The Five Elders: Well Done!

"Bear."

Storm answered the Den Den Mushi and got straight to the point.

Have you finally arrived at the East Blue?

On the other end of the Den Den Mushi.

East Blue, Oykot Kingdom.

The Bear is standing on a giant bear paw print.

Beside him were Kid and Killer, stretching and loosening their muscles.

Like the Bear, Kid and Killer also stepped into a pit marked like a bear's paw.

This is a special trace left at the target location after the [Nikyu Nikyu no Mi]'s "teleportation ability" ends.

"Kid, Kid, and I have just arrived in the Oykot Kingdom in the East Blue Killer."

Bear held up the Den Den Mushi and asked in a gentle tone.

"Storm, what about you? You should still be quite a distance from Alabasta, right?"

... Alabasta?

Storm remained silent for a moment.

Several days ago.

Storm and Bear, Kid and Killer split into two groups and set off from the Sorbet Kingdom in the South Blue almost simultaneously.

The former traveled to Alabasta on the Grand Line to carry out the "Shichibukai Hunting Plan".

The rest of the group went to the East Blue to search for Germa 66, hoping to find a cure for "Azure Jade Scales" in that technological kingdom.

Result.

Storm was the first to set off and the first to arrive.

If Jaya Island is included, Storm visited a total of five islands.

Alabasta, Little Garden, Banaro Island, Sky Island, Jaya Island...

But even today.

Bear just sent a Den Den Mushi saying they've finally arrived in the East Blue...

Storm had a strange feeling of being in another world.

Is this what it feels like when your teammates can't keep up with the game...?

"I'm on Jaya Island now, and I'll be heading to Sky Island soon."

Storm offered a brief explanation.

"A lot has happened, and it's not something that can be explained in a short time."

"In short, I am now Shichibukai."

"... Um?"

The Bear tilted its head, looking puzzled.

Didn't he and Storm depart at the same time?

The "teleportation ability" of the [Nikyu Nikyu no Mi] cannot achieve "instant arrival at the destination".

Generally speaking, as the transmission distance increases, the time consumed by the transmission will also increase.

The Bear traveled from the South Blue to the Oykot Kingdom in the East Blue China Sea.

Storm traveled from the South Blue to Alabasta on the Grand Line.

The two people moved approximately the same distance.

The journey to Storm is even longer...

According to Bear's calculations, Storm should still be in the sky right now.

But...

What does "We're going to Sky Island later" mean?

What does it mean to say "he has become Shichibukai"?

Bear was filled with doubt.

Could it be that... his time was skipped?

"Explaining these things over Den Den Mushi is too much trouble. If it's convenient for you, please collect the newspapers from the last few days."

Storm still didn't explain to Bear.

"Read more books and newspapers, and you'll find out what really happened..."

Upon hearing Storm's words, Bear answered honestly.

"I see."

"You have now arrived in the Oykot Kingdom. Do you see the soldiers of Germa 66?"

Storm asked with concern.

"As far as I know, the entire Germa 66 army consists of clones created using genetic technology; they're easy to identify."

"I haven't seen Clone Soldier yet."

Bear raised his head and looked around at his surroundings, a faint red light flashing in his eyes.

"However, I 'heard' that the country is in chaos."

"Germa 66 should not have left the Oykot Kingdom yet."

The Germa 66 originated in the North Blue.

Under normal circumstances, the Germa 66 will not leave the North Blue to operate in other waters.

But there are always exceptions.

Germa 66 is a mercenary group.

Although their overall strength is not comparable to that of the Yonko' teams or the Shichibukai's teams.

However, in ordinary countries, Germa 66's power is still very strong.

Many years ago.

Vinsmoke Gage once led Germa 66 to defeat four North Blue kingdoms simultaneously, triggering the "Four Kingdoms Slaying" incident that shocked the North Blue.

As long as the money is sufficient.

Germa 66 could easily go to the East Blue, let alone the South Blue!

