Chapter 151: The Target!
"Holy crap... that was close!"
Thinking of this, Suzaku couldn't help but feel a wave of lingering fear wash over him; luckily, his luck was good. The tension of the summoning ritual still hummed beneath his skin, a reminder of the chaotic nature of the [Multiverse Summoning System]. To pull such high-caliber individuals without suffering a backlash or a terrible roll was nothing short of a miracle. He exhaled a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, letting the salty air of the New World fill his lungs.
Around him, however, the atmosphere was far from tense. It was electric with admiration.
"Wow! The military uniforms of the two older sisters are simply too cool!"
Carrot leaned heavily next to Nami, her large rabbit ears twitching with excitement. Her eyes shone like polished gemstones as she looked at Esdeath's officer uniform. The pristine white fabric, the sharp, authoritarian cut of the collar, and the dangerous allure of the General's cap created an image of absolute power.
She then looked at Odin's departing figure. The Battlecruiser of the Iron Blood faction wore a uniform that was a stark contrast—dark, mechanical, and exuding a heavy, metallic pressure. Carrot was filled with immense envy, her paws clasping together.
"They look so strong... so distinct!" Carrot chirped, practically vibrating.
Nami also nodded repeatedly, her eyes narrowing in critical assessment. As a woman who prided herself on her fashion sense—and her ability to monetize it—she could better appreciate the perfect figure lines that the two uniforms outlined, in addition to their heroic handsomeness. The tailoring was exquisite, hugging curves without restricting movement, projecting authority with every seam.
Those aren't just clothes, Nami thought, her mind racing with Berry signs. That's branding. That's intimidation stitched into fabric.
She stroked her chin, already planning in her mind to find a tailor to design several sets of similar battle attire for herself and the other women on the ship. If we roll up to an island looking like a unified, elite force... the negotiation leverage alone would be worth millions. Plus, I'd look fantastic in a captain's coat like that.
Looking at the lively yet strangely harmonious scene before him, Suzaku rubbed his chin, a light of mischief glittering in his dark eyes. It was a chaotic mix—pirates, ninjas, generals, and shipgirls—but it was his mix.
The time has come!
He stepped forward, his boots clicking against the deck, and clapped his hands. The crisp sound, infused with a touch of Haki, cut through the ambient noise and attracted everyone's attention.
Whether it was the arrogant Uchiha Madara, who stood with his arms crossed and a look of supreme indifference; the excited Esdeath, who was already scanning the horizon for something to kill; the grinning Hashirama Senju, who was marveling at the sea; or the chattering girls—they all turned to him.
"Alright! It looks like everyone has gotten acquainted!"
Suzaku cleared his throat. He glanced at the First Hokage. "Hashirama, a stage, if you please."
Hashirama grinned and stomped his foot. Wood groaned and twisted, surging up from the steel deck to form a perfectly sturdy table. Suzaku hopped up, standing on the table Hashirama Senju had summoned. It was a slightly elevated position that allowed him to look down upon everyone, reinforcing his position as the captain of this monstrous crew.
His face was beaming with unprecedented confidence and pride. With this lineup, there was nothing in this sea he couldn't crush.
He spread his arms wide, his black coat billowing in the wind, and, full of spirit, pointed a finger toward the boundless azure sea stretching out ahead.
"With the newcomers joining, our 'Suzaku Pirates' have new comrades, which is a cause for celebration! We are no longer just a crew; we are a legion!"
His voice was full of infectious energy, lifting everyone's spirits! A collective cheer rang out, a mix of roars and enthusiastic shouts.
"Therefore! Our next stop..."
Suzaku paused, letting the silence hang for a split second to build anticipation. His gaze became incredibly sharp, shedding his playful demeanor for that of a conqueror.
"Wano Country!"
The name hung in the air, heavy with significance.
"We are going to tell the whole world that any fellow who messes with our Suzaku Pirates," Suzaku's voice dropped an octave, becoming a growl of warning that resonated with the crew's own pride, "even if they are one of the Yonko, must pay a blood price!"
"Moreover!" Suzaku changed his tone, making it grander, his ambition flooding out like a tidal wave. "According to the original plan, it is time to establish a true territory for ourselves in the New World! We are done drifting!"
He swept his arm across the horizon.
