As soon as he finished speaking, Borsalino picked up his wine glass and expertly crossed his Erlang.
Just as he was taking a sip of his drink, Luffy, who was munching on a pork chop not far away, couldn't help but look up.
"Whitebeard, Blackbeard, hehe."
These two nicknames are such a perfect match, so can I be called Huang Hu...?
Bang!!!
Before Luffy could finish speaking, Ace had already raised his black fist and delivered a "love interruption" to him.
"Luffy, don't interrupt the adults' conversation. Can't you see that the old man and the lecherous old man are talking about serious matters?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ace put his Luffy, who was rubbing his head, and whispered something in his ear.
"Hurry up and eat. After you finish eating, I'll take you to a nice place."
I recently chatted a lot with Uncle Mjosgard's kid, and the boy told me a secret.
Mary Geoise is full of treasure, and every Celestial Dragon child in Mary Geoise has one chance to find it!
Okay, you eat quietly and then we'll go over and join the fun!
"Perhaps the treasure that those children in Mary Geoise have been searching for for centuries will fall into our hands!"
After saying that, Ace looked at Luffy's excited eyes with satisfaction.
He patted Luffy's head one last time, Luffy quickly opened his rubber mouth and stuffed all the plates nearby into it in one gulp.
After chewing frantically, Luffy his mouth and spat out the plates, which then crashed and fell to the ground with a clatter.
"I'm done eating, let's go!"
Why didn't you tell me about something this important sooner? Why didn't you tell me sooner, Ace!
Let's get going!!!
Luffy, pulled Ace away, leaving the others nearby staring at the remaining plates in bewilderment...
In the distance, Robin couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.
Nami rubbed her forehead in annoyance.
"Oh dear, how can you eat so rudely!"
He stuffed the whole plate into his mouth; it looks so dirty!
But... but I want to emphasize!!!
Nami turned around and raised her index finger to the maids, emphasizing the point.
"Under no circumstances are you allowed to replace those plates!"
It's just a plate; once it's washed, it's truly clean. Even if we lived in Mary Geoise, we shouldn't waste small amounts of money on trivial matters!
In short, it's all Luffy's fault, that brat!!!
After saying that, Nami lowered her head dejectedly, mentally calculating the quarterly living expenses of Mary Geoise.
Looking at Nami, who was full of energy, from afar, Gawain chuckled softly.
"These kids, haha, I really envy their carefree life."
Not just me, Newgate must be even more envious, since he likes kids even more than I do.
As for those things you mentioned..."
Gawain pondered for a moment, then turned to Borsalino and narrowed his eyes.
"Borsalino, you talk about being worried, but I don't see any fear on your face."
So, you're just concerned about my opinion on Blackbeard obtaining the Yami Yami no Mi, is that it?"
"Of course I'm worried, haha, after all, the situation at sea has basically been determined after a year of development."
My lord, you are located near the Sabaody Archipelago, controlling the gateway to the Red Line Grand Line, including Fish-Man Island.
Meanwhile, Whitebeard's Moby Dick sailed across the Red Line.
Although he didn't take any concrete action, he guarded the gateway to the New World region of the Red Line.
Therefore, in the eyes of our navy, the balance between you and Whitebeard is of course of paramount importance.
What do you think?
Kizaru smirked, waiting for Gawain's reply with a lewd grin.
Seeing that Kizaru's expression showed no sign of anticipation, Gawain smiled slightly and picked up the steak in front of him with his fork.
"Stop fooling around, Borsalino. Think about it carefully. When has the balance of power between me and Newgate ever been balanced?"
In the very early days when I first went overseas, our combined strength was not as great as Newgate's.
Now, and I'm not being arrogant, but when compared to him individually, my strength far surpasses his.
Look, why would two forces whose strength has never been balanced create conflict over the impending imbalance?
There is no conflict between us. Even if there is, the conflict only exists in our identities and positions.
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain picked up the pork chop and naturally took a bite and began to chew.
The tender texture of the pork chop evoked a burst of hope in Gawain's voice.
Clearly, this is a dish cooked by Sanji; only a young man like him could create a dish brimming with hope.
