"Yo-ho~ Yo-ho-ho-ho~!!"
The cheerful singing echoed through the dark depths of the ocean, a lone beam of light piercing the abyss.
But it didn't bring fear or dread. On the contrary, the melody brought life to the silent sea.
"You guys sure live freely," Kuzan remarked, watching the crew sing and dance with a bored expression.
"It's not that we live freely, it's that we have no choice. Who wouldn't want a warm home with a wife and kids? The World Government just doesn't give us the chance. 'Freedom' is just an excuse. We take things as they come, and every day we're alive is a bonus," Roy said cheerfully.
They were holding a feast underwater, eating, drinking, and laughing. Occasionally, a fish would swim by, glance at them curiously, and then dart away.
Not every adventure was like the Straw Hat Pirates', where trouble followed them everywhere.
And it certainly wasn't like those elementary school kids, where death trailed their every step.
That world was terrifying, a 'time loop' forever stuck in second grade, with people dying every time they moved.
Now that world was terrifying.
In Roy's mind, the most horrifying world wasn't Bleach, Naruto, or One Piece; it was the one with that kid detective.
No one would ever want to be friends with a protagonist like that.
With singing in the background, Kuzan sat off to the side, completely out of place.
"If you want to see the world… you've got to look at it from different angles. Look around, there's more to it than you think. You'll see a new picture every time."
"Let's hope it's as you say," Kuzan muttered indifferently.
A day later, the ship surged up from the depths. The weather in the New World was as violent as ever.
"Where do you want to get off?" Roy asked.
"Anywhere's fine. Just drop me off somewhere," Kuzan replied.
"No problem. I just happen to be heading somewhere. I'll drop you off on the way."
"Where?"
"You'll know when we get there."
Half a day later, they finally spotted an island, a winter island, covered in snow, with a pirate Jolly Roger fluttering at the dock.
"This is…" Kuzan narrowed his eyes, studying the flag for a moment.
"This is Beast Pirates territory. What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I've got some business to discuss with Kaido," Roy said.
"You're looking for Kaido?"
"Yeah."
Kuzan's interest was instantly piqued. A meeting between Emperors?
Now that was big news
The two had clashed not long ago; were they going to talk now?
If he were still a Marine Admiral, he'd have been even more intrigued.
"Hey, who are you guys?! Qui—w-wait, you're…" The island's guard, Scotch, initially shouted at them but soon broke into a cold sweat as he recognized Roy.
"Hey, do you have a way to contact Kaido?" Roy asked with a grin.
"You... want to speak to Kaido-sama?" Scotch stammered.
"Yup."
"I don't have a direct line to Kaido-sama, but I can reach Lord Queen."
"Queen works too. Give him a call, I want to buy something," Roy said, still smiling.
"Buy something?" Scotch blinked in confusion. Behind Roy, Kuzan was equally stunned.
'Roy wants to buy something from Kaido?'
Scotch hurried into the fortress, a mechanical structure that was warm inside. Locals forced into labor were busy forging weapons.
There was some storyline here in Caribou's cover arc, but Roy couldn't recall the details.
purupuru puru
The Den Den Mushi started ringing. It rang so long that it got tired and nibbled on a leaf before dialing again.
Scotch grew anxious. Roy was right behind him, and Namur was eyeing him like a hawk, sending shivers down his spine.
'Lord Queen, please pick up already!!' Scotch prayed desperately. If Queen didn't answer, he was dead.
Click.
"This is Onigashima. Who the hell is this?!"
The voice on the line was clearly annoyed, not Queen.
"Is Lord Queen there? This is Scotch!!" he quickly said.
"Lord Queen's in the Flower Capital watching a show. Tell me what you want, and I'll pass it on."
"Put Kaido on the line," Roy said, taking the snail.
"Who the hell are you to demand Kaido-sama?! You think you're hot sh—"
"Name's Roy. Just tell Kaido I'm on the line. He'll answer."
"Roy? And I'm Whitebeard, huh? You..you…"The man on the other end suddenly went silent, as if remembering something.
"What, are you Newgate now?" Roy asked coldly.
"Ro-Roy… Don't tell me you're from the Whitebeard Pirates."
"Get Kaido."
"R-Right away, sir!"
A loud crash followed, then frantic footsteps.
As Roy waited, he idly picked up a gun and toyed with it.
Roy yawned and plopped down on a couch, idly toying with a gun. Suddenly, he pointed the muzzle at Kuzan.
In that moment, Kuzan broke out in a cold sweat. The instant the gun was aimed at him, he felt overwhelming danger, as if death itself was looming.
"Hey! Don't go pointing that thing at people!" Kuzan quickly sidestepped.
The temperature in the room dropped sharply, colder than the blizzard outside.
"Hiss!" Scotch felt like he was about to freeze to death.
He looked up and finally got a clear look at the man under the cloak.
"That's…" Scotch's brain short-circuited, then remembered.
"H-H-He's… Admiral Aokiji!!"
"Shut up," Kuzan said calmly.
Scotch's eyes widened in terror.
'A Marine Admiral… with the Whitebeard Pirates?!'
'Did he join them?'
His heart pounded like thunder, nearly bursting out of his chest. This was terrifying. How strong would the Whitebeard Pirates become now?
Scotch didn't dare imagine. A crew like this, who could possibly oppose them?
....
Soon, the Den Den Mushi connected again, this time morphing into a familiar face.
No need to guess who it was.
"What do you want? Your son's doing fine," the voice on the line said.
It was unmistakably Kaido.
"Kaido," Kuzan muttered, watching the transponder snail with sharp focus.
To witness two Emperor-level figures talk so casually, it was surreal.
"I didn't ask about him. As long as he's alive, it's fine. I'm here for a business deal," Roy said.
"A deal? What kind?" Kaido sounded surprised.
"What else does Wano have?"
"Weapons?"
"No. I want seastone."
"A pirate asking for seastone? What for?"
"I know you sell it to the World Government. I need some for a project. Just send it over, money's no issue."
"Wororororo! You want seastone? Fine. I'll have it sent to you. Just make sure you have the cash ready."
"You'll get paid."
Their talk ended there. With the deal made, Roy left the island.
Right after he departed, Scotch hurriedly dialed Kaido again.
"What now?" Kaido had just hung up and was drinking when the Den Den Mushi rang again.
"Kaido-sama! It's me, Scotch."
"You? What is it now?!"
"Urgent intel, sir!"
"Spit it out."
"Just now… Admiral Aokiji was standing right beside Roy!"
"…HMM?!"
.....
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