"Are you giving this to me now?"
Meiser accepted the Eternal Log Pose with surprise, clearly not expecting her to hand it over so readily.
Didn't she worry he might abandon her?
"Mhm." Hancock nodded.
Even if he didn't remove the mark for her now, she was willing to give it to him.
After a brief silence, Meiser nodded. "Alright, thanks."
Tossing the Eternal Log Pose into his Ninja Tool Pouch, Meiser said, "Let's begin. I'll perform the procedure now." As he spoke, he unrolled a scroll on the ground and clapped his hands together.
Poof!
White smoke billowed as an operating table materialized, complete with surgical instruments neatly arranged on its tray.
"Never thought the supplies I prepared back then would come in handy here..."
Meiser's expression turned somewhat complicated as he gazed at the tools.
"Eh?!!"
"What just happened?"
Sandersonia stared wide-eyed at the suddenly appearing equipment, utterly shocked.
How had he... done that?
Was he a Devil Fruit Ability User?
"How did you do that?" Granny Nyon exclaimed in astonishment.
Her eyes darted to the scroll on the floor.
If she wasn't mistaken... the items had emerged from it.
"Ah, just a special Ninja technique," Meiser explained. "For storing items."
"Later, I plan to use this method to store all the supplies we purchase—keeps them from spoiling."
Ninjutsu Scrolls were incredibly practical Sealing Techniques.
Without them, he'd never have been able to solve Luffy's food problem. That guy's appetite was downright terrifying! When eating freely, he could out-eat the rest of them combined.
"Ninjas can even do things like this?" Granny Nyon said incredulously.
A spatial ability?
If that were the case, this boy could stockpile massive amounts of supplies.
If the capacity was absurdly large... he could single-handedly sustain an entire fleet's logistical needs during wartime!
"The power of Ninjas exceeds your imagination," Meiser said with a chuckle.
This time, Granny Nyon didn't argue—she simply nodded.
"This kid fought Hancock and came out unscathed..."
That alone spoke volumes about his strength.
So Granny Nyon didn't doubt Meiser's words. Ninjas... must indeed be formidable!
"By the way," Granny Nyon suddenly recalled, "Are you from the Land of Wano?"
Her expression grew serious as she spoke.
If he had any connection to Kaido... things could get complicated.
"Ugh..."
Meiser massaged his forehead. "This question again..."
So many people seemed fascinated by it.
Granny Nyon: ???
What did that mean?
"Have many people asked you that?" Sandersonia asked curiously.
"Yeah, quite a few."
Meiser said somewhat helplessly, "Many people are curious whether I'm from the Land of Wano or if I have any connection with that Kaido."
Now he could understand their thoughts. After all... the influence of the Four Emperors was indeed significant.
At this moment, the conversation between Galette and Kizaru flashed through Meiser's mind.
Just the mere mention of Galette's mother's name was enough to make people cautious—that was the weight the Four Emperors carried!
So he could understand Granny Nyon's concerns.
"Ka... Kaido?!" Sandersonia's expression changed, a trace of fear flashing in her eyes.
Wasn't that the name of one of the Four Emperors?!
Could it be... that this man named Meiser had some connection with that Kaido?
"Yep, that's the one," Meiser said, spreading his hands. "But unfortunately, I have absolutely no ties to him."
"Before Shakky explained it to me, I didn't even know he was one of the Four Emperors."
Speaking of which... just how strong were the Four Emperors?
He was genuinely curious about the level of power these Four Emperors of the New World had reached.
"Is that so..." Granny Nyon nodded, letting out a sigh of relief.
If he had no connection with that guy, then there was no need for excessive worry.
After all, their Kuja Island didn't want to get involved with figures like the Four Emperors.
Especially since... Hancock was now one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea!
"Don't worry, I didn't come to your Kuja Island with any special purpose," Meiser said. "Truthfully, our arrival here was just a coincidence."
If Kuma hadn't specifically sent the three of them here, they wouldn't have ended up in this place.
After all—this island was located in the Calm Belt!
"By the way... how did you escape pursuit by the Admirals?" Sandersonia asked curiously. "I remember that provoking a Celestial Dragon would draw the attention of a Marine Admiral."
Someone like Meiser, who had killed a Celestial Dragon... would definitely attract a Marine Admiral!
She just didn't know which Admiral had been sent to hunt him down.
"Ah, yes, we were indeed chased by Marine Admirals," Meiser said while fiddling with his tools. "Two Marine Admirals gave us quite a hard time."
"W-wait a minute?!" Granny Nyon stared at Meiser in disbelief. "You mean the Marines dispatched two Admirals to hunt you down?"
"That's right."
Granny Nyon: !!!
Her eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, her face filled with shock.
