"What do you mean by filling your stomach? Do adults need to fill their stomachs? Is there not enough meat on the ship?"
Just as Gawain finished speaking, Jinbe's voice suddenly came from the doorway not far away.
Clearly, Jinbe had also gotten up.
Jinbe, wearing pajamas, strode over, continuing to ask questions as he walked.
"So we can't resupply in Sabaody either? Everyone wait a minute, I'm going to go and catch a Sea King!"
So, Jinbe had just arrived, actually decided to turn around and leave.
Seeing this, Gawain smiled and waved his hand.
Jinbe!
"Haha, just kidding, actually I heard everything."
"It's truly admirable that adults are still willing to get up and work so late!"
Jinbe rubbed his head, chuckled, and found a sofa to sit down. He casually picked up a drink, took a big gulp, and then laughed.
"However, I really didn't expect that Sister Shakky would also board the ship."
"Big sister, do you still remember me?"
How could I forget?
Shakky took a drag of her cigarette and smiled as she spoke to Jinbe.
"Back then, Hatchan from your team saved Rayleigh once."
Also, we did cooperate on the Mary Geoise Incident, but Fisher Tiger was too stubborn."
At this point, Shakky slowly exhaled a puff of smoke.
"Anyway, we're partners from now on, haha."
I never imagined that after all these years, I would still be able to say something like this.
Little Gawain, we'll discuss the staff-related matters after I understand your current situation.
"As for now, I've kept you from resting, sister."
"Where."
Gawain waved his hand gently.
"It's just a little less sleep, it's nothing, but it's already this late, everyone should go and get some rest."
Tomorrow afternoon, we're having a banquet for Sister Shakky. Coincidentally, Aokiji also wants to see me tomorrow, so I'll bring him along to the banquet this afternoon.
Kalifa, please arrange a room for Sister Shakky. That's all for tonight.
More and more people are waking up; if this continues, the banquet will probably start right away.
At this point, Gawain dismissed the brief meeting, and Jinbe, who had just gotten up, could only pout and go back to sleep.
Time quickly passed to the afternoon of the next day.
The area around the Sabaody Archipelago is dominated by the Yarukiman mangroves, and there are usually no special celestial phenomena here, so today is another sunny day.
After finishing his morning training in the sunshine, Gawain ate a quick bite and then lay down in the pool in his beach shorts to relax comfortably.
At this moment, Gawain was not the only one lying here.
Beside him were Kuma, Jinbe, Rayleigh, Lucci, Franky, and even Kaku.
A group of men were lying in a row in the pool.
While basking in the sun, Jinbe casually asked.
"Old Master Rayleigh, aren't you planning to go and watch the casino today?"
"What are you looking at? Apart from that guy named Issho, there aren't any other dark horses with particularly strong Observation Haki."
As it turned out, Yixiao didn't cheat at all, so he lost completely this morning..
Grandpa Rayleigh laughed and shook his head.
"With all that pomp and circumstance he had back then, I thought he could at least contend for the betting championship. But he lost so decisively. It was all pure luck, haha."
After he lost, I lost interest in watching the betting games.
"Oh? Yixiao lost?"
Gawain, who was standing to the side, narrowed his eyes.
"His gambling skills must be pretty good, right?"
"Haha, Little Gawain, liking to play and playing well are two different things. People like Yixiao are probably similar to me and Momousagi."
We all enjoy gambling, but winning or losing doesn't matter; the main thing is to enjoy the thrill of the game.
In the end, I think the champion of the betting competition is ultimately a highly professional, seasoned gambler who makes a living from this business!
After saying that, Rayleigh reached into the tray floating in the pool, grabbed a glass of chilled wine, and took a delightful sip.
Upon hearing this, Gawain nodded knowingly, realizing that he had probably been misled by his impression of Yi Xiao.
Although that guy is a gambler and looks like a gambling god, in terms of skill level, he's just an enthusiast.
Thinking of this, Gawain asked casually.
"Where is that person who laughed? Where is he now?"
"They're resting at the hotel we arranged."
Rayleigh replied casually.
"After losing the betting match, Yixiao went to our casino and played a couple more rounds, losing about 800,000 Beli."
I reckon he's run out of money. When I got back to the ship, he was eating at the buffet for the betting players in our hotel.
As soon as he finished speaking, Rayleigh let out a long sigh.
"Although this person possesses great strength, he lives a very frugal life, and he doesn't care about other people's opinions at all, truly living life on his own terms."
Wow, what a rare, decent person.
Luckily, we're not a pirate crew, and we certainly wouldn't do anything like burning, killing, or looting; otherwise, I doubt he'd have gotten on your ship!
