Vivre Card

"Why are you two betting on my home?"

Shakky complained, then took out two cigarettes and placed them between her lips. After lighting them, she removed one and casually tossed it to Gawain.

"Here, have another one. You talked so much, after all."

"No need!"

At Gawain's side, Gion moved swiftly and caught the spinning cigarette between her fingers.

Taking the cigarette, Gion brought it to her lips and took a disdainful drag.

After exhaling the smoke, Gion let out a cold laugh amid the curling haze.

"You aren't qualified to judge my lord's ambitions."

"Tsk, tsk, so diligent. So you really do like Gawain's ideas?"

Shakky teased her, then took out two more cigarettes and handed one each to Gawain and Rayleigh. All four of them started smoking, and the little bar immediately seemed like a chimney.

Within the smoke, Gion nodded gently.

"As for the Shichibukai, my Marine friends and I all believe they're unnecessary. We have more than enough power to suppress pirates and keep them from leaving the New World whenever they please!

And as for the method of dividing pirates with the Shichibukai, never mind the fact that this rule cannot truly make the Shichibukai serve the Marines.

Just the policy of using pirates to govern pirates—wouldn't it make civilians feel that the Marines are already powerless to suppress pirates?

Then there's the One Piece supposedly left behind by Roger, the Pirate King. How many civilians have been influenced by it and set off down the wrong path!

Rayleigh, you... hehe. The reason the Marines tolerate your retirement in Sabaody is because you aren't a pure pirate. You're more like an adventurer.

But not every pirate can be like you!

Many people may still hold on to their original intentions when they first set sail, but when they encounter danger, when they suffer shipwreck, lack food and clothing, and stand on the brink of starvation, then face the choice of whether to plunder...

They're pirates. Pirates naturally do what pirates are supposed to do!

That alone is enough to make ninety percent of young pirates completely fall into the realm of thieves when faced with a choice of humanity!"

When she finished speaking, Gion slowly exhaled a stream of smoke.

"I don't understand many great principles. The first half of my life was entirely devoted to improving my own strength.

I can't think of a way to abolish the Shichibukai, much less a way to make pirates disappear altogether.

So, since my lord is confident he can control the Shichibukai and use them to stabilize the Grand Line, then of course I must become the blade in his hand and contribute to such a good cause!

As for what my lord will be able to accomplish in the future, hehe.

No matter what changes my lord brings to the next era, those changes will definitely be better than this era.

After all, no era could possibly be worse than the present one!"

At that, Gion pressed the cigarette, which she had only taken a few drags from, into the ashtray.

As for Gawain, he nodded in satisfaction, then stood with a cigarette between his lips.

"Gion is right. That's what I admire most about her. It isn't scary to have no ideas of your own; you just need to move closer to someone who does.

As for you two, Rayleigh and Shakky.

Forget it, forget it. Prejudice is like a mountain. Unless you see many things with your own eyes, you probably won't be willing to bet the future on me.

Let's stop drinking for today. I need to go back and prepare to set sail, and I'll also practice some hand-to-hand combat with Gion first.

What happens later is for later. Rayleigh, just don't forget to meet me on Amazon Lily."

After saying that, Gawain headed toward the bar's entrance, while Gion quickly rose and followed behind his right shoulder.

As he neared the door, Gawain waved without looking back.

"See you on Amazon Lily, Teacher Rayleigh."

"See you on Amazon Lily, brat!"

Rayleigh responded, then watched Gawain's retreating back with Shakky. Once they had gone far away, Rayleigh turned back and sighed together with Shakky.

"So this is the rising star of the Celestial Dragons?"

Rayleigh muttered as he placed the bottle in his hand on the bar counter.

He was no longer in the mood to drink.

Noticing the disappointment on Rayleigh's face, Shakky raised her brows and chuckled.

"I rather like his ideas. He's different from the other Celestial Dragons. Letting someone with status, ability, and the willingness to do something for the world give it a try—what's wrong with that?"

