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Chapter 213: Seize the Opportunity!
Chapter 213: Seize the Opportunity!
No one disagreed with Sag's suggestion.
Lili, Renetia, and Hawkins knew what they were up against. As for Arkin, he would go wherever the captain decided.
"Are you thinking of going to Mary Geoa?" Luci asked, his brow furrowed.
"That's the only way," Sag replied. "We can't possibly go underwater, so we have to go up."
He was always keenly aware of his bad luck. While he wasn't afraid, he also didn't take unnecessary risks.
For the first half of the journey, there were only these two paths to cross the vast red soil continent that spanned the world.
"It won't be easy," Hawkins remarked calmly. "We probably won't be able to get close to Mary Geoa."
Descending underwater would likely result in the annihilation of their entire crew. However, they didn't have the capability to go upward either.
Mary Geoa was the heart of the World Government. If it were accessible to just any pirate, someone would have broken through by now.
"Pirates are not allowed in Mary Geoa," Luci stated. "The best option is still to get a coating in Shambody."
While civilians could enter Mary Geoa by applying for permission, abandoning their ship, and then purchasing a similar one in the New World, pirates didn't have that option.
Throughout history, those who wanted to reach the New World or travel from it to the first half of the journey relied on coatings.
"Coating?" Renetia inquired, puzzled. She had heard from Sag that they would need to go underwater to enter the New World, but she didn't know the specifics and had assumed they would need to build a submarine or something similar.
Hawkins explained, "Coating involves using a special resin secreted by the trees in Shambody to coat the ship, allowing it to dive underwater and reach great depths. This is typically how pirates like us enter the New World. However, it depends on the craftsmanship. If the coating isn't done skillfully, it may rupture during the dive, leading to a fatal outcome."
Just like with the Upside-Down Mountain, every year, there were pirates who ventured in pursuit of their dreams only to meet their demise. The difference, though, was that while there was some chance of survival in the Upside-Down Mountain, any mishap underwater would undoubtedly result in a tragic end.
"That does sound dangerous," Renetia acknowledged, nodding.
"There's nowhere safe on the high seas," Sag said, taking a sip of alcohol and smiling. "Ever since entering the Grand Line, we've been weeding out those who aren't qualified—whether it's due to bad luck or insufficient strength. Those who aren't up to par simply can't survive in the Grand Line."
"As for how to get to Mary Geoa... it's quite simple, actually."
He scanned the crowd and said something that caused everyone to pause in surprise, "The Celestial Dragons."
No one's expression remained unchanged.
Even Lili, who had grown up in the royal palace, knew about the existence of the Celestial Dragons. Moreover, she had once been threatened by Ennio, who had vowed to offer her as a wife to a Celestial Dragon.
But was it truly a wife? It was merely a title, and in reality, it was no different from slavery.
Very few people were unaware of the infamy of these beings.
The World Nobles, positioned at the pinnacle of society, were the group that no one dared to provoke.
However, from Sag's implication, Luci's eyes narrowed as he guessed, "What are you planning to do?"
"It's not hard to guess, Luci. You should've figured it out by now," Sag said, baring his teeth in a sinister smile. "Shambody is quite close to the red soil continent, and it's also a place where the Celestial Dragons frequently descend."
Luci's eyes narrowed, and he clenched his fists. "I disagree with your plan. If you insist on going through with this, we will withdraw!"
As agents of the World Government, they were all too familiar with what the World Nobles represented. They were the masters of the World Government, beings who stood above all others, almost like they had evolved into another 'race.'
A 'race' that stood above all others.
Luci had aspirations of returning to the World Government, whether it was to utilize the training he had received or to seek revenge against Spandam.
Even though they had been dismissed, it wasn't impossible to be reinstated. With the multitude of secrets they possessed, if the World Government failed to silence them in time, their value would only increase with each passing day, and eventually, they would be invited back.
Because Luci didn't intend to oppose the World Government, the organization would recognize their intentions as well. Once they returned, their status would be unlike anything they had experienced before.
No matter how formidable Sag became, even if he reached the level of the Four Emperors, he would never be able to rival the World Government.
It was the largest and most powerful entity, and thus, it was the most legitimate.
Only the World Government could legally take lives and pursue a brand of justice that differed from the fragile, commonplace notion of justice.
"Luci."
Sag flashed a sinister smile at Luci. "No one can just leave here willy-nilly. Wouldn't you rather stay alive and fulfill your plans than die now? Also..."
