Someone has to become the Pirate King, why can't it be me?

Ahhh--

The Blue-Eyes White Dragon roamed freely in the skies above the South Blue.

Two miserable wails, one after another, echoed around the Blue-Eyes White Dragon's body, their lingering sounds unending.

Kid and Killer, the two brothers, were firmly gripped by the Blue-Eyes White Dragon's claws, being carried high into the sky.

The cold, fierce wind from high altitudes made it almost impossible for the two brothers to open their eyes!

"This is a trial."

Storm's calm voice clearly reached the ears of Kid and Killer.

"Start climbing up from the dragon's claws!

"When you two successfully reach the dragon's back, you can ask me one question."

After saying this, Storm focused his attention on the navigation chart and compass before him.

This was the navigation chart recording the precise coordinates of the Sorbeth Kingdom, which Kid and Killer had just willingly offered.

The final destination of the "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" voyage--

The Sorbeth Kingdom!

Dragon claws.

Kid and Killer exchanged a silent glance and began to grit their teeth and climb upwards.

High-altitude rock climbing was undoubtedly an extreme test of physique and will.

It took Kid and Killer nearly half an hour before they finally, panting, managed to climb onto the dragon's back.

Before the two could even rest for a moment, Storm's voice reached their ears once more.

"Ask whatever you want to ask!"

Killer remained silent, yielding the right to ask to Kid.

Kid gritted his teeth and asked the question that interested him most at that moment.

"This dragon! What's the deal with this dragon!? And that Nine-Tails Fox from before!"

"Blue-Eyes White Dragon, that's its name. It's my important partner."

Storm replied simply.

The next moment.

The Blue-Eyes White Dragon violently shook its body, performing a very flashy spin in the high heavens.

Ahhh--

Kid and Killer screamed as they were flung outwards.

Just as they were about to "fly far away."

The Blue-Eyes White Dragon's tail lightly hooked, successfully encircling the two.

Still shaken, Kid and Killer hugged each other tightly, comforting their startled little hearts.

Just then, Killer posed a soul-searching question.

"Kid, are we setting sail now?"

Kid grinned and let out a dry laugh.

"Ahaha, I guess, we are, maybe!"

After the two brothers had a brief exchange, Storm's voice reached their ears again.

"This time, the route is from the dragon's tail to its back."

Kid and Killer took a deep breath simultaneously, a perfect understanding between them.

With the experience from the first time.

The time it took for their second climb was significantly reduced.

This time, Kid was the one to ask again.

He no longer dwelled on the questions about the "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" and the "Nine-Tails Fox," but instead asked about something else.

"Yesterday, you poked me with a stick..."

As he said this, Kid inexplicably felt a bit strange, but he still forced himself to continue.

"What was that stick?"

"Seastone."

Storm gave the answer concisely and clearly.

"You are a Devil Fruit User. The sea and all bodies of water are your natural enemies.

"Seastone contains the essence of the sea's Strength.

"Any Devil Fruit User will be unable to use their abilities upon contact with Seastone."

Although the process of climbing the Dragon just now was incredibly difficult and painful.

Kid's heart was still filled with excitement at this moment.

What Storm had said was no different than opening a door to the New World for him!

This was a completely new world that he could never have accessed on the information-scarce Belfast Island!

This was also the reason Kid had chosen to act with Storm before.

He and Killer had planned to set sail together—

Kid had already discarded those so-called "subordinates" who had actively fled when facing a strong enemy.

Loyalty is not absolute.

Then it is absolutely disloyal!

Kid didn't want such disloyal subordinates.

He had originally planned to be the captain himself, with Killer as the first mate.

But he never expected to be easily defeated by Storm (a white-haired Gorilla he casually created) before setting sail.

In Kid's simple "gangster brain."

Recognizing a powerful individual as a boss was not a shameful thing.

So he might as well follow the new boss!

Riding a Dragon to fly.

It was ten thousand times better than staying on Belfast Island and dying of old age!

Storm had no idea what Kid was thinking at this moment.

After he roughly explained the news about Seastone.

He then threw Kid and Killer aside again, letting them start their third climbing exercise.

Since Storm intended to bring Kid and Killer along on this destined-to-be-short South Blue journey.

He would definitely pay attention to the cultivation of these two's strength.

It could also be considered repayment for the "meal they shared" before.

Killer was one thing.

But Kid was a complete "super potential stock"!

Among the members of the Worst Generation in the future.

Setting aside the two special existences, "Sun God" and "Blackbeard."

Eustass Kid and Trafalgar Law were definitely the two Supernovas with the most potential!

It's just that their fate wasn't strong enough...

This time, Kid and Killer quickly completed a new round of climbing exercises.

The two of them began to ask question after question.

"Are there many Seastone?"