"A land not governed by anyone, a land that only obeys our will! A fortress where the World Government cannot touch us! Only with territory can we change this rotten world according to our ideas, allowing all our comrades and those willing to follow us to live the lives they truly desire!"
The reaction was instantaneous and visceral.
"For war!"
Fanatical flames ignited in Esdeath's ice-blue eyes. The prospect of invading a Yonko's territory was the most delicious meal she could imagine. She licked her lips, her hand instinctively going to the rapier at her waist.
"For peace!"
Hashirama Senju clenched his fists, his face rarely showing such excitement! To build a village, a safe haven—that was his dream, reborn in this new world.
"Hmph, now this is getting interesting." A rare, predatory curve appeared at the corner of Uchiha Madara's mouth. Taking down a so-called 'Emperor'? It would be a decent warm-up dance.
"Oh...! Let's go!" Carrot jumped up excitedly, pumping her paw.
"Wait a moment!"
Rem, always the attentive and pragmatic maid, suddenly remembered something and quickly raised her hand. Her blue hair swayed as she stepped forward.
"Lord Suzaku, where is Wano Country? The New World's magnetic fields are chaotic. We cannot simply sail in a straight line."
Nami smiled proudly. This was her moment. She stepped forward, flipping her hair, and pulled a strangely shaped object from her pocket. It was a Log Pose, but not a standard one. The needle was locked firmly in one direction, encased in a protective glass sphere—an Eternal Pose.
"Don't worry! When we left Cake Island," Nami explained, holding the device up for the crew to see, "I specifically asked that man named Katakuri for a log pose pointing to Wano Country! He gave it to me quite readily!"
She smirked. "He probably just wanted us to leave his territory faster, but a win is a win!"
Suzaku gave his capable Navigator a look of approval and burst out laughing.
"Good! As expected of my Navigator! You're always three steps ahead! Everything is ready!"
He turned back to the sea, his voice booming.
"Then, all hands heed the order!"
"Set sail! Depart!"
"Destination... Wano Country!!!"
"Oh!!!"
The loud shouts rang out on the deck of the steel behemoth, the 'Pola'. The ship was not made of wood like the standard vessels of this world. It was a construct of the wisdom cube, a creature of steel and fire. The massive turbines roared to life, a deep, mechanical thrum that vibrated through the soles of their feet.
The ship surged forward, carrying unparalleled pride and confidence, soaring through the clouds of sea spray, announcing that a power poised to overturn the entire world order had officially bared its ferocious fangs toward the pinnacle of the New World!
However, reality on the sea was often less exciting than the departure.
Several days of sailing might be poetry and distant lands for some—like Hashirama, who spent his time talking to seagulls, or Madara, who brooded majestically at the bow.
But for Esdeath, it was pure torture.
After the initial novelty of the modern ship wore off, the sea was nothing more than a monotonous azure hell.
Boundless and lifeless.
The sun shone warmly on the deck, creating a drowsy, peaceful atmosphere. The sea breeze, carrying a salty scent, brushed against her cheek. The waves lapped rhythmically against the hull.
Everything seemed so peaceful, so... boring.
Esdeath rested her cheek on one hand, leaning heavily against the cold metal railing of the 'Pola'. Her other hand drummed impatiently on the steel. With every tap, she released a fraction of her power, idly tracing lines of thin frost onto the railing with her fingertips. The ice spread in intricate, jagged patterns, a physical manifestation of her restless spirit.
Her beautiful ice-blue eyes had gone from the initial excitement of the war declaration to utter boredom. They were dull, devoid of the spark that only conflict could provide.
In her eyes, this calm sea was like a giant cage drained of all vitality. It was a watery desert.
There were no enemies worth conquering. No strong foes to crush. Not even a decent storm had appeared; the Pola simply plowed through the waves with indifferent stability.
Her patience was like a bowstring pulled to its limit, quivering, about to snap. The air around her grew colder by the second, the temperature on the deck plummeting.
"Hey! Navigator!"
The Queen's impatient voice shattered the quiet on the deck like a crack of thunder.
Nami, who was sitting at a table focused on comparing the sea chart and the log pose, jumped in surprise. She felt the sudden chill and quickly turned around, clutching her maps to her chest.