Had she... still underestimated his strength?
"Two Admirals..." Sandersonia gulped. "You guys are seriously amazing."
"Truly astonishing."
Marigold also looked at Meiser with wide-eyed shock.
To survive and escape from two Marine Admirals... just how strong was this man?
Now she finally understood what her elder sister meant by saying 'he can't be killed.'
This man's strength was absolutely beyond her imagination!!
"So strong!"
As she watched Meiser holding surgical instruments, Hancock's eyes sparkled like little stars.
"Ahaha, it's not as exaggerated as you think," Meiser said, putting down his tools. "I only held off Kizaru for a while. I didn't defeat him."
"Even so, that's still astonishing," Granny Nyon remarked.
Being able to single-handedly block a Marine Admiral and survive was proof enough of his strength. After all... that was the Marine Headquarters' Top Force!
"Who was the other Marine Admiral?"
At this question, Meiser's smile gradually faded. He took a deep breath before answering, "Akainu."
"Akainu, huh..."
"Yeah."
Meiser continued, "I fought him for a while until Moria suddenly appeared and held him off for me. That's how I got the chance to go find Luffy."
"Moria?"
Granny Nyon was stunned, then asked in surprise, "He actually helped you?"
Wasn't that guy one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea? Why would a Warlord choose to aid the Straw Hat Pirates?
"Well... certain things happened," Meiser nodded. "Anyway, thanks to his appearance, I managed to break away from Akainu."
Otherwise, Luffy might have been swatted away by Kuma before Meiser could reach him.
Shaking his head, Meiser went on, "The situation with Kizaru was similar. Thanks to Rayleigh's arrival, I managed to escape from him."
"Rayleigh..."
"Right."
Meiser nodded. "Rayleigh is incredibly strong. Holding off Kizaru for a while was no problem for him."
After all... that was the Pirate King's right-hand man!
"What incredible luck," Marigold sighed.
"Luck... maybe."
"After escaping the two Marine Admirals, you encountered Bartholomew Kuma next?" Granny Nyon asked.
"Kuma?"
Hancock was taken aback. How did another Warlord get involved?
"Yes, Kuma," Meiser said. "It was his Devil Fruit ability that allowed us to successfully evade the Marines."
He paused, his expression turning complicated. "I wonder how he's doing now... Will the Marines punish him for letting us go? Akainu heard Luffy's shouts, and as a Marine Admiral, his Observation Haki must be formidable..."
Meiser sighed silently, worried about Kuma's fate.
"If he dared to do it, he must have been prepared for the consequences," Granny Nyon said firmly. "Never underestimate a man's resolve."
Her words gave Meiser pause. He nodded and fell silent.
At that moment, Hancock spoke up. "Meiser, the reason you want the Marine Headquarters' Eternal Log Pose... is it because you plan to join this war?"
"Eh?!"
Marigold and Sandersonia were stunned. Was he really planning to participate in such a terrifying conflict?
"Yes," Meiser confirmed. "Fire Fist Ace, who's about to be publicly executed, is my captain's brother. So we're going to join this war and rescue him."
Although this war was extremely terrifying, it... could not make them afraid!
"So there's actually this connection..."
Sandersonia said in surprise.
That Fire Fist Ace was actually Straw Hat Boy's older brother?
No wonder they were so desperate to get the Eternal Log Pose to Marine Headquarters.
"Just two people daring to participate in such a war... I suppose this is what you'd expect from the madman who killed a Celestial Dragon," Sandersonia murmured to herself.
Hancock paid no attention to Sandersonia's thoughts, instead looking at Meiser and saying, "Then you should be able to see that Bartholomew Kuma at Marine Headquarters."
"Really?!"
Meiser immediately showed an expression of delight. "He'll really be going to Marine Headquarters?"
"Mmm." Hancock nodded. "There's a high probability he'll be there."
The World Government had issued a summons for the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea. As the most obedient among them, Kuma was highly likely to participate in this war.
So her judgment shouldn't be wrong.
"I see."
Meiser smiled. If that was the case, then there would be an opportunity to have a proper talk with Kuma.
Thinking this, Meiser grew somewhat impatient.
Patting the operating table beside him, Meiser said, "Lie down here. I'll deal with the mark on your back..."
Before Meiser could finish speaking, he saw Hancock swiftly remove her outer garment and obediently lie down on the operating table.
Meiser:
Wasn't this efficiency a bit too high?
"What's wrong?"
Hancock, her face slightly flushed, spoke without lifting her head. "Is there a problem with this concubine?"
"No problem at all. An obedient patient is even better." Meiser shook his head.
He then took out an anesthetic, intending to inject it into Hancock to spare her from suffering.
"Right, for this kind of surgery... local anesthesia should suffice."
