Secret Talks in the Flower Country
In the western mountains of the Flower Country, the Flame flickered in an ancient assembly hall.
This secluded place is hidden deep within the forbidden zone of the Flower Country, and outsiders have no way to get close.
Outside the hall, the mountain wind murmured softly, and cherry blossoms fell, but inside, a sense of oppression permeated the air.
Around a round table carved from a single piece of sea monster bone, gathered several "adventure party leaders" renowned New World.
--The leader of the handsome adventurer's party, Cavendish, with his Blond Hair flowing down his back, gently swirling a wine glass in his hand;
--Bartolomeo, the leader of the Barto Club, had his feet propped up on the table, his expression as arrogant as ever;
--The leader of the Happo Navy, [Chinjao], and the newly appointed strategist, [Sai], are both composed and steady.
--The Boxing Adventurer Group [Ideo], the New Giant Warrior Adventurer Group [Hajrudin], and the Poseidon Adventurer Group [Orlumbus] were all present.
For a time, the former "big shots on the fringes of the world stage" gathered here once again.
The air was thick with the smells of alcohol and gunpowder. After a long silence, someone finally broke the deadlock.
Cavendish gently swirled his red wine, glancing elegantly at the tall figure at the Head Seat:
"Hey, old man with Chinjao, you didn't gather us all in this godforsaken place just to relive your 'Fist Bone and forehead' past, did you?"
Yeah~
Bartolomeo then shouted loudly, a cigarette still dangling from his tongue, his tone arrogant:
"I'm really busy! I have tons of protection money waiting to be collected!! If it weren't for the fact that you're a senior figure, I wouldn't bother coming!!"
Ideo and Hajrudin exchanged a glance and muttered softly, "A 'senior' like him... is indeed someone we can't afford to offend."
Orlumbus sat silently, his sharp gaze fixed on the Chinjao, seemingly waiting for an answer.
The atmosphere inside the hall gradually became tense.
The Chinjao remained silent for a long time before finally slowly raising its head.
His aged yet still imposing body stood straight as a mountain. Although his head had been dented by Garp's hammer, his imposing presence still made people afraid to look directly at him.
He looked around, his voice low and hoarse, yet carrying an undeniable power.
"I haven't gathered you all here just for idle chatter."
He slowly stood up, his towering figure, measuring a full 5.2 meters, looming over the entire area, his green cardigan billowing slightly.
"I know that your current adventure group is nothing more than exiles disguised as 'legal sea exploration'."
The old Pirate flag is still hidden in the bottom of my pocket, never actually lowered!
Chinjao's gaze suddenly turned cold, and his Haki exploded in the hall as if it were a tangible force, shattering the wooden table into countless cracks!
He paused, his tone growing increasingly deep and fervent. "Our past generations have been erased from glory—but the ocean currents still call to the Pirate flag!"
Having said that, he slowly raised his head, a long-lost fighting spirit igniting in his eyes.
"I wish to the Alliance with you all, to create a brand new [Great Pirate Fleet], and together rebuild the glory of Pirates!"
He abruptly changed the subject, emphasizing, "And—we'll ally with the [Blackbeard Alliance] and sweep across the world!!"
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall was stunned!
The wine glass fell to the ground, the crisp sound of metal clashing jarringly loud in the deathly silence.
"--What did you say?!"
"An alliance with Blackbeard?!"
Cavendish jumped up, his Blond Hair, and a wine glass was knocked to the ground, the crisp sound of it shattering echoing in the quiet cabin.
His usually elegant face was now contorted with rage, veins throbbing on his forehead.
"That madman is a ruthless guy who doesn't even put the World Government in his eyes!!"
Bartolomeo slammed his hand on the table corner with a loud bang, shattering it, and roared arrogantly, "Huh?! Are you crazy, old man?!"
Team up with that guy?! He's a monster who'll slaughter even his own men without hesitation!
Ideo's face was grim, his joints cracking. "To ally with that kind of person... is tantamount to shaking hands with the abyss."
Hajrudin lowered his head, his enormous shadow looming over the ground, his voice booming like thunder. "If he were to strike back with a single blow, our entire regiment would be wiped out."
Chinjao remained unmoved, his eyes flashing with a ruthless light even more fierce than when he was young.
"That's why," he said in a deep voice, slamming his palms heavily on the table, causing a shockwave that sent wine splashing and fragments flying everywhere.
"We need him more."
Everyone was taken aback.
Chinjao slowly scanned the entire room, his gaze sharp as a blade, his voice low yet chilling. "We need him to draw attention..."
"The world order is about to be reshaped. If we don't step onto the stage beforehand—we won't even have the right to 'survive'."
In the brief silence, the only sound was the slow, dripping of wine along the edge of the table, "tap-tap--" hitting the wooden board.
Cavendish chuckled through gritted teeth, sat back down in his chair, his long hair obscuring half his face. "Heh... interesting."
He took a sip of his drink, a slight smile playing on his lips, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"Since this stage is destined to be bloody, then this king—wouldn't mind stepping onto the stage and dancing."
Bartolomeo slammed his fist on the table, his laughter wild and piercing. "Ha! Let's do it! I've been wanting to beat up those bastards from the World Government for ages!!"
"Idiot," Ideo frowned and whispered, "Those lunatics at the World Government aren't scary; it's the Navy that's been making too much noise lately."
As Hajrudin wiped the spilled wine from his arm armor, he said in a low voice, "As for the Navy... I've heard rumors. Those two 'killing gods' seem to have gone mad lately."
"... The God of Slaughter?" Bartolomeo raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm," Hajrudin's eyes turned serious, "Admiral Sakazuki of Akainu and Vice Admiral Enel of Thunder God —it's said that they've recently started hunting Pirates all over the world because they're so frustrated."
Any ship that dares to set sail flying the Pirate flag, regardless of its age, will first be bombarded with Meteor Volcano, then swept away by Divine Punishment... No one will survive.
The air froze instantly upon hearing this.
The image of the sea engulfed by lightning and fire flashed through everyone's minds—charred shipwrecks floating in the rising sea mist, Inazuma and lava intertwining to form Purgatory.
That sight was enough to silence any Pirate.
Even Bartolomeo, who was fearless, obediently shut up at this moment, leaving only his heavy breathing echoing in the air.
After a long silence, Chinjao finally let out a soft snort, "Hmph, we're just Alliance under the guise of an adventurer's group; the Navy wouldn't dare to attack us."
The crowd's expressions softened slightly.
However, just as this semblance of peace was about to return—
A mocking voice drifted from the shadows:
"Hey~ We heard all the nonsense you just said~"
The voice was flippant yet chilling, causing the air to freeze instantly once more.
In the flickering firelight, blurry figures slowly emerged from the darkness—smiles playing on their lips, eyes sharp as blades, their killing intent still lingering.