Pirates: How Many Divisions Do the Five Elders Have? Your Country Is Sick

The Whitebeard Pirates' supply of alcohol had long been exhausted.

Ma Qiao brought dozens more jars of Short-Lived Ghost' from his boat.

The East Blue soy sauce-flavored technology was clearly much more satisfactory to Whitebeard than the West Blue Sea-style sake that Shanks favored.

Whitebeard's assessment of the sake Shanks brought was "not bad."

There's an element of politeness involved.

As for Ma Qiao's drink, Whitebeard's comment was, "Another bowl, please."

The difference in quality is immediately apparent.

The banquet was a great success, with both hosts and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves.

On the Moby Dick, the pirates with total bounties exceeding 10 billion were all enjoying sweet wine, dreaming of starry nights.

Even Jack the Drought, a Beasts Pirates officer who should have been extra cautious being in enemy territory, was completely drunk, lying on the deck like a dead fish, yelling, "Get the ship closer to me!"

Ma Qiao, on the other hand, was quite clear-headed.

Because he poured the wine down Jack's throat the whole time, while he ate the food.

Ma Qiao got up and stretched, feeling the cool sea breeze on his skin.

However, if an ordinary person got drunk and lay down in a place like this, they would most likely catch a cold the next day.

But these monsters shouldn't pose too much of a problem.

Out of concern for his younger brother, Ma Qiao covered Jack with a tissue, offering him heartfelt warmth.

The other person who wasn't asleep was Blackbeard.

If drinking could put him to sleep, he would have become a drunkard long ago.

However, Teach is no longer troubled by her inability to fall asleep.

He returned to his room, clutching his Den Den Mushi (gaming Den Den Mushi).

He planned to take advantage of Jack's drunkenness to secretly cultivate immortality.

He has recently reached the Ginseng Fruit dungeon.

Through the game "Infinite Tsukuyomi," Teach truly experienced two lives.

Ma Qiao shook his head.

As a admin with the privilege of farming equipment, Ma Qiao finds it hard to appreciate the joy of playing the game.

Ah, life, it seems we never learn to cherish what we get too easily...

Ma Qiao couldn't sleep no matter what he tried.

Jack's snoring is absolutely outrageous.

And the Whitebeard Pirates cadres in the distance were no less impressive.

The sound of the Whitebeard snoring made Ma Qiao feel a tiny bit of sympathy for Ms. Buckin.

Walking to the ship's railing, Ma Qiao looked up to admire the moon tonight.

Coincidentally, tonight is the night of a full moon.

The moon in the sky is as bright as a jade plate, vast and beautiful.

Looking at the bright moon, Ma Qiao couldn't help but feel regretful that there was no Mid-Autumn Festival in the world.

There was only a group of cats and dogs watching the full moon transform, along with a mature-looking bunny. (See picture)

Ma Qiao felt he should visit Zou whenever he had the chance.

It wasn't to see the mature, bunny-like woman, but to explore the local customs and culture of Zou.

Yes, that's the truth.

At that moment, Ma Qiao suddenly noticed another figure not far away.

"Can't you sleep either?"

Ma Qiao turned to look at the handsome young man who was also leaning against the railing, gazing up at the sky.

Of course, this boy is not Ace.

Although Ace had many worries on his mind, he wasn't the type to lose sleep over them.

He usually falls asleep when he dines and dashes, but after drinking who knows how many cups of that Short-Lived Ghost, he went on a drunken rampage, sang for a while, and then fell asleep.

The handsome young man beside Ma Qiao —or rather, the handsome middle-aged man—had fair skin, a graceful figure, wore a women's kimono, his hair was styled in a high bun, and his lips were painted with rouge, making it difficult to discern his gender and age. Yet, beneath his feminine gentleness, a striking and spirited air was undeniable. (As shown in the picture)

"Captain Izo, are you homesick too?" Ma Qiao asked with a smile.

Do you know me?

This Izo somewhat unexpected.

More than 20 years ago, he boarded Whitebeard's pirate ship as a retainer of Kozuki Oden.

Whether Oden was recruited by Roger Pirates to go to Laugh Tale, or Oden returned to Wano Country from Laugh Tale, Izo never left the Whitebeard Pirates.

"Of course I know you, Whitebeard Pirates, 16th Division Commander, Twin-Gun Izo."

"However, Captain Izo, you don't seem to be in a very good mood."

Ma Qiao smiled, pulled a can of Coke from his pocket, and popped the tab with a hiss. "Is it because of Jack?"

