Killing these pirates was nothing more than lifting a finger for Crocodile, but the surrounding residents, seeing this scene, had their eyes light up and smiles spread across their faces.
"That band of vicious pirates… was wiped out just like that…"
"As expected of a Shichibukai!!!"
"Crocodile!!!"
"Crocodile!!!"
"…"
The residents called out Crocodile's name, and it was clear she had already gathered great prestige here.
"Although I don't hold much hope for the Pluton anymore, I think Orin once said the Poneglyphs are still very useful…"
Crocodile considered whether she should find someone who could read them to help with the research, but she wasn't in too much of a hurry.
After all, Baroque Works was still in its infancy.
...
"Golden Lion, huh? I've heard he was once a world-renowned master swordsman…"
On the Grand Line, aboard a small, solitary boat, Mihawk raised his head slowly beneath his hat, gazing at the newspaper in his hand.
It was a shame, though—after crippling his own legs, the Golden Lion bound his famed blades to them, so surely his swordsmanship must have declined.
"But if the chance arises, I wouldn't mind testing him."
He gently stirred the water's surface with Yoru, the black blade in his hand, propelling the plank-boat forward.
In the distance ahead, a pirate ship happened to sail by, heading in the opposite direction from Mihawk's path.
Before long, someone spotted him.
"Look, look! Isn't that a guy way out there?!"
"He's rowing across the sea with a sword, hahahahahaha, that's hilarious!!!"
"But he looks kind of familiar…"
Before they could get a clear look, a thousand-meter-high emerald-green slash tore across the sea, splitting the waters as it cleaved countless Sea Kings cleanly in two, surging straight toward the pirate ship.
Under the horrified gaze of everyone at the bow, their expensively built massive ship was sliced neatly down the middle, collapsing into two halves that crashed apart to either side.
A storm of waves erupted, and especially those in the lower decks were left stunned, frantically struggling in the water.
Some managed to cling to planks, but all they could do was watch, drenched, as that small plank-boat drifted steadily across the split waters of their ruined ship.
Standing on it was a man wielding a black sword, his hawk-like eyes sharp and unyielding.
"You were… just a little in my way."
The pirates' mouths gaped open, pupils trembling. Only now did they truly see who had destroyed their dream of piracy—
One of the Shichibukai,
Hawk Eyes Dracule Mihawk.
...
The New World, ten thousand meters above the ground.
A bolt of lightning streaked through the clouds. Especially over storm-filled seas, one could glimpse dazzling arcs of thunder racing through the thick darkness.
Slowed down countless times, it became clear—that was a figure with a human upper body and lightning for legs.
"Why… do I have to transport funds from the Sabaody Archipelago to the Golden Lion's stash point?!!!"
Indeed, this time, Enel's mission was to play the role of a bank courier.
Carrying a chest several meters tall on his back, Enel was still working odd jobs.
When in a foul mood, if he happened to pass an unlucky ship, he would casually summon a thunderbolt, muttering in his own words:
"Those without luck have no right to survive on the sea."
...
As time flowed on, stories continued to unfold across the ocean.
Meanwhile, after leaving the Moby Dick, Orin had arrived at an unexpected place.
An island brimming with futuristic flair—
Egghead Island.
"So, you called me with your Den Den Mushi saying you had good news. What is it?"
"Vegapunk."
Stepping onto the island, Orin immediately felt the difference in atmosphere. Though not as advanced as in the original history, under Vegapunk's modifications, the island already carried the air of a technological metropolis.
Not long ago,
Vegapunk—who had been out of touch for quite some time—had unexpectedly contacted him.
He said he had good news, and if Orin had time, he should pay a visit.
With nothing pressing at hand, Orin immediately boarded the Seagull King and came here.
After all, he was the money man behind it all, and truth be told, part of Egghead Island technically belonged to him.
"Orin-san, the reason I called is because I've recently developed something rather interesting. I'm sure you'll find it fascinating."
"Is that so?"
Walking alongside Vegapunk across Egghead Island, Orin was skeptical.
To be honest,
having read the original history, and at his current level, there were few things he hadn't already seen.
Legendary swords, Devil Fruits, rare races, bizarre treasures…
Orin had seen far, far too many.
The Celestial Palace above the heavens?
Such words no longer sufficed to describe him.
"Don't be so quick to dismiss it. You'll definitely be interested."
At this time, Vegapunk had already begun the process of brain partitioning, so his movements remained convenient.
He wasn't in a hurry to reveal the answer, and simply wandered with Orin across Egghead Island.
Passing by several tall glass tubes filled with liquid, Orin suddenly recalled something.
"That cloning project you mentioned long ago—how's it going?"
He was referring to the Seraphim Project. At the time, Orin had declined to provide samples, but now his curiosity stirred.
Because that creation could allow the designation of a supreme commander.
Even the mighty Seraphim, modeled after the Shichibukai, had to obey the orders of even ordinary Marine officers—that was how it was designed.
But as someone outside the World Government's system, Orin desired control.
Not much, just on par with the Elders would suffice.
After all, the future Seraphim would mostly be modeled after his Shichibukai. Naturally, one of the supreme command authorities had to remain in Orin's hands.
"You mean the Seraphim Project? It's still in very early preparation stages…"
Vegapunk hadn't completed the research yet. Hearing Orin say he wanted supreme authority made him hesitate for a moment.
"The World Government, especially the Elders, likely won't agree…"
Vegapunk looked troubled—after all, he was just an employee.
"I'll increase your research funding by thirty percent."
Orin didn't waste words, simply tossing billions straight into his lap.
"Of course, that won't be a problem. As long as I don't say anything, the Elders won't ever notice."
The World Government's people?
Vegapunk thought, with his methods, they wouldn't understand a thing.
Orin nodded in satisfaction and followed Vegapunk deeper into a laboratory.
All around were strange instruments and formulas he couldn't make sense of. Vegapunk headed straight to the research platform and picked up a peculiar device.
Turning back toward Orin, meeting those eyes that had already seen through all things, Vegapunk's lips curled into a smile—
as though anticipating the look of shock and genuine interest soon to appear on Orin's face.
"Orin-san, tell me… Do you want to…"
"…return to the past and play around with time itself?"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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