Vivre Card

"Why did you two have to bet on my place?"

Shakky complained, then took out two cigarettes and put them in her mouth. After lighting them, she took one from her lips and casually tossed it to Gawain.

"Here, have another one, for chatting so much."

"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 disdainfully took a drag.

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

"You're not qualified to judge an adult's ideals."

"Tsk, tsk, so devoted. Then you really do like Gawain's ideas, don't you?"

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 lightly.

"As for the Shichibukai, both I and my Marine friends believe there is no need for them. We have enough power to suppress pirates and keep them from freely leaving the New World!

And this method of dividing the pirates through 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 were already powerless to suppress pirates?

And with the One Piece said to have been left behind by Roger, the Pirate King, how many civilians have been influenced by it and taken the wrong path!

Rayleigh, you... Heh. The Marines tolerate your retirement in Sabaody because you are not a pure pirate. You're more like an adventurer.

But not every pirate can be like you!

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

They are pirates. Pirates naturally do what pirates should do!

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

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

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

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

So, since my lord has the confidence to control the Shichibukai and use them to stabilize the Grand Line, then of course I will become the blade and sword in my lord's hand and do my part for such a good cause!

As for what my lord may accomplish in the future... Heh.

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

After all, no era has ever been worse than the present one!"

At that, Gion stubbed out the cigarette she had only taken a few drags from in the ashtray.

Gawain nodded in satisfaction, then rose to his feet with a cigarette between his lips.

"Gion is right. That's what I admire most about her. Not having ideas isn't frightening; you just need to align yourself with those who do.

As for you two, Rayleigh and Shakky.

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 practice some martial arts with Gion first.

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

With that, Gawain headed toward the bar's entrance, while Gion swiftly rose and followed just behind his right side.

Near the doorway, Gawain waved without looking back.

"See you on Amazon Lily, Teacher Rayleigh."

"See you on Amazon Lily, kid!"

Rayleigh answered. Then he and Shakky watched Gawain's retreating figure. Once they had gone far away, Rayleigh turned back and sighed along with Shakky.

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

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

He no longer had any mood to drink.

Shakky noticed the disappointment on Rayleigh's face. Her brows lifted, and she chuckled.

"I rather like his ideas. He's unlike other Celestial Dragons. Why not let someone with status, ability, and the willingness to do something for the world give it a try?"

"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 a tide capable of overturning the world?

If he does this, we'll be in a very passive position!"

"Don't lump me in with you. I'm not one of you. We still have a grudge, you know. Sooner or later, I'll take revenge for how you and Garp dismantled my Rocks Pirates back then."

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

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

"That's a different matter. Though the atmosphere in our crew really was terrible back then—the members were too strong, had too many thoughts, lacked unity, attacked one another, and nearly every one of them refused to submit to anyone else.

But those were all problems caused by the members growing stronger and stronger. If we're talking about Captain Rocks alone, he was absolutely far greater than your Roger!"

"Fine, fine. These past ten years or so, my thoughts about Roger..."

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

"Though seeing the tide Captain started continue to surge sometimes makes this old man feel honored.

When I look at the news in the papers from all across the Four Blues, though—more and more killing and plundering, and the steadily increasing volume of slave transactions 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 involved can see through. Let the future judge it, Rayleigh."

Shakky shook her head, then suddenly clenched her fist.

"As for now, heh, 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 power? They aren't even willing to obey the Five Elders' orders!"

"Whether they can serve 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 others'. Mere Shichibukai—I will subdue them for you one by one!"

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

I have other methods, because what I can offer them is what they all seek but cannot obtain on their own.

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

I need them, and I have the ability to fulfill 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. Let's go see Mjosgard first. Then I need to purchase an estate of my own, and after that, you can properly teach me some martial arts."

"As you command!"

The two quickened their pace. Before long, they returned to Mjosgard's estate.

The moment they entered, an angry shout suddenly rang out 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. He had no idea why, but these past few days, he kept seeing Shalria beating Mjosgard...

Inside the estate, Mjosgard seemed somewhat dazed.

"What did you say? Gawain is missing? Impossible, he stayed at my place last night!

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

He probably went out shopping, right? He must have, right? Shalria, couldn'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 grabbing Mjosgard by the collar as she ranted without end.

And Shalria...

Hearing the door open, she turned her head. Upon seeing Gawain, her entire body froze.

She hurriedly released Mjosgard. Her eyes sparkling like stars, Shalria darted in front of Gawain in a flash.

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