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Chapter 321: Akainu? The Fifth Emperor!
Chapter 321: Akainu? The Fifth Emperor!
A half-month later...
Ohara, Storm City.
Within the banquet hall of the royal palace.
At the dining table, Sagu's lips twitched as he watched Kuzan devour the food before him as if he hadn't eaten in days. Black lines formed at the corners of his eyes.
After the incident with Cerent, Kuzan had accompanied Sagu back to Storm City in Ohara.
As for the Navy, there was no news.
It seemed they had temporarily ceased their activities, and Sagu's bounty remained unchanged.
He didn't mind, though.
Kuzan, on the other hand, had spent little time in Storm City since his arrival in Ohara. Over the past month, he had traveled throughout the region, including the islands under Sagu's direct rule.
Aside from his travels, he had been freeloading off the locals.
For example, at that moment, Kuzan grabbed the only giant flower lobster on the table, twisted and pulled, exposing the tender lobster meat, which he then devoured in a few bites. Afterward, he picked up a bottle of wine from the table and guzzled directly from it.
"Hey! That bottle of wine is worth 1.2 million berries! Do you have no shame?" Sagu exclaimed, a vein popping out on his forehead. "That lobster is a special tribute, and we only get one a month. What are you even doing here?"
"Just visiting someone I wanted to see," Kuzan replied, grabbing a roasted suckling pig and biting into its snout.
"Eat properly! You don't know how to enjoy good food. Roasted suckling pig is meant to be dipped in white sugar!" Sagu scolded, reaching out to press down on Kuzan's wrist. He turned to the maidservant, Bellana, and the other maids, instructing them, "Remove the skin and bring him some sugar!"
As time passed, Sagu's growing reputation also attracted more applicants willing to serve as maids in the royal palace, which improved Bellana's position as the head maid.
The palace was now livelier than before, with maids scurrying about their duties everywhere.
Pashia had also recruited a group of talented individuals and was teaching them how to dance, although their progress was slow. Nonetheless, they could already perform a dance or two.
Byron, now the leader of the musical troupe, had also gathered a group for training.
Sagu's dream was one step closer to becoming a reality. Soon, he would be able to indulge in lavish feasts, listening to grand music while watching graceful dancers, living the extravagant life of a feudal lord.
Although he was already pretty close to that lifestyle.
"Why so serious about a meal?" Kuzan leaned back and waited for the maids to remove the skin from the suckling pig. Then, he grabbed the skinned pig and began gnawing on it.
Sagu sighed in resignation. "Never mind. You're like a wild boar that can't be tamed. You don't know how to appreciate the fine cuisine that Maryca prepares."
"It is delicious, much better than the food in the Navy mess hall," Kuzan mumbled through a mouthful of food, his cheeks puffed out as he reached for another dish with his greasy hands.
Sagu watched as Kuzan devoured the food before him for half an hour, finishing off a third of the dishes on the table. Finally, Kuzan wiped his hands with a towel and spoke, "Sagu, I've come to bid you farewell."
"Oh," Sagu replied nonchalantly, using his chopsticks to pick up a piece of crispy roasted pig skin, dipping it in white sugar before popping it into his mouth.
Kuzan paused, taken aback by Sagu's lack of reaction. "You're not going to try to stop me?"
Sagu laughed. "What, do you want me to try and keep you here?"
"No, because then I'd be troubled. After all, I've been here for a month, and it's not bad. Everyone here seems to be living quite well." Kuzan's eyes flickered, "But that's exactly why..."
The people here were indeed living well.
Better than he had expected.
Kuzan had been in the Navy for many years, and he had fought countless pirates, whether they were from the Four Seas or the first half of the 'Paradise' region. The areas these pirates plundered and occupied were often left in a miserable state.
Even in the New World, where pirates held more power and Navy influence was weaker, the pirates lacked the sense of being rulers.
Perhaps the only exception was Donquixote Doflamingo, but Kuzan was also aware of the dark deeds he committed behind the scenes.
However, Sagu's territory was different. The people here lived orderly and content lives, each with their own job and hope for the future.
