Chapter 55 / Chapter 56

Reiju glanced at the notebook on the table, then turned to the figure working tirelessly nearby. She smiled. "Chris, have you finished reading it?"

"I have." Chris kept swinging his greatsword, his voice calm.

Baccarat opened the notebook and smiled. "Let's read it together."

Time passed. Soon, everyone had finished reading the notebook, but they all looked puzzled.

"Who's Rocks? He sounds incredibly powerful."

Carina frowned and searched her memory, but she had never heard his name.

Belo Betty exhaled a puff of smoke. "I've never heard of him. He must've been a big name a long time ago."

Honey Queen smiled. "This notebook is so old. The person it describes must have lived ages ago too."

"Let's ask Chris. He's bound to know."

Reiju rested her chin on her hand and gave Chris a gentle smile. "Tell us about the notebook, Chris. We're all curious."

Baccarat brushed back her hair. "I don't know who Rocks was, but this treasure map is definitely real."

"Rocks ruled the seas more than forty years ago."

Chris continued swinging his greatsword as he explained. "In his time, he truly reigned over the seas. Countless powerful fighters served under him."

"More than thirty years ago, he launched an attack at God Valley. He intended to destroy the Celestial Dragons and seize the entire world."

"In the end, Naval Hero Garp and Pirate King Roger joined forces to defeat him. He vanished without a trace after that."

"Three of today's Four Emperors once served under him: Edward Newgate, Charlotte Linlin, and Kaido."

Chris summed it up. "In short, he was a truly great figure—a world-famous pirate."

The women were stunned by what they had heard.

He had been that terrifyingly powerful?!

Carina was the first to recover. Her eyes lit up, and excitement spread across her face. "Then the treasure must be enormous!"

She spread her arms wide. "A whole mountain of treasure!"

Honey Queen rolled her eyes. "All you care about is treasure. Nothing else interests you."

Belo Betty took a drag on her cigarette, looking unusually reflective. "That's the first time I've heard of a man so powerful."

"From the sound of it, the World Government must have erased him from history. That's why not even a scrap of information about him remains on the seas."

Reiju touched her chin as she considered it. "Three of the Four Emperors served under him. He may have been the strongest man of his time."

Baccarat gathered back her deep-red hair, her expression serious. "He dared to challenge the Celestial Dragons and nearly succeeded. There's no questioning his strength."

(You can probably tell by now that Chris is definitely going to look for the treasure. There must be plenty of good things there. What will he find? Excited yet? (*￣︶￣))

Chapter 55

"The Four Emperors?"

Perona floated in the air, grinning. "I remember Chris saying that was our goal."

Honey Queen nodded and crossed her legs. "First, we become Shichibukai. Then we conquer a country in the New World and fight for a place among the Four Emperors."

"That's our goal for the next few years. Chris said so."

Belo Betty took a drag on her cigarette. "Our territory will be huge one day."

"So we'll need to recruit enough people who can stand on their own and hold each place for us."

Carina waved a hand, cutting them off. "That can wait. What matters right now is the treasure!"

"It was left behind by the ruler of the previous era. Aren't any of you excited?"

Carina clasped her hands tightly, her face alight with anticipation. "Once we find it, we'll be set for life."

"Tsk, imagine buying whatever we want. What a life that would be!"

Reiju brushed back her hair and smiled. "The treasure's in the New World, and we won't get there anytime soon. Why the rush?"

The women went on discussing Rocks...

That night, at exactly eight o'clock.

A full moon hung in the dark sky amid scattered stars, making for a beautiful sight.

It was filled with mystery!

"Go get some rest. I need to take care of something."

Chris stopped training and looked at the women. "I won't be long this time. I'll be back before midnight."

Before they could say a word, he was gone.

By the time the women reacted, Chris had disappeared. They shook their heads with rueful smiles.

"He makes up his mind so fast. He can't wait even a second."

Honey Queen didn't know whether to laugh or be annoyed. Sometimes, she didn't know what to say about Chris.

