100 chapters completed~
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In this world, "justice" and "evil" are nothing more than labels determined by one's point of view.
Judging whether someone is righteous or wicked can't be done based solely on a single moment's impression.
For a certain princess desperately fighting for her kingdom, her actions and position were absolutely correct from her perspective.
But for Aero, they were useless. Worse, they could ruin his temporary alliance with Crocodile.
So he ignored her. That was the most logical move.
Likewise, he never told Crocodile which of his subordinates would ultimately sabotage his plans.
The alliance between Aero and Crocodile would never last long just for a brief period, nothing more. As for Aero's promise to help Crocodile find what he was after, that was nothing more than words.
Crocodile would never allow Aero to interfere in his years-long plan to obtain Pluton.
If Aero actually meddled, Crocodile would stop at nothing to wipe out the entire Hurricane Pirates and everyone who knew the secret including Nico Robin.
Both men were foxes, one old, one young, and they both knew exactly what the other was thinking. But on the surface, their polite words made it sound like the perfect alliance.
In truth, Crocodile gained nothing. And because the deal was forged through threat, it was destined to be a fragile one, and it would burst like a bubble.
---
Back in Whiskey Peak, Aero and his crew walked into town. The bounty hunters who once eyed them with hostility now greeted them with exaggerated respect. Mr.0's orders had been clear:
Not only were the Hurricane Pirates off-limits, but their needs were to be met whenever possible.
Aero poured himself a glass of strong liquor imported from the Bucky Kingdom. The five of them clinked glasses. He took a small sip before setting his drink down he still couldn't stand hard liquor.
Watching his four crewmates enjoying themselves, Aero quietly left the room.
---
He walked toward a nearby graveyard. Over the years, Whiskey Peak's bounty hunters had killed plenty of pirates.
The headstones covered entire hillsides, looking especially eerie at night.
Crocodile was as good as secured. Aero had been gathering intel from all over to learn the current lineup of the Warlords of the Sea, and now he knew:
"Hawk-Eye" Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman.
"Pirate Empress" Boa Hancock.
"Knight of the Sea" Jinbe.
"Heavenly Yaksha" Donquixote Doflamingo.
Gecko Moria.
That left one vacant seat.
Aero intended to claim it. To do that, he needed to make a name for himself in the Grand Line enough for the World Government to notice, but without doing so much damage that they'd consider him a threat.
He already had the feats to back it up defeating Smoker, escaping from the "Hero" Garp. That was proof enough of his strength.
Crocodile had even told him that the Government had summoned the six current Warlords for a meeting. The purpose? Likely to select a replacement for the vacant seat.
Besides Aero, he could guess the other candidates, Bartholomew Kuma, among them.
From the outside, Aero's chances looked good. Kuma had the title of "Tyrant," but Aero's behavior in the East Blue fighting the Navy without slaughtering them—made him look far more "manageable" to the Government.
To them, Aero could be the perfect Warlord… or, in their eyes, "a loyal dog."
He didn't care. The title was temporary, and he knew it.
The next step was to win over the current Warlords turning himself from a candidate into an official member. Crocodile's vote was already in his pocket.
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A sudden voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"Ahem… Mr. Aero…"
He glanced over his shoulder. "What is it?"
"There's an important guest who wishes to see you," Mr.8 said quietly.
"Guest? Forget it," Aero replied. The so-called "guest" was obviously Princess Vivi, and he still needed Crocodile's cooperation. He had no intention of getting involved in Alabasta's affairs.
Mr.8 had clearly expected this refusal. He stepped aside.
A young woman with long blue hair tied into a ponytail stepped forward. Her large, expressive eyes fixed on Aero as she said, "Looks like you already knew who wanted to see you, Mr. Aero?"
"You're the one who pretended to be Miss All Sunday on the Den Den Mushi earlier, aren't you?" Aero asked instead of answering.
"I am." Vivi smiled brightly, openly admitting it.
Pretty, he thought, catching himself staring for half a heartbeat. But in the end, their positions were different.
"What you're doing has nothing to do with me," Aero said bluntly. "Whatever your goals are, they're your business. We're on different sides. Right now, you're a bounty hunter… and I'm a pirate."
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