In the current New World, the major powers were in a state of suspended anticipation. The Blackbeard Pirates had actually issued a challenge to the Whitebeard Pirates.
The world wondered where Blackbeard got such nerve to openly provoke the Whitebeard fleet. Currently, the Whitebeard Pirates were regarded as the undisputed kings of the sea, especially after Big Mom issued a direct order to her children: under no circumstances were they to clash with Whitebeard's crew.
It was an absolute decree.
The Red-Haired Pirates and the Beast Pirates remained observant. Since the end of the Paramount War, there had been little news of Shanks, but no one dared ignore him. It was said his word alone had stopped the war—one man's voice outweighing ten thousand soldiers.
However, even more shocking news arrived from the first half of the Grand Line. The "presumed dead" Straw Hat Luffy was alive. The legend of the Four Brothers remained a living one.
While some had guessed Luffy might survive, the headline below it was what truly set the world on fire: Saint Charlos of the Celestial Dragons had been murdered at the Sabaody Archipelago.
The perpetrator was confirmed: Drake, one of the Four Brothers.
This man, who had appeared out of thin air at Marineford to trade blows with the Navy's elite, had now done the unthinkable—he had slain a "God." In the New World, where the Yonko ruled, everyone knew how the World Government protected the Celestial Dragons. This news pushed the tension of the era to a fever pitch.
Aboard the Moby Dick, Marco rubbed his forehead as he read the latest reports. To the Whitebeard Pirates, the news of Luffy being "alive" was a non-story. Dead? When was he dead? The kid was sleeping like a log on our ship just a few days ago.
What truly concerned him was Drake killing a Celestial Dragon. That was poking a hornet's nest. Normally, an Admiral is dispatched immediately to handle such an insult. Even the Yonko, unless they were ready for total war with the World Government, usually avoided killing World Nobles.
Celestial Dragons rarely stepped foot in the New World because their status didn't act as a "get out of jail free" card in these lawless waters.
"Marco, Teach is really here," Vista said, walking up to the commander.
"He's here, is he...?" A sharp glint flashed in Marco's eyes as he stood up. "This time, we clean up the mess for Pops. We cannot let Teach escape again, or more people will suffer. That man knows our territories too well."
"Exactly!" Vista nodded firmly.
"Let's go!" The Whitebeard crew followed Marco, ready to settle the score.
Meanwhile, on the Magic Protector, Drake and his crew sat around a table, enjoying Bell's latest culinary creations. This, of course, did not include Scheit and the fat lackey.
On a high platform on deck, the fat man was squinting through a pair of binoculars, performing "reconnaissance" duties. Scheit lay nearby. They weren't being forced; they were "volunteers."
Since there was now a doctor on board, Drake didn't want Scheit to die, but he decided to let them wait a while before granting treatment. Scheit and the fat man, realizing they were currently useless to the Dragon Flag Pirates, had offered to be sentries to prove their worth.
Drake was satisfied with their "reform."
The mysterious woman, her hair damp with sweat from her work, stepped out of the cabin.
"Treatment finished? Come, sit and eat," Drake said with a smile.
"Mmm." The woman bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Savior, for taking us in. I am eternally grateful."
"Drop the formalities. Eat up; this is Bell's specialty," Drake waved her off.
He could see that both she and the injured man had reached their physical limits. They must have been drifting for days. Her sky-blue dress was tattered and stained, showing they had narrowly escaped a dire situation.
Grumble...
A loud stomach growl echoed. The woman's face turned beet-red as she nodded sheepishly. "Then, I won't be polite."
"Don't be! I made plenty!" Bell chirped.
She took a bite, and her eyes widened. "Did you make this? It's... it's incredible!"
"Hehe, it's not that special..." Bell blushed under the praise.
Drake and Kenshin laughed. Outside, however, the fat man and Scheit heard the laughter and felt their own stomachs turn to knots.
Gurgle...
"Boss, we..."
"Don't think about it! Keep watch!" Scheit snapped. He felt like he was in a living hell. He was a 200-million Berry officer of the Dark Clan—when had he ever suffered like this? His injuries were worsening, and he hadn't eaten in days. He kept biting his lip to stay awake, fearing if he closed his eyes, he'd never open them again.
"AHHHHH!"
A piercing scream suddenly erupted beside him. Scheit jumped, suddenly very awake.
"What now!?" He glared at the terrified fat man.
"It's... it's... it's..." The fat man sat on the floor, his mouth trembling so much he couldn't form words.
"Speak! When did you become a stutterer!?" Scheit's forehead was covered in veins.
"It's Admiral Akainu!"
Scheit's eyes bulged. "What!?"
"It's the Navy Admiral, Akainu! We're finished..." The fat man looked like the light had left his life.
Scheit stared in shock. He was immobile; there was nothing he could do.
In the distance, a Navy warship was charging toward the Magic Protector in a straight line. Standing at the very front of the ship, arms crossed and face set in a mask of absolute coldness, was Sakazuki. His eyes were locked onto their vessel like a predator watching its prey.
Akainu has caught up! As a "Brother-Protector," how will Drake protect his new crew and deal with the Admiral's magma-fueled rage?
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