"Haha, that makes sense. Yixiao probably doesn't like pirates that much."
Even if we're not a pirate crew, it won't be that easy for him to join us. When he comes to see me as promised, I'll have a good chat with him."
With that, Gawain closed his eyes again, fully enjoying his rare moment of rest.
However, he only rested for a few minutes when the sound of high heels came from not far away. Kalifa walked through the group of women playing volleyball, squatted down where Gawain was lying by the pool, and said softly.
"My lord, Admiral Aokiji's bicycle is parked in front of the ship. Shall I invite him aboard?"
"Ha, it's really incongruous to see bicycles and big ships lined up together, but that's probably a unique characteristic of Aokiji."
Gawain smiled and commented, then nodded.
"Please invite him up."
"Yes, sir!"
Kalifa left as ordered, while Gawain sat up from the pool.
"You all continue to rest, I'm going to see Admiral Kuzan."
"I'll go with you!"
Kuma climbed straight out of the water, then patted himself and Gawain, and the water droplets on them instantly disappeared.
Gawain wasn't dressed formally either; he was shirtless, wearing only beach shorts, when he arrived at the rest area and found a table that looked pleasing to the eye to sit down.
Nearby, the maids that Brooke had remotely arranged immediately sprang into action.
When Kuzan arrived here with Kalifa, the table was already laden with various dishes and drinks.
Gawain waved to Aokiji.
"This isn't the first time we've met, no need to be so polite, sit down and let's chat."
"Thank Saint Gawain, but is Xiong all you have with you?"
Kuzan sat down, tilting his head in confusion.
Upon hearing Aokiji's question, Gawain responded with a smile.
"This is my ship, and you are not my enemy."
Therefore, we don't need to be overly concerned about you.
The reason Kuma stays by my side is because it's his own hobby.
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain raised a glass to Kuzan smiled and clinked Gawain with him.
Setting down his cup, Kuzan couldn't help but glance around. The deck of the Dark Bird Ship was enormous, almost like that of a typical island.
So even he could only see the group of women playing volleyball.
As for the swimming pool, that's too far, and everyone's lying down too comfortably...
The women on the ship had also stopped moving. Kuzan saw Shirahoshi pointing at him from a distance, introducing something to the other women.
At that moment, Kuzan suddenly saw Shakky, wearing a bikini, smoking a cigarette, and gently stroking a Shakky in her hand.
Kuzan was somewhat taken aback.
"Wait, Saint Gawain, who was that just now...?"
"Who?"
Gawain followed Kuzan's gaze, and when he saw Shakky, he smiled knowingly.
"Oh, you mean Shakky?"
You know, Rayleigh has already decided to join my crew, so it's not unreasonable for Shakky to be here too, right?"
"Yes... yes..."
Aokiji looked embarrassed. He was an Admiral, how could he not know Shakky's identity?
That was one of the legendary members of the Rocks Pirates!
Thinking of this, Aokiji looked intently at Gawain.
"However, Saint Gawain, your ship has Roger's first mate, Rocks' men, and many Shichibukai."
If I didn't know your identity, I might have mistaken you for one of the Four Emperors' pirate crews!
"Haha, how could that be? I'm Celestial Dragon, Kuzan!"
Do you think it's possible for me to become some kind of pirate?
Gawain smiled and shook his head.
"Stop beating around the bush, Aokiji, tell me why you've come."
Later, I'll be hosting a welcome banquet for Shakky. If our conversation ends soon, you can join us for a couple of drinks.
So tell me, why did you want to see me?
"Well..."
Seeing that Gawain stubbornly avoided the topic of his own power, Aokiji had no choice but to purse his lips and say.
"As for why I'm here, haha, I'm really embarrassed to say."
Well, the reason I suggested sitting with you alone is simply because I wanted to get to know you.
At this point, Kuzan smiled, raised his glass, and toasted Gawain.
Hearing Aokiji's words, Gawain nodded knowingly, took a sip of wine, and then asked softly.
"So, when you say 'get to know me,' are you planning to establish some kind of cooperation with me?"
After saying that, Gawain shook his head.
"To be honest, Kuzan, there is no need for us to cooperate. Although you are Admiral, you are still a naval officer, and you are not capable of influencing my decision."
As for me, if I need you, I will apply to the Five Elders.
So if that's all you're here for, why don't we go take a bath and wait for the banquet to begin?
"Having a couple of drinks is much more interesting than our collaboration."
"No, no, no!"
Faced with Gawain's suggestion, Aokiji rubbed his face with a wry smile.
"You've misunderstood, Saint Gawain. I have no right to discuss cooperation with you."