Zeff's cooking skills are certainly better than Sanji's, but the emotions in Zeff's dishes are more about nostalgia for happiness and reminiscing about the past.
Beside him, watching Gawain eat, Kizaru nodded slightly.
"Indeed, my lord, just as you said, the strength of your two sides has never been balanced."
But the past is different from the past. At least in the eyes of our navy, the future between you and him is destined to be far different from the past.
I learned that it won't be long before your footsteps will reach New World.
By then, your status will be different from that of the Celestial Dragon.
Even if you are a soaring dragon, you won't get the emperor that pirates talk about to react to you until you set foot in the New World.
A dragon that can never harm them might just become an object of admiration for those arrogant scumbags.
But I don't think you'll just turn back after stepping into this New World without doing anything.
"At that time, you dragon will be able to take a bite out of their flesh!"
Borsalino paused for a moment, waiting for Gawain to swallow the steak.
Unexpectedly, after swallowing the steak, Gawain didn't say anything, but instead took another sip of his drink.
Seeing this, Kizaru lowered his eyes slightly in a lewd manner.
He bent down slightly, pretending to speak softly, but in reality, he continued speaking to Gawain in the same voice.
"My lord, even if you are Celestial Dragon, they will not allow you to challenge their so-called authority."
Although I don't think that group of trash should have any authority, they do have some skills after all.
If those spoiled pirates in the New World really do something to you, and Whitebeard has no choice but to take action against you...
"Then, the Yami Yami no Mi will be a huge problem!"
"So can you tell me something more crucial, Borsalino?"
Upon hearing this, Gawain Teuchi Kizaru.
"What you just said is nothing more than hoping I will take some kind of action against Newgate's pirate crew."
That's not good, Borsalino. You shouldn't make me think that you think I can be used by you!
So, let's skip the complicated words and let me know your attitude!
When I returned to Mary Geoise, you hoped that I would challenge the Five Elders for the position of Saint Gawain and be promoted from Saint Gawain to Saint Gawain!
Now, you all want me to raise the flag, sound the horn, and lead you to attack the old Emperors of the Sea of the New World!
Ultimately, you all crave war, and even if all these wars were to my advantage, it wouldn't change the fact that you crave war!
So answer me, you or Sakazuki, do you really need a war that badly?!
After speaking, Gawain placed the cup in his hand on the table.
Despair!!!
A crisp sound.
Even though Gawain's movement of putting down the cup wasn't very forceful, it was the only sound in the entire room that resonated deeply with everyone.
The surroundings were so quiet at that moment that Doflamingo couldn't help but sit up straight.
Even Shirahoshi carefully hugged her tail, trying her best not to get so excited that she fanned herself into a strong wind.
As for the other side, after hearing Gawain's words, Kizaru's eyebrows drooped even lower, and a deeper and more lewd smile appeared on his lips.
While laughing, Kizaru shook his head.
No, no, no.
He said.
"How could we possibly desire war, Gawain!"
Rather than saying we crave war, let's imagine ourselves to be more magnanimous!
We have long since transcended the level of war; what we crave is not the process, but the result!
As you can see, Sakazuki has been talking to me a lot lately!
He believes that with your comprehensive leadership and assistance, the numerous additional combat forces of the crew and the Navy could completely end the existence of the Four Emperors in this era!
He was too arrogant and reckless. He never considered how many people would die in such a war, but I agree with the outcome Sakazuki described!
At this point, Kizaru smiled, stood up, and gave Gawain a slight bow.
"My lord, just as I said, everyone in the Navy who is willing to serve the World Government has been looking forward to this victory for far too long!"
And you, without mentioning your troops which are not yet fully formed, only talk about the high-level combat power you currently control!
You command at least four combatants, including yourself, whose strength is very close to that of Admiral, as well as more than ten outstanding personnel whose strength far surpasses that of most Vice Admiral!
Your expertise in this area is now comparable to that of the openly known navy. With your help, we could indeed attempt to simultaneously wage war against the Four Emperors!
Currently, Red-Haired Shanks' situation is special, but in any case, his strength has not yet reached its peak.
Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, they too have decayed. One is indulging in the influence of Oden and seeking inspiration to overcome death, while the other has long been controlled by the addiction to gluttony, and their fighting strength is far less than before.