About seven years ago.

Germa 66 was once employed by a certain faction. It crossed the Red Line Continent, entered the East Blue, and defeated the Kingdom of Corgia.

They came to the East Blue again this year, simply because they were hired by another force.

That's what mercenary nations are like.

"You guys continue with the previously established plan."

"Storm said slowly."

"If Germa 66 can indeed heal Azure Jade Scales, I will get there as quickly as possible."

Bear nodded seriously.

"I see."

Storm gave a few more instructions.

He knew that Bear's personality was rather... mild.

Therefore, the Zunesha he was instructing this time were Kid and Killer.

Storm didn't think Germa 66 was a friendly green faction.

Just as people call it.

Germa 66 is an "evil legion"!

To deal with villains, you yourself must be "evil" enough to avoid unnecessary problems.

Asking Kid and Killer to play the role of the nice guy is simply making things difficult for them.

But you want these two kids to play the bad guys?

Do Kid and Killer still need to play their roles?

Purely natural performance!

After explaining the precautions to Kid and Killer and reminding them not to forget to exercise, Storm hung up the Den Den Mushi.

"If Germa 66 really can cure Azure Jade Scales, as Vegapunk said..."

"Then I'll need to go to the East Blue; I at least need to meet with the highest-ranking officer of Germa 66..."

"After all, Bear, Kid, and Killer are all my subordinates; I can't just completely abandon them..."

"If we went to the East Blue..."

Storm buried certain thoughts in his mind, and rode the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, soaring into the sky.

In the blink of an eye.

The Blue-Eyes White Dragon broke through 10,000 meters and arrived at the White Sea.

Storm, riding the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, circled Sky Jaya Island for a while before spotting Robin's trail.

He controlled the Blue-Eyes White Dragon to descend and come to Robin's side.

Robin also noticed the Captain's arrival and was about to greet him.

Blue--Blue--

Suddenly, a Den Den Mushi) rang.

"What's going on today? So many people are making phone calls?"

Storm waved to Robin, signaling her to be quiet for a moment.

He took out a Den Den Den Mushi connected, an old voice came through the receiver.

The Gorosei, Saint Nusjuro.

"White Dragon, I heard about what you did today."

What did you do today?

Storm raised an eyebrow.

Was Saint Nusjuro's call also about the Momonga?

"Navy--"

Storm wanted to explain further.

Saint Nusjuro interrupted him domineeringly, while simultaneously praising him.

"Well done!"

"... Um?"

Due to certain lingering stereotypes.

For a moment, Storm couldn't tell whether Saint Nusjuro was genuinely praising him or being sarcastic.

"Navy's justice? What a joke! It's just a violent force under the government!"

Saint Nusjuro's intention was indeed to praise him.

"All they really need to do is maintain the government's rule and be the Celestial Dragons' dogs."

Saint Nusjuro didn't think that Storm's words were a sarcastic remark about the Navy and the World Government.

He didn't even notice the slightest problem.

Because in the world of the Gorosei, this is how the order of the sea operates.

The navy really only needs to follow orders.

As for saying something like "be a good dog of the Celestial Dragons"...

This statement is much more normal.

What are the Navy if not the Celestial Dragons' dogs?

Even ordinary people who want to become the Celestial Dragons' lackeys don't have the connections!

Saint Nusjuro didn't care much about Storm's attitude.

That being said...

A marine who was so "radical" that he directly slaughtered the entire Infinite Hell.

A marine who was so "radical" that he was willing to defect from the naval system.

As long as he focuses on fighting the pirates, that's fine.

Are there any other things we need to care about?

The Navy and the Shichibukai are nothing but lackeys of the government.

Saint Nusjuro praised Storm for his praise of today's "beating of Marine Vice Admiral".

He then skipped over the topic.

Whether it's within the World Government or the Marine Headquarters.

Storm will not suffer any negative impact from this incident.

