The God's Knights.
Michael wasn't unfamiliar with them.
He had previously clashed with the surviving members of the God's Knights from the God Valley era, led by Figarland Garling.
They could be considered the previous generation of God's Knights.
Though Michael had successfully dragged Garling and his subordinates down from the lofty heights of Mary Geoise's Pangaea Castle to the open seas during the Enies Lobby incident, the Five Elders likely used this as an opportunity to elevate the new generation of God's Knights to more prominent positions.
However, perhaps feeling their accumulated strength wasn't sufficient yet, they hadn't revealed their hand fully.
But the thought of Figarland Garling and the old guard of the God's Knights operating in the open while the new generation, led by Figarland Shamrock, lurked in the shadows...
Gave Michael a slight headache.
Neither the Cross Guild nor the Revolutionary Army had any further intel on these people.
Even Charlos, who worshipped Michael as his lifelong faith, couldn't obtain information about the current internal workings of the God's Knights.
Every time Michael thought about it, he felt a surge of frustration!
'Damn you, Oda! If only the entire manga had been completed before I transmigrated!'
'How could I have ended up in such a predicament!'
After inwardly grumbling to himself, Michael pulled his thoughts back from his distant past life.
"So, what do you think, Shanks?" Michael asked playfully, eyeing the red-haired man whose expression was unreadable.
"Think about it—this might be your only chance in this lifetime to return to your roots, become a Celestial Dragon, and reach the pinnacle of life… Whether it's women or gold, you'll have plenty."
"Are you… mocking me or insulting me?" Shanks let out a bitter laugh. "Becoming a Celestial Dragon… was never part of my plans. I aim to become the Pirate King with my crew and Uta!"
"Well, putting aside the whole 'being a pirate with your daughter' thing… you're currently being targeted by your biological father and your twin brother."
"…What? I have a twin brother?"
"…Your unlucky Celestial Dragon father didn't tell you?" Michael stared at Shanks for a long moment before laughing.
"His name is Figarland Shamrock. If you manage to get any information about him, let me know."
Shanks froze, then nodded.
Without another word, he turned and walked toward the door.
He had gotten the answers he needed from Michael.
Now…
It was just a matter of whether fate would bring him face-to-face with his twin brother on the high seas.
"Though I dislike Celestial Dragons… if he's also the son of that Figarland Garling, my twin brother must be strong, right?"
"I… kind of look forward to it."
...
As the one who brought Dorry and Brogy back, Michael was treated exceptionally well in Elbaf.
Even Charlotte Linlin, who had come with him, benefited from it.
Though some giant warriors still held grudges…
Most giants had begun accepting Charlotte Linlin, who had awakened her dormant giant bloodline to become one of them.
However, once Charlotte Linlin reached just over ten meters tall, her growth seemed to stop.
Now, her height was somewhat awkward among giants—taller than the children but shorter than the young adult.
But aside from the innocent children… no one dared to comment on Charlotte Linlin's height.
Such was the influence of absolute strength.
"Wahahaha! Linlin! Come over here!"
"Honestly, you little rascals, don't run so fast… you might trip~"
Charlotte Linlin's gentle, motherly demeanor was something even Michael found unfamiliar.
But that was Charlotte Linlin's nature—when faced with children under ten, she truly acted like a loving mother…
She may have continuously birthed children of various races to expand her pirate crew, but she genuinely loved each and every one of them.
At least until they fully grew up, that love was real.
"It's hard to imagine that an Emperor of the Sea who established a nation called tottoland would be here playing hide-and-seek and house with a bunch of giant kids... and actually enjoying himself." Rayleigh leaned against the tree, stretching lazily.
"But... when I think about how Whitebeard was pretty much the same, it suddenly makes sense."
"What? Has the Pirate King's right hand, 'Dark King' Rayleigh, started feeling lonely and considering coming out of retirement? Thinking of joining the Revolutionary Army?"
"Don't even think about recruiting me. I'm perfectly happy with the Cross Guild... To be honest, ever since I decided to take this job with them, I've already graduated from the pirate world." Rayleigh's eyes gleamed as he looked at Michael.
"Now, observing your every move on the seas from a completely different perspective is the only thing I want to do."
"Ew... isn't that just being a stalker?"
"Well, if you put it that way, it does sound a bit like that..." Rayleigh stroked his whitening beard.
"But I'm an old man the same age as Garp. Don't you feel guilty saying that to me?"
"In moments like this, I have no conscience."
"That's exactly why I like you—ruthless enough to drop all pretenses when needed."
Rayleigh burst into laughter as if he'd heard something extraordinarily amusing.
Michael glanced at him.
Indeed, Rayleigh had gone from slightly aged back then to completely white-haired now.
The days of coercing him into working had already been over a decade ago.
Looking at it this way...
The old man was still in good shape.
Squeezing another ten or twenty years out of him shouldn't be a problem.
"What are you two talking about? You both look so happy."
A childish voice came from behind them.
Turning around, they saw a giant child with messy pink hair and bangs covering his right eye crouching curiously behind them.
It was Gaban's son, Colon.
Even while crouching, he towered over Michael and Rayleigh, the two legendary "strongest 188cm" figures.
"Hmm? Shouldn't you be enjoying some quality family time right now? Why are you out here alone, little Colon?"
"It's all Dad's fault... He kept saying all these things I couldn't understand before pushing me out the door to play by myself!"
Colon scratched his chin in confusion.
"Before I left, Mom even smiled and asked me whether I'd prefer a little brother or sister."
Michael and Rayleigh exchanged glances.
Their eyes were filled with nothing but admiration.
Gaban the Mountain Eater—what an absolute beast!