During his time in Ohara, Kuzan had encountered too many people like this—people who thought about what they would eat today, when they would save enough money for a new house, or when they would buy something new. They seemed to be constantly planning for a better future.
"It's out of the question to stay here."
Kuzan made a meaningful statement, picked up a wine glass, and refilled it to the brim with the wine he had been drinking. He raised it towards Sagu and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, junior."
"Don't call me that randomly. I didn't apprentice under Garp, I just learned a few techniques from him. By your logic, if I learned the Six Powers, would I have to find another master? And if I learned the Thunder Bagua, would Kaido also be my master?" Sagu retorted with a cold laugh.
"Oh? So, you've learned Kaido's techniques?"
Kuzan scratched his head, "Anyway, I've seen enough here. It's time to move on and explore new places. The perspective outside the Navy is indeed quite different."
"As long as you don't cause me any trouble, do as you please. No need for farewells," Sagu said, lifting his gem-encrusted wine glass and clinking it with Kuzan's without standing up, watching as the other man prepared to leave.
Not long after Kuzan's departure, Lily entered through the door. She glanced at Sagu, whose eating speed was oddly fast despite his messy table manners, and asked, "You're just letting him go? He's an Admiral. With his addition, our forces should become even stronger."
"Hah!"
Sagu snorted derisively, "Let him join? Someone who's been in the Navy for so long and possesses formidable strength wouldn't easily leave the Navy. It's obvious that he has his own agenda for leaving. How could someone like that pledge loyalty to me?"
If he had forced Kuzan to stay, assuming he succeeded, their relationship would likely be based on cooperation.
Sagu's prerequisite for cooperating with others was having something of equal value to offer.
Donquixote Doflamingo and Crocodile had their business connections, and Teach shared the burden of the New World's risks and pressures with him.
If Kuzan joined his pirate crew, it definitely wouldn't be a partnership. Sagu had no intention of collaborating with his subordinates, as that would only divide his rule.
He didn't mind his subordinates having their own motives for joining, as long as he could keep them under control.
Lucci was a case in point. Sagu knew what Lucci was up to, and he was also aware of the purpose of the Gabura trio's presence here. Yet, they were undeniably working for him.
Because he, Sagu, could keep them in check, and he was confident that they wouldn't cause any problems.
He wasn't afraid of what might happen if Kuzan joined, but he didn't see the need. This guy clearly had his own agenda, and if something went wrong, wouldn't that be playing into the hands of his own creation? There was a difference between being fearless and being foolish.
When it came to matters beyond his control, Sagu wasn't sentimental. Even a greedy landlord knew not to plant bombs on his own land.
Upon hearing this, Lily nodded, "In that case, I understand something else now. When Akainu and Aokiji, no, when Kuzan fought, they chose Punk Hazard as their battleground, not far from Dressrosa."
"According to what Doflamingo said, he had an important business deal there. But because of the battle, half of Punk Hazard's surface is now covered in lava and frost, affecting his business. I wonder if..."
"It's possible. The Navy has its own agenda,"
Sagu took a sip of wine, tore off a chunk of meat with a bone in it, and laughed, "The World Government and the Navy are ultimately different entities, and their objectives can sometimes conflict. But the lower-ups have no choice but to obey the higher-ups. A ten-day, ten-night battle... Hahahaha, perhaps there were other reasons as well."
Lily thought for a moment and said, "There's also news about Akainu. He's now the Fleet Admiral and seems to be busy with something called a 'World Recruitment Drive.' He intends to select powerful individuals from all over the world to join the Navy, possibly due to the significant losses they suffered during the Summit War and Kuzan's departure."
After the Navy's siege of Cerent, Lily had stepped up her intelligence efforts, tightening the connection between Lucci and Gabura, which yielded a wealth of information.
"World Recruitment Drive?"
Sagu paused, recalling something amusing, and said with a grin, "The Navy used to recruit young people and train them from an early age. That way, they would come to embrace the Navy's sense of justice. While exceptional individuals weren't common among their ranks, those who did emerge were undoubtedly top-tier.
"Now it's different. Times have changed. What's the difference between Sakaski's conscription and me recruiting my men? The righteous Navy has also started to degenerate. They're no different from us now; the only distinction is their identity."