With this in mind, Meiser prepared the necessary items.
"What's that?" Sandersonia asked curiously.
"Anesthetic," Meiser explained. "I plan to give Hancock local anesthesia so she won't feel pain during the surgery."
After speaking, Meiser glanced at Hancock and added, "That's alright with you, right?"
"Mmm, I trust you." Hancock still didn't lift her head.
Though she had never undergone surgery or used anesthesia before... she was willing to trust Meiser.
Trust me, huh...
After a brief silence, Meiser said, "Don't worry. I'll completely remove the mark on your back."
"This is my promise to you!"
"A promise..."
Hancock, lying on the operating table with a faint blush, said, "This concubine understands."
Granny Nyon: ???
Granny Nyon looked at Hancock with growing confusion. The more she observed, the more something felt off. What exactly was wrong with Hancock today?
"Granny Nyon, could you all step outside for now?" Meiser said. "Until the surgery is over, make sure no one disturbs me. Is that alright?"
Once the surgery began, it absolutely could not be interrupted... so he didn't want anyone barging in at this time.
"Mmm, I understand."
Granny Nyon nodded, then motioned to Sandersonia and Marigold. "Come, let's leave for now."
Truthfully, even if Meiser hadn't said anything, she would have taken the two sisters to stand guard outside.
After all... Hancock's back must not be seen by others!
Marigold and her sister nodded, then bowed to Meiser and said, "Then we leave it to you."
"Don't worry."
"Mm."
With that, the two sisters left reluctantly, following Granny Nyon.
Watching this scene, Meiser smiled and said, "Your sisters really care about you."
"Of course, we're family," Hancock replied.
"Right, that makes sense."
Meiser nodded while preparing the anesthetic in the syringe, then looked at Hancock. "This might hurt a little. Bear with it."
"Don't worry, I'm not some delicate flower."
"Good."
Without further delay, Meiser began the procedure.
Afterward, he sat down on a nearby chair, crossing his legs as he silently counted down, waiting for the anesthetic to take effect.
"Why haven't you started?" Hancock asked, puzzled, glancing at Meiser.
Why was he just sitting there with his legs crossed?
"Local anesthesia doesn't work instantly," Meiser explained. "We need to wait a bit."
"Just be patient."
"Very well, I understand," Hancock said with a nod.
Though she didn't fully grasp the situation, since he said so, she would wait patiently.
While Meiser waited for the anesthesia to take hold, Granny Nyon and the two sisters had already reached the staircase, where they sat down.
This spot allowed them to hear any movement upstairs while also preventing others from disturbing Meiser.
"Granny Nyon, where did you find them?" Marigold asked curiously.
"It wasn't me who found them," Granny Nyon replied. "That Straw Hat Boy accidentally ate the Mushroom-Growing Mushroom and was mistaken for a villager, so he was brought here for treatment. That's how he ended up in the village."
"Merry came in with him at the time."
"As for Meiser..."
She paused briefly before continuing, "He sought me out on his own."
"On his own?"
Marigold was surprised. He had actively sought out Granny Nyon?
"Yes," Granny Nyon nodded. "I suspect... Shakky might have sent him."
Just thinking about that girl Shakky gave her a headache.
Her personality wasn't much better than Hancock's... no, in some ways, she was even worse!
"Shakky, huh..."
Marigold and Sandersonia exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.
Perhaps... this was fate.
Watching the two sisters laugh heartily, Granny Nyon also smiled.
"After today, the weight in these girls' hearts will finally be lifted."
With that thought, she silently thanked Meiser in her heart.
Meanwhile, in the New World...
Within the territory of the Whitebeard Pirates, the Moby Dick floated quietly on the sea.
Whitebeard himself sat silently in his usual spot, his expression grave, as if waiting for something.
Before long, Marco approached from a distance, carrying a White Transponder Snail in his hand.
"Pops, all the affiliated pirate crews have been contacted," Marco said, looking at Whitebeard. "They'll gather at the designated location soon."
As he spoke, Marco placed the White Transponder Snail on the table.
This was the White Transponder Snail they had acquired at great cost back then. With this, even if the Marines tried to eavesdrop, they wouldn't get any intelligence.
This was also why the Marines had dispatched surveillance ships—since they couldn't intercept any communications, they had to rely on visual observation.
Whitebeard glanced at the White Transponder Snail before turning to Marco. "Have you confirmed the locations of the Marine surveillance ships?"
"We've pinpointed all their positions," Marco replied. "Right here."
He proceeded to list all 23 locations to Whitebeard.
"Gurararara."
"Then sink them all!"
"Ooooh!!"
At Whitebeard's words, the crew members revealed bloodthirsty expressions.
Because... this order meant war was coming!
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