Death

Rhode was drinking, his face flushed as he downed bottle after bottle of fine wine.

"What? You're back?"

A man sat down beside him. It was his First Mate, Baro. "Was there something wrong with that kid Mario?"

"He went to train."

Baro picked up a chunk of meat from the table and stuffed it into his mouth. "He's just a kid, but he works harder than anyone."

"Right?"

Rhode burst out laughing. "I've always said that kid was born to be a pirate. And besides, you've got it backwards, partner. It's because he's a kid that he has to keep working hard. Isn't that how all strong people are made? That guy, Mario—he always seems like he's got something chasing him from behind. I think it's that sense of urgency, that will to keep charging ahead. Hahaha, he's definitely going to become one hell of a pirate."

"So that's why you brought him aboard, Captain?"

Baro asked.

"Hahaha, I've told you plenty of times, that's not why. You're as suspicious as ever."

Rhode laughed heartily. "I just felt like I really clicked with the kid. Isn't that enough? For a pirate, what could be more exciting than that?"

"Heh."

Baro chuckled and began pouring wine down his throat.

"All right, let's go. The banquet's over. We need to find Admiral Golden Lion."

Rhode stood up and yawned.

"Yeah."

Baro followed close behind.

A large number of pirates had already collapsed across the platform. The banquet was drawing to a close. The only ones still awake were the captains who needed to meet with Golden Lion and a few chosen officers.

Baro followed Rhode down from the platform. They headed along the road, joining the many pirate captains as they flowed toward the towering Tenshukaku at the very center of the island.

"Hey, Captain Rhode. You only brought Baro with you?"

It was Flog again. A few burly men followed behind him, and he looked at Rhode with mocking eyes. "Looks like the Blood Hand Pirates really are in a tight spot."

"I'd say it's just the opposite,"

Baro sneered. "Flog, you know who I am, and so do plenty of other people. But none of us know the names of those guys behind you. You're hanging around with a bunch of nobodies. Should I say that's exactly what I'd expect from a mere toad?"

"..."

Flog's eyes bulged, veins throbbing in his forehead. He could hear the pirate captains around them laughing without restraint. Baro was Rhode's right-hand man, and he was well known among them, just as Baro had said. Flog, on the other hand, had no right-hand man. His subordinates were all nobodies.

"Pfft—hey, Baro,"

Rhode tried to hold back his laughter. "Even if it's true, you don't have to say it out loud."

"Sorry, sorry, Captain Flog,"

Baro grinned. "I was too blunt. Should I put it more politely? Something like, 'A toad taking its tadpoles out for a stroll should be careful not to get them all stepped on.' How's that?"

"..."

"Grahahaha!"

Flog gritted his teeth, then began to laugh. "Fine, very good. You're quite something, Mr. Baro. Now I understand where that kid learned it from."

Flog grinned and strode ahead.

"Beautiful! That's my partner!"

Rhode gave him a thumbs-up.

"..."

Baro just smiled.

Inside Tenshukaku, Golden Lion sat cross-legged at the head of the hall. "Jiehahahaha! Come on, let's get started. That Roger fellow won't be easy to deal with!"

And so the meeting began. When a lion hunted, he never attacked blindly. He always acted with a plan, preparation, and coordination. A big game target like Roger naturally called for even more preparation. The more arrogant and brazen a man was, the more cautious he became when it was time for a real fight.

Golden Lion commanded more than fifty pirate crews. Their elite pirates alone numbered close to ten thousand. Counting the cannon fodder from the crews under his command, they could muster tens of thousands. They had more than a hundred ships of all kinds. It was undoubtedly a terrifying force, but these men were undisciplined pirates. Getting them to act in a coordinated and orderly manner would be no simple task.

Golden Lion had already drawn up a detailed plan. They would form groups of five pirate crews and operate together, making the most of their numerical advantage and superior firepower. No matter how powerful the monsters of the Roger Pirates were, they had only one ship. They couldn't fly into the sky. One broadside from the Golden Lion Grand Fleet would be enough to send the entire Roger Pirates to the bottom of the sea.

Golden Lion's plan was simple. He had no intention of hiding his forces for a surprise attack or trying any similar tricks. Such tactics would be completely useless against Roger and Rayleigh's Observation Haki. They might as well charge in all at once and fire a broadside as soon as they were in range.

Of course, the Golden Lion Pirates would have to hold off the experts who could crush the cannon fodder. It would be king against king, general against general. Cannon fodder like the Blood Hand Pirates was the Golden Lion Pirates' greatest advantage.

So the meeting focused on how to position their ships and surround the Roger Pirates completely, how to maintain their barrage advantage, and how to anticipate the Roger Pirates' possible counterattacks and turn things around if they fell into a disadvantage. In Golden Lion's eyes, Roger was his lifelong nemesis.

The meeting lasted well into the night. By the time Rhode and Baro returned, the moon was already beginning to sink.

"Ah, I'm so sleepy."

Rhode yawned. "I'm going to bed. I need to be well-rested before the big battle."

"I'm going to check on Mario."

Baro licked his lips. "I'm still a little worried."

"Hey! Baro!"

Captain Rhode stared speechlessly at Baro's retreating figure. "Honestly, can't you have a little faith in your partner? Forget it, let him go."

"Ah, Captain!"

He'd just finished sighing and shaking his head, ready to go to bed, when Louis's voice came from nearby. "Is the meeting over?"

He was covered in sweat and breathing a little heavily. His upper body was bare, his skin flushed red, and he looked as though he'd been training for a long time.

"Mario? You're back?"

Captain Rhode couldn't hold back a laugh. "Hahaha, Baro just said he was going to look for you."

"Really? Looks like I missed him."

Louis scratched his hair. "The First Mate really cares about me."

"Hahaha, of course, of course."

Rhode smiled. "We're all partners."

"Then, Captain, I'll go take a shower and get some sleep."

Louis said, "I'm exhausted."

"Yeah, I'm going to bed too. Ugh, I'm so sleepy."

Rhode yawned.

"Good night, Mario."

Rhode waved and went off to bed.

"Phew."

Louis let out a long breath and clutched his chest. It really hurt, but it wasn't time to rest yet. Watching Rhode's retreating figure, he murmured, "Next, it's time for another actor, isn't it?"

The next day, Baro's body was discovered.