Pirate: I Can Repel Everything

Reiju glanced at the notebook on the table, then turned to the figure still hard at work. With a smile, she asked, "Chris, have you finished reading it?"

"I have." Chris kept swinging his broadsword, his calm voice carrying across the room.

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

Time passed, and soon everyone had finished reading. Confusion showed on every face.

"Who's Rocks? He sounds powerful."

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

Belo Betty exhaled a puff of smoke. "Never heard of him. He must have been a big name a long time ago."

Honey Queen smiled. "The notebook's this old, so the people it mentions must be from ages ago too."

"Let's ask Chris. He'll know."

Reiju rested her chin on her hand and smiled gently. "Chris, tell us what's in the notebook. We're all curious."

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

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

Still swinging his broadsword, Chris explained, "Back then, he truly stood above everyone at sea. Countless powerful fighters served under him."

"More than thirty years ago, he attacked God Valley, intending to destroy the Celestial Dragons and seize the entire world."

"In the end, Garp the Hero and Pirate King Roger joined forces to defeat him. He vanished after that."

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

"In short," Chris said, "he was a genuine titan—a world-famous pirate."

The women froze at the revelation.

A man that terrifying had existed?!

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 mountain of treasure, packed with riches!"

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

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

"From the sound of it, the World Government must have erased him from history. That would explain why not even a scrap about him remains at sea."

Reiju touched her chin thoughtfully. "Three of the Four Emperors served under him. He may well have been the strongest man of his time."

Baccarat gathered her dark-red hair and said seriously, "He dared to challenge the Celestial Dragons and nearly succeeded. There's no doubting his strength."

"Four Emperors?"

Perona floated in the air, grinning. "I remember Chris saying that's what we're aiming for."

Honey Queen crossed her legs and nodded. "First we become Shichibukai, then attack a country in the New World. After that, we 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 someday."

"So we'll need enough capable subordinates to hold each area on their own."

Carina waved a hand, cutting them off. "None of that matters right now. What about the treasure?"

"It's the treasure left behind by the ruler of the last era! Aren't any of you excited?"

Carina clasped her hands tightly, her face shining with anticipation. "Once we find it, we'll never have to worry about food or clothes again."

"We could buy anything we wanted. Just imagining it is wonderful!"

Reiju smoothed her hair and smiled. "It's still too early to worry about that. The treasure is in the New World, and we won't get there anytime soon."

The women went on discussing Rocks...

At eight o'clock that evening, a full moon hung in the dark sky amid scattered stars. It was a beautiful sight, steeped in mystery.

"I'm heading out to take care of something. You should all get some rest."

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

Before any of them could reply, he was gone.

By the time the women reacted, Chris had vanished. They shook their heads and smiled ruefully.

"He makes up his mind and acts before anyone can get a word in."

Honey Queen was both exasperated and amused. She hardly knew what to say about Chris.

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

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

Carina looked at the others curiously. "Does anyone know what our captain's going to do?"

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

Perona grinned as she floated overhead. "Chris said they're completely protected against eavesdropping. Nobody can listen in."

"Not even the most advanced listening Den Den Mushi could pick up their conversations."

"How did Chris put it? Oh, right. He called them the only two Den Den Mushi of their kind in the world."

Reiju nodded, a gentle smile lighting her face. "They 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, we shouldn't pry or keep discussing it."

"Come on. Let's get some rest."

With Chris gone, there was no reason to stay. Laughing and chatting, the women headed for the door...

Above a stretch of sea in the North Blue, Chris took out a Den Den Mushi and placed a call.

This one was reserved for contacting Vice Admiral Momousagi.

She seemed busy and did not answer at once.

The call connected after a dozen or so seconds.

"I couldn't answer just now."

"Chris, is something wrong?"

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

It reduced the risk of being overheard.

"Find somewhere safe," Chris said calmly. "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 for safety.

Atop 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 heels.

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

Suddenly, a figure landed on the rooftop with a sharp whoosh.

"You're here, Chris."

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

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

Chris was not surprised that Momousagi was not wearing her white Justice Coat.

She was off duty, after all.

Even a Marine needed a life of her own and time to do what she liked. Wearing her uniform every day would hardly be convenient.

"Take this."

Chris tossed her a Den Den Mushi and said evenly, "I have two of these. Their calls can't be eavesdropped on."

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

"What?!"

Momousagi was stunned.

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

"Chris, are you sure it can completely prevent eavesdropping?"

She stared at him, still visibly astonished. It was hard to believe.

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

His certainty came from his memories of his previous life.

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

But he could not tell anyone about those things. The revelation 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 start with what's happening on my end."

"I've recruited quite a few subordinates recently, and our strength has grown."

"The Seven Warlords Alliance is taking shape too."

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

Momousagi paused. Then something clicked.

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

Chris nodded.

"She was too weak."

"So I advised her to enter the New World and fight powerful enemies to improve quickly."

"Fortunately, she wasn't beyond help. In the end, she set out for the Grand Line."

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

"I never imagined you were behind it all. That's remarkable."