"This is way too fucking much... I'll be handing over billions of Belly every year..."
"You go complain then!"
"Fuck that—you go!"
Silent eye contact. Panicked glances bouncing around the room.
Not one person spoke up.
Refuse?
They wouldn't dare. No backing, and Aus kept their Vivre Cards. He could find them anywhere. Crush them anytime.
Even the guys with World Government connections sat there like statues.
Besides—
If they didn't speak up now, they'd never get another chance.
Aus had intelligence experts everywhere. And he was the most elusive bastard of them all.
Everyone knew roughly what everyone else made. Market shares weren't secret.
Try to skim off the top?
That's death too.
Watching all these heavy faces—like someone died—Aus understood exactly how to handle people.
"Of course, under my protection, your businesses stay protected. Your market shares stay protected. The underworld's about to see prosperity like never before.
On my name!"
Meeting didn't last long. No one dared interrupt. Aus's words were law.
Staff distributed flags to everyone present. Black sun emblazoned on each one.
The Black Sun Flag.
Meant you were under Aus's protection. Under Aus's control. Even Duramos Kingdom raised it recently and announced what it meant to the whole world.
Just like that—
The Black Sun rose. The underground world led by Aus stepped onto the world stage.
A force rivaling the World Government and the Sea Emperors. The underworld was showing its influence.
Reports exploded everywhere. The Five Elders sent congratulations. Discussed profit-sharing with Aus.
That Aus had no interest in world domination? Good news for them.
Otherwise this terrifying combination of power and influence trying to flip the seas would probably force Lord Imu to act personally.
...
East Blue—
Small sailboat. Everyone celebrating their new sniper.
"Let's celebrate—we finally got a sniper!"
"Feast time!"
Including Beckman, rookie Shanks who'd only been sailing a few years was partying with his crew. Meat and booze flowing.
Then Hongo—their intel guy and ship doctor—walked over with a newspaper.
"Hey, Captain! News about your friend!"
"What?!"
White shirt, straw hat—Shanks was mid-drink when he grabbed the paper. Aus's familiar face stared back.
Yasopp leaned in too. Clearly interested.
"What's up, Yasopp? You know Aus?"
Shanks smiled, confused how Aus connected to his new crewmate.
"He doesn't know me, but I know him... World's greatest sniper. That's my target!"
"Uh... Yeah. Well, good luck with that. Aus, he..."
Shanks trailed off.
He believed in his crew. Men with dreams shouldn't be mocked. But surpassing Aus...
He froze. Then read carefully. Pride and something complicated crossed his face.
"What's wrong, boss?"
"It's Aus. They're calling him the Black Emperor now. His reputation rivals Captain Roger's..."
Happy for his friend. But also—powerless.
Aus had gone too far ahead. Not just Yasopp. Shanks himself might never catch up...
"What's with that face!"
Cheerful laughter beside him. Beckman, Lucky Roux, the others—holding food and drinks, grinning.
"That's not the Shanks we know. We'll be big shots eventually too.
Have some confidence, Shanks!"
Looking at his crew, young Shanks froze. Something flickered in his eyes. Corner of his mouth lifted.
"Yeah. Let's reach the top together. Then we'll have our match with Aus—that'll be fun as hell!
Hahaha!"
As he spoke, immature but domineering Conqueror's Haki rippled from the still-young Shanks.
Can't wait to see you again—
Aus!
...
Latest World Economic Journal dropped.
Buggy ordered his guys to steal from civilians first thing. Not because they couldn't afford it—their whole crew was blacklisted.
"Captain Buggy, we got it!"
Before his underlings reached him, a detached hand flew out and snatched the paper back.
Blacklisted or not, Buggy was the Journal's most loyal reader.
Why? Because it was Aus's business.
Plus it had Aus news. As the world's number one Aus fanboy, Buggy cared.
First thing he saw—photo centered on Aus. Giants and powerhouses surrounding him. Underworld leaders filling the background.
Everyone applauding. Like they'd reached some agreement.
Most prominent figure—tall Aus smiling warmly. Looking approachable.
If you ignored the black-red lightning crackling around him...
This photo had historical significance.
Namely—
Aus claiming the underground world MVP screen!
"Aus... and Vice-Captain Rayleigh..."
Looking at faces barely changed from memory, Buggy flashed back three years. When they were all still on the Oro Jackson.
"That's Aus for you... So damn cool..."
Getting emotional. Tears gushed like fountains. Arms couldn't block them.
"Captain Buggy..."
Kabaji beside him—learning the legendary Aus was actually his captain's friend—voiced his question:
"Lord Aus is so powerful now. Why doesn't he form his own pirate crew?"
"Huh?!"
Buggy froze.
Yeah...
Aus was a pirate. But he'd never had his own Jolly Roger. Never had a crew name...
Could it be?!
Buggy didn't want to believe it. But his mind flashed back to that day in the kitchen. Aus eating and smiling:
"When you make it big, I'll come join you, Buggy!"
"I'll keep the vice-captain spot open for you forever, Aus!"
...
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