After Kaido speaking, at the head of the table...
Queen and Jhin both fell silent for a moment.
I don't know what they were thinking, but after about five seconds, they looked at each other and then slowly nodded.
"Although such methods are rather dishonest, we are pirates!"
Faced with the external pressure from Gawain, and given that we truly have no way to quickly improve our strength...
We really need to drag them into this mess to have any chance of stopping their potential attack!
King's crisp and concise evaluation earned Kaido's satisfied nod.
Kaido nodded as he continued.
"That's right, haha!"
We need to drag them down with us!
That old Newgate must have reached some kind of agreement with Gawain, otherwise he wouldn't have remained inactive in his territory under the pressure from Gawain.
Don't forget, he's on the front lines facing the New World's impact. If Gawain really wants to join forces with the Navy to launch a large-scale operation against the New World...
Newgate's Grand Fleet was the first to face attack!
If I were him, I would have already recruited the rest of our pirate crews. Even if we had to fight and discuss things at the same time, we would have reached a decision by then!
"But, boss?"
Beside him, Queen took a moment to think, then looked up at Kaido and spoke.
"What if Gawain doesn't intend to attack our New World?"
Although he has reorganized many countries and islands along the Grand Line, does that mean they want to fight with us?
After all, we're not those kids from the Grand Line!
Although Gawain had many monsters under his command, there were old people, women, and even a blind man among them!
Aside from Mihawk, Gawain himself has only been training for a little over a year, right?
Perhaps they came to the New World simply for some benefit they were pursuing?
As soon as he finished speaking, Queen turned to Kaido and gave him a meaningful look.
Kaido shook his head and sneered.
"Don't try to provoke me with your clumsy words. I don't need you to remind me. I'm quite certain that Gawain won't enter the New World with good intentions!"
As his power grows stronger, even if he doesn't want to do anything, he must achieve remarkable results to suppress his arrogant and fierce generals!
Besides, even without your reminder, I only need to look at Dressrosa to know!
It's surprising that the Joker actually sided with Gawain, but after he surrendered with Dressrosa's foreign arms trade plummeted by 80%!
But while trade volume decreased, the smoke from the Dressrosa arms factory grew thicker and thicker!
With so much weaponry, where would it go if it wasn't sold? It would just be intercepted by Gawain for his own use!
That guy and his men are preparing for battle; that's enough to show their dangerous intentions!
After saying that, Kaido picked up his gourd and took a big gulp.
Below the throne, upon hearing Kaido's words, Queen and King couldn't help but exchange another glance, then their worried smiles deepened.
Seeing his subordinates looking so stressed, Kaido snorted unhappily, then looked up to say something.
Before Kaido could finish speaking, a clear voice suddenly rang out from afar!
"Kaido!!!"
The voice was slightly delicate, clearly belonging to a girl, but the tone was extremely Haki.
Even before the sound reached the Castle Keep, the clattering of wooden clogs echoed through the air!
A moment later, Yamato, wearing a demon mask Yamato, pushed open the door and entered. She was carrying her small Hassaikai and shouted to Kaido, who was sitting at the head of the table.
"You incompetent coward, do you dare to untie the chains binding me!"
Every man's destiny is the sea. I am destined to take that step towards the sea, and you cannot stop me!
Untie my chains, I'm going to the sea to find my captain!
I will, just like I did back then, return to the captain's command and kneel down to beg him to take in this useless ronin!
I don't have time to waste on you, Kaido!!!
"Dog shit!!!"
Upon hearing his foolish daughter's words, Kaido's earlier joy vanished in an instant.
Do you think Kaido wouldn't want to trade a daughter who has completely fallen out of favor with him for a son-in-law with superior potential and considerable strength?
The problem is, my daughter is so stupid, there's no way I can get her married off!
Who would want to marry a woman Oden constantly talks about Oden, acts like a man all the time, peeps into women's bathrooms as a man, and also frequents brothels as a man? It's utterly absurd!
In particular, this woman recently claimed that she had found her destined captain who defeated the Shiki.
She even went so far as to claim that the captain had surpassed his predecessors, yet she would frequently kneel before so-and-so?!
