Chapter 238: All Eyes on Me!
Chapter 238: All Eyes on Me!
Sagittarius didn't care if Teach got the Gura Gura no Mi, but since he had promised Teach, he wouldn't do anything strange to make him fail at this time.
Sagittarius kept his word. He also needed Teach to take this chance, so they could cooperate in the New World.
As for whether Teach would surpass him after obtaining the Gura Gura no Mi, Sagittarius never cared about that.
Does getting the fruit mean becoming the world's number one?
Does it mean no one can stop him?
Whitebeard, as the user of the Gura Gura no Mi, had been roaming the seas for so many years, yet he was still only a 'Yonko'.
Strong people are not afraid of such things.
As the execution platform collapsed, Sagittarius dodged to the side, crossing his arms as he prepared to watch the show.
His plan was already half accomplished. For the remaining half, he just needed to wait for Teach to obtain the ability, and he would have kept his word. What happened next had nothing to do with Teach.
"Is the admiral over there?"
Sagittarius glanced to the side. Aside from the presence of Ao Ki and Yi Shao that he could sense, deep underground, he could also feel a scorching heat. However, that scorching heat, which could almost burn everything, was moving towards the inner bay.
It seemed that they were determined to finish off those fleeing pirates.
Not a single person paid attention to this side.
That was understandable. It was better for pirates to clash with pirates than for the navy to clash with pirates.
After all, no matter how perilous their lives were, they were still Whitebeard's men. Continuing the attack would still inflict damage on the navy. It was better to let them fight it out and only appear at the last moment.
"Holding such thoughts will bring trouble later." Sagittarius smiled faintly.
"A natural disaster!"
No one paid attention to Teach, but the navy focused on Sagittarius. Another group of people surrounded him.
"Now is the time to watch the battle between pirates. Isn't that what the navy should do?"
Sagittarius didn't even look at the navy gradually surrounding him. He spread his five fingers and waved outward. The domineering aura he released resembled a black and red poisonous wind, piercing the acupoints of these navy men, causing them to fall to the ground like blood men.
"Sagittarius!"
In front of the crowd, a cloud of smoke swiftly rushed out, and Smoker's figure formed above the smoke. He held a Tenkaido in his hand and rushed towards Sagittarius with great speed.
"Oh, I've been looking for you, Smoker."
Sagittarius hooked his lips. He reached out and blocked the front end of the Tenkaido. He then punched Smoker in the chest, sending him flying backward. Blood spurted out from Smoker's body as he fell to the ground.
Sagittarius bent down and took out a rolled snake cigar from Smoker's chest. He also found a lighter in his pocket. He rubbed the wheel of the lighter, igniting the cigar, and exhaled a mouthful of smoke.
"You haven't grown at all, Smoker. However, your courage is admirable. I hope to see you again in the New World."
Sea prism stone?
That would only prevent him from exerting his abilities and had minimal effect on his strength.
Bang!
Sagittarius kicked Smoker, sending him flying into the squirrel who had followed from behind.
The squirrel's body stagnated as he caught Smoker. He then reached out to stop those navy men who were about to rush forward again. Only then did he look at Sagittarius and question him, "What are you trying to do? Are you just executing a Celestial Dragon?"
This guy was difficult to deal with.
Just like Whitebeard, numbers had no meaning to him. If they continued to deal with such a formidable enemy, the navy would suffer greater losses.
This was also why Garp stopped after throwing a single punch.
He had confirmed that Sagittarius was not here to help Whitebeard, and that was enough.
Whether Sagittarius was strong or not, whether he could defeat Garp or be defeated by him, those were things that could only be known after a fight.
With the fruit's ability, he already had the qualifications to enter the 'unknown'.
Such a level was not something that could be determined by the naked eye, judging who had the stronger aura.
Moreover, fighting against the second person with the ability to destroy the world would be unbearable for the navy, especially with the existence of the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Haven't I said it already? I want to take back my reputation, but it's not enough now. There's still something missing. I also need to prove myself." Sagittarius grinned maliciously, "I have no interest in fighting you, but if you insist, I won't hold back. Let me advise you that it's best to stay away from here if you don't want too many casualties. If that's impossible, then set sail."
"Po Po Po Po!"
Donquixote Doflamingo drifted down from the sky and landed in the center of the group of fallen navy men. He casually stepped on the head of a slightly larger navy man and said to Sagittarius, "Hey, you must know something, after all, you're in a cooperative relationship. Is there anything else interesting? Tell me so I can be happy too, you jerk!"