As for Newgate, Newgate is getting old and his combat strength is bound to decline.
However, under these circumstances, a new ecosystem is rapidly emerging among pirates, especially after Whitebeard's son regained access to the power codes of Rocks!
Having said that, Kizaru looked around and, meeting the gazes of those around him who seemed to believe in Gawain authority, continued emphatically.
"In short, Sakazuki believes that if they cannot stop and suppress the pirates in this era, then when their respective descendants grow up, they themselves will be able to barely serve as combat forces."
By then, the effort required to deal with them will inevitably increase exponentially.
Given your plan to blockade the Grand Line, doing so could very well provoke them to launch a coordinated attack a few years later.
Therefore, we should God's Soldiers like a divine intervention, taking the initiative before anyone else can react!
"Isn't our primary goal to seize control of the situation as much as possible?"
At this point, Kizaru seemed to have said enough. He stood there silently, looking at Gawain with a calm and unhurried expression.
As for Gawain, he recalled what Kizaru had just said and fell silent.
A moment.
Two quarters of an hour.
In the blink of an eye, Gawain reached out towards Hancock.
Hancock nodded, then reached into her chest pocket, pulled out a cigarette, and placed it in Gawain's hand.
Lei Ting lit a cigarette, and wisps of smoke enveloped Gawain's face.
Through the smoke, Gawain exhaled and laughed.
"Today, you didn't even expect to get an answer."
Furthermore, rather than you asking me the question, it's Sakazuki who's expecting my answer!
If I'm not mistaken, at the latest tomorrow, or tonight.
Sakazuki will also visit my family.
His attitude is bound to be much firmer than yours, and his desires are destined to be much more intense, haha."
With a laugh, Gawain took a satisfied drag of his cigarette, casually blew out a smoke ring, flicked off the ash, and continued speaking.
"So, if I don't want to be bombarded by that Sakazuki guy's loud voice, I should have a good talk with you."
Borsalino, you tell me you need a real victory, but while you're thinking that, have you considered what I need?
At this point, Gawain raised his head, his eyebrows twitching slightly, and his gaze immediately fixed on Kizaru's face.
At that moment, accompanied by a faint sound of falling.
Many birds flying nearby were momentarily disoriented, falling at least ten meters before regaining their senses.
Meeting Gawain's imposing gaze without anger, Kizaru nodded seriously.
"My lord, how could we not consider you? Don't you also lack a real victory to pave the way for your becoming Saint Gawain?"
At least that's what Sakazuki thinks, haha.
As for me, you know me well. I only do what I'm supposed to do during my job. I don't think that far ahead or that big of a picture.
In short, if you don't like our explanation, then we naturally understand your decision and will absolutely obey your orders.
At this point, Kizaru picked up the teacup again, and this time he slowly walked to Gawain and respectfully placed the teacup in front of Gawain.
Looking at the steaming tea in front of him, Gawain took a whiff of the aroma and then nodded gently.
"I see, haha, I can't believe I made that mistake."
Borsalino, please forgive my little temper; I seem to have forgotten something just now.
Look around you, look at everyone around me. They've never been as eager to do anything as you and the rest of the navy.
It's not that they are better than you, but that they understand me better than you do.
I have spoken to them countless times about what I desire, and together we have considered the path to that desire.
But ironically, in the past year, I haven't had a proper conversation with you, Sakazuki, or Kuzan.
Based on this, my development has led you to misunderstand my intentions, but in any case, you are indeed trying to make me more prominent.
Saint Gawain!
Haha, that sounds pretty good, but what I want is never just "pretty good".
Killing a few Four Emperors)—what difference does that make?
Just like you said, their sudden deaths have merely transformed into my achievements and your navy's honor, allowing me to take a step further while also making things easier and more glorious for you.
They were not as important as they imagined. Their existence was not entirely due to their opportunities and efforts, but rather a kind of inevitability created by the era in which they lived.
Go back, go back and tell Sakazuki.
I told him that I was tearing apart the era that created the Emperors of the Sea, bit by bit.
Then let him think it over carefully. With the strength I currently possess, even with your navy added...
Do we, in this situation, truly have the right to tear down the curtain that obscures the sky and create a new future for the sea?