Cross Guild

After quickly skimming the entire report, Mobius finally felt somewhat relieved.

It turned out to be him. No wonder. No wonder at all.

Fisher Tiger, a leading figure of the Fish-Man District on Fish-Man Island, was also a fish-man adventurer.

Under the rule of the World Government, slavery still existed.

The Celestial Dragons, as the World Nobles, had long purchased people of all races, including fish-men, from slave traders.

During one journey, Tiger was carelessly captured by slavers. He was then bought by the Celestial Dragons and taken to the Holy Land Mary Geoise as a slave, where he was imprisoned and brutally abused, witnessing the depths of human madness.

After enduring countless torments, Tiger's spirit was greatly tempered. He eventually found an opportunity to escape his prison, then set fires everywhere, freed a vast number of slaves, and caused havoc in the Holy Land.

The World Government had intended to cover up the matter, but paper could not contain fire—and now there was an albatross willing to throw everything away for a major scoop.

In the end, the "Mary Geoise Attack Incident" was printed in the newspapers and delivered across the four seas by News Coo.

However, the official report only stated that the Holy Land had been attacked by terrorists. It said nothing about the thousands of slaves who had been freed, and it did not even mention Fisher Tiger's name, completely erasing his existence.

At first, Mobius had not realized what was going on. He had even wondered which hero had dared cause such trouble in the Holy Land, and whether he should go lend a hand.

It was only when he saw Tiger's freshly issued portrait on the wanted poster attached to the newspaper, along with the unprecedented initial bounty of 230 million Beli, that he remembered.

So it was that ruthless man, Tiger.

"The Holy Land was attacked?"

After returning the newspaper to the village chief, Mobius roughly understood why the old man was so terrified.

For most ordinary people on the seas, the darkness of the World Government was beyond their awareness. But the Marines stationed across the world, who could genuinely help them, were real enough.

The attack on Holy Land Mary Geoise of the World Government was no less shocking than the destruction of the Twin Towers. The resulting turmoil was enough to terrify every civilian.

Especially now, when Thunder God Island had only just been invaded by pirates and the fear in people's hearts had yet to fade.

After this, the World Government's prestige had suffered greatly. The great pirates of the New World and ambitious figures everywhere would surely take action.

Turmoil and unease were close at hand.

After taking back the newspaper, the village chief sincerely invited Mobius to visit his home, saying he had an important matter to discuss.

Mobius had no objection and agreed.

The village chief's home was not much different from the other houses on Thunder God Island, except that it was a little larger.

After serving tea and exchanging a few pleasantries, the village chief did not waste any words and went straight to the point.

"My lord, could you stay here for a few more days? We will certainly treat you as an honored guest. Food, lodging, and travel—I will personally arrange everything."

The village chief wore a pleading expression. Yesterday's events, combined with the current crisis, had made him doubt the island's natural defenses. It would be best if they had a strong person to protect them.

"Hmm..."

Mobius was not surprised and fell into thought.

First of all, Mobius definitely would not remain on Thunder God Island. He had no obligation to protect this place, nor was there anything here that attracted him.

Unless Mobius wanted to retire early and live here anonymously. But if that were the case, he could simply ask his old uncle for some cushy position.

Mobius himself was not one to settle down. Dr. Vegapunk had seen through that long ago, which was why he had taken the initiative to suggest that Mobius go to sea.

In a supernatural world like that of pirates, where all kinds of powers could be gained, Mobius had long since become immersed in it.

The feeling of growing stronger bit by bit and gradually gaining control over power was addictive.

Once people satisfied their basic desires, they would always develop ideals and pursuits of their own. As the saying went, full stomachs bred idle thoughts.

Mobius had not dared to think that way before, because his experiences in his previous life had made him somewhat cautious.

But things were different now. Mobius knew that he possessed the power to change the world.

Then why not make the world into what he wanted it to be?

The Mary Geoise incident committed by Tiger happened to be an opportunity. For some time to come, these seas would surely become lively.

According to the story, this was thirteen years before Luffy set sail, right when the middle generation of the sea was developing. The vast blue sea lay before him.

Mobius wanted a share of it.

"I'm sorry, Village Chief, but I won't be staying here. I have things I want to do as well."

Mobius refused outright, and the village chief visibly sank into dejection.

"However, I can leave behind a flag here. A flag that belongs to me."

Mobius grinned as an inexplicable sense of ambition began to emerge within him. A seed had been planted.

"A flag?"

The village chief froze.

"My lord, aren't you a Marine?"

"I am, but only unofficially. I used to train with the Marines, but I left not long ago to act on my own. You could say I only just set sail."

"So I'm both a Marine and not a Marine, depending on how you look at it."

"If you wish, I can leave behind a flag. Once I have made a name for myself, you can hang it up, and it will represent my protection over this place."

"But in return, when that time comes, this place will count as my territory~"

Although he was a member of the Naval Science Unit, there were only three of them in total. Mobius could not receive much support from the Marines.

He had the Marines at his back—or, more precisely, his old uncle Borsalino and Dr. Vegapunk.

Mobius did not need the support of the Marines as a whole. What he needed was the freedom to develop.

"Then, my lord, who exactly are you?"

"Hmm..."

"For now, think of me as a bounty hunter. I make my living hunting pirates."

Even if he did not need the Marines' support, Mobius would not call himself a pirate.

Otherwise, his old uncle would fly over and execute him on the spot.

A bounty hunter was the perfect identity. It naturally kept him close to the Marines while remaining beyond their control.

Mobius could openly act in his own name, accumulate power, and build a force, while still receiving help from his old uncle and the doctor.

"..."

The village chief's eyes flickered as he gave it some simple thought, though he did not think for long.

If Mobius rose to power, then Thunder God Island joining him would make them founding members. If he failed to rise, they could simply pretend none of this had happened. Either way, they had nothing to lose.

The village chief had initially only wanted to recruit Mobius, but he had not expected Mobius to declare that he wanted to take Thunder God Island as his territory.

However, the village chief did not mind. On these seas, the weak relying on the strong was a basic rule.

"Then, my lord, please leave behind your flag."

"Also, what will the force you establish in the future be called?"

"A force?"

Mobius had not expected the village chief to think further ahead than he did. He was not very good at naming things...

Wait, there seemed to be a hunter organization in the future that operated using bounties.

"It will be called Cross Guild, if I establish a force in the future."

Take Buggy's path and leave Buggy with nowhere to go—that was Mobius's way of survival.

"Yes, my lord."

The village chief nodded, and there was much more calm in his eyes.

No matter what, Thunder God Island finally had a strong person to protect it.