As the maritime overlord of this era, if Silas could provide them guidance, then they'd definitely achieve tremendous growth in a short time. And they only needed to pay a favor: helping Silas participate in one war. Not even requiring swearing loyalty to Silas.
It sounded wonderful. But why did Rayleigh feel something was off?
Looking at Silas's smiling face, Rayleigh suddenly realized. Isn't Rocks a White Wolf Pirates member? Now, White Wolf Pirates members beat us up, and to get even, we seek guidance from the White Wolf Pirates' captain, ultimately owing a favor. This entire affair might have been orchestrated by Silas from start to finish.
"Don't look at me like that." Silas lifted his wine cup, swirling it while smiling. "I'm just valuing your potential, willing to offer some guidance. But whether you can earn Rocks's respect, that's your own business. As for scheming?" As if guessing Rayleigh's thoughts, Silas looked at him with a half-smile. "A bunch of rookies barely at sea. What's worth scheming about?"
Even though Rayleigh's Roger Pirates would reach this world's pinnacle in the future, that was future events. Given Roger and Rayleigh's ages, reaching peak strength would take at least another dozen years. Under Silas's suppression, whether they could still reach their original pinnacle remained unknown.
Moreover, Silas had a premonition that his decisive battle with the World Government was approaching. Perhaps one more year, perhaps two. In such a short time, forget Roger and Rayleigh reaching the pinnacle. Whether they could possess Admiral-level strength was questionable.
So Silas just came here on a whim, never expecting to actually encounter them.
Rayleigh looked at Silas. He couldn't distinguish truth from falsehood in Silas's words, but as maritime overlord, the New World's master, Silas had no reason to deceive small-time pirates like him. As long as Silas wanted, a snap of his fingers could doom the entire Roger Pirates.
After all, the White Wolf Pirates' power versus the Rocks Pirates' power was completely different. The Roger Pirates could escape the Rocks Pirates' encirclement, but escaping the White Wolf Pirates' search was far more difficult.
"I understand." Rayleigh ultimately decided. "I'll relay this to my captain." Merely relay it, not provide a definite answer.
Silas didn't mind Rayleigh's caution. As he said, he was just preparing for the final battle. If the Roger Pirates could become assistance, he didn't mind providing some help. If the Roger Pirates became enemies, he'd unhesitatingly strangle them in their cradle before they could threaten him.
Three years ago, Silas might have wanted to witness peak Roger's level, but current Silas had eyes only for Imu, and that Joy Boy existed only in legend. Joy Boy, he probably had no chance of meeting, but Imu was right before him.
However, Silas hadn't expected that while he began "recruiting," Newgate also started his own "recruiting" journey.
When those Marines disguised as pirates attacked, Ivan had sent distress signals to White Wolf Pirates' fleets stationed nearby. The reinforcement wasn't others but precisely Newgate, who, after leaving the White Wolf Pirates, established the Whitebeard Pirates.
Though like Rocks establishing his own crew, Newgate still returned to Sphinx regularly. Not just because Sphinx was his homeland, but because Silas and other White Wolf Pirates members were on Sphinx. Just as Silas thought, having given Newgate fatherly care, Newgate also regarded him as true father, true family.
Hearing pirates dared to attack White Wolf Alliance merchant ships, Newgate, who happened to be passing, immediately sailed his own ship, rushing to the scene.
"Captain!" Seeing Silas, Newgate was somewhat surprised but still showed a happy smile. "Gurarara, never expected you to leave Sphinx. Now the Marines and World Government will have sleepless nights again."
From the initially encountered youth until now, Newgate has completely matured. His six-meter height made him seem giant-like to Silas, but Newgate clearly knew height didn't represent strength. If Silas wanted, with his fruit ability, he could likewise transform into a dozens-of-meters-tall giant wolf.
"Newgate, why are you here?"
"Gurarara, naturally, because I wanted to return to Sphinx, to tell you some news." Twenty-two-year-old Newgate not only had his iconic beard but also his demonic laughter, gradually overlapping with Silas's impression.
But this world's Newgate possessed strength at this age absolutely incomparable to the original timeline's version. Half a year ago, Newgate encountered current Marine Admiral Haines Oran at sea. With just one strike, he shattered Haines Oran's created ice prison, frightening Haines Oran from pursuit.
The old man agreed to become the World Government's Marine Admiral for comfort, not desperate fighting. With his monthly pay, why should he, a sixty-plus-year-old man, fight desperately with twenty-something youngsters like Newgate? Winning might injure him and possibly summon White King Silas. Losing would ruin his lifetime reputation, becoming others' stepping stone.
So after barely showing his hand without blocking Newgate, Haines Oran lazily stopped acting, summoning singing girls. Keep the music playing, keep the dancing going. Just hoping these two years, Silas wouldn't start major wars. Coast for another two years, then resign with age as an excuse, and retire to his homeland.
But not acting also represented an attitude, represented Haines Oran admitting helplessness against Newgate. Momentarily, the White Wolf Pirates' momentum surged even higher, while the Marines' morale further plummeted.
If not for the Marines producing two super rookies, likewise in their early twenties, who successfully captured great pirates, some government allied nations would probably lose faith in the Marines. As for the news Newgate mentioned...
"Kaido, hurry over!" Newgate beckoned, grandly introducing with a beaming smile. "This is my newly adopted son. Don't let his youth fool you. In my view, he's no worse than young Linlin!"
PFFT!
Hearing Newgate's words, Silas directly sprayed wine onto Ivan's face.
"You said who?!!"