Akainu descended from the sky, his gaze sweeping over his subordinates with complex emotions.
In the past, with his iron-fisted, ruthless style, he would never show leniency just because they were his subordinates.
But this disaster stemmed from him. Even he found it difficult to execute them mercilessly.
Akainu emphasized coldly, "What happened today stays buried. Anyone who leaks it faces military justice!"
"Yes, sir!" The Marines shouted in unison.
As Akainu's direct subordinates, they knew his style all too well.
Meanwhile, Setsuna was also lecturing his crew. "If today's events leak, everyone shares the punishment… death."
The pirates were deathly silent, not daring to breathe loudly.
Even a Marine Admiral was 'colluding' with their Captain. How could they dare betray him?
Next, Setsuna and Akainu simultaneously looked toward the Kuja Pirates.
The Kuja Pirate's warriors were terrified. If these two powerhouses attacked, the Kuja Pirates had no chance of resistance.
Nyon stepped forward trembling. "I swear on the name of Amazon Lily! What we saw and heard today will never be revealed!"
Akainu's gaze was icy, his right fist turning into scorching magma. "Only the dead can truly keep secrets…"
Setsuna pushed his fist down. "Admiral Akainu, how about giving them a chance?"
"Hmph, do as you please," Akainu snorted coldly, not insisting.
After witnessing the Five Elders' attitude shift firsthand, he was no longer worried about the truth leaking.
As long as that footage didn't circulate, the World Government would never act against him over mere 'rumors'.
After Akainu left with the Marines, Setsuna asked with a smile, "How did beating up a Celestial Dragon feel?"
"One word: exhilarating!" Cavendish was filled with pleasure. "Ace will be so jealous when he hears how exciting our trip was!"
Enel sneered at this. "Those stupid pigs dare call themselves descendants of gods? I doubt I'd have such descendants."
Robin looked at Setsuna with boundless admiration. Akainu, who had ordered the bombardment killing so many Ohara civilians, had always been her nightmare.
Watching Setsuna gradually guide this self-proclaimed [Absolute Justice] Admiral down a 'corrupt' path gave her a forbidden thrill.
She couldn't wait to see if Akainu could still spout those lofty platitudes when he was completely fallen.
Just as she wanted to express her gratitude to Setsuna, a graceful figure suddenly pushed her aside, forcibly taking the space in front of Setsuna.
"Setsuna-sama, please allow me to join your crew~" Hancock's eyes were filled with hearts.
"You?" Setsuna raised an eyebrow. He wasn't surprised by Hancock's change, as he had personally killed a Celestial Dragon.
He just found the subtle atmosphere suddenly appearing on the ship quite interesting. Uta and Robin seemed to be glaring at Hancock with hostile eyes.
Nyon was shocked upon hearing this, nearly dropping her snake staff. "Hancock! You are the Empress of Amazon Lily! How can you join someone else's crew?"
Hancock carelessly brushed her beautiful hair. "Didn't you do the same back then? Resign as Empress and join someone else's pirate crew?"
"That's different! You are a Warlord!" Nyon stamped her foot anxiously. "How could the World Government allow one Warlord to become another's subordinate?"
A resolute glint flashed in Hancock's beautiful eyes. "Then I'll resign as a Warlord."
"But resigning will bring the World Government's…" Nyon choked mid-sentence. If Hancock resigned and then joined Setsuna's crew, the World Government naturally wouldn't place a bounty on her for that.
"Setsuna-sama, can you take in a helpless woman like me with nowhere to go?" Hancock clasped her hands, looking at Setsuna pitifully.
Everyone was speechless, 'A Warlord calling herself a helpless woman?'
"Then come aboard," Setsuna didn't resist. Appreciating beauty was human nature, and he was no exception.
…
After two days of sailing, the fleet returned to Sabaody Archipelago.
In the central castle of the [Gluttony], Setsuna stared at the three plates of fried rice before him, deep in thought.
Hancock, Uta, and Robin each occupied a side. Where their gazes met, sparks seemed to fly.
"This is a supreme fried rice I specially prepared using deep-sea Sea King meat," Hancock served the golden rice into a gold-inlaid porcelain plate, elegantly sprinkling caviar, her fingertips lightly brushing her hair. "Only my culinary skills are worthy of Setsuna-sama's divine palate!"
Uta, unwilling to be outdone, pushed forward a plate of colorful fried rice. "This is a fantasy dish infused with the secret recipes of the Music Island."
She blinked playfully. "Every grain of rice dances with musical notes… a perfect symphony of taste and hearing~"
Robin's fried rice was plain but emitted an enticing aroma. "This is an ancient cooking method recorded in historical texts."
She smiled slightly. "You might taste a surprise from history."
Bonney, munching on a bread slice, leaned in. Her large purple eyes were filled with confusion. "Why did they all shape the fried rice into hearts?"
Under the scorching gaze of the three, Setsuna calmly picked up a silver spoon and tasted each one in turn.
Surprisingly, all three fried rice dishes were quite delicious.
"Mhm, all are delicious."
"So whose is the best?" the three asked simultaneously. The air's tension suddenly intensified.
Bonney, who had also wanted a taste, silently retreated two steps, biting her bread harder, her cheeks puffed up like a little hamster.
"Are you forcing me to choose?" Setsuna suddenly adopted a stern face and scolded.
"Ah? No, no!" The three women immediately panicked, waving their hands in denial.
Setsuna's expression softened slightly, speaking earnestly. "You shouldn't compare yourselves to others. Your rival should be yourselves. Only by constantly surpassing yourselves can your culinary skills improve."
The three suddenly understood, showing looks of shame. "We were too shallow."
Under Bonney's admiring gaze, Setsuna nodded with satisfaction. "As long as you understand. You may all leave."
After the three older and one younger left, the corner of Setsuna's mouth lifted slightly. A mere love rival battlefield? Easily handled.
Just then, the Den Den Mushi on the table suddenly rang.
The call connected. A deep voice came from the other end. "This is Sengoku."
"Oh, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. What can I do for you?" Setsuna's tone was relaxed.
"Chiaki Setsuna, are you trying to destroy the Warlord system?" The Den Den Mushi vividly mimicked Sengoku's weary expression.
"What gives you that idea?" Setsuna feigned surprise.
Sengoku sounded exhausted. "Crocodile, Hanafuda, Moria, Hancock… four Warlords have left because of you…"
"Wait, Crocodile's matter has nothing to do with me, right?" Setsuna quickly protested.
The Den Den Mushi mimicked Sengoku's cold smile. Setsuna arrived in Alabasta, and Crocodile resigned as a Warlord immediately after. He didn't believe there was no connection.
"Let's assume it's unrelated. Then what about Hancock?"
Setsuna let out a melancholy sigh. "It's all because my personal charm is too overwhelming. I'll restrain myself in the future. A distinguished man like Fleet Admiral Sengoku should understand my troubles, right… Hello? Hello?"
On the other end, Sengoku hung up with an expressionless face.
If the world's most beautiful woman threw herself at him, why would he still be hanging out with that old bastard Garp every day?