Chapter 11

When Pato saw Chris appear, he quickly tossed aside his fishing rod, jumped down from the railing, and bounded over to him.

"Looks like this island has brought us more good luck. Wehahahaha..."

The moment Burgess saw Chris appear, he understood what was happening and burst out laughing.

Doc Q lay on the deck and said between coughs, "Hopefully, we'll get a stronger crewmate. I really want to start the Division Commander Challenge."

"I'll teach you when I have some free time."

Chris glanced at Pato on his shoulder, then leaped down and headed toward town.

"The captain's always so decisive. Never wastes a single word."

Burgess picked up Doc Q and his sickly horse, then jumped down with a hearty laugh.

Ten minutes later.

Chris stood at the western harbor, silently gazing out over the azure sea.

He had already searched the entire town with Observation Haki.

He had found nothing unusual at all.

He trusted Baccarat's intuition. He must have overlooked something.

Just then, he overheard some news from the fishermen by the harbor.

"Tell me, why would the Marines suddenly come here?"

"Hell if I know. Nothing to do with me, anyway."

"You know, I saw them from a distance earlier. That female Marine was really imposing. All the soldiers were scared of her."

"She's Vice Admiral Momousagi from Marine Headquarters. How do none of you know that? Unbelievable!"

"Vice Admiral Momousagi or Vice Admiral Momodog, what's it got to do with us?"

"But that warship headed north. Are there pirates over there? Ah, forget it."

By now, Chris understood exactly what this supposed good luck was.

It came from Vice Admiral Momousagi!

Whoosh!

Chris vanished in an instant, setting off to find Baccarat.

In town.

"Come on, let's go to the next shop for more clothes. I haven't bought enough yet."

Honey Queen walked out of a clothing store, laden with bags of all sizes.

Belo Betty shrugged and exhaled a cloud of smoke. "You go ahead. I'm going to buy some cigarettes," she said casually.

Suddenly, a figure appeared right in front of them.

"Baccarat, put that on hold for a moment. I need to talk to you."

Chris dropped Pato onto the ground and said calmly, "Stay here. Don't wander off."

With that, he led Baccarat aside.

"What's the boss going to do? Why didn't he take me along?"

Pato watched the two of them with a curious expression.

Honey Queen rolled her eyes at Pato and said irritably, "What else? They obviously have a secret to discuss. Do you really need to ask?"

Belo Betty frowned as she watched Chris walk away, thinking it over.

"It must be something important. Otherwise, he wouldn't keep it from us."

"After all, Chris isn't that kind of man."

(Guys, the picture above is Vice Admiral Momousagi. Why am I bringing her up here? If you can guess, I'll post an extra chapter right away (*￣︶￣).)

Chapter 11

(One tip, one extra chapter.)

In an alley.

Observation Haki spread outward.

"Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Momousagi left here not long ago."

"Her family was killed by the Celestial Dragons, so her heart is full of hatred for the Creators."

Chris looked at Baccarat and asked solemnly, "If I approach her about working together, do you think I'll succeed?"

Seeing his serious expression, Baccarat fell silent rather than answering right away.

It was the first time she had seen Chris like this. She knew this had to be extremely important.

After a while, Baccarat smiled warmly. "Chris, give me your hand."

Without another word, Chris held out his hand.

Baccarat took it, feeling deeply reassured.

She closed her beautiful eyes, and a faint white glow radiated from her body, flowing through her arm into Chris.

Instantly, Chris felt invigorated, as though something good was about to happen.

This was what it meant to have fortune smiling on you.

"Chris, you're all set now. You'll definitely succeed."

Baccarat released his hand. Her face had gone pale, taking on a sickly look.

A rare look of concern crossed Chris's face as he asked her a question.

"Baccarat, are you all right?"

"Chris, don't worry. My good luck will come back in a few days."

Baccarat brushed back her deep red hair and said with a sweet smile, "I've just overdrawn it. A few days of rest will fix that."

"Hurry along, before the luck on you dissipates."

Chris nodded and smiled slightly. "Go find Belo Betty and the others. I'll be right back."

With a whoosh, he vanished, traveling through space toward the north...

Somewhere on the waters of the West Blue.

A warship cut through the sea, sailing swiftly onward.

Inside a room.

"A few more days, and I'll be back at Headquarters. Finally, no more drifting all over the place."

Momousagi stood by the window, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds outside, feeling inexplicably relaxed.

Suddenly, a calm voice sounded inside the room.

"Excuse me, Vice Admiral Momousagi."

"There's something I'd like to discuss with you. It's about the Celestial Dragons."

She started.

Momousagi spun around and looked to her left.

A young man was leaning against the table with both hands in his trouser pockets.

He looked very cool.

"Who are you?"

Momousagi narrowed her eyes slightly, quietly resting her right hand on her sword hilt as she focused all her attention.

He managed to appear here without making a sound. This man is truly dangerous.

"Please don't get worked up, Vice Admiral Momousagi."

Chris shrugged and said calmly, "My name is Chris. I'm a pirate."

"You can also consider me one of the Shichibukai, because before long, that's what I'll be."

"Now, back to our earlier topic—the Celestial Dragons."

Momousagi slowly walked toward him, the word "Justice" standing out vividly on her cloak.

"You want to become one of the Shichibukai? Do you think that's possible?"

"And you're a pirate, yet you dare show your face in front of me. You've got some nerve."

Momousagi stopped, a cold glint flickering in her eyes. "Go on, then. Let's see what you're up to," she said icily.

Chris folded his arms, his expression calm. "I've already put together a whole series of plans. As long as we work together..."

"We can overthrow the Celestial Dragons' rule and drag every last one of those damned bastards down from their pedestals!"

Momousagi froze and asked incredulously, "Do you realize what you're saying?"

"Those words alone are enough to get you killed a hundred times over."

Chris ignored her remark and continued explaining.

"Let's be frank, Vice Admiral Momousagi. We have a common enemy. Work with me!"

"If you don't want to avenge your family, then forget I said anything."

At those words, Momousagi's gaze turned cold. Her sword looked ready to leave its sheath at any moment.

"Talk. How do you know about that?"

At that moment, Momousagi was utterly shocked.

She had never imagined that this young man would know her greatest secret.

He had somehow learned something that even CP9 knew nothing about.

It was truly staggering!

"How I know isn't important. What matters is discussing our cooperation."

Chris said bluntly, "You really are powerful. Terrifyingly so."

"But if you want to overthrow the Celestial Dragons' rule on your own, that's nothing but a pipe dream. It's impossible."

"However, as long as we work together, all of that can be resolved."

Momousagi felt somewhat tempted, but her lovely face showed nothing but disdain.

She scoffed and said mockingly, "You? Who do you think you are?"

"Even the World's Strongest Man—Whitebeard—wouldn't dare say something like that."

Momousagi looked at Chris and said coldly, "I'm curious. What gives you the right to be so arrogant?"

The corners of Chris's mouth lifted slightly into a confident smile.

"Then let's fight. Let the facts speak for themselves."

Chris stepped forward and held his right hand out in front of Momousagi. "Give me your hand. I'll take you somewhere. You'll have your answer soon enough," he said calmly.

Momousagi frowned slightly, looking Chris up and down as though trying to see right through him.

But she was bound to be disappointed.

The man before her was composed and calm, without the slightest opening she could discern.

With that, Momousagi stopped hesitating and raised her delicate hand.

She accepted Chris's offer.

"Let's go."

The moment Chris finished speaking, the two of them vanished with a swish...

(Guys, let me explain. Momousagi's family being killed by the Celestial Dragons is something I made up for the plot. Please don't mistake it for canon. It's all fictional.)