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Chapter 669: Air Force King Evolves! Fishing King!
Chapter 669: Air Force King Evolves! Fishing King!
In truth, the exact location didn’t really matter much. Just a couple of days after receiving the intel, all Den Den Mushi and radio stations began broadcasting the same news.
Uta was about to hold a concert, titled “Eternal Songstress.” Those far away could only listen through Den Den Mushi or radios, while nearby islands received Eternal Compasses to help them arrive in a short time.
Additionally, a batch of Eternal Compasses was scattered around the world, providing enthusiastic fans the chance to attend in person.
A massive black ship sailed through the ocean, the sky unusually clear and calm, with no wind or rain.
Sagel sat cross-legged at the bow, facing the side, a fishing rod in his hand.
On the deck, groups of pirates were either drinking or competing in arm-wrestling matches, even in the bustling city of Ohara, sailing could be quite monotonous.
Sagel allowed drinking on the ship, but the number of drunk crew members couldn’t exceed one-fifth of the total crew. Many pirates frequently competed to earn the right to drink freely.
Apart from that, there were few other forms of entertainment.
During voyages, gambling was strictly forbidden, as were those with Soft or Hard Bodies, making the journey quite dull.
These were the rules of the sea, not Sagel’s own regulations.
“Sagel.”
Lily emerged from the captain’s cabin and walked across the deck to the bow. “We should make it in time. If we go full speed, we’ll arrive soon.”
“Hmm.”
Sagel gazed out at the sea, nodded, and then clicked his tongue. “Why can’t I get an Eternal Compass? Aren’t the Four Emperors human? Can’t they listen to a concert?”
As he spoke, the fishing line on his rod moved. He quickly pulled it up, and a fish as large as three people combined leaped out of the water, rising with Sagel’s excitement. However, halfway up, the fish flicked its tail, leaped in the air, and fell back into the sea.
Lily’s expression remained unchanged, not surprised by the good weather or the fact that Sagel couldn’t catch fish.
Of course, it was because—
“Help! Help!”
The ‘bait’ on the fishing line wriggled like a worm, shouting in a human voice, its red nose particularly noticeable.
Perhaps that was why the fish had a target, truly a hallmark red nose.
“Who’s got a red nose?!”
The squirming Buggy suddenly shouted, then realized his situation and continued to scream, “Sagel! Buddy! You can’t do this! I’m suffocating, I don’t want to be eaten by a fish!”
Buggy, the King of Luck, had offset Sagel’s Misfortune, clearing the sky and making the journey comfortable.
Even the curse of not catching fish had shifted to a fifty-fifty chance, as a fish actually took the bait. Although he didn’t catch it, compared to the Deadly Silence that usually followed Sagel’s casts, this was a significant improvement. It was like the rebirth of Ohara in the West Sea, with smoke rising from the ruins.
“Hang on, buddy!”
Sagel said excitedly, “If I catch one fish, I’ll break the Air Force King title. If I catch a few more, no, just one of the world’s rarest fish, I’ll become the Fishing King! Just hang on, you won’t die!”
On the balcony of the second-floor captain’s cabin, three people watched the scene in silence.
Mihawk held a glass of red wine, clinking it with Crocodile, who spat out the tip of his cigar, took a sip, and then set the glass down, lighting another cigar.
Hancock, seated on her snake’s body, tilted her head, posing with an air of superiority.
Behind the Dead Star, a ship with a circus tent structure and a large, cartoonish Buggy head at the bow followed.
The Cross Guild’s ship.
They weren’t supposed to meet, and Sagel hadn’t called the Cross Guild after receiving the news. But they encountered each other at sea.
They had also received the news and were heading to the Elegia Ruins, not to attend the concert, but to invite the songstress to join their ranks.
Her influence was significant. If she agreed to support them, they could attract more people, build their reputation, and draw in sponsors.
Then they met Sagel.
This made him extremely happy.