As for what I meant by getting to know them...
Saint Gawain!
Aokiji suddenly looked at Gawain seriously and said emphatically.
I hope to get your support!
Upon hearing this, Gawain nodded in satisfaction; this was exactly what he had guessed— Aokiji's true purpose.
So Gawain tapped the table lightly with his index finger.
You must seek my support!
As soon as he finished speaking, he looked at Aokiji with amusement.
"How many years have you been Admiral?"
"It's been five years!" Aokiji replied.
"And what about the Sengoku period? How many years did he serve Fleet Admiral?" Gawain pressed.
"Seven years," Aokiji answered softly.
Upon hearing this, Gawain looked at Aokiji with amusement.
"See, isn't this interesting? You're already Marine Admiral, you don't need my support in this regard at all."
What do you want? The position of Fleet Admiral?
But he only served Fleet Admiral for seven years Sengoku!
So what kind of support do you want? You don't want me to put pressure on Sengoku to step down and hand over the Fleet Admiral's position to you, do you?"
"No, of course not!"
Kuzan quickly shook his head, then he spoke seriously to Gawain.
"The support I'm referring to isn't out of my own pursuit of rights, but rather because I hope you can provide me with some assistance so that I... can better fulfill my responsibilities in the Navy, which is the justice I bear on my shoulders!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Aokiji turned around and looked at the people on the Dark Bird Ship. Apart from one Gion, almost everyone else was a pirate.
So Aokiji calmed himself down and continued.
"As everyone knows, Saint Gawain, I have always had some conflicts with Admiral Sakazuki."
We both have strong reservations about many of the Navy's current actions and have never acknowledged each other's involvement!
In my opinion, good and evil are not absolute; there should be a delicate gray area between them.
But Sakazuki's attitude towards sin and evil was absolute; his harsh personality and reckless methods caused me a lot of trouble!
Aokiji raised his cup once more, drank the entire cup of wine, and then spoke.
"In the past, I didn't have any special methods to reconcile the conflict between me and Admiral Sakazuki."
We are both Admiral, each with our own supporters, but we are also both naval officers, a unified whole.
But until recently..."
Aokiji gave Gawain a deep look.
"I recently heard that there has been some trouble in Impel Down. The warden and deputy warden of that Impel Down have been arguing many times over the placement of some prisoners."
You supported Shiryu, the vice warden of Impel Down, so Shiryu gained the upper hand.
So I suddenly had the idea of paying my respects to you.
I don't have any particular purpose; I just want to talk to you about what I need to do to gain the same support you had for Deputy Director Shiryu.
Aokiji looked at Gawain meaningfully.
Facing Aokiji's gaze, Gawain smiled and lit a cigarette.
"When did I ever support Shiryu?"
Exhaling a puff of smoke, Gawain spoke leisurely, and his words made Aokiji nod knowingly.
Then, Aokiji continued speaking to Gawain.
"Indeed, Saint Gawain, you did not support Shiryu."
On the contrary, Shiryu has provided you with support and convenience to a certain extent.
And you are currently..."
Aokiji paused for a moment, then smiled.
"You seem to really enjoy imprisoning pirates in Impel Down. From that perspective, I think you would be even more satisfied with the result if the more pirates were captured alive."
This is also where Sakazuki and I disagree.
Admiral Sakazuki took killing too seriously; wherever he went, evil indeed left no trace.
But if we look at it from another perspective, it's because wherever Sakazuki went, the islands that remained were almost entirely barren...
Let me tell you something, Saint Gawain.
Seven months ago, Admiral Sakazuki tracked a group of pirates to Eric Island near Reverse Mountain. Many members of that group had set sail from that island, so they had a good relationship with the local residents.
Therefore, when the pirates hid in the mountains of Eric Island, the civilians in the nearby villages helped conceal their movements.
After Admiral Sakazuki arrived and ascertained the situation, he directly destroyed the village.
Indeed, he used this to force out the pirates hiding in the mountains and brought back their heads.
But from my perspective, I really dislike the way he carries out his justice!
Aokiji gently tapped the table.
"For Admiral Sakazuki, not Absolute Justice is absolute injustice!"
In my opinion, even justice and evil have different levels. I don't think everyone who makes a mistake is absolutely guilty!
Under Admiral Sakazuki, incidents like those on Eric Island occur frequently; that is definitely not the kind of justice I want to bear!
Therefore, I hope to gain your support in order to suppress its influence in the Navy!
After all, you wouldn't be particularly satisfied if every pirate didn't have a chance to enter Impel Down alive, right?
My younger brother came back from university today, and I went to pick him up, hence the slightly late update.
Feel sorry.