He slowly continued, "You uphold justice by taking lives, don't you? Anyone can be killed, but what about the World Nobles? Are they exempt?"
Sag chuckled, "Of course, World Nobles can be killed. Just imagine easily taking their heads. Wouldn't you like to know what that feels like?"
He stood up and patted Luci's shoulder, which had gone stiff. "When it comes to sin, you should know better than me. If you want to indulge in slaughter and uphold your notion of 'justice,' their blood is the ultimate proof!"
Luci stood rigid, even with his experience of grand scenes; Sag's words had shaken him profoundly.
It wasn't just about tying up a World Noble. There was a look of disdain in Sag's eyes, a look that suggested he was regarding them as prey.
That look in his eyes, Luci had seen before during their heists.
This guy was truly planning to take on the World Nobles, and he wasn't just talking about it.
Luci should have refused. He was cold and ruthless, but not thoughtless. Regardless of what Sag said, he would have definitely opted out. Even if he stayed temporarily, he could find a way to leave.
Sag's threat didn't hold much weight for Luci. He wasn't afraid of death, and whether it was at the hands of Sag or the World Nobles, it made no difference to him.
But
But!
The idea of slaughtering World Nobles...
Luci's contracted pupils betrayed his excitement as a corner of his mouth twitched upward, revealing a bloodthirsty expression.
What would the blood of World Nobles taste like?
"My friends!"
Sag didn't give Luci time to daydream and addressed the group, "Here's the plan. Shambody is the essence of the first half of the Grand Line, and it's often frequented by World Nobles waiting to cross paths with wealthy merchants heading to the New World or noblemen on leisure trips. It's an even better place than Carnival City, and it will be our final heist!"
"After the heist, we'll figure out a way to capture a World Noble, the more, the better. Then, we'll use their identities to threaten the World Government and force them to open a path for us!"
He spread his hands and declared, "By then, whether it's treasures or a smooth journey, they'll all be within our grasp! Once we enter the New World, nothing and no one can stop us!"
"It won't be that easy, will it?"
After a brief moment of shock, Hawkins inquired, "Taking on World Nobles will draw the attention of an Admiral."
It would be troublesome if an Admiral were to tail them, even if they managed to enter the New World smoothly.
"They won't be able to make it!"
Sag laughed, "I just got off the phone with Donquixote, and that fiery-tempered bird gave me some news. Blackbeard has become a Warlord!"
"Blackbeard?" Hawkins furrowed his brow, "Who's that?"
"A pirate who agreed to collaborate with Sag in the New World." Mary replied.
"He seems powerful, and Sag holds him in high regard," she added.
The news of the Warlords hadn't spread far and wide yet, as Blackbeard had only recently been appointed and didn't have a bounty on his head.
If not for Sag's phone call to Donquixote, he wouldn't have known about Blackbeard's new status either.
Not many knew about him on the high seas, as he kept a low profile.
"It's quite rare for you to hold someone in such high esteem," Hawkins commented.
Their captain's attitude had always been dismissive of others, except for the Four Emperors. In the past, even the Warlords had only earned a 'good aptitude' comment from him.
So, how high was 'high regard'?
"A single Warlord can't change much," Hawkins stated.
It was unlikely that Sag planned to join forces under a Warlord and sail to Mary Geoa under their flag, only to revert to their original flag once they reached the New World. That wasn't his style.
"A Warlord, of course, can't change much," Sag agreed. "But Blackbeard isn't your average Warlord. He captured Ace and handed him over to the World Government!"
This revelation startled both Hawkins and Luci.
"Hawkins!"
The burly man, now with several teeth, laughed raucously as he donned a captain's coat. He clenched his fist and cried out toward the sea, "The war is about to begin! My chance is coming!"
...
"Haw haw haw!"
In the Navy Headquarters Marshal's office, a stout man with a bushy mustache, laughed heartily.
"Karp!" Sengoku scolded with a glare, "You're the most troublesome one right now!"
Ace was his grandson!
"There's nothing more I can do," Karp said, his laughter seemingly carefree. "It's his choice—a man of the sea won't change his ways easily!"
A thunderous boom reverberated, darkening the skies and reflecting off Sengoku's glasses. For a moment, the light cast a somber shadow on Karp's face.
"Regardless, we can only win this time!" Sengoku's voice carried a grave resolve.
(End of Chapter)
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