Buggy, after all, was the leader of the Cross Guild and a collaborator. He had to give Buggy some face, and he couldn’t just go to Buggy’s place and kidnap him for fishing.
So, he always invited Buggy over, but unfortunately, Buggy never showed up. This time, after finally bumping into him, he could finally have a satisfying fishing session.
Bait, of course, is what the fish eat. As everyone knows, in the ocean, it’s mostly a case of big fish eating smaller ones, regardless of species. As long as it can be swallowed, it will be digested.
And the fish in the ocean are terrifyingly large. Even someone under two meters tall can serve as a large bait. If they are seen, they will be swallowed without hesitation.
So, Buggy is the perfect bait, and there’s a precedent for it!
Look at now, Sagel has been fishing for over two hours. Although he hasn’t caught any fish yet, this time, there’s actually a bite!
There’s a bite!
In the past, when Sagel fished, it was more about the joy and a bit of stubbornness.
He didn’t believe in bad luck, thinking that he just needed more tries. Eventually, he would catch a fish.
While he had a lot of fishing theories, he wasn’t really that passionate about it, not to the point of ‘fishing for eternity.’
But after using Buggy as bait and almost catching a fish last time, the immense satisfaction of finally getting a bite after so long made his greedy soul feel momentarily content, followed by intense joy.
That feeling was incredible!
Especially this time, it gave him a lot of satisfaction. Fish kept biting, although Buggy’s struggles in the middle caused the big fish to let go. Still, he did manage to catch one, just not bring it aboard yet.
Keep it up, and we’ll get it!
“Buggy, can you stop moving? Just be the bait, and I won’t let you down! One billion Berries! If you get swallowed by a fish, I’ll give you one billion Berries!”
“Are you buying my coffin? I’ll die if I stay still in the ocean!”
Buggy’s teeth were almost turning sharp as he struggled frantically. “Hurry up and pull me up! Getting swallowed by a fish is no fun, and I’ll die, really die!”
“Just bear with it! You’re such a valuable bait, my friend. How could I let you die? Before I become the Fishing King, you won’t die! For me, try your best, Aibo!” Sagel shouted.
Lily watched Sagel, who seemed a bit influenced by Buggy, and sighed helplessly. She then returned to the captain’s deck.
A hand made of sand held a cup close to her. Lily glanced at it, took the cup, and sipped from it, then looked at Crocodile.
“Serving a great Pirate must be exhausting.”
Crocodile exhaled a puff of smoke and chuckled softly. “Great Pirates are powerful and whimsical, ruling the seas with their willpower, without any reservations. But because of this lack of reservation, they don’t care about the consequences. Just like Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom, Sagel is the same. He can start a war on a whim.”
Reflecting on it, if he were the lord of Ohara and had achieved such prosperity and completed his inner utopia, would he have the courage to start such a large-scale war?
Or even the courage to defy the World Government directly.
When someone has something to protect, they often think a lot, and when they think a lot, they become cautious.
Take the Cross Guild, for example.
Unlike the organization in Alabasta, which was disposable and had no foundation, he had to maintain his reputation and image there constantly.
The Cross Guild was different. The addition of the Seven Warlords and the silver medalists Sagel drove away, coupled with Buggy’s fame attracting more and more Pirates, and the investments from wealthy patrons, made the organization incredibly powerful. But because it was so large, it lacked the willpower to fight with everything it had.
Just like the old Whitebeard.
“I think I understand you now.”
Crocodile thought about something, sighed softly, and took another sip of his drink.
Young Whitebeard and old Whitebeard, though similar, were no longer the same person.
The Whitebeard he challenged was willing to risk everything. The old Whitebeard lacked that willpower, caring only for his ‘family.’
Currently, there are only two true Great Pirates on the seas.
One is Sagel, and the other is Tee.
Red Hair
That guy seems different. He set sail for a specific purpose, but more often, he acts like a world police officer in the Pirate world, wandering around aimlessly, not knowing what he really wants to do.
