The Emperor Arrives!

"The Cross Guild?"

In the sky above a Calm Belt bordering the New World and the West Blue, a bubble shaped like a fleshy ball is flying at high speed.

Mihawk sat cross-legged in the air, carefully wiping his beloved knife with a handkerchief as he slowly spoke, "Even when I was on Hachinosu Island, I heard about their recent activities."

"Crocodile possesses extraordinary ambition, and under his leadership, the Cross Guild is indeed full of aggression."

The bear, acting as a means of transportation, calmly began, "In the past six years, not only have we expanded our territory in the West Blue, but we have also recently recruited a large number of pirates, forming a massive pirate army."

"They are preparing to take action against the West Blue."

Ian laughed and said, "Just like how we took over the New World, the Cross Guild now wants to dominate the West Blue."

"Dominate the West Blue?"

Mihawk raised an eyebrow, unable to suppress amusement, and said, "What? Does the Cross Guild also possess a monster that can rival you?"

Ian couldn't help but laugh, "Senior Ryde is actually quite strong."

Six more years have passed. Due to the erosion of time, no matter how hard it tries to regain its former glory, it will probably never be able to return to its peak condition.

However, since Ryde has recovered his composure, his strength should not be weak either.

Well, he should be able to hold his own Yamato at this point, but he's still a bit behind top-tier fighters like Teacher Kai, Aunt Linlin, and Whitebeard- senpai.

"Oh."

Mihawk, his good friend, just sneered.

Patrick Redfield?

He was indeed a world-renowned pirate in the previous era, and was also said to be an extraordinary swordsman.

But now it's no longer his era.

Or rather, under Ian's brilliance, everyone else, regardless of the era, would pale in comparison.

"I just think the World Government is already doing everything it can to deal with our Beasts Pirates, so it doesn't have much time to deal with the affairs of the West Blue."

The bear said this,

"So, Ian,"

Accompanying Ian this time Aunt Linlin, whom Ian had forcibly taken away from the Charlotte Family.

She was there as a hostage.

Aunt Linlin glanced at Ian and asked, "Do you know where those people are?"

Unlike the Charlotte Family, the Cross Guild does not have a fixed headquarters; its top officers reside on Moria's massive seagoing vessel.

That ship roams the West Blue year-round, which is one of the reasons they dare to expand so aggressively West Blue. The World Government can't find them, so they can't launch a large-scale attack.

You should know that, right?

Ian said with a smile.

"Um?"

Aunt Linlin looked somewhat puzzled.

What does "should" mean?

Could it be that Ian has an informant among the higher-ups of the Cross Guild?

After all, the Cross Guild were very good at keeping secrets, and very few people were able to board that ship.

Apart from the high-ranking officials and the initial batch of prisoners who Impel Down, there were only a few high-ranking officials who were later recognized.

Ian simply smiled, offering no further explanation.

This is just a small, insignificant surprise in life, isn't it?

The moment has finally come when a hidden agent, who has been lying low for a long time, can be put to use.

"Ian!"

Just then, someone called Ian's name again.

The songstress with beautiful red and white hair turned around and asked, "After dealing with the Cross Guild, are you going to find that guy?"

Although the girl tried her best to appear calm, her voice trembled slightly.

Ian understood her hesitation, so he simply said gently, "We don't know their whereabouts yet, but it shouldn't be long."

Unlike the Cross Guild, the Red-Haired Pirates do not have the habit of deliberately hiding their whereabouts.

After all, they only had one ship and no real power, yet they were quite strong. Few people on the high seas would be so bored as to cause them trouble, except for Ian.

Like a journey, the Red-Haired Pirates traveled around the West Blue for six years, enjoying a rather comfortable life.

After a brief silence, little Uta nodded gently. "... I understand."

Hawk Eyes sighed softly.

He knew very well just how clingy this little girl was to that Red-Haired guy back then.

She's clearly not his biological daughter, but she's closer to that bastard than any biological daughter could be.

What on earth did that guy do to make this girl hate him so much?

In short, I'll have a proper talk with that guy when we meet again.

It would be such a waste if a man like that were sent to heaven so inexplicably.

Aunt Linlin's lips twitched silently.

That's a madman.

This means we'll wipe out everyone on the high seas except for the World Government in one fell swoop.

but.

Aunt Linlin couldn't help but sigh silently in her heart; the Beasts Pirates really did possess such unreasonable power.

The power of the Beasts Pirates has expanded to an incomprehensible level. Even Hawk Eyes, who has always been a loner and considered aloof by the world, has become Ian's subordinate.

Of course, the most crucial element is the power possessed by that bastard Ian himself.

Besides the World Government, who else in this world can stand against us? Who the hell can stand against us?

Shortly thereafter, in a certain area of West Blue.

A massive ship, as large as an island, floated silently on the surface of the sea.

A small boat entered the ship through its main entrance, a gate shaped like the gaping maw of a demon.

When the ship docked, Crocodile came down from the deck with a man.

When the Blue Trebol set foot on this land, it couldn't help but look around curiously.

Is this the headquarters of the Cross Guild? To be honest, it's much more shabby than I imagined.

Although the ship was extremely large, it was actually only the size of an island and didn't have many buildings.

Only in the center of the distant forest stands a luxurious ancient castle, surrounded by a ring of newly built buildings in a style that resembles the castle.

"Not many people are qualified to set foot on this island, so you can be proud of it, Chinjao."

Crocodile waved, and in the distance, a carriage sped towards them.

Chinjao raised an eyebrow.

It must be a horse-drawn carriage, right?

But it was a dead horse.

Its entire body was covered in stitches, and as it raced towards them at an astonishing speed, Chinjao wouldn't be surprising if it fell apart at any moment.

Are these the zombies that Moria created?