"Hmm, this man reminds me of some unpleasant memories."

Izo nodded.

Even Ace, a newcomer, was well aware of his feud with the Beasts Pirates.

So there's nothing to hide about this.

He casually asked, "Since you know me, you should know my hometown, right?"

" In Wano Country, Ringo, Hanayanagi Style, once made a living as a geisha along with her younger brother Kikunojo..."

While drinking his cola, Ma Qiao chatted about what sounded like casual gossip.

Click!

One black gun barrel was pointed at Teacher Ma's forehead, while the other gun barrel was pointed into the empty, dark night.

"Who exactly are you? Why are you investigating me?!"

"Hey hey hey, I have no hostility at all!"

Ma Qiao raised his hands, displaying the same expression Kizaru had when Beckman pointed a gun at him. (See image)

At the same time, a limping figure emerged from the previously empty darkness.

The Virtuoso, emerged from the darkness, raising his sniper rifle high above his head.

Ever since Water 7, the Virtuoso has been secretly protecting Ma Qiao, his sniper rifle always loaded.

Along the way, neither Teach nor Jack knew about Xin Zhao, Jax, Graves, or any of Ma Qiao's bodyguards; they were unaware of the existence of the Virtuoso.

However, Izo immediately locked his gun on him.

Pirates who use guns are either weaklings or top-tier Observation Haki masters.

Izo clearly belongs to the latter category.

Through the direct confrontation between Garen and the weakened Blackbeard, and the restrained standoff between the Virtuoso and Izo, Ma Qiao was forced to confront this reality.

That is, with his current strength, he has absolutely no chance of fighting against a Yonko-level pirate crew.

"Alright, Izo, put the gun down. Don't wake up Pops."

"I need an explanation."

Perhaps sensing that Ma Qiao meant no harm, Izo slowly lowered his gun.

"Actually, there's nothing special about it. As you know, I'm not only a male mentor who understands human nature, but also a true media warrior. And a true media warrior should make good use of Baidu —no, I mean, be good at grasping all kinds of complex information."

I hope what you're saying is true.

Izo, his willow-leaf eyes narrowing into slits. "Nothing else matters, but if you harm Kiku, I will kill you, no matter where you are in the world!"

What about Kozuki Oden?

Ma Qiao asked with a smile, "Kaido and Orochi killed Oden, why don't you go and take revenge on them? Do you think I'm easy to bully?"

Ma Qiao looked into his eyes, waiting quietly for a reply.

But Izo a long pause, Izang slowly uttered four words, "The time is not yet ripe."

"In the darkness of night, the moon shines like a beautiful woman; I steadfastly guard my imperfections until dawn. For twenty years, I've gazed upon its clear light, until finally, nine shadows are cast as the sun rises in the east..."

"This is a prophecy left behind by Kozuki Toki, isn't it?" Ma Qiao asked with a smile.

You know too much.

The surface of the Izo sinks as deep as water.

Many people know Lady Toki's poem, but few can instantly connect it with the phrase "the time is not yet ripe"...

What exactly is Ma Qiao trying to do?

"Heh, it's just a trick my ancestors already knew."

Ma Qiao shook his head. "I don't believe in fate, even if it really exists. I only believe that ten thousand years is too long, and we should seize the day."

With that, Ma Qiao picked up his half-empty can of Coke, swayed, and turned to leave.

Ma Qiao waved his hand with his back turned. "Don't worry, I'm not interested in pretty boys, so I won't touch your brother." (As shown in the picture)

Watching Ma Qiao's departing figure, Izo hesitated for a moment, then took two steps forward and asked:

"Then... will you go and help Kaido? You're his son's tutor."

"Does it matter who I help or not? Hasn't Lady Toki already made the prophecy? What do you have to worry about?"

Ma Qiao turned his head, took a sip of his cola, and said, half-jokingly, "Emmm... maybe you should worry about yourself... Captain Izo!"

If Ma Qiao remembers correctly, during the final battle on Onigashima four years later, Kin'emon, King Luffy, and the others took countless blows from Yoto Hime's spiked club, yet they were completely unharmed, and their strength even improved.

But you, Izo a Shigan from CP0.

Like Ashura Doji, he became one of only two executives to die.

At this moment, Ma Qiao could not tell the other party these things, but there was one thing he wanted to confirm.

"Captain Izo, what kind of person do you envision the shogun of Wano Country to be? Is it a man like Kozuki Oden?"

