Facing Diamond Jozu

"I don't know, but we're their sons, so we'll just do as they say." Diamond Jozu didn't think much of it.

"There are a lot of people on the ship who disagree. After all, many of their parents died because of Roger," Marco continued, though he was starting to feel a little more certain.

"For the sake of a new Pirate King?"

"Jozu, get ready to leave." Marco put the money for the drinks on the table, then turned to the punk in the corner. "What was your name again? Well, never mind. You seem like a decent kid. Want to join the Whitebeard Pirates? Old Father might like you."

"My name's Bartolomeo," the punk said timidly. "No thanks. I'd rather be a gangster boss." That last part was his way of turning down Marco's offer.

He had no idea how these powerful people had found out he was the gangster boss of Rogue Town. When they showed up at his door, he'd been completely bewildered, then got beaten up and obediently arranged food, clothing, lodging, and transportation for them. The moment Bartolomeo saw their faces, he gave up resisting. Even if he had absolute defense, his beloved underlings didn't. In the East Blue, where the average pirate was worth four or five million Beli, a few pirates with bounties over a hundred million had shown up. Not to mention, there were fifteen of them.

Marco wasn't angry when Bartolomeo turned him down. He shrugged and walked out of the tavern. Of course, the Marines were going to face them head-on.

Rono sat backward on a chair and looked at Aokiji, feeling speechless. "Come on, I just want Vegapunk. If you won't hand him over, fine. Is there any need to get so worked up?"

"We wouldn't trade Vegapunk for ten billion!" Aokiji said coldly. Ice had formed across the ground. Only someone with a freakish constitution like Rono barely felt it.

"Then make it one billion." Rono picked his nose.

"...Pick someone else." Aokiji hesitated for a moment before speaking. "We agreed on the ship. You're only staying for a year."

"Ah, ah, I know, Uncle Aokiji. You're so talkative." Rono flicked his booger away. Aokiji watched the bit of Rono's bodily secretion land not far from his feet, took a deep breath, and held himself back. Once the negotiations were over, he could do whatever he wanted with it.

"Fine, who?" Rono turned his head casually, spotted Smoker, and pointed. "Him." Ignoring the fact that Rono had raised his middle finger, Aokiji took one look at him and refused outright. "No."

"Ahhh, nothing works for you! Are you Marines trying to welch on the deal? Uncle Mo, help me out—" Rono rocked wildly on his chair, like someone getting high.

"I'll go." A female Marine stood up. She had long blue hair, a pretty face, and red-framed glasses. Her Marine uniform looked a little tight on her.

"Scary," Rono blurted, looking at the female Marine as she glared fiercely at him.

"Busty," Sairona murmured, swallowing. A walking weapon.

"Gelu?"

"Dazhiki, you're a female Marine. Going with these men, you..." Smoker hurriedly stood up and began to say.

"Isn't going with a bunch of men different from staying with Vice Admiral Smoker? It's fine." Dazhiki smiled with narrowed eyes.

Sairona felt a pang in his chest. That smile was so beautiful. It pierced right through him.

"Okay, then. She's the one." Rono stood up at once. Since Sairona's expression was as blank as ever, nobody noticed anything amiss. They just thought his voice sounded a little shaky.

"Hey, Sairona, weren't we supposed to find... Fine." Under Sairona's gaze, Rono gave in and bowed to the cook's side.

"Then it's settled." Sairona made the call.

Aokiji looked at Dazhiki, then at Rono, and finally nodded. He turned to Smoker and said, "Don't worry. She'll be back in a year."

"Maybe with a bonus one..." Smoker thought to himself.

"All right, the deal's done. Let's go execute the Pirate King's son. He'll die in the same place as his father. I wonder whether that makes him lucky or unlucky." Aokiji scratched his messy hair. "Smoker, I'll leave the rest to you."

"Got it." Smoker nodded and left.

"..." Rono leaned over the back of his oversized chair and looked at Dazhiki. At last, he managed to get out, "Welcome..."

"Welcome to the Wolf Family." Sairona interrupted Rono and gave Dazhiki a gentlemanly bow.

Rono was a little annoyed. Hmph. (ノ=Д=)ノ┻━┻ You've interrupted me twice now. I'm not playing with you anymore.

"Waaah, Dad!" Gelu's crying carried a long way. Rono jolted upright. Damn, he'd forgotten about this.

"Gelu, Dad's right here." Rono activated his Scarlet Armament at full power and reached the spot in twenty seconds. Seeing Gelu sitting on the deck and crying at the top of her lungs, with the helpless Marines standing nearby, he shoved one of them aside and picked Gelu up.

"Ge... Gelu Gelu. (I... I thought Dad didn't want me anymore.)" Gelu sobbed.

"Of course I do. This time, it was Dad's fault. I shouldn't have left you alone on the ship. I won't do it again." Rono looked heartbroken.

Gelu buried her face in Rono's chest and said nothing.

Rono carried Gelu off the ship. He didn't return to his room, but headed toward the Execution Platform.

The execution was about to begin. They could just wait there. Aokiji was already seated in his special seat behind the Execution Platform, wearing an Admiral's coat over a white suit. His handsome appearance had already claimed countless rolls of film.

Rono hadn't sped up on the way back, so he hadn't gone quickly. By the time he reached the foot of the Execution Platform, Ace was being led out.

"This time, things are a little complicated. Jozu, be careful. The red-haired guy over there, who's a bit taller than you, is the one who captured Ace. Keep him occupied later," Marco whispered to Jozu from beneath his cloak.

"Got it. Good thing there's only one Admiral." Jozu glanced at Rono and nodded. He was crouching; otherwise, his size would have made him far too easy to spot.

Rono frowned. Why did he feel like someone was watching him? Well, I guess I'm just too handsome.

"Ding—Emergency mission: defeat Diamond Jozu. Reward: 5 Enhancement Points."

Huh? Diamond Jozu? Wasn't he on Whitebeard's ship?

Just as the thought crossed his mind, a slim figure leaped up. His whole body was covered in blue flames as he flew toward the Execution Platform.

"Why is it him?" Aokiji frowned. The person who showed up should've been a remnant of the Roger Pirates. Why was it someone from Whitebeard's crew?

Aokiji flew into the air too and fought Marco. Diamond Jozu roared, "Brothers, charge!" Then he turned to look at Rono, hoping he wouldn't interfere. By then, Jozu had stood up and thrown off his cloak, activating his Devil Fruit Ability in his right hand.

"Hi!" Gelu greeted him cheerfully.

"Why are you looking at me? Wait—I'm not into guys." Rono shuddered.

Seeing that he had no intention of interfering, Jozu ignored Gelu's greeting and charged toward the Execution Platform. The execution wasn't scheduled to happen yet, so the executioners didn't dare act. The World Government had already drummed up publicity. If people arrived a few minutes early and found the staff cleaning up bloodstains, do you think they'd be happy with that?