"But his ideas are the exact opposite of Roger's. Roger would never have liked the word stability. If things are too stable, how could there be waves capable of overturning the world?

What he's doing puts us in a very passive position!"

"Don't lump me in with you. We still have a grudge, you know. You and Garp dismantled my Rocks Pirates back then. Sooner or later, I'll get my revenge."

"Tch, I've heard that for far too long, Shakky. Once I'm dead, take revenge however you like.

And as for your Rocks Pirates, didn't you also want to see them disbanded?"

"That's a different matter. The atmosphere in our crew was truly terrible back then. The members were too strong, had too many ambitions, lacked unity, attacked each other constantly, and almost none of them were willing to remain beneath anyone else.

But those were problems caused by the members growing stronger and stronger. As for Captain Rocks himself, he was absolutely far greater than your Roger!"

"Whatever you say. These past ten years or so, my thoughts about Roger..."

Rayleigh fell silent and took a deep drag from his cigarette.

"Though I occasionally feel proud when I see the waves Captain stirred up continuing to surge forward.

When I look at the news in the papers from across the Four Blues, at the growing slaughter and plunder, and the ever-increasing volume of slave sales year after year...

Perhaps people become prone to reflecting on their past when they grow old?

Sometimes, I can't help wondering whether our goal was truly worth so many sacrifices."

"Who knows? That isn't something those within the game can see through. Let the future judge it, Rayleigh."

Shakky shook her head, then suddenly clenched her fist.

"As for now, hehe, you're going to Amazon Lily, right? That's the Island of Women!

You know what you should do there, right? You definitely don't. It's fine, I'll teach you!"

Rayleigh: "Huh?!!"

After Gawain left Grove 13, Gion followed behind him in small steps and asked softly.

"My lord, can the Shichibukai... truly become your strength? They aren't even willing to obey the Five Elders' orders!"

"Whether they can be used by me does not depend on whether they have served others before. I am not others."

Gawain replied.

Hearing Gawain's answer, Gion nodded and said in agreement.

"Indeed, my lord, your Haki far surpasses that of others. Mere Shichibukai—I will subdue them one by one for you!"

"It's good that you have the will, but they aren't people you can handle alone. If force alone were enough, then even if I brought Whitebeard here, they still wouldn't submit.

I have other methods, because what I can give them is something none of them can obtain no matter how much they seek it.

The relationship between ruler and subject is, for either side, a relationship of mutual need.

I need them, and I am capable of fulfilling their needs. That is enough."

"Uh, I don't really understand what you mean..."

"Haha, if you understood everything, what use would I be?

Come on. We'll go see Mjosgard first, then I need to acquire an estate of my own. After that, you can properly teach me some hand-to-hand combat."

"As you command!"

The two quickened their pace, and before long, they returned to Mjosgard's residence.

The moment they entered, an angry shout suddenly came from the banquet hall!

"Where did you take Brother Gawain? Why are you drunk while he isn't here?!!!"

"Cough, cough!"

Hearing that voice, Gawain coughed helplessly. Who knew what was going on? These past few days, he kept seeing Shalria beating up Mjosgard...

Inside the residence, Mjosgard seemed somewhat muddled.

"What did you say? Gawain is missing? Impossible, he stayed here with me last night!

Wait, what time is it? Why is it so bright outside?

He probably went out sightseeing, right? That must be it. Shalria, can't you ask my guards whether anyone knows where Gawain went?"

"I don't want to speak to lowly men. Anyway, Gawain came out with you. If anything happens to him, I'll definitely kill you!"

Amid the shouting, Gawain pushed open the door and immediately saw Shalria clutching Mjosgard by the collar as she sprayed him with abuse.

And Shalria...

Hearing the door open, she turned her head. The instant she saw Gawain, her whole body froze.

She hurriedly released Mjosgard. Starlight filled Shalria's eyes as she shot over to Gawain in a flash.

"Brother Gawain, it's wonderful to see you! You didn't leave behind a Vivre Card when you went out. I was so worried!"