"This..."

Izo hesitated.

That's enough.

Ma Qiao got the answer he wanted.

Indeed, that statement was correct!

Believe in Oden, and you will live forever.

In the final battle on Onigashima, those guys who kept reminiscing about Kozuki Oden's idiotic deeds and getting teary-eyed all survived to the end.

Those who once questioned Kozuki Oden.

Whether it was Ashura Doji, who had given up due to the deaths of too many subordinates, or Izo, who considered himself a member of the Whitebeard Pirates rather than a retainer of Oden, they both eventually died.

This is really...

This is fucking ridiculous!

Indeed, Izo was never one of the Nine Red Scabbards.

His reasons for returning to Wano Country were more for the sake of the country and his younger brother, rather than for loyalty to Kozuki Oden.

When Oden abandoned his responsibilities as the daimyo of Kuri and the heir to the shogun, pursuing his so-called dream of becoming a pirate on the high seas, Izo was the first to stand up and oppose him.

When the die was cast and Oden truly set sail with the Whitebeard Pirates, Izo was the only Retainer who saw with his own eyes what Oden's dream was and what lay beyond the seas.

Loyalty that is not absolute is absolute disloyalty.

It can be said that Izo was disloyal to Kozuki Oden, the Kozuki Family, and Kozuki Momonosuke.

Having traveled to many places with the Whitebeard Pirates and witnessed many people and Izo, Izo certainly did not believe that Kozuki Oden, who abandoned his country and people, was a qualified ruler.

His eight-year-old son, who was timid by nature, was even less of a good choice.

But he couldn't say these things.

But Ma Qiao could.

"Your country fell ill not when Kaido arrived, nor when Kurozumi Orochi usurped the position of Shogun, but when your people began to regard Kozuki Oden as a hero; that's when it became ill."

"And I am a doctor, a psychologist, so perhaps I can try to offer a prescription."

"So, someday in the future, I hope you can help me. Of course, if at that time you still believe in Kozuki Toki's prophecy, believe that regardless of ability or sense of responsibility, simply because someone has Kozuki's blood, they can obtain a status as a matter of course, like the Celestial Dragons..."

"If you believe that kind of future will be better for your country, then point your gun at my heart again and pull the trigger!"

Of course, there was another half-sentence that Ma Qiao didn't say, "Hopefully, your bullets will still be able to penetrate my thousands of armor points and tens of thousands of health Barrier by then..."

Ma Qiao's words were clearly like a sharp sword piercing his heart.

In Izo's almond-shaped eyes, the pupils trembled slightly, and her lips opened and closed many times, but she could not utter a word of rebuke.

He admitted that he genuinely believed Wano Country was ill, but the cause was not Kaido.

He used to dare not think about it, dare not ponder it, dare not doubt it.

And the man in front of me...

Indeed, a great reputation is well-deserved.

Izo shook his head. "The male mentor who is well-versed in human nature lives up to his reputation. Kaido, this guy, has finally shown some intelligence this time..."

"You flatter me... If I have the chance, I'll treat Kiku to this. You can try some now..."

Ma Qiao smiled and tossed a can of soda produced by the Big Bird Consortium, Izo caught.

Having lived in the closed-off Wano Country and with the Whitebeard Pirates who couldn't live without alcohol, Izo had never actually tried cola.

He pulled the tab, took a small sip, and was startled by the sudden appearance of bubbles, immediately showing a look of disgust.

"A person without joy in their heart cannot savor the deliciousness of happiness."

Ma Qiao shook his head. "The most important thing in life is to be happy. Seeing how you were before, Vice Admiral Momousagi must be worried, right? Even for her sake, you have to live on..."

Upon hearing the name Momousagi, Izo was first surprised, then a rare hint of shyness appeared on his face:

"You really do know everything..."

Ma Qiao laughed heartily, "I have many acquaintances in Marineford. Sengoku, Garp, and I are like brothers. If needed, I can help you deliver a message to Vice Admiral Momousagi. However, my personal advice is: keep up with the times."

As he spoke, Ma Qiao tossed him a Mobile Den Den Mushi, with a piece of paper stuck to its Den Den Mushi:

"I've written down the instructions and Vice Admiral Momousagi's QQ number on a piece of paper."

"I'm really sleepy, goodnight!"

Ma Qiao yawned and swayed as he slowly walked away.

Izo held the Den Den Mushi, her beautiful eyes sparkling, lost in thought.