"Can't you see it for yourself?" Sagittarius shrugged, "Also, stay away from me. I'm about to leave, so you won't be affected later."
"Po Po Po Po, it looks like you're about to do something terrible. Alright."
Donquixote Doflamingo was not stubborn, nor was he thick-headed. Sometimes, he was quite receptive to advice.
Whoosh!
A gust of wind and sand swept over, and Crocodile appeared beside Sagittarius. His state was not ideal, with bloodstains on his temples and the corners of his mouth, but his spirit seemed to have undergone some transformation.
"What you're doing is quite something. Do you want to attract the attention of the World Government so badly? Whitebeard is dead. Do you want to become a new 'Yonko'?"
While asking Sagittarius, he was also watching the battle between Whitebeard and Teach. His eyes were filled with complex emotions.
"That kind of thing can only be known after reaching the New World. Everything I'm doing now is also for the advancement into the New World."
Sagittarius grinned hideously and reached out to Crocodile, "Old Sand, do you want to come with me? I've already convinced Moriah. If you come with me, I will definitely become the new Pirate Emperor. We'll occupy a huge territory, and the military powerhouse you desire, I can also make it happen!"
"Don't speak as if it's a sure thing!"
A shadow darted swiftly under the sunlight, revealing Moriah's figure. He curled his lips and said sharply, "You still haven't proven yourself to me, Sagittarius!"
"Hmm? Weren't you defeated by Sepento? Have you recovered?" Crocodile was surprised.
Moriah.”
After all, he had just seen Moriah and Jinbei face off, and, going by his understanding of Moriah, Jinbei was his biggest weakness.
"Are you looking down on me, Crocodile?"
Moriah glared at him. "I'm not just a shadow-absorber!"
In his fight with Jinbei, he hadn't absorbed anyone else's shadow, relying solely on his own abilities.
"Hmph." Crocodile coldly harrumphed, ignoring him, but his mind was already plotting.
Their situations were alike.
One had challenged Whitebeard and suffered a crushing defeat, losing his will. But now, seeing Whitebeard's aged appearance and his inability to gain the upper hand against that Blackbeard, his heart had begun to waver.
Age catches up with everyone; no matter how much one reveres or fears another, seeing this would inevitably lead to disappointment, and eventually, a firm resolve would emerge from the long-dormant heart!
As for the other, he had challenged 'Hundred Beasts' and failed. But unlike Whitebeard, Kaido was still in his prime, so where did his belief come from?
In his current state, he was clearly going through something similar to what Crocodile had experienced.
"I won't join anyone's group. I only trust myself!"
There's a difference between cooperation and joining, and they are completely different things.
"I knew you'd say that. Anyway, since you're out, remember to cut me in on some of your channels later. You still owe me money."
Sag shrugged it off. Then, turning to Moriah, he smiled and said, "You'll see him soon enough, Moriah!"
Witnessing the gap between oneself and the current top dogs wasn't the only way to affirm one's own shortcomings. As long as one could prove oneself worthy to the world, that would be enough.
"Old man, you're past your prime!"
Darkness blossomed in Teach's palm as he shouted, "I used to admire you so much! I even thought that if I couldn't get this power, then I'd just live under your protection and serve a strong man like you! That would've been a fine idea!"
"But you're too disappointing! For the sake of Ace, you're willing to throw your life away! You've let me down so badly! This is my chance, my destiny! The moment you decided to come here, everything was already set in motion!"
"What does he mean?" Crocodile asked in a low voice.
"What else could a gambler mean? He's gambling with his life. If he wins, he gets everything, but if he loses, he dies at sea!"
Sag grinned maliciously. He knew that Teach had originally planned to capture Luffy, as they had met in Mock Town.
According to his initial plan, becoming a Shichibukai and then finding an opportunity to infiltrate Impel Down would have taken much longer, and without a good opportunity, he wouldn't have been able to get in or out of there.
However, he had managed to capture Ace, and Whitebeard was determined to rescue Ace, even going as far as to start a war.
This was the opportunity!
During the time the Navy was tied up with the war, Teach had reached Impel Down, and he had also gambled and won.
Lucky bastard,
Sag always liked those!
Puh!
Whitebeard's ability was nullified, but he seized the opportunity to slash at Teach, while Teach's hand, which had manifested his ability, grabbed Whitebeard's wrist, preventing him from continuing his attack. Meanwhile, Teach's other hand, imbued with his ability, clamped down on Whitebeard's foot, stopping him from using his ability again.