A world where only the Momonga is injured has been achieved...

"White Dragon, have you read today's newspaper?"

Saint Nusjuro put away his smile and got down to business.

"The government has already made it public that you have been invited to become Shichibukai."

"As Shichibukai, you can no longer act as recklessly as before."

"A radical approach?"

Storm frowned slightly.

"Are you saying we can't fight pirates anymore?"

No, of course not.

Saint Nusjuro explained.

"What I mean is, you can't go looking for trouble with the Shichibukai like you did before."

"The Shichibukai, as Great Pirate recognized by the government, each have their own rights and obligations."

"But there's one thing: you're all government employees, you can't kill each other."

"Hehe..."

Storm chuckled softly.

"I think I understand what you mean, Gorosei."

"Don't worry, I won't be as 'radical' as before."

"That's good. I believe you're a smart man, White Dragon."

Saint Nusjuro nodded in satisfaction.

"I only made a small mistake before, which is only human nature."

"That's right."

Storm nodded in agreement.

"As long as it goes unnoticed, it's just a minor mistake."

"You are indeed a clever person, White Dragon."

Saint Nusjuro chuckled softly.

"A problem only qualifies as a 'problem' when it is discovered by everyone."

"Keep doing your job well, White Dragon."

Storm hung up the phone.

The meaning of the Gorosei is quite simple.

It's not that the Shichibukai can't fight each other.

Rather, they cannot openly kill each other.

After all, each of the Shichibukai is a partner that the World Government has painstakingly sought out.

If the Shichibukai are defeated.

This news spread like wildfire.

The face of World Government will also be severely damaged.

By then...

The World Government had no choice but to abandon the defeated Shichibukai.

However.

As long as the defeat of the Shichibukai remains unknown, there will be no problem whatsoever.

In some exceptional circumstances, the World Government would even proactively help cover up the failures of the Shichibukai...

In short, in one sentence.

Some things, if you don't weigh them, they won't seem like much; but once you do, they'll weigh a ton.

Storm put away the Den Den Mushi, only to find Robin staring at him with a rather peculiar look.

"What's wrong?"

Robin recalled the Gorosei' words and inexplicably thought of Ohara, so she couldn't help but ask.

"Does it mean... a disaster only occurs when the public discovers the truth?"

"Certainly!"

Storm nodded, then added.

"From the perspective of World Government, that is indeed the case."

"Oh..."

Robin's mood became quite low.

"The World Government, the Marine Headquarters... they all seem to be like that."

"Otherwise what?"

Storm and Robin walked side by side, and he remarked casually.

"Otherwise, what do you think is the purpose of the navy's existence?"

"You don't actually think the Navy was established to 'enforce justice' or 'protect civilians,' do you?"

"The purpose of the navy is to reassure people that civilians are protected."

Hearing this, Robin couldn't help but ask.

"To make 'people' believe... who should believe? Pirates?"

"Pirates? How could you have such a naive idea?"

Storm gave Robin a strange look.

"Of course pirates know that civilians are not protected by the Navy!"

"Otherwise, they wouldn't have become pirates!"

"The 'people' I'm referring to are the people of the World Government Member States, or more precisely, the 'civilians of the Member Nations '."

"When civilians believe that the navy is protecting them, they will work hard and try to earn money."

"With the 'protection' of the navy, civilians will be willing to pay taxes, Member Nations will have money to pay the Heavenly Tribute, and the World Government will be able to function properly... I think I've said a bit too much."

"Captain, I remember you're from the navy, right?"

Robin asked, somewhat curiously.

"So this viewpoint is the reason you left the Navy?"

"The Gorosei seem to have even said you are 'the biggest stain on the Navy'."

Robin remembered that the Gorosei had said these words to Sand Crocodile in the Little Garden.

That's part of the reason!

Storm shrugged, offering no further explanation.

"Navy? I wouldn't even be a dog!"

Here comes the fourth update, 16,000 words!

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