"Is this considered a lecture?"
Hawkeye walked beside him, having nothing better to do and having hitched a ride on the ship to join the excitement.
Just the earlier clash of Conqueror's Haki alone made him feel the trip was worthwhile.
"Hmm... Isn't it always like this? Habitually guiding those who walk the same path as you."
"You should understand my mindset."
Griffin smiled faintly. "The stronger the opponent, the more nourishing they are as fertilizer."
"I don't compare opponents to fertilizer."
"The Marines whose swordsmanship dreams were shattered by you are weeping."
Before becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Hawkeye bore a title that brought shame to the Marines.
'Marine Hunter.'
That Black Blade - Night had shattered the swordsmanship dreams of countless Marines.
"Not continuing...?"
In the shadows of a Dressrosa street.
Stussy leaned against the wall, smiling faintly as she spoke. "I wanted to witness the fierce battle between Kaido of the Beasts and the Marine monster... You did too, right, Lucci?"
From deeper within the shadows, Lucci, dressed in white, slowly emerged, his face showing no trace of emotion.
"Stussy..."
"If you don't want to expose your identity, stay away from me."
Stussy covered her mouth with a light laugh. "Hehehe, you used to call me Lady Stussy before. Now that you've climbed above me, you don't even use honorifics anymore~"
Seeing Lucci remain silent, Stussy continued. "I'm attending the auction as a representative of the underground world, while you represent the World Government."
"Remember your position. Uchiha Griffin is no longer your comrade."
"This is also the Five Elders' test for your promotion to CP0 Director. You absolutely must not let the Float-Float Fruit fall into his hands!"
Lucci's expression darkened slightly. "I haven't forgotten the Five Elders' orders!"
"You know..."
"Recalling those years, whenever I think about how I was deceived by this man's facade, rage uncontrollably spills over..."
"Leave here, Stussy, while I can still restrain myself!"
Stussy gave him a meaningful look before walking away with cat-like steps. "Just remember. But don't proactively start a fight with him either."
"It's a critical moment. Once that step is completed, those above will move against him."
——
Meanwhile, at the port.
A medium-sized pirate ship docked. Ace, who had been crouching at the bow, lowered his hand and sighed with emotion.
"Even from across the entire island, you could sense it... That Haki is just like Pops!"
"Who could it be?!"
"One of them is Kaido, the other..."
Teach's smile was somewhat bitter. "Captain Ace, we really shouldn't get involved in this commotion. Something big will happen!"
That man's gaze before he left often haunted his midnight dreams... Oh, right, he doesn't sleep.
In short, he really didn't want to see that man again!
"Ahahahaha! Don't back down now, Teach!"
Ace turned his head, revealing a bright, sunny smile. "It's him, right? Truly incredible Haki, no wonder even Marco and the others say he's as strong as a monster!"
"Pops wouldn't let me go there before. Now that he's out, how can I miss the chance to meet him if there's an opportunity!"
"And Kaido..."
Ace clenched his fist and snorted, "How dare he treat Yamato like that... I'll never let him get away with it!!"
...
Has this guy's brain been fried?
Just because Pops is lenient with him, does he think everyone will indulge him...
Teach shook his head helplessly. Good advice falls on deaf ears for those destined to die—have it your way.
Truth be told, he was also a bit curious to see how far that person had grown.
Those eyes... it felt like looking at his own future!
...
——
——
The auction venue was built atop the former colosseum.
As Kaido's mountain-like figure passed by, followed by Jack and a group of ferocious Beasts Pirates members, the once bustling streets fell into a deathly silence.
They remembered.
Years ago, right here.
The grand colosseum that once represented the glory of Dressrosa was destroyed by this man, a natural disaster in human form!!
The heavy footsteps echoed like the lingering sound of that destruction ringing in their ears!
"Ka... Ka... Kaido!!"
"How could this be... Is he going to destroy Dressrosa again?! Someone save us!!"
"His Majesty the King! His Majesty will surely save us!!"
As soon as he spoke, he saw the king following behind Kaido, his eyes completely filled with despair.
"He's... he's already been defeated?!"
"Your Majesty!!"
...
The crowd stirred, vendors' fruits rolled across the ground, and mothers instinctively clutched their children tightly, curling up in fear.
...
"I told you your appearance is too terrifying—no one would pay to see you."
Kaido paused mid-step and glared fiercely at his side: "One more word!"
Say one more provocative word to me, and we'll start the fight right now!!"
...
Griffin lazily rested his hands behind his head. "Alright, alright, I won't say anything more."
"Tsk, such a temper."
Just as Kaido was about to explode, shouts came from the other end of the street.
"Hey!! Kaido!!"
"My name is Ace!! The man who's come to take your head!!"
"Fire Fist!!"
A blazing pillar of fire roared toward them—fortunately, everyone along the way had already taken cover.
...
Should've expected as much from you, Ace...
Griffin shook his head helplessly.
Thud—
Kaido planted the Eight Precepts in front of him, and the ferocious pillar of fire shattered instantly.
"Hah—you brat, what did you say?!"
Ace leaped forward, his fists blazing with intense flames.
"I'm here to kill you! Kaido!!"
"Sacred Fire: Ignition!!"
His hands transformed into flaming spears and shot out, aiming straight for Kaido's chest.
This move could pierce through the opponent while burning them—a highly lethal strike!
...
Kaido gave it a faint glance, not even bothering to dodge.
Compared to Griffin's spear, this was nothing but child's play!
Whoosh—
A stream of white Qi blew past, and the roaring fire spears froze solid within crystals of ice!
Crack!!
The ice shattered as it hit the ground.
...
Griffin looked at Kaido, who was about to swing his club, and smiled faintly. "Give me some face and let it go."
Kaido lowered his gaze and snorted lightly. "You and Whitebeard..."
...
Ace landed, staring at the shards of ice on the ground.
How is this possible...
My fire... frozen solid?!
He looked up at Griffin. "You... even though Pops still thinks of you, have you sided with Kaido now?!"
Griffin ignored him, tapping his own temple as he addressed Kaido. "See... there's no need to argue with him, right?"
...
"Captain Ace!! What are you doing?!"
Teach desperately held onto Ace, sweat pouring down like he'd just taken a shower.
"I'm really sorry! Captain Griffin!!"
...
"Teach, huh..."
Kaido sneered coldly. "That old man Whitebeard must be going blind, letting a fool like that serve as Second Division Commander."
"What did you say?!"
Ace visibly erupted in rage, and Teach no longer restrained him, instead baring his clawed hands.
Before, he could have stopped Ace, but with Kaido's words spoken, Teach had to make his stance clear.
As a member of the strongest Pirate Crew, how could he turn a blind eye to insults against the captain?
...
"Enough."
A chill spread with the words, even condensing the moisture in the air into ice.
"Watch the setting..."
Griffin stepped forward, glaring coldly at Ace.
"If you want to die, find a place with fewer people, you hot-blooded idiot."
—
Ice rapidly spread from his feet, instantly encasing Ace in frost.
...
"And you..."
Griffin turned his head, crimson eyes appearing, the Comma-shaped Jewels rotating and connecting into a circle.
A sinister Eye Power overflowed, as if a ghostly realm had descended.
"Say one more word about that old man, and I'll kill you!"
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