Inside the Rip-off Bar, even Shakky and Rayleigh, two legendary figures from the old era, couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines as they witnessed the executions taking place outside.
"The Grand Line is about to undergo a drastic change!" Rayleigh suddenly exclaimed, watching the scene outside the door.
"The Navy young Fleet Admiral will undoubtedly use unprecedented iron-fisted methods to suppress all pirates! With the protection of this iron-willed Fleet Admiral, Sakazuki will have no more reservations and will undoubtedly carry out his absolute justice to the fullest!"
After a brief pause, Rayleigh slightly turned his head to look at Shakky, who was standing behind the bar with a similarly grave expression. He shook his head and smiled bitterly.
"I hope Whitebeard won't compound his mistakes because of what Buckin has done. Orion order for Sakazuki to purge the surrounding seas is clearly a preparation against the Whitebeard Pirates!"
Shakky lit a slender cigarette and said calmly. "I'm curious why Buckingham Stussy would incite Whitebeard Jr. to attack the Navy training ship? Over the years, she's been spreading rumors about her relationship with Whitebeard and the identity of Whitebeard Jr. What's her goal?"
Rayleigh chuckled and shook his head.
"Buckingham Stussy was once a member of the Rocks Pirates. Though her strength was mediocre, her ambition was anything but small! After the Rocks Pirates disbanded, Whitebeard quickly rose to prominence alongside Roger and Shiki, becoming one of the three great powers of that era. So, she approached Whitebeard again, hoping to join forces with him to recreate the glory of the Rocks Pirates! However, Whitebeard had no ambition to dominate the world and become the Pirate King. He only wanted to build a big family! Because their goals were different, the two of them went their separate ways!"
Shakky blinked and said with relief. "So, Whitebeard Jr. might really be Whitebeard biological son?"
"Who knows" Rayleigh replied uncertainly.
"Back then, Buckin had another identity—she was a member of the MADS research institute, which focused on peace! The MADS organization gathered many outstanding scientists. Some of these scientists were dedicated to researching weapons of destruction, others focused on studies that could promote world peace, and some were even researching cloning technology!"
"As one of its members, it's not impossible for Buckin to have cloned a Whitebeard Jr. using Whitebeard as the prototype!"
"I see!" Shakky nodded. "If Whitebeard had indeed been involved with Buckingham Stussy and fathered a child, he would definitely come to rescue him! If he didn't come, it means he had no relationship with Buckin!"
"Wait—" Suddenly, as if remembering something, Rayleigh said anxiously.
"Rather than the mystery of Whitebeard Jr. origins, shouldn't you be more concerned about Hancock? Orion has scheduled the execution and the Warlords' meeting at the same time, clearly intending to force the Warlords to make a choice. Given the iron-fisted approach he's shown so far, he definitely won't allow the Warlord system to continue!"
"For all the Warlords, this so-called meeting is a matter of life and death!"
Shakky exhaled a puff of smoke and said weakly.
"According to intel from Marine Headquarters, Hancock has been following Orion around all day. I have a bad feeling about this!"
"Things are indeed looking grim!"
A bead of sweat appeared on Rayleigh forehead.
"I thought Hancock extreme aversion to men would prevent her from falling into lovesickness like you did back then, but it seems she's no exception!"
Hearing this, a faint blush, almost imperceptible, appeared on Shakky face. So far, among the empresses of Amazon Lily, three had fallen victim to lovesickness, herself, her predecessor, and her successor.
The Empress before her had to leave Amazon Lily to survive, and she herself nearly died of lovesickness in her early twenties, eventually following her predecessor example and leaving Amazon Lily to find her cure. But her successor wasn't so lucky.
She passed away because the person she loved never returned.
They had thought this curse would disappear with the successor death, but unexpectedly, a Marine Fleet Admiral who forced the World Government to sign the Mary Geoise Treaty appeared.
Hancock, who already harbored resentment toward the World Government and the descendants of the twenty kings who founded it, naturally couldn't resist his charm. Falling for him was just a matter of one meeting.
Shakky subtly turned her head to hide her expression from Rayleigh.
"If she really falls ill because of Orion, it might not be entirely a bad thing. After all, as the Marine Fleet Admiral, Orion won't suddenly disappear or be as elusive as someone back then, nearly getting me caught by Garp several times!"
Rayleigh chuckled awkwardly, "That's true. After all, lovesickness is one-sided. No matter how Orion feels about her, as long as she can see him when she wants to, that's enough."
At that moment, Strawberry walked in with two officers.
After glancing around to ensure nothing was missed, Strawberry immediately ordered the two officers beside him.
"Take their belongings, burn all the miscellaneous items, and confiscate all the treasures for public use!"
The eyes of the two officers lit up instantly, and they quickly rushed to the booths to plunder the treasures left behind by the pirates.
Soon, they returned fully loaded, not even bothering to act, and exclaimed in unison.
"Vice Admiral, these pirates are quite rich! We've hit the jackpot this time!"
Strawberry mouth twitched slightly, and he sternly criticized.
"Don't bring your old habits into this. All these treasures must be handed over!"
After a slight pause, Strawberry tone shifted. "But I'll allow you to keep some to distribute to the other brothers who participated in tonight's operation."
....
Meanwhile.
Under the cover of night in the waters around the Sabaody Archipelago, Sakazuki, stationed on a large warship, received the latest situation report.
Upon learning that the pirates lurking on the island had been almost entirely eradicated, he no longer needed to guard the sea to prevent any pirates from escaping. He decisively ordered the warship to return to headquarters.
Although, as Admiral, he didn't need to personally handle such matters, the live broadcast of the public execution tomorrow was of great importance. Orion had entrusted this task to him, so he naturally had to be meticulous.
As Sakazuki warship returned to Marineford, Strawberry stayed behind on the Sabaody Archipelago to handle the aftermath, marking the end of the pre-execution cleanup operation.
In the Rip-off Bar, Strawberry didn't leave immediately. After dismissing his subordinates, he walked straight to the bar and ordered a cocktail.
"You look familiar."
Just as he took a sip from his glass, Strawberry suddenly broke the silence and looked at Rayleigh, continuing.
"If I remember correctly, the last time I conducted a surprise inspection at the human auction house, you were being pushed out in a cage for auction!"
"Haha, that's right~" Rayleigh laughed heartily.
"I lost everything at the casino and ended up mortgaging myself. I thought someone would come to redeem me, but those guys had no honor and sold me to traffickers! I should thank you, sir. If it weren't for your surprise inspection at the auction house, I might have ended up as a slave in some wealthy household by now, hahaha~"
Strawberry, who was usually expressionless couldn't help but twitch slightly, his hand holding the glass trembling a bit.
He had seen people lose their families or become separated from their loved ones due to gambling, but mortgaging oneself was a first.
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