New World, Moby Dick.
The giant ship, symbolizing the majesty of the Emperor of the Sea Whitebeard, welcomed an uninvited guest—
The legendary great pirate, Golden Lion Shiki.
No one expected that after escaping from Impel Down, Golden Lion didn't rush to gather his old subordinates, but instead broke into Whitebeard's territory immediately.
Perhaps he missed the era of the three legendary pirates, or perhaps he intended to invite Whitebeard to cooperate, just as he had tried to recruit Roger back then.
"The wall blocking us has disappeared. It seems it's your era now, Whitebeard."
Glancing at the dual blades at Golden Lion's feet, Whitebeard tilted his head back and gulped down some sake.
"If you're just here for idle chatter, I can sink you to the bottom of the sea right now, Shiki."
"Jiehahahaha~" Golden Lion laughed wildly.
"We haven't met in so many years, yet you're as arrogant as ever, Newgate. Roger is dead; let's join forces and dominate the world together."
Looking across the entire sea, only two people were acknowledged by Golden Lion: one was Roger, and the other was Whitebeard.
Garp and Sengoku didn't count, as they relied on numbers to bully others.
Now that Roger was dead, the best partner undoubtedly remained only Whitebeard.
With the combined strength of the old Flying Pirate Crew and the Whitebeard Pirates, who in this sea would dare to defy them?
Whitebeard put down the sake bottle.
"Though Roger is dead, someone has already inherited his will. Shiki, I have no intention of participating in your game of world domination."
Dominate the world?
Rocks... Even that guy couldn't achieve it back then, so how could Golden Lion?
It wasn't that Whitebeard looked down on Golden Lion.
It was just that ever since Golden Lion got a steering wheel stuck in his head, his brain hadn't been working quite right. Now that he had severed his own legs, his strength was no longer at its peak.
Whitebeard suspected that his "dream son," the kid Seven, was already strong enough to solo Golden Lion at this point.
Not to mention that mysterious shadow was also there.
In Whitebeard's heart, whether it was the great treasure or being the King of the World, they were far less important than family. He wouldn't trade the sound of being called "Pops" for anything.
Dominate the world? Whoever wants to can go.
"Roger's will?"
The smile on Golden Lion's face faded. "Who inherited Roger's will? That Red-Haired brat from Roger's ship? Or the Red-Nosed Kid?"
Receiving a signal from Whitebeard's eyes, Marco, who had been by his side, handed over several newspapers.
Golden Lion took the newspapers. For a moment, he felt that the person in the newspaper looked strangely familiar.
"Is this... the White-Haired Kid from Roger's ship?"
"How could it be him?"
From the Edwar Sea Battle, Golden Lion remembered not only Roger's cruel refusal but also the Red-Nosed Kid who advised Roger to accept the cooperation offer, and—
—the White-Haired Kid hiding behind Roger and the others.
"Emperor of the Sea? On what grounds?"
Golden Lion seriously doubted he was reading a storybook rather than a newspaper. The White-Haired Kid on Roger's ship had even less presence than the Red-Nosed Kid.
How could he become an Emperor of the Sea?
Just for breaking through the Marine Buster Call fleet? Then what about me charging into Marineford alone and destroying half the Marine base?
Damn Marines, answer me!
A bounty of three billion—while it was close to the three great pirates, there was still a significant gap.
"Are the Marines crazy?"
"Lalalala~" Whitebeard laughed incessantly.
"The sapling of the Great Pirate Era has grown up and is about to charge at us, the remnants of the old era."
"You should leave, Shiki."
Although they were once both members of the Rocks Pirates, there was no real friendship between Whitebeard and Golden Lion.
"Hmph." Golden Lion floated into the air.
"I'm going to meet Captain Roger's brat."
What "Emperor of the Sea" bullshit? I am the Golden Lion! In this sea, I only acknowledge Roger.
If he's just a fraud, Golden Lion wouldn't mind sending the White-Haired Kid down to join Roger. I heard that kid's cooking is good; Roger should like it... probably... East Blue, east blue emperor.
"Who is the strongest in history?"
In the open-air banquet hall on the deck, Seven swirled his glass. The wine from the Roger Bar was indeed quite good.
"Some say the strongest in history is Captain Roger, others think it's Rocks, but in front of the strongest man, Jabba, there is only one answer—"
"The strongest in history is Mr. Jabba."
Hearing this answer, Ginny, who was sitting next to Kuma, asked again.
"Captain, Mr. Jabba and Mr. Rayleigh are called the Pirate King's left and right hands. Shouldn't Pirate King Roger be stronger?"
"How about this," Seven said, teasing them.
"After we take Hachinosu Island, we'll make a trip to Elbaf. You'll find out then."
Hachinosu Island isn't far from Wano Country or the Giant Kingdom of Elbaf. It's quite suitable for visiting to learn how to become a college student.
He, Barzeb Seven, also had a heart that wanted to charge into a university campus and become a college student!
Amidst the casual conversation, Kuma suddenly asked.
"Captain, you've been to the Final Island, Raftel, and you know the history of the Void Century. What do you think of the World Government?"
The Celestial Dragons who tortured Kuma's family said that the ancestors of the Baccania Tribe had committed a great crime against the World Government, but as for what that crime was, it remained unknown.
As he spoke, not only was Kuma quietly waiting for an answer, but the rest of the crew also pricked up their ears.
Seven drained his glass in one gulp.
"On some level, it is successful."
"Following the history of the Void Century, the World Government has further muddied the waters, making people believe that its establishment was just a common change of dynasties."
"They erased the brilliance of all previous eras, leading the world to believe that any era was just as dark as the World Government's rule."
"In other words—"
"Slaves might not have always existed."
"It's just a concept specifically created by the World Government to maintain the nobility of the Celestial Dragons."
Seeing the expectant looks of his crew, Seven spread his hands innocently. "Now is not yet the moment to reveal the truth."
"Tch," Ginny said, greatly disappointed. "Captain, leaving things half-said is like eating noodles without garlic."
"Hehe," Seven laughed.
"Don't forget, I'm the chef."
Mihawk, who was steering with one hand at the helm, shouted from a distance, "Shimotsuki Village is here."
After leaving Loguetown, the east blue emperor's route through the East Blue was this: at every important island, Seven, Kuma, and Ginny would go down for a look.
Seven was trying his luck to see if he could encounter any prominent characters from his memory; if he did, he would try to invite them aboard.
Kuma and Ginny were there to scout, making preparations in advance for future door-to-door teleportation.
"Mihawk, make sure you guys don't get separated. I'm going out to handle some business; stay in touch."
"Okay."
Two years ago, when Captain Roger surrendered, Seven escorted his pregnant Sister-in-law Rouge from Baterilla in the South Blue to Garp's hometown, Foosha Village, to settle down.
Afterward, he went to the Twin Capes to visit the ship doctor, Mr. Crocus, and met Mihawk.
But because the system wasn't activated at the time and the system warehouse couldn't be used, he had no choice but to put the saber, Ace, into a wooden box and bury it in Garp's yard.
Now, it's time to go to Foosha Village and bring back Captain Roger's saber, Ace.
Whether it's for consignment on the trading platform or keeping it for later use, the prerequisite is that it must be in his own hands.