Pirates: How Many Divisions Do the Five Elders Have? Ma Qiao's Little Classroom

The unsuccessful start to his Den Den Mushi sales pitch did not disrupt Ma Qiao's teaching plans.

After putting away the Big Bird-brand Den Den Mushi, Ma Qiao formally began teaching his first lesson tailored to Vivi.

"Miss Vivi!"

"Here!"

"You're supposed to say, 'Hello, Teacher Ma!'"

"..."

Holding a teaching mace, Ma Qiao stood before the blackboard with a solemn expression.

Ma Qiao believed that in the pirate world, a mace suited the image of an ace instructor better than a pointer.

If the little girl before him really was rotten wood beyond carving, perhaps a couple of hard whacks on her backside with the mace would turn the rotten into the miraculous and speed up her education.

Vivi, of course, had no idea that Ma Qiao already had his eye on her backside.

She raised her little hand and voiced a question that had puzzled her for a long time. "Smelly old man, why do you call yourself Teacher Ma? Isn't Ma Qiao your given name, just like my 'Vivi'?"

Ma Qiao shook his head. "No. Your teacher comes from a distant country in the South Blue. 'Ma' is my surname, and 'Qiao' is my given name."

"What a strange name!"

Vivi rested her chin in her hand, looking a little suspicious. "You're not lying to me, are you? Deceiving an underage girl is terrible behavior!"

"Hahaha, this world is a vast place!"

Ma Qiao shook his head. Remembering the great pirate Ochoku, who was Chinese in every way, he asked, "Have you heard of the Rocks Pirates?"

"The Rocks Pirates?"

Vivi tried hard to remember. She seemed to have seen the name in a book in the palace library, but she couldn't recall it clearly.

"Time really is merciless. Even guys like that are starting to be forgotten..."

Ma Qiao shook his head with a sigh. "The Rocks Pirates were the world's strongest pirate crew back then, feared wherever their name was heard. Even Pirate King Roger and the marine hero Garp had to join forces to stand against them..."

Vivi's eyes widened with curiosity.

Though the old man was terribly unreliable as a Den Den Mushi salesman, he was surprisingly knowledgeable as a teacher.

After all, in a pirate world without universal education, few ordinary people could even read, especially those who made their living at sea, let alone know about such things.

So the old man had read plenty of useful books besides dirty magazines!

Vivi thought she should add "knowledgeable" to the list of words she used to describe Uncle Ma Qiao, alongside "lecherous," "lazy," "handsome," and "very reliable at critical moments."

No wonder that top student of a vice president admired him!

Vivi couldn't help recalling Miss All Sunday's letter.

Perhaps she should read more books too...

Although the Nefertari family descended from one of the twenty kings who had founded the World Government, the God Valley Incident had taken place thirty-three years ago and was a major event the World Government had done its utmost to conceal. Cobra had never told his daughter about that part of history; even he had only obtained information about it at the Reverie and had no inside information from the Celestial Dragons.

Ma Qiao didn't go into too much detail about such a taboo subject. He simply said, "World-famous great pirates like Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin were all once members of the Rocks Pirates. And aboard that ship was another great pirate named Ochoku, who came from my homeland."

Vivi felt little at the mention of Ochoku, who had died in Wano Country alongside Silver Axe and Captain John without knowing what had happened.

But the names Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin left her astonished.

"Not only did they force the Pirate King and the marine hero to join forces, but even the three emperors of the New World were once members of that crew?"

"That's right, but the three emperors are old news. Young people should read more books and newspapers!"

Ma Qiao shook his head.

The competition for the title of Newspaper King is even fiercer than the competition to become Pirate King!

He had to work harder.

Ma Qiao briefly mentioned the newly promoted fourth emperor, Red-Haired Shanks, and his background as a former member of Roger's crew.

"It's the age of the Four Emperors now. Young people on the seas these days are so scary, every last one of them... Anyway..."

Ma Qiao raised his voice and struck the blackboard hard with his mace. "This sea is vast and dangerous. What is the greatest danger to surviving at sea? Powerful pirates? Huge storms and waves? Terrifying Sea Kings?"

"None of them!"

"The greatest danger to surviving at sea comes from within us, from arrogance and complacency!"

"Question: suppose you're one of the Shichibukai, with many highly capable subordinates, many of whom are powerful Devil Fruit users. At the same time, you command several thousand men, rule over a region, and enjoy boundless prestige.

"Now there's a group of pirates from the East Blue who have only just arrived on the Grand Line. There are five of them, and only their captain has a bounty.

"They've declared that they're going to send you flying. What should you do?"

"Please make your choice."

Vivi was taken aback.

Was this a free point?

An appetizer for the lesson?

This was way too easy!

Vivi had accompanied her father to meetings of the World Government and knew full well how powerful the Shichibukai were.

Crocodile in particular, who was based in Rainbase and hailed as a hero by the people of Alabasta, had demonstrated unmatched power.

Although Vivi didn't worship Crocodile like ordinary citizens did, she had to admit that he had used his great strength to keep the area peaceful. His power was enough to rival an entire country.

Vivi couldn't imagine what kind of idiot would challenge someone like that, much less say he would send him flying.

"As one of the Shichibukai, I would send my elite officers to bring the pirates to justice and hand them over to the marines."

Vivi answered without hesitation.

"Wrong!"

Ma Qiao shook his head in dismay. "Completely wrong!"

"Huh?"

Vivi hesitated. "Then I'd go over and wipe out those little pirates myself?"

"Heh, you're too naive!"

Ma Qiao said coolly, "The Shichibukai are essentially Pirate Hunters too. As a Pirate Hunter, acting rashly is a cardinal military mistake. How can you charge in so confidently without doing any reconnaissance?"

"Reconnaissance?"

Vivi couldn't help feeling that was unnecessary.

If she had Crocodile's strength, why would she still be undercover in Baroque Works gathering intelligence?

She would have charged in long ago, grabbed Mr. 0 by the collar, and demanded to know what he was planning!

Seeing Ma Qiao's serious expression, Vivi tentatively said something she didn't mean. "Then... I'd send someone to scout them out first?"

"This child can be taught!"

Ma Qiao nodded in satisfaction.

"Now listen to the rest of the question. After looking into the matter, the elite scout you sent reports the following:

"1. The enemy's small sailing ship has a very simple design. Its only firepower is a single 60-pounder naval cannon.

"2. The enemy captain is a complete idiot who does nothing but eat meat, drink, and throw parties. He's the one who claimed he'd send you flying with one punch.

"3. Besides the captain, the other crew members are a swordsman with no sense of direction, a lecherous cook, a money-grubbing navigator, and a lying sniper.

"As one of the Shichibukai, what should your next move be?"