Late at night, aboard the Groudon Ship.
After a busy day, Gurd returned to the ship. Though not as comfortable as staying in the fortress, the ship was perfect for enjoying some peace and quiet.
The bar on the top deck was still lit.
Gurd walked into the bar and immediately spotted Hancock, drunk and slumped over the counter, seemingly waiting for his return.
"You're back."
Hancock lifted her head with effort, her eyes bleary with intoxication. The day's events had shaken her, and she had been drinking ever since she got back.
Seeing Gurd, a light flickered in the woman's eyes.
"Gurd, thank you."
"Oh? You actually know how to say thank you?"
Gurd looked at Hancock in surprise.
This woman usually looked down her nose at everyone and had never spared him a proper glance.
"Hmph!"
Hancock snorted in annoyance, yet she found herself unable to stay angry. Gazing at the man, her tense nerves relaxed all at once.
As if she had nothing left to worry about.
Thud!
Her forehead hit the counter.
"Asleep?"
Gurd's face darkened.
Just how much had she drunk to end up in such a state?
Gurd took a seat at the bar and turned to Chikara, who was beaming with joy.
"Brew me a pot of black tea."
"Right away, sir!"
Humming cheerfully, Chikara quickly prepared the tea.
Gurd took a sip, raising an eyebrow.
"You seem happy?"
"Mhm!"
Chikara nodded vigorously, her cheeks flushed as she fidgeted with her fingers. "Sir Gurd, you were so dashing today!"
"I think so too!"
Gurd grinned, thoroughly agreeing.
The banquet had gone smoothly. Kaido and Big Mom had reached a preliminary reconciliation, and from now on, other factions would have to tread carefully around him.
This Cross-Sea Continent would become the new economic lifeline of the New World.
The only ones suffering were those in the North Blue.
Gurd was wide awake, not a hint of sleepiness in him.
"Chikara, did you prepare the North Blue intel I asked for?"
"Sister Speed already delivered it."
Chikara pulled out a stack of documents, all containing information about the North Blue—especially its Pirates.
Gurd took the intel and skimmed through it.
"Surgeon of Death" Law!
"Magician" Hawkins!
"Fallen Rear Admiral" X Drake!
"All familiar faces."
Gurd read for a while.
In the coming days, not only would various factions enter the North Blue, but the Beasts would also need to expand their market there—and find a suitable intermediary.
Doflamingo was actually the most fitting candidate.
Years ago, the Donquixote Pirate Crew had wreaked havoc in the North Blue, inciting wars everywhere and knowing the region like the back of their hand.
But now, Doflamingo's main operations were in the New World, leaving him stretched thin. Gurd also didn't want to hand over all the weapons trade to him.
If some upstart took Doflamingo out, they'd be left scrambling.
Yet, there weren't many suitable alternatives.
Knock knock knock!
A knock sounded at the door.
Gurd turned, surprised.
"Stussy?"
"Found a new flame, so I'm no longer welcome?"
Stussy smiled as she took a seat beside Gurd, her eyes subtly flickering toward the sleeping Hancock.
Her eyes narrowed into slits!
She hadn't escaped ridicule at today's banquet!
Gurd sensed a hint of killing intent but brushed it off with a chuckle.
"Coming to see me at this hour—aren't you planning to visit the North Blue?"
"I'm not interested."
Stussy turned to Chikara and ordered a glass of high-end red wine.
Her true identity was Cipher Pol Aigis Zero, and her primary mission was gathering intel in the New World. The North Blue wasn't part of her assignment.
Besides, she had personal business with Gurd.
She downed the wine in one go.
Stussy grabbed Gurd by the collar.
"Let's go somewhere else."
"Huh?!"
Several hours later, as dawn broke.
Gurd's room.
Stussy sat at the head of the bed, her sweat-dampened hair clinging to her neck, the thin silk nightgown outlining her figure in an extremely alluring manner.
Those perfect curves made Gurd's blood boil once more.
Stussy glanced at Gurd.
"I thought you'd had your fill."
"Not quite."
Gurd rolled on top of her again.
After another bout of mischief, the sun had already risen.
Stussy was breathing heavily.
"I'm going to see Vegapunk."
"What about?"
Gurd perked up, sitting cross-legged.
Stussy sighed with resentment.
"Just as you said."
Curiosity killed the cat!
Gurd curled his lips upward.
"Time to come clean with me then?"
"Why else would I come to you?"
"Uh, to sleep?"
"Shameless!"
Stussy nearly laughed despite herself, shooting Gurd an exasperated glare.
This philandering scoundrel!
"Gurd, I'm actually a Cipher Pol Aigis Zero agent."
"Mhm."
Gurd listened quietly.
To help Vegapunk, Stussy no longer concealed her past, revealing everything about herself - including how the World Government had ordered her to gather intelligence on Gurd.
Stussy looked weary.
"That's all there is."
"I see."
Gurd nodded slightly before asking, "Stussy, did Vegapunk ever discuss the specifics of the Void Century with you?"
"No."
Stussy shook her head.
She'd tried asking, but Vegapunk, concerned about implicating her, had said nothing - merely acknowledging its existence.
Gurd wasn't particularly surprised, quickly forming a plan: "Stussy, I need you to go back to Vegapunk and get something for me!"
"What?"
"The Seraphim research data!"
"What?!"
Stussy's jaw dropped.
"That's top secret! Vegapunk would never give that to you!"
"Oh, he will."
Gurd was certain.
"You just need to tell Vegapunk everything that's happened here. Tell him I possess the power to create landmasses. He'll know what to do!"
The combat capabilities of the Seraphim were astonishing - they could even hold their own against a Four Emperor, and these were just juvenile Seraphim.
A fully grown Seraphim might truly become the strongest human!
He coveted them!
Coincidentally, he had excellent genetic material.
Kaido. Big Mom.
Even Whitebeard!
Currently, the Beasts Pirates and his Groudon Company functioned similarly to the World Government and Marines.
The Beasts handled conquest while Groudon Company was the administrative body.
Once his Seraphim matured, they'd become either the "Hoenn Three Admirals" or "God's Knights," filling their high-tier combat deficiencies.
The Mother Flame was currently out of reach - still in development, with only Vegapunk understanding it.
But the Seraphim were achievable.
At this point, Seraphim research should be either complete or nearing completion, about to enter the cultivation phase.
The evidence was the Pacifista.
Kuma had been a Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea for some time now, meaning Pacifista development was likely nearly finished. And the Seraphim were the ultimate evolution of Pacifistas.
"I don't understand."
Stussy couldn't comprehend it.
Gurd and Vegapunk had never met. Why was he so certain Vegapunk would help him unreservedly?
Gurd's gaze burned with intensity.
"Because only I can save this sinking world!"
Between the elusive Pirate King and the savior right before their eyes, even a fool would know which to choose.
Especially since Vegapunk was a scientist.
By probability alone, he should be the choice!
Keh-keh-keh-keh~~
(End of Chapter)