Belo Betty stood up. "Strong people don't talk much. They don't waste words."

"It's the weak who go on and on."

Carina looked at the others, curiosity on her face. "Where did our captain go? Anyone know?"

"I know! It must be about those two Den Den Mushi."

Perona hovered in the air, grinning. "Chris said those two Den Den Mushi can't be tapped. No one can listen in."

"Not even the most advanced eavesdropping Den Den Mushi can pick up their conversation."

"What was it Chris called them? Right—the only two Den Den Mushi of their kind in the world."

Reiju nodded, a sweet smile on her beautiful face. "Those two Den Den Mushi really are remarkable."

"You could call them the kings of anti-eavesdropping Den Den Mushi."

Baccarat waved a hand and smiled. "Chris will tell us what we need to know."

"If he hasn't said anything, let's not press him or keep guessing."

"Come on, let's get some rest."

With Chris gone, there was no reason to stay. The women chatted and laughed as they headed for the door...

Above a stretch of sea in the North Blue.

Chris took out a Den Den Mushi and placed a call.

It was reserved for contacting Vice Admiral Momousagi.

She seemed busy and didn't answer right away.

After a dozen or so seconds, she picked up.

"I couldn't answer just now."

"What is it, Chris?"

They had already agreed not to contact each other unless something important came up.

They couldn't risk anyone listening in.

Chris spoke calmly. "Find somewhere safe. We need to talk."

"Follow the Vivre Card. I'll wait for you there."

"All right. See you soon."

Chris hung up, keeping the call as short as possible to be safe.

On the roof of a tall building.

Momousagi stood by the railing with her arms folded, gazing up at the moon and stars.

She wore white jeans, a white short-sleeved shirt, and white high heels.

A breeze stirred her hair, making her look especially beautiful.

Suddenly, a figure landed on the roof with a whoosh.

"You're here, Chris."

Momousagi turned slowly, her arms still folded. Puzzlement crossed her beautiful face.

"What's so important that you had to come all this way?"

Chris wasn't surprised that Momousagi wasn't wearing her white Justice Coat.

After all, she was off duty.

Even a marine needed a life of her own and time to do what she enjoyed. Wearing her uniform all day would be inconvenient.

"Take this."

Chris tossed her a Den Den Mushi, his voice as calm as ever. "I have two of these. They can't be tapped."

"From now on, we won't have to worry about anyone intercepting our calls."

(What do you think? Momousagi in jeans and high heels must look beautiful, right? Too bad I don't have a picture to show you. You'll have to use your imagination. (*￣︶￣))

Chapter 56

"What?!"

Momousagi was stunned.

Even as an Admiral Candidate who had seen plenty, she had never heard of a Den Den Mushi like this.

"Chris, are you sure it can't be tapped?"

Momousagi stared at him, surprise still written across her face. She could hardly believe it.

Chris slipped his hands into his pockets. "Don't worry. I'm certain."

He could be so sure because of memories from his previous life.

As a fan of pirates, he knew far more than most people.

But he couldn't tell anyone what he knew. It would cause an uproar.

"Incredible!"

Momousagi examined the black Den Den Mushi. "I never imagined one like this existed. There's so much I don't know."

Chris wasted no time getting to the point.

"I'll tell you how things are going on my end first."

"I've recruited quite a few people recently. Our strength has grown."

"And the Seven Warlords Alliance is on track."

Chris looked at Momousagi. "Doflamingo and Boa Hancock have both joined the Alliance."

Momousagi paused. Then understanding dawned.

"Chris, you're the reason Boa Hancock left Amazon Lily, aren't you?"

Chris nodded.

"She was too weak."

"So I suggested she go to the New World, fight strong opponents, and improve quickly."

"Fortunately, she wasn't beyond hope. She eventually set off for the Grand Line."

Momousagi shook her head with a rueful smile. "We discussed her departure at Headquarters, but we couldn't figure out why she'd left."

"I never expected you were behind it all. Incredible."