First Intimate Contact
Upon receiving the news, Roy was completely bewildered. "I just wanted to come and make a deal to determine the ownership of Fish-Man Island. Why are all these big shots swarming over like sharks smelling blood? What's going on?"
"Forget it, whatever." Roy shook his head, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. "If I can really see the strength of the other Four Emperors, it will help me understand my own position."
"What? Nightmare wants to start a war against our Whitebeard Pirates?" Diamond Jozu said, extremely displeased.
Marco, who was standing to the side, still had that same dead fish eyes that never changed, but his expression was a little strange. After listening to Jozu's venting, he shook his head and said, "It shouldn't be. If Nightmare really wanted to go to war with us, he wouldn't have let Jinbe send that potion over."
"Is that so?" Jozu was taken aback, thinking that it made sense, but then asked with some hesitation, "But the information from the other brothers claims that Kaido and the others are already eager to join the battle between the Phantom Sword Pirates and us."
"If Nightmare hadn't wanted to use our Whitebeard Pirates to build his own reputation, how could he have notified the other Four Emperors to enter in advance?"
"It's probably just a matter of habitual thinking," Marco shrugged and sighed. "You know Nightmare blows up wherever he goes. If countries were to create a list of countries that don't welcome people into their countries, Nightmare would definitely be at the top of the list."
"Perhaps those battles weren't intentional on his part, but if you think about the enemies he's encountered in the three years he's been at sea, you'll understand why he's so disliked. He's fought against the Shichibukai of the Sea, the Admiral, Four Emperors —the three major forces that balance the balance of power on the seas."
"Therefore, it's not surprising that others reacted this way when they heard the news of Nightmare's meeting with Old Man. In their minds, even if Nightmare's original intention was not to start a war, under the guidance of fate, this war was always inevitable."
Jozu nodded thoughtfully. "I understand. You mean that Nightmare is aware of his reputation, which is why he specially had Jinbe send the 'medicine' to show goodwill and indicate that he has no intention of starting a war. However, his image in the minds of the people is already deeply rooted. No matter what he does, the other Four Emperors will only think that wherever Nightmare is, there will be no shortage of battles."
"It seems Nightmare is a smart man, knowing that the best option is for both sides to remain at peace." Jozu then breathed a sigh of relief. Although he thought Nightmare was no match for his Old Man, that guy was hiding too much, and no one knew how many trump cards he had. Moreover, he was worried about his Old Man's health, so it was best to avoid fighting if possible.
To everyone's surprise, Marco's already listless expression turned into a bitter face. "I hope so."
While listening to the veterans' discussion, the newbie Ace clenched his fists, his heart churning with excitement, and he inexplicably looked forward to the possible epic war.
"Huh, what's so dazzling?" As if blinded by sunlight, Ace squinted and looked up at the sky, where the horizon resembled a golden ocean, dazzling and brilliant.
Seeing this, Ace couldn't help but take a deep breath and say, "It's Nightmare's Ark Maxim... He's here!"
"Kurarara, this brat's acting is pretty convincing!" A ripple appeared in the Whitebeard's eyes as he recalled the past. "His demeanor reminds me of that Golden Lion, just as arrogant and domineering, just as annoying!"
The Ark Maxim, suspended in the sky, slowly descended, its surroundings shrouded in crimson blood, resembling a demon's lair. The Whitebeard Pirates could even smell the extremely strong stench of blood, and... that terrifying aura.
"Hiss... These lunatics, did they just massacre a country?" Captain Izou of the 16th Division said with Izo of apprehension.
"Is this a show of force? They're really brazen!" Flower Sword Vista, had already gripped his twin swords.
"This guy... is he really stronger than last time?" Feeling the murderous aura emanating from Roy that seemed to pierce the sky, Ace sadly realized that he couldn't even muster the will to fight, which meant that the gap between the two had widened to a point of despair.
"I'm so sorry, I just went to wipe out a rather disobedient country. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Roy stepped onto the Moby Dick without any fear, as if he were returning home. He showed none of the awe that people usually have for the World's Strongest. Behind him were Enel, Crocodile the Sand, and "Augustine".
"You talk about destroying a country so casually, it really suits your title of Calamity." Marco said casually, but his attention was on the three people behind Roy. The one with the Long Ears gave him a vague sense of threat, the blind man was a bit strange, sometimes strong and sometimes weak, and the one with a missing hand seemed to be an old acquaintance.
However, regardless of the circumstances, these three are extremely powerful, almost on par with the top-ranked squad captains.
"I never imagined that, besides himself, his own power had grown to this extent? What a terrifying monster!" Marco became increasingly wary as he looked at the boy with the seemingly harmless smile on his face.
"I'm alright." Roy shrugged, thinking to himself, if this were the world of Dragon Ball, I might have just come back from saving the world.
"I brought you healing water, not to fight. Try it." Roy looked at the giant-like Whitebeard, poured the wine into a bowl, and gently tossed it over.
"Kurarara, you little rascal, you've really made quite a commotion." Whitebeard casually caught the wine jar Roy tossed to him and laughed, "This wine smells quite good. Among all the fine wines I've tasted in my years of traveling the world, it's definitely in the top ten."
"Yes, nothing is better than the wine from my hometown." Roy looked at the clear wine in front of him, unusually lost in memories.
"Really? When did North Blue get such good wine?" The Whitebeard no longer hesitated and picked up the wine jar to drink it in large gulps.
The Leopard Print Nurse, whose sinister intentions were clearly visible beneath her Whitebeard, glared at Roy before advising, "Captain! You can't drink anymore..."
"Nonsense! Drinking what you want... how could your health possibly suffer!" The Whitebeard placed the wine jar on his lap, sighed deeply, and said, "That was refreshing, kid. What's the name of this wine?"
"This... is called Moutai." Roy smiled slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Maotai? That's quite a mouthful of a name." The Whitebeard quickly forgot about it and waved his hand to the side. "It seems this kid doesn't really look like he's here to fight. Let us be alone for a while."