Sag poured himself another drink and said, "They're only getting weaker."
This reminded him of something.
The old generation of the Navy included Sengoku, Garp, and Zefa.
The middle generation consisted of Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru.
All of them were top-notch strong individuals, especially now; Sag acknowledged Akainu's strength. His claim of being the most powerful offensive force on the high seas was no joke.
However, with the world conscription, the nature of the Navy would change entirely.
"Has the Navy turned into warlords? Hahahaha, no. That guy Akainu is the 'Fifth Emperor,' truly standing shoulder to shoulder with the Four Emperors!" Sag laughed heartily.
Fujitora? Ryokugyu? Those guys are strong, but they're not decisive. Compared to Aokiji and Kizaru, they're far from reaching the same level of intensity! With Akainu leading the charge, accompanied by his two 'Emperor-level' subordinates, how could he not be considered the Fifth Emperor?
"How are we progressing with our plans?" Sag inquired.
Lily pursed her lips and replied, "Jinbei has conquered three islands. Hawkins and Urki are heading southeast. Hawkins has taken over four islands, and Urki, two. But yesterday, Urki called and mentioned discovering an island abundant in 'Scissor Shrimp.' He plans to head there."
In just a month and a half, apart from Moriah, that dead mansion, all the other executives have been working diligently.
Renetia has been busy crafting weapons and cannons, as well as delving deeper into Pluto's technology.
Maryca has been occupied with creating new dishes and, in the process, overseeing the food logistics within their territory.
Meanwhile, Lily has been overseeing everything.
And, of course, their cultivation hasn't been neglected, with Sag personally supervising their training.
Hawkins and Urki have been leading their teams in other directions, following the plan to conquer islands along their journey.
"That's good progress," Sag commented. "What are these 'Scissor Shrimp' like?"
"They're a type of long-tailed shrimp that resemble scorpions. Their pincers look like scissors, but they have a rich flavor and meaty texture, making them top-notch ingredients," Lily explained.
"Oh?" Sag's interest was piqued. "Have Urki send some over quickly. Let Maryca take a look and prepare them. We must be the first to savor such delicacies."
"That shouldn't be a problem," Lily replied. "But there is one rather significant issue."
Her voice turned solemn as she continued, "The place where Urki made the discovery seems to be a bit too close to Big Mom's territory."
...
Upon the vast ocean, a black, double-masted pirate ship sailed steadily. At the ship's prow hung a statue of a stern-looking face, crossed by two sickles. The ship's canvas and jolly roger featured a starry night sky.
This was Urki's personal ship.
Now that their territory had expanded, these executives, who had been conquering new lands, also began to have ships of their own.
Urki's vessel was the same one he had used even before joining the Celestial Disaster Pirate Group. Aside from the changed flag, everything else remained unchanged.
"Lord Urki!"
The navigator, who had been observing through a telescope at the ship's head, suddenly broke into a cold sweat. He turned to call out but ended up colliding with the sturdy figure of Urki.
Urki looked down at the navigator, who only reached his abdomen, a bizarre smile on his face. "Don't panic. What did you discover?"
"An i-island," the navigator stuttered, pointing behind him.
"Oh? You've spotted an island?" Urki asked, his smile turning sinister. "Then let's hasten our pace. We'll conquer it today and offer its specialty products to our boss."
"N-no, not the island. B-beside it..."
The navigator's voice rose in alarm. "There's a ship flying Big Mom's jolly roger!"
Urki paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face, before he snatched the telescope from the navigator's hand and peered forward.
In his view was a rhomboid island, and just in front of it, a ship. On its canvas was a skull with fan-like hair, lipstick, a hat, and crossed spoons for bones—the unmistakable symbol of Big Mom!
"It's not the 'Singing Queen,' just a ship from the Big Mom Pirate Group. It's not the Sweet Commander's personal ship, but it's probably a subordinate," Urki mused, lowering the telescope.
"This is within Whitebeard's territory. Do they intend to seize this island from us? I won't give up so easily!"
He tossed the telescope back to the navigator and strode to the ship's prow, declaring, "If we just let this slide, Sag will be furious. Let's go! We'll crush them!"
(End of Chapter)
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