The Grand Line, waters near Jaya Island.
Seven stood at the bow, swinging the Plasma Longsword in his hand over and over. He had a feeling he was getting closer to unleashing a Flying Slash.
By then, the vice captain would be ready to take his place, too.
Which raised the question: what should they name the Pirate Crew? And what about the Jolly Roger?
Seven deactivated the Plasma Sword and looked at Mihawk, who was steering the ship. "Mihawk, you're well educated. Help us come up with a name for our Pirate Crew."
Mihawk pressed his lips together smugly. He noticed I'm well educated?
In fact, Mihawk had just sensed it too: Seven might only need a flash of inspiration to unleash a Flying Slash.
A swordsman in less than half a month!
That kind of talent was worth cultivating into a worthy swordsmanship rival.
He had the qualities of a king, cooked well, brewed alcohol, made sweet drinks, crafted Eternal Poses, repaired ships, steered vessels, and drew nautical charts...
Most importantly, as a member of the Roger Pirates who had once been to the Final Island, Seven was exceptionally young.
Having a guy like that as captain really did seem like it would make life easier.
At the very least, he wouldn't be a burden.
Without anyone noticing, Seven had done an excellent job of molding him, quietly and gradually.
Just then, Doctor came jogging over after scrubbing the deck. "Captain, don't we already have a Jolly Roger? Why do we need to come up with a name for the Pirate Crew?"
Seven pointed at the Jolly Roger hanging from the mast.
"You mean this? I stole this ship in the East Blue, and I'd forgotten to take down its Jolly Roger."
Now that he'd noticed it, Seven casually pointed a finger. A spark of lightning shot from his fingertip, instantly burning the Jolly Roger to ashes.
Watching the current's heat set it alight, Seven couldn't help thinking: The Flame-Flame Fruit? Not even a dog would eat that.
"It's gone now. If you can come up with a name that satisfies me, I'll consider unlocking your Seastone Handcuffs."
Doctor's eyes lit up, but inwardly, he couldn't help grumbling: He's got the qualities of a king, yet he's so poor he doesn't even have a decent ship.
"Hey, News Bird."
Mihawk waved up at the sky. Reading the paper every day was a must for any cultured person.
When the News Bird landed on the deck, Seven took out 200 Berries. "Two papers, please."
Doctor was full of nonsense, and he still didn't count as an official member. Naturally, he wasn't entitled to the Pirate Crew's benefits—free newspapers.
After tossing Mihawk a paper, Seven lay down on a deck chair and glanced at his own. Then he sat right back up.
"Mihawk, do you know that bird Morgans?"
Mihawk was just as puzzled. The entire article hadn't mentioned him once.
"Not well."
Seeing Morgans's praise of him in the paper, Seven clicked his tongue. "The president of the World Economic News Company, all right. I didn't even notice when he took those pictures."
"The photos came out great. The colors and setting are spot-on, and even the close-up captures about seventy percent of my handsome face."
Seven didn't care about being exposed in the news by that bird Morgans. The World Government already had a bounty on him; now he'd just picked up another crime.
One capital offense was still a crime. So were ten.
If the World Government could, it might as well give him immortality. Kill him once, let him come back to life, kill him again...
Seven also wasn't worried that his actions would make the World Government target the other crew members. They valued their lives more than anyone and had long since gone into hiding.
Only Vice Captain Rayleigh and Shakky, the former world's most beautiful woman and the spark that ignited the God Valley battle, were still active in the Sabaody Archipelago.
But Vice Captain Rayleigh was capable enough to handle whatever came his way. Surely he wouldn't mind.
Right, Vice Captain?
Sabaody Archipelago, Groggy Ring BAR.
After the Roger Pirates disbanded, Rayleigh had chosen to settle down there with Shakky, making a living by coating ships that passed through.
When he ran short of money, he sometimes even put himself up for auction.
But most of the time, Rayleigh spent his leisure hours drinking with his beloved at Shakky's bar.
In front of the wooden counter, Shakky, still as beautiful as ever, pushed the paper toward Rayleigh. "A remarkable young man has come out of your crew."
"What? Shanks?"
When Rayleigh saw the high-resolution headline photo and close-up, he froze in place, then burst out laughing, as if mocking himself for having misjudged the boy.
"Ha ha ha! It's Seven? Well, well, well... Thunder God, you ate a Devil Fruit?"
Rayleigh stared at the Haki tearing through the sky in the photograph, lost in memories.
"His Conqueror's Haki has gotten a lot stronger."
Of the three little guys aboard Roger's ship—Seven, Shanks, and Buggy—everyone, Rayleigh included, had had the highest hopes for Shanks.
Seven had awakened his Conqueror's Haki early, but his physical talent was nowhere near Shanks's.
As for Buggy... Well, it was hard to say.
"I never thought our little chef would be the first of the three to make a name for himself."
"Barzeb Seven."
It was the first time Rayleigh had learned Seven's full name.
Back with the Roger Pirates, Seven had trained hard, but his physical talent was too poor, which was why he'd been the only noncombatant on board.
But aside from his talent for fighting...
Seven's talent in every other area could only be described as terrifying. He'd learned to draw nautical charts after just three days of training with Gaban.
"I really miss that kid's cooking."
Shakky rolled her eyes. Fine, fine. So you think my cooking's bad?
You're sleeping on the laundry board tonight.
"The World Government has lost face this time. They'll either try to get it back from the kid or settle the score with you old-timers."
Hearing this, Rayleigh downed his drink. "I'll go lie low for a couple of days."
It wasn't that Rayleigh feared the World Government or the Marines. He just didn't want his quiet retirement disturbed.
East Blue, waters near Loguetown.
A little over a month ago, after arguing with Shanks and parting on bad terms, Buggy had followed the treasure map's directions and started searching for treasure in the East Blue.
He only wanted enough money to start his own Pirate Crew.
That day, Buggy was lying on a small wooden boat he'd just stolen, staring blankly at the sky all by himself.
"Shanks, you bastard!"
"You inherited Captain Roger's will. You said you'd sail your own ship to Laugh Tale someday. So why'd you change your mind?"
"I was wrong about you, Shanks!"
Splut! A blob of bird droppings landed squarely on him, and Buggy snapped. Pointing up at the sky, he yelled, "You filthy bird! Even you are picking on the great Buggy!"
With a Splitting Headache Palm, Buggy snatched the News Bird out of the air and grumbled as he took out the paper.
When he saw the familiar face in the headline, Buggy's body burst apart into countless pieces in his excitement, tears welling in his eyes.
"Se~ven!!!"
"Ha ha ha! I knew I was right about you!"
"A man like you is the one who should inherit Captain Roger's will! Seven!!!"
Buggy's fighting spirit flared anew. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed an oar. "Wait for me, Seven. I'm coming to Paradise to find you."
With Morgans driving the story, news that Barzeb Seven, a former member of the Roger Pirates, had attacked the World Government and broken its prisoners out spread across the Grand Line and the Four Seas in a single day.
The irony was that the World Government learned about it from the newspaper.
The claim that he'd left no survivors just kept getting more impressive.
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