WebNovels

Chapter 42 - Chapter 42: A New Era

Victor invited by the World Government to become a 'Warlord of the Sea'??

Everyone present, except for Victor, was stunned!

Although the concept of the 'Warlords of the Sea' had only been mentioned for less than a decade, the meaning it carried was universally known! The 'Warlords of the Sea,' along with the 'Four Emperors' and Marine Headquarters, were known as the Three Great Powers of the Grand Line. Only pirates with high renown or immense strength capable of deterring others were eligible to be chosen as 'Warlords of the Sea'!

Each of these great pirates possessed catastrophic destructive power and fighting capabilities comparable to an entire nation. Becoming a 'Warlord of the Sea' meant no longer being considered an enemy by the World Government; the Marines would view them as allies, and even 'usurping a nation' wasn't impossible! In short, whoever obtained this title meant that all their actions would become 'legalized'!

Now, the Five Elders were actually going to bestow such power upon this brat who had just turned 17!? Both Jabra and Kaku were so startled by this shocking decision that they stumbled a few steps. Even Rob Lucci, supported by Jabra, showed an expression of astonishment. They were still young, after all, far from as mature and composed as they would be in the manga 8 years later.

While 'Lion' Ross was surprised, it wasn't completely unexpected. This Zipper Boy had refined both his Armament Haki and Observation Haki to a masterful level, and his Devil Fruit ability development was eye-opening. Most importantly, there was that 'potential'! With such combat power, there was no reason for the World Government not to try and recruit him.

Now, it depended on his answer. Ross had no doubt that if this brash kid, who had repeatedly defied the Five Elders, dared to say 'no,' the Five Elders would immediately order his group to execute the kid on the spot!

Facing the Five Elders' unexpected invitation, Victor raised an eyebrow and said, "To be honest, your proposal really did... surprise me? Let me think..."

He frowned in thought for a moment, then suddenly snapped his fingers, a wide smile on his face: "Alright, I accept!"

A cryptic smile appeared on the old man's face on the Dan-Dan-Mushi: "Straightforward enough, I'm starting to appreciate you a little. So, in a few days, the World Government will announce..."

"Elder, please wait a moment." Victor raised his hand and waved it: "Regarding this 'Warlord of the Sea' position, I have a request."

"...Speak."

Victor cleared his throat: "I hope the World Government can postpone announcing my position to the 'Warlords of the Sea' for another month."

"...Victor, what kind of trick are you playing?" The voice on the other end of the Dan-Dan-Mushi was somewhat gloomy.

"Ahahaha, I'm a shy person, so I'd rather postpone such a world-famous opportunity if possible." Victor chuckled, offering a dismissive remark that no one would believe.

"Hmph... Alright. Then, I'll have Ross leave you a Warlord-exclusive Dan-Dan-Mushi."

"Oh no, no need. I'll just use Mr. Moria's. Since I'm becoming a part of the World Government, I should set an example and save the World Government money." Victor grinned, taking Gecko Moria's silver Dan-Dan-Mushi from Robin's hand.

"Hmph, suit yourself." With a click, the other end of the Dan-Dan-Mushi hung up the call.

'Lion' Ross looked at Victor with a complex gaze: "So, I guess we're 'colleagues' now."

Victor responded with a smile: "Ah, please enlighten me in the future. Should this 'junior' buy a drink for all the 'seniors'?"

"No need!" Lucci shook off Jabra's support, his eyes piercing as he stared intently at Victor: "Remember, next time, I won't miss!"

"Oh my, you should let the pigeon say such embarrassing things." Victor teased: "Learn from the big lion, you little leopard are still a bit green."

Rob Lucci's eyes grew even gloomier. He clutched his recently struck stomach and walked silently towards the dock. Jabra and Kaku hurriedly chased after him.

Victor whistled and looked at 'Lion' Ross: "Your subordinates seem hard to control, huh? A little clique?"

Ross gritted his teeth, forcing an ugly smile: "...Has anyone ever told you that your mouth is really obnoxious..."

"Of course someone has. But, the fate of those who said that wasn't very pretty." Victor waved at Ross: "Go well, no need to see you off."

After using his Observation Haki to confirm that the surrounding CP9 members and government officials had all left, Victor's nonchalant expression faded, and he thoughtfully stroked his chin.

Robin asked worriedly: "Victor, will Perona and the others be alright?"

Victor shook his head: "The World Government isn't that stupid... Right now, those old men are probably holed up in their lair, trying to figure out what to do with me."

...

Holy Land – Mary Geoise.

In a grand and luxurious hall, a bald old man with age spots on his head hung up the Dan-Dan-Mushi.

"What an insolent brat," a golden-haired, short-bearded old man next to him snorted coldly.

On a beautifully crafted long bench not far away sat a bald old man holding an ancient katana. He adjusted his glasses and said in a low voice: "Regardless, the 'Warlord of the Sea' positions have been filled. With this, the 'Three Great Powers' can finally maintain balance."

The old man with braided hair and a scar on his forehead tapped his cane: "And Nico Robin? Just leaving her like that?"

A long-haired, long-bearded old man shook his head: "This Victor is a smart man. Even better, he's a smart man with little ambition who knows when to show weakness. What's the harm in letting Nico Robin stay with him for now?"

The golden-haired, short-bearded old man sat down on a chair and said coldly: "I have a premonition that this kid will cause a big ruckus sooner or later."

The old man holding the katana chuckled: "Which 'Warlord of the Sea' isn't a handful? We need a vibrant 'newcomer' like this to restrain Donquixote Doflamingo."

The long-haired, long-bearded elder voiced his agreement: "Exactly. I'm afraid he won't cause a big ruckus. Otherwise, he won't be able to awe those unruly pirates with that 'Clock Tower Island War' that had no eyewitnesses."

The 'map-headed' elder with age spots on his scalp spoke: "...He wants the World Government to postpone the announcement of his joining the 'Warlords of the Sea' for a month. What exactly is he planning?"

The golden-haired, short-bearded old man spread his hands: "It's nothing more than playing a time difference, using the intelligence gap to gain some benefits, insignificant. What I'm puzzled about is, according to this kid's information, he's clearly just a fisherman's son who's never left West Blue, yet he sometimes acts as if he's 'born knowing,' as if he's received divine revelation. There have been monsters in history with naturally awakened special Observation Haki, similar to 'Red Count's' mind-reading ability, couldn't he be one of them?"

"Naturally awakened special Observation Haki? You mean a 'mind-reading' ability similar to 'Red Count's'?" The old man holding the katana frowned.

"Every naturally awakened Observation Haki has a different special ability. I'm just suspecting; naturally awakened Observation Haki is far rarer than Conqueror's Haki, it's not certain that this kid will be among the chosen ones." The golden-haired, short-bearded old man shrugged.

"In any case, this matter is settled—Nico Robin will temporarily remain with Victor, and 'Ferocious Chains' Victor will join the 'Warlords of the Sea,' with the announcement to be made one month from now," the long-braided, cane-wielding old man concluded:

"With this, all the 'Warlord of the Sea' positions are filled. They are 'Tyrant' Bartholomew Kuma, 'Pirate Empress' Boa Hancock, 'Hawk-Eyes' Dracule Mihawk, 'Desert King' Sir Crocodile, 'Knight of the Sea' Jinbe, 'Heavenly Yaksha' Donquixote Doflamingo, and 'Ferocious Chains' Victor."

"Thus, the world's 'Three Great Powers' can finally maintain balance! A brand new era is about to begin!"

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