and then get there one step ahead of them to find it!"
"This is a race, and anyone can win!"
Daichi nodded in approval.
Buggy's meaning was clear: follow the contenders who had Road Poneglyphs to Laugh Tale, and then seize the opportunity to search for the great treasure.
Or wait for the great treasure's coordinates to be exposed, then secretly go there, as it was impossible for so many pirates eyeing this race not to reveal any information.
Doing this gambled on the great treasure not being so easily discovered, allowing for a time lag. Although it would mean losing the initiative, it could effectively avoid clashing with other strong individuals.
It had to be said, Buggy's approach was indeed viable. Perhaps the great treasure was buried deep underground, requiring luck to unearth it.
In short, anything was possible.
A subordinate entered the reception hall.
"Daichi-sama, the Beast Pirates' fleet has arrived!"
"Good."
Daichi's spirits lifted.
They finally arrived.
Recently, the Beast Pirates had also been engaged in conquests, destroying several major pirate crews, yet they'd gained nothing. The last Road Poneglyph remained elusive.
Daichi went to the coast.
A super fleet composed of nearly a hundred pirate ships came into view, their immense presence overshadowing the Cross Guild nearby.
"Wororororo!"
The Azure Dragon roared, soaring through the clouds!