" Gairam, Nightin, has anyone broken in here recently?"
After laughing, World changed the subject again, asking about the safety of the ships anchored in the nearby waters and the surrounding area.
"No one can break into this ship without being discovered by me, Gairam."
"But speaking of the situation in the nearby waters, about half an hour before you returned, a pirate ship approached this area. Judging from the flag, it seems to be the Buggy the Two Thousand Clown Pirates, one of the Shichibukai who have recently become very popular. It seems they had already discovered our presence, but I don't know why they haven't attacked yet..."
Gairam patted his chest confidently and assured him, then began to talk about the pirate ship Buggy and his crew that seemed to have passed by unintentionally.
"Is that so? Another Shichibukai, eh? Hahaha, no need to worry about him. We've already prepared our trump cards. Even if they break in, it'll just be another bargaining chip..."
Although his crew, Gairam and the others, valued Buggy's group highly, World only saw them as a minor addition to his portfolio and didn't pay them much attention. Later, he realized just how annoying Buggy was, like a troublemaker who had ruined all his plans.
"Hahaha, now all we have to do is wait for that Pirate Empress to walk right into our trap, hahahaha..."
World walked out laughing maniacally.
"Honestly, has thirty years of imprisonment made him so reckless? World..."
Byojack, the older brother, watched him leave while leaning on the IV stand, and after a long while, he sighed and said...
" Byojack, what should we do now? Should we really do what World said?"
Gairam and Nightin approached him to gauge his opinion.
"Well, that's the only way. After all, World is our captain, and I'm just acting as his representative. Let's cooperate fully and do as he says. I believe World won't let us get into trouble..."
Seeing that the two men were looking at him questioningly, Byojack answered them without thinking.
"Learn..."
Seeing that Byojack, who had been acting as captain of the World Pirates for thirty years, no longer objected to them, the two naturally had no other thoughts. After all, World had left a perfect impression on them as someone who cared for his comrades and trusted them, and would not run away or abandon him as captain because of this.
"Captain, you see it! That's that World's ship, isn't it? It's practically an island..."
George gripped the helm, his eyes fixed ahead. After traveling for most of the day, they finally found World's trail in the direction indicated by the Vivre Card. In the distance, a giant ship, comparable in size to a small island, covered with many trees and vegetation, with a pirate flag flying from its top, came into view.
Upon seeing the flag, George couldn't help but get excited. He had been constantly questioned by Luo Chen, who even doubted whether he had taken the wrong path. Finally relieved, he excitedly reminded Luo Chen loudly.
"Yes, we're here! That's wonderful! George, I'm so sorry, we sailed for so long I thought you'd taken the wrong route. I should apologize; as a ship, I shouldn't have doubted my companion's abilities..."
Luo Chen apologized to him very "sincerely," little did he know that George's face darkened the moment he said those words.
"As expected, I knew you doubted my abilities."
These were his true feelings, but George wisely kept them to himself and instead said it modestly with an embarrassed expression.
"Not at all, it's all thanks to your excellent leadership, Captain, that the Isel has been able to sail on the correct course..."
"Hahaha, you're too kind. Without you, how could we have gotten here? It's all thanks to you, George..."
The two exchanged polite greetings. Behind them, Catherine walked over calmly, glanced at Luo Chen, and then spoke.
"If we keep praising each other like this, that guy might just run away, and all our efforts will have been for nothing."
"Okay, right, business is more important, I can't chat anymore. George, Catherine, you and the others wait here for me for a bit. Tell them not to interfere; I'll handle him alone. I'm off!
... shave!!"
call out...
Catherine's calm words resonated in Luo Chen and his companion's ears, reminding Luo Chen that he couldn't continue being so polite, lest World and the others slip away. So, after casually saying goodbye to the two of them, he used his razor to rush over.
Meanwhile, the Kuja Pirate Ship also arrived opposite the World Pirates at the same time.
" Snake Princess, are you really sure you want to go in alone? World isn't as weak as the pirates you've encountered before. Let's wait for the other Shichibukai to arrive before we go after him!!"
Granny Nyon stood at the edge of the boat, looking worriedly at Hancock was all geared up and ready to jump aboard, and tried to dissuade her.
"Lord Snake Princess ~~"
The other Kuja warriors stood on the front row, unsure of Granny Nyon was referring to, but they knew the opponent must be terrifyingly strong. This was why Granny Nyon had weathered many storms, was so worried and anxious. However, she couldn't sway Hancock's resolve and could only stand behind her, supporting and wishing her well.
"Shut up, old woman! I'm the one in charge here, and do you think I'm so insignificant that I need anyone else's help?"
However, although her Granny Nyon made the suggestion out of good intentions, the proud and arrogant Hancock was not going to accept it. Hancock's face darkened, and she reprimanded her without any regard for the grandmother's status or qualifications.
"No, Snake Princess, I simply..."
"My decisions are not open to opposition, not even from you, my three sisters' teacher..."
All you have to do is stand here and watch how I rescued Marigold and Sonia, Salome ..."
Swoosh...
With that, Hancock leaped off the pirate ship, calling out to her beloved pet Salome.
call out...
At Hancock's call, a python wearing a cow bone hat emerged from the ship Extreme Speed plunged into the sea, then floated to the surface on its back for Hancock to stand on.
Whoosh... da!!
"Let's go, Salome!!"
Hancock landed smoothly on Salome, then pointed her slender, white index finger at World's ship ahead and gave the order.
Hiss...
Wow...
Her pet naturally understood its owner's meaning; it flicked its tongue and then quickly swam towards the shore.
clatter...
clatter...
clatter...
"How is it? Has the Pirate Empress arrived yet?"
Inside the viewing room, World approached Byojack from outside and asked him a question.
"Yes, she's here, but there's another uninvited guest who's barged in too, look..."
As Byojack spoke, he pointed to Luo Chen, who had just stepped onto the island ship and was looking around in the surveillance footage.
"Who is he?"
World hadn't been following the recent news reports, so he didn't know Luo Chen's identity. He looked at the figure wandering around in the video and asked...
"Huh? You don't know him? He's one of the hottest figures lately, the pirate Luo Chen, who's also one of the Shichibukai of the Sea alongside the Pirate Empress. He's a troublesome guy too!!"
Seemingly surprised by World's ignorance, Byojack stared at him for a moment before speaking up to explain.
"Hahaha, I won't bother with those fame-seeking scoundrels, but since he's here, as the host, I should give him a proper welcome..."
Hey, Sebastian, go to the starboard side of the island ship and give our guests a proper welcome!
Upon hearing that yet another Shichibukai had arrived, World didn't think too much about it, only that he could add another bargaining chip to his collection. He laughed and then ordered his Fish-Man Sebastian, Sebastian, to go and entertain him.