The amount of information in Bege's words was truly immense. Shanks and the others fell silent, digesting it all.
Bege plopped down on the deck, picked up his wine cup, and began to drink by himself.
"Bege, it looks like the seas are going to get even more exciting," Shanks said with a smile, clinking his cup with Bege's.
"Of course, it will be very exciting," Bege laughed again. He looked at Shanks and said solemnly, "The New World is about to witness a series of major wars. The weak will be eliminated, and the strong will ascend to the top. The powers that can stand firm in this chaotic era will be the true Emperors of the Sea. I've calculated which pirate crews on this sea are qualified to ascend to the imperial throne. Shanks, interested in hearing my predictions?"
"Your predictions? Of course, I want to hear them!" Shanks was immediately intrigued. Not just him, but Benn Beckman and the others all looked at Bege with keen interest.
"First, naturally, are the Whitebeard Pirates. Led by the man hailed as the 'World's Strongest Man,' his strength is undoubtedly powerful. He alone possesses the qualifications to ascend to the imperial throne, not to mention his crew members are all formidable. The overall strength of the Whitebeard Pirates definitely ranks first."
Shanks and his crew nodded in agreement.
"Second are the Beasts Pirates. Kaido of the Beasts, who also holds the title of 'Strongest Creature in the World.' His monstrous physique and formidable strength make him a top contender in the New World. His pirate crew is currently lacking a bit, but I believe this shortcoming will be rectified in another two or three years. So, he too has the qualifications to ascend to the imperial throne."
"Third is Big Mom. I don't need to elaborate on her strength; she's also a top-tier powerhouse in the New World. Her situation is similar to Kaido's, with some shortcomings in her crew, but these too will be quickly resolved. She also has the qualifications to ascend to the imperial throne."
After speaking of these three pirate crews, Bege looked at Shanks and laughed loudly. "This fourth one is our Fire Tank Pirates! We also have the qualifications to ascend to the imperial throne!"
"Bege, you're really confident, completely ignoring the Fear Pirates," Shanks chuckled.
"It's not ignoring them; it's unnecessary. They are destined to be eliminated by us," Bege laughed wildly, his confidence and domineering aura astonishing.
"There's one last imperial throne, Shanks. Want to know who it's for?" Bege's expression turned serious as he looked at Shanks.
Shanks was taken aback and didn't answer.
Bege clapped him on the shoulder and said, "It's you, the Red-Haired Pirates! You also have the qualifications to ascend to the imperial throne."
"In the future, the New World might be a realm ruled by Five Emperors, an era of feudal lords rising together. Shanks, aren't you excited?"
Originally, the New World had Four Emperors coexisting. But with the addition of the Fire Tank Pirates, he was confident he could become the fifth Emperor of the Sea, so he had amended "Four Emperors" to "Five Emperors."
"Bege, you really think highly of me," Shanks said with a wry smile.
"I'm speaking of the facts as I see them. Your crew members all seem quite confident," Bege chuckled.
Shanks looked at Lucky Roo and the others; every face was brimming with excitement and anticipation.
"We actually have the qualification to become Emperors of the Sea?! Hahahaha! Shanks, this is something worth celebrating! We need a banquet! We absolutely must have a banquet!" Lucky Roo roared excitedly, and the crew members joined in with cheers.
A smile also appeared on Shanks' face. He waved his hand and shouted, "Then let's have a banquet! To celebrate our qualification to become one of the Five Emperors!"
"Woohoo! Get the booze! Quickly, bring more booze!" Lucky Roo yelled, and the crew members busily brought out barrels of alcohol, starting another party.
The banquet lasted half the night. Everyone drank themselves into a stupor, especially Bege, who was plied with drinks by Shanks' crew and once again passed out drunk, sleeping until noon the next day.
When he woke up, he learned that Shanks and his crew had already gone to Purple Grape Island to buy supplies, preparing to leave. He immediately went to the small town on Purple Grape Island as well, planning to buy some more of the fine purple grape wine before departing.
Bege walked out of a tavern, thoroughly satisfied, having just bought out all the purple grape wine the establishment had.
Not long after he stepped out, Shanks and his men came rushing over.
"Bege, we finally found you! The Marines are here! We need to leave quickly!" Shanks said urgently.
"Marines? Who is it that's got you so flustered?" Bege asked doubtfully.
With Shanks and his crew's strength, ordinary Marines posed no threat. For Shanks and his men to be alarmed, it definitely wasn't ordinary Marines.
"It's Marine Admirals! Akainu and Aokiji have come together! They probably knew beforehand that we were on Purple Grape Island," Shanks said.
"Two Marine Admirals... that is indeed a bit troublesome. Let's leave this place first," Bege nodded. Both groups quickly departed from the small town on Purple Grape Island. Just as they were leaving, the expressions of Bege and Shanks changed instantly.
"They're here."
Bege looked up at the sky. A fist of scorching hot magma plummeted from above, aiming for Bege and the others.
Shanks slashed out with his sword, cleaving the magma fist apart. Searing magma scattered onto the surrounding ground, burning black pits into it.
At that moment, two tall figures emerged from the forest, their unique Marine uniform capes marking them unmistakably as Marine Admirals.
The two were none other than Akainu and Aokiji from among the Three Admirals.
Immediately, a large group of Marines swiftly surrounded Bege and his group, swords drawn and guns raised, their expressions grim, ready for battle at any moment.
"Capone Bege, so you've finally stopped hiding like a turtle in its shell! Today, I will personally send you to Impel Down!" Akainu's face was savage, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
"Akainu, so you've become an Admiral, and your tone has gotten bigger too, huh? You want to catch me? You don't have the ability yet." Bege's eyes suddenly turned cold, narrowing slightly as he sneered.
Akainu's face darkened. Magma flowed from his entire body, emitting thick black smoke. The ground beneath his feet melted from the intense heat of the magma.
"Aokiji, Capone Bege is mine. You go capture the Red-Haired Pirates. We must ensure both the Fire Tank Pirates and the Red-Haired Pirates are caught in one fell swoop!" Akainu said coldly.
Aokiji frowned. Although he disliked Akainu's commanding tone, he didn't object to the division of targets.
"Be careful. Capone Bege is no simple foe," Aokiji said mildly as he moved past, then fixed his gaze on Shanks, a strong chill also emanating from his body.
"Today, he must be sent to Impel Down!" Akainu's voice was resolute and permitted no argument.
"Shanks, facing one Admiral, you guys should have no problem leaving, right?" Bege chuckled.
"Definitely no problem! Then we'll take our leave first. See you around if fate allows!" Shanks grinned, exchanged a farewell with Bege, and then, with Benn Beckman and the others, quickly departed in another direction.
"Where do you think you're going?!"
Aokiji's cold voice rang out. The entire land instantly froze over, and countless ice needles rained down like a torrential storm, engulfing Shanks and his group.
"Shanks, good luck with that!" Bege couldn't help but laugh as he watched Shanks' somewhat beleaguered state.
"You should worry about yourself first."
Suddenly, a grim voice sounded right beside his ear.
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