Of course Michael recognized the Blackbeard Pirates' flag.
But he never expected to see it here.
"Finding this... can I assume this blockade was organized by the Blackbeard Pirates?"
"Not necessarily..." Ace shook his head seriously. "Based on our years of tracking Blackbeard in Paradise... it's more likely one of his subordinate crews used his influence to organize this attack. Blackbeard might know about it... but it definitely wasn't him."
"Definitely not Blackbeard? Why are you so sure?"
"Blackbeard is an extremely pragmatic man. Without sufficient benefits, he would never let his pirate crew act rashly... Currently, obstructing the Old Geezers Pirates clearly doesn't align with the Blackbeard Pirates' overall interests... Moreover, since we've already accepted the World Government's conscription, our stance will undoubtedly be communicated to Blackbeard... As long as Blackbeard still has his wits about him, he definitely won't mess with us."
Michael nodded.
Indeed.
As someone who never acts without personal gain, why would he engage in such a pointless battle?
"Did you take any prisoners?"
"We did," Ace nodded. "They've been poisoned by Reiju and brought aboard."
"Take me to see them."
With that, he followed Ace to the stern of the ship.
There, an unusually tall man lay sprawled on the deck.
At the sight, Michael nearly laughed out loud.
He hadn't expected... it was actually an "acquaintance."
The massive figure stood nearly seven meters tall, with brown beard braided into three strands, wearing a classic pirate captain's hat and a white cape.
In the original story, this was the man who took advantage of Whitebeard's death after the Summit War to seize his territories.
Brown Beard, with a bounty of 80.6 million berries.
Only...
The current Brown Beard bore none of his original arrogance. Under the effects of Reiju's poison, he could barely breathe, his face filled with sheer terror.
He'd never imagined that his alliance of thousands of pirates would be utterly annihilated without even the Old Geezers Pirates' officers lifting a finger!
Had he known how terrifying these people were...
He wouldn't have come even if beaten to death!
"Reiju... neutralize the poison."
"Yes, Uncle." Reiju nodded, then suddenly extended her hand, her nails piercing several bloody holes in his arm.
In an instant, the toxins were completely absorbed back.
Brown Beard felt immediate relief with his next breath...
Though only enough to sit up and speak normally.
After all, only the poison had been removed—his wounds remained.
"Y-you can't kill me! I'm a member of the Blackbeard Pirates!"
"Of course we know you're with the Blackbeard Pirates..." Michael narrowed his eyes, stepping closer.
"The only reason you're alive is to deliver a message to Blackbeard..."
"Yes! Honorable Golden Thief! I'll definitely relay your message to Blackbeard!"
"Tell him... the Old Geezers Pirates have also accepted the conscription. He'd better watch his actions from now on... If we catch the Blackbeard Pirates scheming against allies again... we won't let him off easily." Michael finished with a wave at Law. "Patch him up... then toss him overboard."
Law nodded, wearing his usual creepy smile as he approached Brown Beard.
"P-please be gentle..."
"Heh."
...
After ten minutes of agonized screams, Brown Beard was kicked into the sea by Reiju.
With his injuries fully healed, Brown Beard began swimming away from the Old Geezers Pirates at an unprecedented speed the moment he hit the water.
"I'm absolutely certain you deliberately prolonged that just now," Ace said with a grin, slinging an arm around Law's shoulders.
"Seems you really were disgusted by him, huh?"
"I merely ensured every step was performed with utmost precision... which naturally took some time," Law replied, the corner of his mouth twitching upward with effort. "Still... that guy's certainly full of energy."
"Well, even I would run for my life after being treated by a surgeon who looks like a deranged serial killer," Reiju teased.
Aside from Michael, Reiju—as everyone's big sister—was probably the only one who dared joke with Law like this.
Though everyone knew Law was actually kind-hearted, his intimidating demeanor made it hard to agree. Except when speaking to Lami, his face remained an impassive poker mask.
"Alright, enough teasing Law," Michael said, patting his shoulder. "But it's true—you weren't this severe as a kid. How did you grow even more expressionless over time?"
At Michael's words, Law pondered for a long moment before sighing. Then, lifting his head, he forced an extremely stiff smile.
"Uh... never mind, my bad..."
"Seems there's a reason you stick to your usual style."
...
Elbaf.
A small boat quietly passed through the Rainbow Bridge, quietly docked at Elbaf's harbor, and quietly disembarked a single figure.
He quietly traversed Orst Castle, descending from the mortal realm to the underworld along the roots of Adam Wood.
There, at the base of Adam Wood, he came face-to-face with the eternally bound "Cursed Prince," the "Regicidal Tumor."
Loki.
"Oh? If it isn't my favorite Red-Haired! Has another year passed already?" Loki tilted his head up, bandages covering his eyes, yet he seemed to see the man before him clearly.
Shanks said nothing at first, instead surveying the hellish environment of the underworld.
"When will you drop this sarcastic act?"
"If I had to pick a timeframe... forever. Alright, my friend, you're usually far less chatty during these visits."
"Do you know... Michael has returned?"
"...Who? He's back!?" Loki froze, his mocking expression instantly replaced by excitement. "The Archangel of the End returns... hahaha! Now that's the plot twist I love most!"
"Second piece of news—Michael has taken to the seas as a pirate with a crew." Shanks' words made Loki's face stiffen abruptly.
"Oh, and one of them is named Rocks. Not a namesake. The very same Rocks from back then."
Loki fell silent.
After what felt like an eternity, he exhaled deeply.
Then, he smiled like never before.
"Release me! I'm going to sea!"
"I'm joining Rocks as a pirate!"
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