"Do you think there's a lot of seawater? Go climb!"

"...This Dragon is so cool! Can I also create a mechanical Dragon myself?"

"That depends on your development of the [Magnet-Magnet Fruit], although I suspect you haven't developed it at all! Go climb!"

"...Huff, huff, how do I develop the abilities of the [Magnet-Magnet Fruit]?"

"How do I use your right and left hands? Do I have to chop off your hands? Climb!"

"...You're carrying a sword, why haven't I seen you use it?"

"Because my Swordsmanship is not proficient... Climb!"

After another round of climbing exercises.

Kid, exhausted, lay flat on the back of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

He looked up at the sky and asked intermittently.

"The, the Pirate King... How do I do it to become the Pirate King?"

"Pirate King?"

Storm, who had been sitting alone on the Dragon's head, finally couldn't help but turn around when he heard this question.

"Eustass Kid, is that your real name?"

"Yes."

"Your full name?"

"It is."

"Very well."

Storm's attitude changed drastically as he spoke coldly.

"Then you have no hope! Not a shred of hope!"

"Why!?"

Kid, drawing on some unknown strength, managed to prop himself up on the Dragon's back.

"Gol D. Roger could become the Pirate King! Why can't I!"

"Why can't you?"

Storm raised an eyebrow.

"The Great Pirate Era has been upon us for nearly twenty years.

"Someone has to become the Pirate King, so why can't it be me?

"If I put it that way, will you feel a bit more invigorated?"

Upon hearing Storm's words, "Someone has to..."

Kid indeed felt a surge of excitement.

If he ignored the heavily mocking tone in Storm's voice.

"The Pirate King? Gol D. Roger? Ha!"

Storm let out a cold laugh, then turned his back, no longer looking at Kid and Killer.

"You even got the Pirate King's name wrong.

"Gol D. Roger? It's Gol D. Roger!

"Eustass Kid, are you a member of the D Clan?

"Going out to sea as a pirate without even a 'D' in your name, and you want to be the Pirate King!?"

Hearing Storm's words, Kid and Killer were completely lost.

As two young natives of the South Blue, how would they know about the legends of the "D Clan"?

"D... What's that?"

However, this time, Storm offered no further answers.

Seeing this, Kid and Killer could only fall silent, trying to process the "knowledge" they had just received.

Before they knew it.

The Blue-Eyes White Dragon had arrived in the waters near the Sorbeth Kingdom.

"Is that a Marine ship on the sea? It's so big!"

Kid, riding on the Dragon's back, looked down at the sea below and was instantly startled.

"I've never seen a Marine ship on Belfast Island."

"That's because Belfast Island isn't within the World Government's affiliated nations," Killer replied indifferently, leaning against a nearby surface.

"The Marines, who uphold 'Justice,' don't care about the lives of those of us from non-affiliated nations.

"If we ever encountered Marines on Belfast Island, they would only be there to hunt down infants and pregnant women!"

The vast majority of the people in the South Blue had not forgotten what the World Government had done to their home.

Back then, in their hunt for the potential "son of the Pirate King," the Marines had practically turned the entire South Blue upside down.

Any infant born within ten months of Roger's imprisonment, and even pregnant women, underwent strict scrutiny.

Even the slightest suspicion meant only one outcome for the pregnant women or infants--

Execution, without exception!

While Kid and Killer were conversing.

On the sea below, the lookouts in the crow's nests of the three large Marine ships had also spotted the White Dragon in the sky.

"A Dragon! It's a Dragon!"

On the deck of the central large Marine ship, a richly dressed old man ordered the Marine beside him.

"Hurry and shoot down that Dragon! I want to present it to the most esteemed Celestial Dragons!"

The Marine general beside him remained unfazed and calmly replied.

"King Beckley, the Dragon in the sky is flying too high; it's already beyond the ships' firing range."

"You can't even do this small thing?"

King Beckley seemed greatly offended and spoke indignantly.

"Your Marines' food, drink, and expenses are all paid for by the celestial gold I contribute!

"You're all just a bunch of useless trash!"

Just then.

King Berkeley suddenly saw the small, lonely sampan drifting on the sea in front of the warship.

He let out a scream once more.

"It's him!

"Marines! Kill him!!

"He's the one who snatched the Sorbeth Kingdom from me!

"The 'Tyrant' who is cruel and acts against righteousness—

"Bartholomew Bear!"

Seriously doubted.

A sign was posted on the Final Island, Laugh Tale—

[Only those with the Hito Hito no Mi, Mythical Zoan, Nika form may enter!]

--

Regarding the content about the "World Government executing pregnant women and infants" appearing in this chapter.

This comes from [Manga Chapter 551].

--

It's Friday again, time for the second round of recommendations... right?

Continue to ask for your continued readership! And monthly votes!