It wasn't just the volcanic island where undercurrents were stirring.
In just an hour or two, plenty of outside forces had learned that the Golden Emperor had appeared on the volcanic island.
The Navy, for example.
A streak of golden light shot across the distant sky, while two warships from different directions raced toward the volcanic island.
Then there were the Flying Pirates.
Golden Lion had never given up on capturing the Golden Emperor. The captains of his fleet were all keeping an eye on the Golden Emperor's whereabouts.
As it happened, the 19th Fleet's captain, Gunslinger Halbertsen, and the 17th Fleet's captain, Mummy Al-Gao, were fairly close to the volcanic island on a mission.
Whatever was happening outside couldn't disturb Chaos's blissful mood.
At the most luxurious hotel, in the most extravagant hot spring, Chaos and Crocodile sat bare-chested with their backs against the natural hot spring pool. White towels draped over their shoulders as they smoked cigars, their eyes half-closed in utter bliss.
"Now this is the life."
Chaos turned his head, picked up the red wine by the pool, and took a leisurely sip.
He even clinked glasses with Crocodile from across the pool.
"Haah..."
Crocodile yawned. Soaking in the hot spring was making him drowsy.
The two men were in their prime, but they didn't have much to say to each other. One was drowsy, while the other kept his eyes closed and occasionally took a sip of wine. They were both thoroughly relaxed.
Little did they know that countless prying eyes had already surrounded the entire mountainside—or, more precisely, the area around the hotel.
It was hard to say how long they'd been soaking, but it had probably been around thirty minutes.
Chaos, who had also been growing drowsy, opened his eyes. Frowning slightly, he