Beasts Pirates

On the sea, no one could ever accomplish anything alone!

The stronger a pirate became, the more they needed the support of many people.

People like Golden Lion Shiki and Douglas Bullet were powerful enough to dominate the seas alone, yet in the end, they had fallen beneath the Marines' guns because they had been alone.

If the Straw Hat Crew could recruit these people and form the Straw Hat Grand Fleet, as Bartholomew had said, their power would expand at a tremendous rate.

When they faced the Marines again in the future, they would have the strength to confront them head-on.

After all, pirates like Bartholomew and Cavendish were all formidable figures. Cavendish and the other one were especially so; both were among the Supernovas, with bright futures ahead of them.

Moreover, in the New World, aside from the Four Emperors, there were no other forces at sea. With such a powerful group of subordinates, even the Four Emperors would be unable to do anything to them.

Everyone could not help but feel tempted.

"Luffy!"

Even Zoro could not help looking at Luffy. This was a perfect opportunity to rapidly expand their strength.

"Luffy!"

Usopp looked over as well. If he had been able to make the decision, he would have agreed without hesitation long ago.

Nami, Sanji, Robin, Brook, Franky, and Chopper all looked over too. Even Momonosuke and Kin'emon of the Foxfire regarded Luffy with reverence.

If they could form the Straw Hat Grand Fleet, then with Luffy's strength, they would basically be able to contend with the Four Emperors!

These were the Four Emperors!

"What an irresistible temptation!"

Even Moonlight could not help feeling moved.

They had already witnessed these people's strength in the arena. They were exceptionally powerful, and the fact that they were willing to become subordinates showed just how much the Straw Hat Crew had earned their recognition.

Otherwise, how could such powerful pirates with such fiercely independent personalities willingly submit to someone else?

If they joined forces, the Straw Hat Crew would undoubtedly become the strongest force beneath the Four Emperors in the New World.

No other Supernovas or anyone else would stand a chance against them.

But Luffy had his own ideas. He probably would not agree, would he?

With that thought, he looked at Luffy.

Sure enough, after hearing this and seeing Bartholomew and the others kneeling with cups of wine held overhead, Luffy's expression turned serious for a while. Then, he suddenly smiled and shouted, "Everyone, I'm happy we were able to fight side by side. I'm really happy, so that makes us friends, right? If friends have something happen in the future, they definitely won't refuse each other, right? If you run into danger, we'll definitely come save you right away. And if we run into danger, you'll definitely come save us too, right?"

Luffy said.

Although he had not answered directly, this was already his answer! The word "friends" alone made his stance clear!

"This guy!"

"Luffy!"

"Friends..."

Upon hearing this, Zoro and the others' expressions flickered as they looked at Luffy in a daze. Over the past two years, everyone had changed, but only Luffy had remained the same. He was still that same Luffy! "Sigh, that's where Luffy's charm lies!"

Moonlight sighed.

Life was hard, especially on the sea. People who could remain true to themselves, hold fast to their original ideals, and walk that path to the very end were rarer than gold! Especially as time passed, everyone changed. Zoro was changing, Nami was changing, Sanji and the others were changing too, yet Luffy alone remained unchanged!

Without realizing it, everything they did revolved around Luffy. It was all to help Luffy become the Pirate King!

And Luffy had not disappointed them! "L-L-Luffy-senpai, I think I understand what you meant."

Bartholomew rarely stuttered. He was someone who had dared to mock others in front of so many people in the arena, yet he was actually stuttering now. It was clear just how shocked and excited he was! A trace of emotion also flashed across the faces of Cavendish and the other six.

They were no ordinary people. The meaning behind Luffy's words could not have been clearer.

They had willingly wanted to join the Straw Hat Crew and become Luffy's subordinates. In the Pirate World, where the strong preyed on the weak, that was only natural.

But Luffy had refused. Instead, he was willing to treat them as friends.

Friends and subordinates were two entirely different concepts.

Friends were equal, shared common interests, helped one another, and recognized one another.

Subordinates, on the other hand, came with restraints, reserve, and discomfort.

They all understood Luffy's choice.

"Alright, everyone. See you again someday."

Luffy grinned at them and waved.

"See you, Straw Hat Kid!"

Cavendish and the other six waved farewell as well.

The Marines' encirclement had not ended yet, and this was no longer a place where they could remain. They promptly departed.

However, Cavendish and the other six had already added the prefix "Straw Hat Grand Fleet" to the names of their respective fleets.

They also began calling themselves the First and Second Division Captains of the Straw Hat Grand Fleet!

Being friends was not bad either!

At this time, in the New World.

Doflamingo's defeat and capture by the Marines had stirred up a terrifying storm.

No one in the New World did not know who Doflamingo was.

As one of the Shichibukai, one of the rulers of the underworld, and the giant who controlled the SAD and SMILE factories, his arrest by the Marines sparked a raging storm throughout the New World the moment the news spread.

"Doflamingo must never fall into the Marines' hands. Move, move immediately! We have to rescue him!"

"That's right, we absolutely must rescue him, or..."

At once, many major figures in the underworld began to take action.

At this moment, in a certain sea region, aboard a ship twice the size of a warship, a tall, powerfully built man with a ponytail and two braids, a metal jaw, and a feathered coat crushed the newspaper in his hand. He gazed out at the endless sea and let out an earth-shaking roar:

"Joker, Joker! How can I let you fall into the Marines' hands? Set sail! We're going to rescue Joker!"

"Yes, Lord Jack!"

At his words, everyone behind him responded at once.

The ship immediately set sail toward Dressrosa. The sea was already engulfed in fierce wind and rain, with thunder rumbling and lightning flashing. A bolt of lightning struck down, illuminating the ship in a dazzling glare.

Especially the flag fluttering in the wind, revealed beneath the electric light—a horned skull radiating an imposing aura!

It was the flag of the Beasts Pirates!...

At the same time.

Within a massive city built entirely of gold, a middle-aged man with grayish-green hair, dressed in pink clothes and trousers and wearing purple sunglasses, looked at the newspaper in his hand. Printed on it was the news that Doflamingo had been defeated by the Straw Hat Crew.

"They actually defeated Doflamingo. The Straw Hat Crew... what an interesting group."

Seeing this, he gave a deep smile. Then, with a flick of his fingers, the newspaper in his hand turned into gold, before crumbling into powder and falling to the ground. He gave an order over his shoulder:

"Tell the Marines to find a way to lure the Straw Hat Crew here."

"Yes, Lord Tesoro!"

At once, his subordinates answered.

The man before them was none other than Gild Tesoro, the ruler of the world's largest entertainment city and the man who controlled twenty percent of the world's Beli.

Even the Celestial Dragons had to rely on him!