Kaido's heart was breaking at the sight of his daughter. Little Yamato was so adorable and well-behaved.
It's all my fault. If I hadn't let her witness Oden's death, and if I hadn't locked her up with those samurai...
Perhaps Yamato wouldn't have had his brain malfunctioned by Oden's lousy diary?
No matter how sincere the regret, it was useless. Looking at Yamato, whose mouth was full of resentment and indignation, he remained silent for a long time before slowly standing up.
He casually picked up the Hassaikai Big Wolf Fang Club.
Kaido by step towards Yamato, then swung his spiked club behind him.
"Raimei Hakke!"
Let's go!
Whoosh!!!
With the sounds of walls cracking and objects flying out, Yamato flew further and further away, and finally crashed headfirst into that familiar place!
After struggling to get up from the ruins, he looked at an old acquaintance cautiously watching from afar—the courtesan from Wano Country.
Yamato awkwardly got up, then patted his clothes with an air of nonchalance.
"Ha, that bastard Kaido still doesn't dare let Oden go to sea!"
He must be worried that if I, Oden, am given freedom, his life will be in danger!
At this point, Yamato flicked the Seastone chain on his wrist and chuckled.
"Let's not talk about that anymore. I'm used to that guy being afraid of me. Isn't Kaido just a piece of trash who has no samurai spirit and likes to use tricks and schemes?
As for now, hahaha!
Let's just pretend that bastard invited me, Oden, here again to play cards and drink with women!!!
After saying that, Yamato moved closer to the courtesan and then wrapped his arm around her waist.
The people in the distance who witnessed this scene felt an indescribable pain in their hearts.
Furthermore, this most beautiful courtesan in Wano Country never sat in any man's lap!
In the end, the courtesan still belongs to another man, sob sob sob!!!
Those who don't live in Wano Country would never understand just how much love this courtesan, Komurasaki, has for the people of Wano Country.
Even Kurozumi Orochi had invited Komurasaki more than once, but all those invitations were rejected by the man holding Komurasaki right now!
Kurozumi Orochi was naturally dissatisfied, as were all the men of Wano Country, but what could they do?
The person holding Komurasaki right now is none other than the son of that Arlong Kaido!!!
Of course, Komurasaki, sitting in Yamato's lap, had a slightly different perspective from the others.
At first, when Yamato treated Yamato like that for the first time, Komurasaki thought that she, as a daughter of the Kozuki Family, was truly destined to be humiliated by her enemy.
As for now...
Nestled in the embrace of the river, Komurasaki had only one question, and at the same time, she blushed slightly.
She was puzzled. Why would this girl, whose breasts were far larger and softer than hers, insist on using Oden's name to toy with her?
Did it even know that it was Oden's daughter?
Did he know, and so he deliberately used his father's name to torment his daughter and make himself feel pain and shame?
Or was it just a coincidence?
Two days ago, in Mary Geoise, in the Sabaody Castle of Pangea Castle, in the Chamber of Authority of the Five Elders.
The five elders stood in unison on the rooftop, looking up at the thick shadow overhead.
That shadow was Gawain's Dark Bird Ship. At this moment, the Dark Bird Ship was like a black Dark Bird spreading its wings and soaring, slowly crossing Mary Geoise and the Red Line, flying towards the New World!
Looking at the Dark Bird Ship that completely blocked out the sun, the Five Elders all let out a breath.
Then, the Elder of Military holding the long sword spoke.
"Little Gawain's influence is growing stronger and stronger. Who would have thought that he could even recruit Mihawk to his side?"
"Yes..."
The Elder of Culture nodded, accepting the words of the Elder of Military.
"I had thought that Mihawk was the least likely person to join any faction."
Even joining the Shichibukai is only because the Shichibukai don't have a true leader.
They have no one above them, only orders to cooperate with the Navy. Only with such lenient rules can we barely keep those pirates under our control.
But now...
Those guys who chased after so-called foolish freedom, seven of them, actually willingly gathered under the command of our juniors!
At this point, the Elder of Culture pondered for a long time, then gently shook his head.
"We should all know that, old folks."