Their presence was quite common during the Cross Guild's campaigns in the West Blue over the years.

Compared to ordinary soldiers, zombies have the advantage of having already died once, so they cannot die again. Even if their bodies are cut in half or their heads are chopped off, they can still continue to fight and have almost unlimited stamina.

Chinjao didn't say anything, but simply followed Crocodile into the carriage, which then sped along the road towards the ancient castle deep in the forest.

Before long, they arrived at the gates of the castle, where a group of elite pirates stood guard.

Chinjao's gaze darkened slightly.

He could tell perfectly well that these pirates guarding the gate were no ordinary fodder.

Are these the pirates Crocodile and Moria brought out of Impel Down back then?

They don't look like they're easy to bully.

Hateful!

The Cross Guild is practically overpowered in the West Blue!

Their once-powerful Eight Treasure Navy, which had run rampant in the West Blue, was utterly no match for the Cross Guild. They captured Crocodile, forcing him to submit.

It's all the fault of those damned Beasts Pirates!

If it weren't for that bastard Ian driving all the monsters out of the New World, how could I have ended up in this awkward situation?

In silence, Chinjao was led into the castle by Crocodile.

"Hahahaha! The legendary pirate Blue Trebol from the last era! I've heard Daimyo about him, but this is truly the first time I've met him in person!"

The guy who approached with a somewhat exaggerated laugh was Shiryu of the Rain.

He was certainly familiar with Chinjao.

He was once the Chief Warden of Impel Down the World Government, but during the Impel Down riots instigated by Crocodile and Moria, he decisively defected and became one of the founding members of the Cross Guild.

Over the years, he served as a high-ranking member of the Cross Guild, wreaking havoc across the West Blue.

Many people say that this bastard is a serial killer; every enemy who appears before him ends up with a broken body.

So even though this guy looks all smiles now, who knows when he might stab you in the back?

"Hehehehe! Welcome to the Cross Guild, Senior Chinjao!"

Moria, whose reaction was equally enthusiastic, almost second only to Shiryu, also spoke up with a grin.

This guy's enthusiasm doesn't seem to be feigned.

Chinjao thought.

"Chinjao? I never imagined we'd ever be on the same side in this lifetime."

Older than Chinjao, with completely white hair and beard, Redfield sat on a long sofa, legs crossed, leisurely sipping coffee.

Standing next to him was a little girl with pink hair in pigtails, holding a plate, staring at the Chinjao with her big, round eyes.

"Ryde ..."

Chinjao's tone was also somewhat complicated.

His active period on the high seas almost coincided with Ryde's peak.

He had personally witnessed this guy's formidable strength.

"So,"

So, Chinjao asked, "Why did you specifically force me to join you?"

He was genuinely curious about it.

"Part of the reason is because of the precious jade Iceburg."

Crocodile was outspoken.

"You bastard!"

Chinjao couldn't hold back any longer and cursed through gritted teeth.

The Jade Iceburg is where the treasures accumulated by the Eight Treasure Navy over the past century are stored. It is undoubtedly a huge treasure and the lifeblood of the Eight Treasure Navy.

It's a pity that after Garp punched him in the head 25 years ago, Chinjao has been unable to open that Iceburg and retrieve the treasure inside.

However, this does not mean that the Chinjao is willing to hand over his family's century-old wealth.

"The second reason,"

Crocodile completely ignored Chinjao's anger and simply continued, "The Eight Treasure Navy is a powerful force, not to mention you also have the Nipo Navy, which is closely allied with you."

"We need your strength."

"What exactly do you want to do?"

Chinjao lowered his voice and said in a low, serious tone.

"We want to do everything we want to do."

Crocodile Road.

"A war World Government and the Beasts Pirates is inevitable."

Moria said, "That's probably our only chance, so in order to seize it, we must expand our strength as much as possible!"

Chinjao paused slightly.

Let's start with the West Blue.

Crocodile sneered, "Although the pirates in this sea are weak, we have no choice now. If we gather all the powerful pirates in this sea together, we can at least be considered a force to be reckoned with."

The so-called domination of the West Blue is not just about expanding territory, but more importantly, about increasing power!

To contend with the World Government and the Beasts Pirates, no force can be abandoned.

At that moment, Shiryu revealed a slightly strange smile.

"Anyway, Chinjao,"

Crocodile said, "Welcome to the team."

Chinjao really wanted to curse.

They've used every trick in the book—coercion, bribery, and manipulation—and now they're pretending to be honest?

Are they going to rival the Beasts Pirates and the World Government?

What a bunch of lunatics!

However, this arrogance is not exactly endearing...

Boom!

The top of the castle exploded open, and something fell from the sky.

The floor suddenly began to shake violently.

"What?"

Redfield, who had been leisurely sipping his coffee, suddenly tensed up.

"What happened?"

Moria waved his hand forcefully, trying to blow away the rising smoke in front of him, and shouted, "Is it an intruder?"

"..."

Crocodile didn't speak, but he suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Wow, I've been looking for this for ages!"

A cheerful voice rang out from the dust, "Well, thankfully we found it. Now, shouldn't we say 'Long time no see, everyone'?"

Crocodile, Moria, Redfield's expressions froze for a moment.

No way?

How could such a thing happen?

They were certainly familiar with this voice, or rather, it was so deeply ingrained in their minds that they might never forget it for the rest of their lives!

Who is it?

Only Chinjao had never heard this voice before, and he spoke up almost instinctively.

What's going on? Has the Cross Guild's rival come knocking?

Then, as the smoke gradually dissipated, Chinjao finally saw clearly the people who had fallen from the sky.

I saw clearly the handsome young man with his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face.

Then,

"How is that possible?!"

The Chinjao instantly broke out in a sweat.

"The Pirate Emperor?!"

The Emperor has arrived!