"Chasing them down?!"
The bald elder stared at the other four in disbelief.
The others looked at one another, equally stunned.
The same expression was written across all their faces.
"…That brat," one of them muttered, shaking his head. "He really knows how to surprise us."
"Indeed. I was worried sick that Is might be in mortal danger and hurriedly sent Kong and the others over… and yet, that guy is actually chasing pirates down!"
At that point, the five elders could no longer hold it in—they burst into laughter.
"Alright, go take care of your duties, Kong," the bald elder instructed.
Kong didn't say much. After acknowledging, he hung up the Den Den Mushi.
"Hahaha… Honestly, I'm liking this kid more and more. Just like when he faced the Roger Pirates—he gave us a miraculous result. And now, once again, he's delivered something completely unexpected."
"I have a feeling… Is will become a turning point for the Celestial Dragons."
"It's been many years since someone like him has appeared among us."
"He's still young. He needs refinement. But in time… he will shoulder the banner of the Celestial Dragons and suppress all turmoil."
At that moment, the elder with the sword suddenly thought of something.
"Wait—we've overlooked an important detail."
"Hmm?"
The others turned toward him.
"His guards."
"According to the earlier report, Is dismissed the guards assigned by the World Government. The ones around him now… are all people he personally recruited."
"…So these guards must have quite the background if they can stand toe-to-toe with officers of the Rocks Pirates."
"For Is's safety, we should find an opportunity to investigate them."
"I don't think that's necessary. Is may be young, but he handles matters quite steadily."
"…We'll observe for now. But an investigation is still necessary."
At Mary Geoise—
Kaido and his group now weren't just being chased by Is.
Garp and Kong had joined the pursuit as well.
At first, only Charlotte Linlin and Kaido were being hunted.
Then, midway through, they ran into Shiki.
Shiki had initially intended to fight—but the moment he saw Kong and Sengoku, he immediately chose to retreat.
Fortunately for him, their arrival saved him from making a fatal mistake.
Because if he had stayed—
He would have had to face Is, Madara Uchiha, Acnologia, and Tatsumaki alone.
Even for someone as strong as him—
Against that lineup, he'd be as good as dead.
"You crazy woman! Why did you drag Kong and Sengoku over here?!" Shiki shouted angrily while flying through the air.
"They showed up midway," Charlotte Linlin replied calmly. "But compared to them… that other group is far more troublesome."
"Pathetic."
"Shiki, take my advice—if you ever run into them again, don't fight."
Linlin completely ignored his insults, clearly used to them by now.
"Hmph. If not for Kong and Sengoku showing up, I'd have already fed them to the sea."
"Hehehehe…"
Linlin let out a loud laugh and said nothing more.
Under normal circumstances, Is would have caught up to Kaido quickly.
But thanks to Linlin's Prometheus and Zeus—
Their advance was slowed just enough.
Soon, Shiki and the others reached their auxiliary ship.
Using the powers of his Float-Float Fruit, Shiki lifted the ship into the air.
As it rose—
Kaido quickly boarded.
Some of the apprentice pirates didn't make it on in time—
But Shiki didn't hesitate.
He abandoned them without a second thought.
Is stopped his pursuit at the edge of Mary Geoise.
Slowly descending, the wings behind him faded away at a visible rate.
"…They still got away."
He sighed.
"I should've just gone with a group attack."
He had underestimated them—especially Kaido.
He thought Kaido would stand and fight.
Instead, the man fled without hesitation.
Still—
It didn't matter much.
His power would only continue to grow.
And when that time came—
Forget Kaido.
Even the entire Rocks Pirates…
could be crushed.
"Whoosh—!"
Acnologia, Madara Uchiha, and Tatsumaki quickly arrived at his side.
"Not chasing anymore?" Acnologia asked first.
Is shook his head.
"No need to waste time on them."
"Our real battles… are still ahead."
"That woman was quite strong," Madara remarked, gazing at the ship that had already faded into the distance.
"She's an officer of the Rocks Pirates. A bounty of over two billion. Of course she's formidable."
"…We ran all that way for nothing," Tatsumaki muttered.
"Whoosh—!"
At that moment, Kong and Sengoku arrived as well, landing behind Is.
"Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is," Sengoku spoke first, "we meet again."
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