New World, Red Hair Pirates territory.
At the edge of a dense forest, Shanks was leaning under a thick tree, holding a newspaper he had just purchased from News Coo in his hand.
The headline of the newspaper read "Yonko Whitebeard Pirates All members have landed on the Sphinx. What do they want?" The big words are particularly eye-catching.
The report recorded in detail the scene of more than forty pirate groups under Whitebeard Pirates setting up camp on the island next to the Sphinx, cutting down trees, and reclaiming wasteland.
In the accompanying picture, the once-famous pirates are now wielding axes and hoes. Their faces lack the arrogance and domineering look of the past. At first glance, they look like civilians working at sunrise and resting at sundown.
In the cherry blossom forest on the Sphinx Island, Whitebeard himself, along with the team captains Marco, Diamond Jozu, Vista the Flower Sword and other core members, were drinking or resting under the brilliant cherry blossoms. The scene was so peaceful that it was incompatible with their past images.
This news report quickly attracted the attention of all parties in New World.
Various forces have completely different interpretations of Whitebeard Pirates's move.
Some people speculate that Whitebeard Pirates had to give up his identity as a pirate and retire to his hometown due to the huge pressure brought by Navy Marshal Akira. They think that this may be because Navy Marshal's iron-blooded tactics worked, and even Yonko had to bow his head.
Some people also think that Whitebeard wants to retreat in order to advance. After all, the trainee ship led by Navy Marshal Akira is now wandering around New World. Wherever it passes, pirates are frightened by the news. All pirates in New World are avoiding its edge, and Whitebeard Pirates is naturally no exception. They may just be dormant temporarily, waiting for the opportunity.
The pirates who once attached themselves to Whitebeard Pirates feel a little confused. Some of them have begun to consider their own way out. Should they continue to work in New World, or should they take the opportunity to join other forces?
The pirates who had a long-standing grudge with Whitebeard Pirates or coveted its territory were gloating about Whitebeard's old age and losing its spirit. They were ready to take advantage of the train ship led by Navy Marshal and carve up Whitebeard's former sphere of influence.
But there are also many pirate forces who still have hope for Whitebeard Pirates. They feel that Whitebeard Pirates, as the emperor of New World, should not bow to the navy like this. Some radical The pirate group is even clamoring, hoping that Whitebeard Pirates can have a chance with the navy, so as to increase the prestige of the pirates and let World Government and the navy know that the pirates of New World are not at the mercy of others.
Regarding these different views, Shanks did not express any opinions. After reading the news content in silence, he handed the newspaper to Ben Beckman who was sitting next to him and puffing on a cigar.
Beckman took the newspaper, his eyes quickly swept over the pictures and words, and a trace of solemnity flashed in his eyes. He exhaled a strong smoke, and the smoke ring slowly spread in the air, and then he slowly spoke and said calmly, "Whitebeard is seeking a way out for his sons."
Shanks nodded slightly but said nothing.
"Once Whitebeard Pirates is disbanded, or Whitebeard really dies in the Sphinx," Beckman's tone suddenly became heavy, "The only ones who can be targeted by Akira are us."
He looked at Shanks, with a trace of worry in his eyes. Whitebeard Pirates's actions undoubtedly heralded a drastic change in New World's pattern. Under Navy Marshal Akira's vigorous reform and expansion, the order of the old era was rapidly being disintegrated.
Shanks smiled and waved his hand, indicating to Beckman not to worry too much. He looked up into the distance, with a meaningful arc at the corner of his mouth. "Besides us, Akira has another goal. A real war machine that World Government wanted to win but failed to win!"
Beckman's brows raised slightly. He took a deep breath from the cigar and blew out a series of smoke rings again. His eyes were slightly narrowed in the smoke, "Elbaf?"
Shanks nodded, picked up the wine bottle at hand and took a sip, then said, "Giant Kingdom located in Elbaf has always been the target of Holy Land. They long for the power of Giant race to fight against those forces that disobey World Government."
"Although they used Knights of God to try to divide Elbaf, and even supported some pro-World Government forces. But so far, Elbaf They still haven't become World Government's ally. Even if Elbaf's king Harald dies, as long as the prince Loki is still there, their actions will not stop."
At this point, Shanks suddenly changed the subject. "Based on my understanding of Loki, he will never surrender to World Government. It is even less likely that he will accept the so-called "promotion to god" opportunity that Knights of God promised him."
Beckman fell silent. He put out the cigar in his hand on the stone next to him and asked tentatively, "Can we go there again Elbaf?"
Shanks shook his head, with a helpless smile on his face, "Loki has a big opinion against me now. If we go to Elbaf at this time, maybe Loki will go to extremes and make some irreversible decisions. The most important thing is, if Akira suddenly intervenes at this time, what choice do you think Loki will make?"
Beckman thought for a while and echoed, "Loki is emotionally unstable. Now is really not the time to meet him."
He paused and his eyes became firm. "However, we still need to go Elbaf."
Beckman stood up, straightened his coat, looked at the blue sea in the distance, and said in a low and powerful voice, "Let's go separate ways. You stay here and pay attention to the movements of the Sphinx. I will go to Elbaf alone to meet Gaban."
As soon as Beckman finished speaking, Den Den Mushi next to Shanks suddenly sounded. The familiar sound of "Bulu, Bulu, Bulu" was particularly clear in the quiet forest.
Immediately afterwards, urgent reports from Red Hair Pirates intelligence personnel scattered around the world came from Den Den Mushi:
"Report to the boss! Urgent information! Just received news that the training ship led by Akira Marshal did not go to the Sphinx! They suddenly changed course!"
"If the training ship does not change its route midway..." the intelligence officer's voice paused, as if confirming something, and said cautiously, "Then the training ship's final destination is likely to be - Elbaf!"
Hearing this, Shanks and Beckman turned their heads and looked at each other almost at the same time.
The next second, the two of them said almost simultaneously, "Akira's target is Giant Kingdom!"
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