If Maud had truly taken over the position of Shichibukai.
Then, while it meant she could no longer attack Maud, it also meant that Gion's trip would once again end in failure.
But what truly made Gion's expression turn ugly wasn't that Maud had escaped another crisis.
It was that Maud's position as a Shichibukai had stripped her of the right, as a Marine, to justifiably hunt down a notorious pirate.
"He took over... as a Shichibukai!?"
Wolf Rat looked at Maud in near horror, as though he had heard something inconceivable.
How long had this young man, whom he knew fairly well, been on the Grand Line as a newcomer? He had not even set foot in the more dangerous New World, yet he had already received recognition from the World Government's highest authority?
Such a thing was simply unheard of.
Wolf Rat felt somewhat numb.
Ever since he had met Maud, one thing after another that exceeded his understanding had kept happening.
Sentomaru looked at Wolf Rat, who was questioning his entire life beside him, and frowned. "If this guy really took over as a Shichibukai, does that mean we can't attack him anymore?"
"Mm."
Wolf Rat nodded heavily.
Without proper justification, the Marines could not attack a Shichibukai.
That was an indisputable fact.
Sentomaru looked dejected at that and curled his lips. "We never got the 'message.' Who knows if what he said is true?"
That was indeed the case, but...
Wolf Rat glanced at Sentomaru, then looked toward Gion's back.
Whether it was true or not, they could have the communications soldier in their ranks contact headquarters and get confirmation within five seconds.
It would cost them neither much time nor effort.
Yet Gion had not immediately ordered the communications Marine to verify the truth of