Perhaps there was one more willful and capricious Straw Hat.
But ultimately, he never became one of the Four Emperors.
"Serving the Great Pirate is our duty, and it’s the same for you. Though Buggy is your puppet, in a sense, he can also be considered a Great Pirate. That speech of his was excellent and very inspiring. This is the willfulness of a Great Pirate."
Lily glanced at the bow of the ship, then used her flying ability to lift her feet and soar up. Buggy, who was ready to duel Sagel, flashed a smile.
"Being recognized by Sagel, there must be something commendable about you."
As the second-in-command, though there was no official position of first mate, it was clear that Lily and Crocodile had similar roles. After all, besides his Logia powers, Crocodile also relied on his considerable strategic mind.
The Cross Guild was mostly managed by Crocodile, while Mihawk was more like the ship's chief combat officer. He was powerful but lazy, only wanting a peaceful life and to find a swordsman worthy of battling him.
For example, right now:
"Beindt Lily."
Mihawk swirled his wine glass, his hawk-like eyes becoming even sharper. "Your aura grows more formidable. I look forward to our battle. If you can take my title as the world's greatest swordsman, I would be very pleased."
"Uninterested."
Lily replied calmly, "I have more important goals. The limits of an individual are not what I seek. Compared to being the strongest swordsman, what I aim to do is to liberate the entire world from oppression, to achieve my ideal of the Liberation Sword! Unless you stand in my way, I will cut you down!"
Nothing can withstand the will to cut, which aligns with her willpower.
Sagel had already told her how difficult this path would be.
He was so blunt that even Lily felt a bit shaken.
Ohara is now thriving, but people are never satisfied. Sometimes human willpower is unstoppable. Those who have already achieved much will only want more, and problems will inevitably arise, just like the great purges of merchants in the past.
But now, there are too many external enemies, too many opportunities, and the world is too vast, so Ohara can continue to flourish.
If Ohara ever reaches a point where it can no longer advance, internal class divisions will naturally form, and this is inevitable as long as humans exist.
Perhaps, in the end, the first enemy Lily will face is Sagel.
These were Sagel's exact words.
She even remembers the anticipation and excitement in his voice when he said this.
It seemed he wanted her to accomplish something and was eager for her to succeed.
But Lily couldn't understand it.
Ohara is already nearly perfect. Even if it stagnates, it can still provide enough for its people to eat, wear, and have extra income to buy what they like.
Sagel's 'oppression' is insignificant, like a pebble thrown into the sea, unable to make any real impact.
His anticipation, Lily feels, is something she might never achieve.
But his words left a deep impression, and she has always remembered them. After all, there are too many obstacles ahead.
These are things that can't be resolved with words; only the sword can do it!
In comparison, Mihawk's title as the world's greatest swordsman holds no interest for her.
"Liberty?"
Boa Hancock's expression changed. "Like when Tiger climbed Red Land and freed the slaves of Marineford? Do you want to kill all the Celestial Dragons with your reputation?"
Killing the Celestial Dragons is a great sin and a taboo on the seas, but this taboo doesn't apply to the Catastrophe Pirates.
They have already done it, and nothing has happened to them, even forcing the World Government to negotiate with them.
Hancock had no ill feelings toward Sagel, and even admired him.
But admiration and infatuation are different things.
"It depends on whether they stand in my way. It's too early to talk about this now. We have a long road ahead with the World Government. First, we need to resolve the issues in the New World before we can think about this."
Lily said, "Your Cross Guild's role is to serve as a bridgehead and to cause trouble for the World Government in the Underworld. I know your plans. As long as we exist, your ideals will be realized."
As she spoke, she looked ahead. The outline of an island was gradually becoming visible just in front of where Sagel and Buggy were 'playing'.
"Let's deal with this first. Since we've encountered it, it's time for us to cooperate."
(End of Chapter)
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