~ Support & Read 42 Advanced Chapters on Patreon!
❁❁❁❁
Marco and a few of the other commanders discussed it, then decided to investigate Edward Weevil's identity first.
If he truly was Pops's son, they would bring him into the family. If not, they would kill him. They would not allow anyone to tarnish their father's name.
Whitebeard had heard all of their discussion.
With his Observation Haki active, basically nothing on the ship could escape his notice. That being said, he wouldn't casually eavesdrop on his sons; he respected their privacy.
Because of the Seven Warlords, the seas were in an uproar, and the original peace was broken again.
Some pirates were hostile toward the Seven Warlords, while others envied them. After all, becoming a Warlord meant the Marines would leave you alone.
————
On the Red-Haired Pirates' ship.
"This is a move to weaken the pirates, to turn them against each other."
Benn Beckman had seen right through Sengoku's strategy. Any intelligent person could see the purpose behind the Warlord system.
"The appearance of the Seven Warlords won't affect us." Shanks said calmly.
However, the fact that Mihawk had become a Warlord surprised him very much. Logically, with Mihawk's personality, he shouldn't have any interest in the title of a Warlord. Why would he become one?
This question really bothered Shanks. He could always ask Mihawk directly, but he wasn't going to do that. Whatever the reason was, it was Mihawk's business, and Shanks didn't want to stick his nose where it didn't belong.
The emergence of the Warlords shook up the entire pirate world, but for the Marines, it was exactly what they needed.
Using pirates to fight other pirates was working like a charm—and Sengoku finally felt some of the weight lift off his shoulders.
If this plan had backfired, he would've been completely humiliated, and his reputation within the Marines would've been shot.
————
"Dragon, I didn't expect you to come looking for me."
Shin's gaze fell on Dragon. While the rest of the world was reeling from the news about the Warlords, Dragon had sought him out.
"Captain Shin, I came to you today to propose a partnership," Dragon said.
"I don't think we have anything to cooperate on. Now, don't bother me with your troubles. Leave."
Shin waved Dragon off dismissively. He didn't have time for this. It was obvious what Dragon was after—help taking down the World Government. Shin wasn't interested. He had no desire to rule the world.
Before he could even properly state his case, Shin was dismissing him out of hand.
A frown creased Dragon's brow...
"Captain Shin, you killed a Celestial Dragon. You must know the consequences. If you don't deal with the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, you're painting a target on your back."
Dragon prepared to reason with him, to appeal to his logic. He needed to bring Shin over to his side. Only by gathering enough allies could he hope to overthrow the Five Elders and the Celestial Dragons.
————
"I'm not concerned about the consequences. Or do you really think the Celestial Dragons are a threat to me?"
Shin unleashed his aura, enveloping Dragon.
The force whipped his green coat as he narrowed his eyes, bracing himself against the immense pressure. Shin's aura was the strongest Dragon had ever felt. Even his father, Garp, didn't exude this level of power.
"Alright, don't talk to me about these things. I'm not interested in your goals. Leave now. Don't force my hand."
If Shin were to act, Dragon would soon become a corpse—one that would be little more than ash. Shin had no connection to Dragon or Garp, and he wouldn't spare him on anyone's account.
"Our cooperation to deal with the Celestial Dragons would benefit you as well, wouldn't it?"
Dragon just didn't understand why Shin Uzumaki would refuse. He wasn't even giving him a chance to speak. He hadn't even mentioned the potential benefits, and Shin was already telling him to get lost.
"Shin told you to get lost, didn't you hear?"
Hancock drew Ame no Habakiri and pointed the blade straight at Dragon.
"If you didn't, then I'll make you hear more clearly."
Looking at Hancock's blade and the impatience written all over Shin's face, Dragon realized persuasion was pointless. He gave up on trying to convince Shin.
"If you change your mind in the future, feel free to contact me."
After being so thoroughly dismissed, Dragon turned and left, leaving behind a method of contact.
Shin looked at the paper Dragon had left and incinerated it with a flicker of flame.
Contact Dragon? Cooperate in the future? That would never happen. He didn't need to cooperate with anyone. Even if he one day decided to wipe out the Five Elders, he wouldn't need help.
————
"Shin, I feel that man's ambition is dangerous. He's up to no good," Hancock said.
"Yes. His ambition is massive—otherwise he never would've started the Revolutionary Army and become the world's most wanted criminal."
Shin nodded in agreement.
"Then why didn't you just kill him?"
Hancock asked, confused. If Shin had wanted to, Dragon never would have left alive.
"Why kill him? First of all, he hasn't pissed me off or crossed any lines, so I have no reason to kill him."
Mainly, Shin felt that Dragon's existence made the world more interesting.
"By the way, Hancock, I have some things to do and will be gone for a few days."
Shin turned his head and said to Hancock, then his figure vanished.
"Damn it! Where did he go?"
Hancock watched Shin's figure vanish in an instant and immediately pouted. She was used to his sudden disappearances by now—it happened all the time.
She just never knew where he went or what he was up to. But every time he came back, he'd have this particular scent on him.
Hancock was certain it was definitely a woman's perfume.
The thought made Hancock's jealousy flare up, and she stomped off in a foul mood. She needed to go train—had to work off this frustration somehow.
In reality, Shin had just gone to the System Space to spend time with Kushina, Mikoto, and the others. They were always on his mind. Whenever he had free time, he'd slip into the System Space to be with them.
❁❁❁❁
~ 42 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)