People like you and me, sitting in our current positions, will not perfectly obey our orders, no matter how many promises we make.
It's not because we don't have enough power, nor because our status isn't noble enough.
Simply because our path is completely different from that of the Shichibukai!
My impression of Gawain is that he is a young man who is slightly different from us, but essentially no different.
But why is it that Gawain, whose ideals differ only slightly from ours, receives so much support from pirates and even the Revolutionary Army?
After he finished speaking, the Elder of Culture fell silent, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
Meeting the gaze of the Elder of Culture, the Elder of Diplomacy pondered for a moment, narrowed his eyes, and asked.
"Wait, do you mean... you've developed some special feelings for Gawain?"
Do you think Gawain is deceiving us?
How could that be? Haha, we've lived through so many eras and witnessed so much. Who could possibly deceive our eyes?
"And as for Gawain, aren't his plans to blockade the Grand Line and his already implemented Sea Train project perfectly aligned with our governing principles?"
"That's right!"
Beside him, the Elder of Economy supported the Elder of Diplomacy's statement, and said with a smile.
"Gawain's actions not only did not cause us any trouble, but also brought us a lot of convenience."
In the past three months, which have been after the Reverie ended and during which Gawain began to fully plan,
With the nations along the Grand Line at its core, the economic level of the entire sea has increased by more than five percentage points!
Gawain's initiatives greatly boosted the economies of countries, including those that export resources from around the Four Blues, while also creating countless jobs globally.
The increasing convenience of transportation and the increase in job opportunities have given those whose incomes have risen in the last three months more opportunities to contribute tax revenue!
This time, although we cannot take this opportunity to increase our Heavenly Tribute, even relying solely on business activities, the economic pressure we face next year will be much less.
"Maybe next year we can upgrade the navy's equipment, and even slightly increase our support for Vegapunk, thus accelerating the Pacifista's realization!"
As he spoke, the Elder of Economy clapped his hands, then looked at the Elder of Culture and said...
"So, old friend, don't overthink it."
Even if Gawain has some dangerous ideas hidden in his plans, ideas that completely diverge from ours.
That doesn't mean we shouldn't support him right now!
Whether it's principles, implementation plans, or even moral bottom lines, sometimes flexibility is possible.
We can gradually coordinate our efforts in the future, but now, when the goals and results are mutually beneficial, we must not harbor suspicion and thus chill the children's hearts!
At this point, the Elder of Economy smiled slightly; he was already looking forward to taking care of Gawain's child.
Once Gawain returns from the New World, his ambition will likely increase, and his strength will be almost the same.
With the addition of his crew, he achieved something almost even better than he had back then.
At that point, it doesn't matter whether he takes it away on his own initiative or I hand it over to him willingly.
I can finally escape the life of working 365 days a year without rest, from 9 am to 9 pm, and even dreaming of devoting myself to the World Government!
When the time comes, I'll hand over the position of the Five Elders, then immediately let Gawain take care of the children. After I've lived long enough and the adorable children have grown up and become annoying, I'll go to the Red Line and have a good sleep!
How delightful!!!
But at the same time that the Elder of Economy were thinking this way.
Not far away.
The elder in charge of law Qidian with the Elder of Economy.
The old man nodded and chuckled.
"That's right, old friend. Even just for the sake of our elders, we shouldn't let our hardworking children feel disheartened!"
Look at me, haha, to encourage that child, I've decided to gradually put my work on hold and let that child inherit my rights!
That child is so outstanding, he might be much more outstanding than you and I were back then.
With him and you all taking care of this world ruled by us Celestial Dragon, I can peacefully enjoy my old age and then go on to find a happy eternal rest, hahahaha!!!
Amidst the loud laughter, the old judge's white curly hair swayed along with his laughter.
Because of his ruddy complexion, the scars on the Law Elder's face also became even redder!
While the old man of law was laughing, the Elder of Economy's expression had turned quite ugly.
He stared intently into the eyes of the old man of the law, and spoke each word with emphasis.
"What did you say, old buddy? Are you trying to take it from me?"
"Say that again if you dare, Saturn!!!"