"Old fox."
"But it's a pity, you're about to die."
Clearly, Teach was begging for his life now, but Whitebeard's consciousness wavered for a moment as he struck, allowing Teach to break free and counterattack. Meanwhile, his companions opened fire with their guns.
Gunshots were effective against anyone at sea, especially when the bullets were imbued with Haki.
"Tch!"
With a grim expression, Crocodile turned into sand and disappeared into the wind, moving far away from this place.
It seemed like he was disgusted by Blackbeard's actions.
Only when the bullets ran out did Teach stop pulling the trigger, frantically shouting, "Give me another gun!"
"That's unnecessary!"
Aokiji, who was observing Whitebeard's condition, slowly spoke up. "He's lost consciousness.
As a strong man, I can sense it too."
"There you go again, Teach. You really are something else."
Whitebeard's gaze, which had been fixed on the terrified Teach, now shifted to the grinning Sag. "You little punk..."
"Roger is waiting, but it won't be for you. At least, it won't be you who inherits his will. Just like Ace, there will be someone one day who inherits Ace's will. Will, the passing of time, people's dreams...these things never change."
"Someday, someone will find that great treasure, carrying the will and truth that has been passed down for hundreds of years, and they will challenge you, Sengoku. The day the World Government fears will inevitably come. That massive battle, which will engulf the entire world, is bound to happen!"
A smile curved on Whitebeard's lips as he looked at Sengoku and laughed. "Someone will find it, that ultimate treasure, that..."
Why are we born?
For survival?
For desire?
For dreams?
Or simply to fill our bellies?
All of the above, and also none of the above.
He wasn't interested in the treasure; otherwise, he would have agreed when Roger wanted to tell him about Laugh Tale.
There were those like Roger, who set out to sea in search of the world's truth and treasures.
And then there were those like himself, who grew up as orphans in the midst of war and turned to the sea for survival, but what they truly yearned for was the family they never had during their orphaned days.
Marco, Ace, Joz, Sack, Vista, and countless others had passed through his life, one after another, and his smile gradually became one of contentment.
Over the years, he had achieved everything he desired.
The curtain had to fall on his glorious era; rather than lingering on in his sickly old age, it was better to go out with a bang.
"I am content."
Edward Newgate took a deep breath and let out a final roar to the world:
"One Piece! It truly exists!!!"
His thunderous voice, laced with the aura of a conqueror, caused both the Navy and pirates to freeze in their tracks, their eyes unified in gazing upon the colossal figure before them.
His cloak fell away, revealing Whitebeard's robust back and the countless wounds that riddled his chest, creating a stark contrast.
"Amazing!"
Sagittarius laughed heartily, "The sea is indeed so fascinating because of people like you!"
"Hahahaha! Indeed, those are impressive last words, but from now on, it's my era!"
Blackbeard stood up, laughing boisterously before instructing his men to unfold a black cloth to cover Whitebeard.
"Watch the show, and Sagittarius, too! Let me show you my qualifications!"
He faced the crowd with an evil grin, his eyes shining with ambition.
"You know, too?"
Shiliew paused, glancing at Sagittarius beside him. He knew they were in a cooperative relationship but hadn't expected such a deep connection.
This guy was not only excellent at killing.
His first impression hadn't been wrong; Teach was indeed impressive, but so was Sagittarius, and they were both worthy partners to join.
Sagittarius gave him an indifferent smile, as if to say that he had refused Shiliew's offer.
"Stay away, Moriah. Don't linger here. You'll soon witness my qualifications," Sagittarius warned.
"Hehehehe, then I shall await the spectacle, Sagittarius. Don't let me down!"
Moriah wouldn't sit idly by as the world government sought to annihilate him.
A chilling sensation gripped the Navy as they witnessed the scene unfolding before them.
"Now, world, behold me! All eyes on me!"
Sagittarius rose from his seat atop the Tenshigai, his voice carrying a weight that stunned everyone present.
"I, Norton Sagittarius, on the cusp of advancing to the New World, hereby extend an invitation to all of you ambitious yet discontented folk!"
"Dwarves, halflings, giants... Regardless of your race or background, as long as you venerate and submit to me, I shall bestow upon you my wealth and glory!"
"To that end, I shall prove my strength and qualifications to you all—by destroying Marineford!"
(End of Chapter)
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