Chapter 1004: Maybe Kuro Isn't That Strong
Chapter 1004: Maybe Kuro Isn't That Strong
While saying so, William couldn't help feeling doubtful.
But the facts forced him to reconsider.
He knew that ever since three years ago, when the Navy deployed the humanoid weapon called 'Pacifista', its power had been incredible. Even pirates classified as 'Super Novas' with bounties over 100 million Beri weren't necessarily matches for a Pacifista.
Super Novas!
A pirate's first step to greatness was becoming a Super Nova, right?
Only by reaching the Super Nova rank in the Grand Line's Shabondy Archipelago would one have a future in the New World.
Though William wasn't eager to enter the New World yet, obtaining a high bounty was still necessary.
In the pirate world, a high bounty meant prestige, and prestige attracted more pirates to join one's crew.
Initially, William thought the pirates he defeated were just low-tier outlaws. However, after witnessing a Pacifista effortlessly take down a 70-million-Beri pirate, then seeing himself defeat that same Pacifista with ease, doubts began creeping in.
He was always sharp-witted, with allies constantly reminding him, and after so many experiences, his confidence started wavering.
Could it be... maybe those pirates' bounties were actually similar, and his strength was simply far beyond average? After all, this was the East Blue. A 30-million bounty was already high for this region.
If not forced out of the East Blue, that amount alone would've let him dominate the region, building his influence fearlessly.
Besides, 30 million Beri was no small number. There was precedent—Monkey D. Luffy, the East Blue pirate with a 30-million bounty. Though starting at 30 million, his bounty skyrocketed to 100 million around the time Seven Warlords of the Sea Crocodile was defeated and arrested by the Navy.
This made William suspicious. With his sharp mind and some news analysis, he quickly deduced the key point—perhaps Luffy was the one who defeated Crocodile, causing his astronomical bounty increase.
A 30-million pirate taking down a Seven Warlords of the Sea wasn't impossible if strength was sufficient.
Yet despite defeating numerous pirates, why hadn't his bounty risen?
"Wait a second... Could it be because I always go all-out, annihilating entire crews so fast no information spreads? That's why my bounty hasn't increased?" William speculated.
"Exactly!"
Montblanc slapped his thigh in satisfaction. "I've reminded you countless times, but you never listen!"
Elmira nodded gravely. "I think Montblanc has a point, William. Maybe we overthought things. After all, we've endured harsh weather in the Grand Line, survived Sea Kings, and easily handled high-bounty pirates. Even Pacifista didn't seem that strong. William, maybe you're just too cautious."
William stayed silent for a while before gritting his teeth. "Then let's test it!"
"Test what? Are we going to fight the Navy?" Montblanc's eyes lit up. Being restricted from attacking Navy forces in Shabondy had frustrated him, forcing him to escape instead of using his full strength.
"Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
William declared firmly. "We'll seek out a Seven Warlords of the Sea! To enter the New World, we must verify our strength. Defeating a Seven Warlords will confirm my power. Then we'll conquer the New World, becoming true great pirates!"
Excitement surged in his heart. Since childhood, his dream had been to become a legendary pirate—even surpassing the Four Emperors. Just having his name recognized would suffice.
If someone with a 30-million bounty could defeat Crocodile once, he could do it again.
"I'm in", Sverre, usually reserved, nodded. "Let's experiment with a Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"Which Seven Warlords should we pick?" Elmira pondered. "Currently, there are five: the World's Greatest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk; the Kusnake Island Emperor, 'Snake Princess' Boa Hancock; the former Arabasta hero turned fugitive, 'Desert King' Crocodile; the ex-Roger crew member and Buggy Delivery Company boss, 'Thousand-Lion Coin Doker' Buggy; and the newly appointed Half-Fishman leader, 'Deep Diver' Joe Rudolph. William, your choice?"
"What do you think?" William asked.
"Buggy's Buggy Delivery Company has massive influence—I've heard of them even in the East Blue, and they're even stronger in the Grand Line. Plus, being a former Roger crew member, his strength and influence are formidable. Definitely avoid him."
"Dracule Mihawk as World's Greatest Swordsman is obviously a dangerous opponent. William, though you wield a sword, challenging the World's Greatest Swordsman is reckless."
"Boa Hancock's power is formidable too—she rules a nation. Better not provoke her."
"Crocodile was defeated once, weakening his influence. Still, he's an old-school Seven Warlords, not easy to handle."
"That leaves Joe Rudolph. The Half-Fishman leader isn't well-known, and his bounty is only 300 million Beri. William, he's worth trying."
After Elmira's analysis, William frowned. "Half-Fishman? No—submerged in seawater, they're tricky. As a Devil Fruit user, battling him underwater would be a nightmare. Crocodile is better. If Luffy from the East Blue could beat him, so can I! Defeating him will make me instantly famous. Even if I fail, I'll understand my true limits!"
He stood abruptly. "Crocodile it is! Aim for the Seven Warlords of the Sea and discover my strength's true boundary!"
After all these experiences, he now suspected that his childhood fear of Kuro might've exaggerated his strength. Otherwise, why did he block Kuro's attack in the East Blue?
Perhaps without that childhood trauma, he could've already defeated Kuro in the East Blue. If he'd been braver back then, unshackled by fear, he might've broken through his mental block earlier, secretly ruling an East Blue kingdom as a base before charging into the Grand Line.
That's exactly what happened!
Even Vice Admiral Sengoku wouldn't last long in a real fight.
Kuro was merely a Vice Admiral—how strong could he really be?
Maybe even weaker than the Seven Warlords of the Sea!
As for defeating Lucius and Buggy the Clown—those weren't Seven Warlords. Just aging old men whose strength declined with time, letting Kuro exploit their weaknesses. No one even saw those old men fight seriously.
And the rumors about Kuro defeating Blackbeard—
In William's view, defeating Four Emperors and killing them were different matters. The Four Emperors had suffered Navy defeats before without losing their status. If Kuro used overwhelming Navy forces against Blackbeard, a victory wouldn't be surprising.
"Let's fight!" William's eyes sharpened. "Let's test my strength!"
Once the experiment succeeded, his fear of Golden Lion would vanish, letting him face it head-on with equal footing!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