"Older Sister Esdeath!" Nami squeaked, her voice trembling slightly. "Is there... is there something you need?"
"How much longer until we reach that... Wano Country?"
The irritation in Esdeath's tone was almost palpable, as if it could freeze the air itself. Frost began to creep across the deck floor, reaching toward Nami's sandals.
"This Queen is about to die of boredom!" Esdeath declared, standing up straight and glaring at the horizon. "If I don't see land soon, I'll freeze this entire sea and we'll walk across it! At least running would be faster than this floating!"
"Eek!"
At this declaration, the members of the Mink Tribe enjoying the sun nearby immediately jumped in fright. Their fur stood on end as they scrambled away from the spreading ice.
Even Hashirama Senju, not far away, awkwardly scratched the back of his head. He looked at the ice spreading on the deck and the terrifying aura radiating from the woman.
Scary... he thought. I should probably find something for everyone to do to stay active before she turns the ocean into a skating rink.
"Soon, soon! At the speed of the 'Pola,' it will take half a day at most!"
Nami quickly tried to appease the difficult woman, a cold sweat beading on her forehead. She waved her hands frantically. "Please be patient! We're making record time!"
She understood now: this Ice Queen wasn't joking; she was genuinely capable of doing it! The threat was real, and Nami had no desire to hike across a frozen ocean.
On the other side of the deck, sheltered from the icy drama, Suzaku was comfortably lying in a beach chair, enjoying a rare moment of leisure. He watched the scene with amusement, knowing Esdeath wouldn't actually sabotage their transport, but enjoying the chaos nonetheless.
Rem, dressed in her immaculate maid uniform, arrived silently at his side like an elegant blue butterfly. She moved with a grace that made her seem to float. In her hands, she held a tray with a glass of freshly squeezed juice that gave off a slight chill.
"Lord Suzaku, please partake."
"Thanks, Rem."
Suzaku took the cup and took a big, satisfying gulp. The cool, sweet, and sour liquid—a blend of tropical fruits—slid down his throat, dispelling the afternoon heat.
"Ah, that hits the spot."
He squinted, watching the commotion caused by Esdeath's single sentence nearby, a smile of amusement playing on his lips.
Sure enough, this ship never disappointed; these guys were always entertaining when they were together! The dynamic between the terrified navigator, the bored sadist, and the oblivious ninjas was pure comedy.
He suddenly remembered something. He turned his head slightly to the other side.
"Oh, right, Rem, I almost forgot."
He asked the other maid standing beside him—Ram—who was using wind magic to generate a breeze with her hands, but his question was directed at Rem.
"Did you contact those two I asked you about?"
Hearing this, Rem immediately stopped her tasks and bowed respectfully toward Suzaku, her tone steady and efficient.
"Reporting to Lord Suzaku."
Her voice was clear and professional.
"I have successfully contacted Captain Dorry and Captain Brogy via Den Den Mushi. They were very excited upon receiving the news and stated they would immediately conclude the banquet on Elbaf, and lead their ships toward Wano Country."
"Good," Suzaku nodded. The giants were powerful allies.
"However..." Rem hesitated slightly, her brow furrowing.
"However what?"
"However, Rem must remind Lord Suzaku that even if the Giant Warrior Pirates proceed at full speed," she explained, calculating the distances in her head, "the distance from Elbaf is significant. The time required to reach Wano Country will likely be later than ours! They will not make it for the initial assault."
"That's enough."
Suzaku waved his hand dismissively, his face showing the confidence of a master strategist who saw the entire board.
"Don't worry about the timing. By the time they arrive, we will probably have already taken Wano Country."
He leaned back in his chair, looking up at the sky.
"They can help us take over the territory left behind by that fellow Kaido, saving us the trouble of being short-handed!"
[Akarin Note:
Your Support Keeps This Story Alive!
If you're enjoying this novel, your support means the world to me. Simple actions like leaving a review, power stone, comment, or sharing the story let me know you're out there. It's the greatest motivation for me to keep updating until the very end and ensures this project continues.
For those who wish to support me more directly, you can join my Patreon at [patreon.com/AkarinTL]. As a thank-you, you'll receive access to 50 advanced chapters.
I hope I am still worthy of your support. My life truly depends on this... haha, I know I'm so shameless.]