The Roger Pirates were contending with the encirclement of the Marines and the World Government.
Meanwhile, in the New World, in the Kronos Kingdom.
Seated on a luxurious, comfortable sofa, Hades regarded the figure before him with curiosity. "What a rare guest. I never expected you to visit, Redfield. It's been many years since we last met, hasn't it?"
Indeed, the man before Hades was Redfield, "Red the Aloof," who roamed the seas with virtually no power daring to cross him.
"That's true. We haven't seen each other since the Swordsmanship Tournament."
"This really is fine wine. I can't find anything like it out at sea."
Redfield took an elegant sip of wine, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes as well.
"You're welcome here anytime, haha!"
"Still, I've heard quite a few stories about you over the years. They've been rather spectacular."
Hades was delighted to finally see his old friend again. The young River Styx stood nearby.
Over the years, although Redfield had traveled the seas alone, he had caused quite a few stirrings.
Kaido, Nash, and Ochoku—three top Great Pirates whose names shook the seas—had all been defeated by Redfield himself.
Defeating the first two young Great Pirates was one thing, but his victory over Ochoku carried considerable weight.
It had happened two months after the Five Peaks Pirates lost to the Flying Pirates and then regained some of their pride at the Demon King Pirates' expense.
The incident apparently began when the Five Peaks Pirates acquired a Blood Tribe slave whom they intended to sell to the World Government for the hefty price of five hundred million Beli.
Strictly speaking, they had not known the Blood Tribe existed. They had merely discovered that this person's blood was unusual. Word had inadvertently spread and reached the World