Gurd strolled aimlessly through the streets with Drake, exploring wherever their feet took them since neither had been here before.
"Drake, it's been three years since we last met, hasn't it?"
"Exactly three years."
Drake's face darkened.
Three years ago, the Hachinosu Island incident.
He had suffered the greatest failure of his life.
To atone for his mistakes, he resolutely left the Marines and chose a perilous path of no return.
Gurd chuckled, asking knowingly.
"How did you become a pirate?"
"Back then, I took full responsibility for acting without orders. I escaped during transport to Judicial Island for interrogation and fled back to the North Blue to become a pirate."
Drake explained solemnly.
This was the cover story Fleet Admiral Sengoku had prepared for his fall from grace.
To avoid suspicion, he deliberately spent two years as a pirate in the North Blue, building a reputation before entering the Grand Line.
This way, the Beasts Pirates would have no reason to doubt he was a spy. Given Kaido's preference for Zoan types, he'd never reject an Ancient Zoan user like him.
Once in the New World, all he needed was to invade Beasts territory to showcase his abilities, and he could seamlessly infiltrate their ranks.
A flawless plan!
"I see."
Gurd stopped walking, rubbing his chin.
After a long pause.
Gurd grinned and proposed.
"How about working under me?"
"Huh?!"
Drake's jaw dropped in shock.
What was this?
He'd prepared this perfect plan, intending to put up a manly resistance when captured by the Beasts to increase his value before "reluctantly" yielding.
Yet here he was being recruited right after meeting?
"Why?"
"Well, haha."
Gurd looked at him appreciatively. "Truth is, I wanted to recruit you the first time we met. You know the Beasts are famous for Zoan types, and personally, I admire you."
"..."
Drake's vision darkened.
Three years! He'd prepared for three years!
What was it all for?!
His crewmates exchanged bewildered glances upon hearing this.
So their captain was acquainted with a big shot like an Earth Calamity, who even wanted to recruit him into the Beasts.
Shocking. Absolutely shocking!
And thrilling!
If they could join the Beasts, they'd have powerful backing. Even in the treacherous New World, they could swagger without fear.
Drake wrestled with his thoughts.
Of course he wanted to join the Beasts, but accepting too easily might diminish his standing. Yet refusing this opportunity would make future attempts to join seem suspicious.
Turning down an open invitation just to get beaten up later?
That'd just be stupid.
Another concern was Gurd's purpose for being in Sabaody. Such crucial intelligence needed to reach Marine HQ.
Drake took a deep breath and quickly decided. "Mr. Gurd, joining your ranks isn't just my decision. May I discuss this with my crew first?"
"Of course."
Gurd nodded with a smile, gesturing permission.
Though this kid was a Marine spy, he was diligent and decisive—far more competent than the other Flying Six members.
Most importantly, Drake was a former Marine rear admiral, professionally trained. Gurd desperately needed someone with discipline, ideals, and a sense of justice to help manage his fortress.
Not suitable as a confidant.
But as an employee? Drake was exceptional!
Drake gathered with his crewmates.
"Captain, this is an opportunity we can't miss!"
"We're about to soar to new heights!"
"To receive a personal invitation from an Earth Calamity—what an honor!"
Drake sighed helplessly.
His crew was completely intoxicated by excitement, though he couldn't blame them. He'd never shown much ambition himself.
In the New World, joining one of the Four Emperors was the best outcome any Pirate could hope for.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The sounds of battle reached their ears.
Drake looked ahead, his expression darkening.
It was the "Strange Monk" Urouge and the "Massacre Warrior" Killer!
"Wait here!"
Without hesitation, Drake drew his sword and axe, charging forward in a single leap. With both weapons, he simultaneously blocked Urouge's iron pillar and Killer's scythe!
"If you've got the guts, go cause trouble in the New World!"
His overwhelming strength immediately stunned the two battling Supernovas, freezing them in place.
Urouge hefted his iron pillar, recognizing the man who'd interrupted their fight.
"You're the fallen Rear Admiral Drake, aren't you?"
"That's me."
Drake sheathed his weapons and turned to leave.
A voice called out from nearby.
"I was just getting into the show!"
Trafalgar Law sat atop a wooden crate, asking with ill intent, "Drake-ya, how many have you killed?"
"..."
Drake's gaze sharpened.
Coming from the same North Blue, he naturally recognized Trafalgar Law—a man notorious for his cruelty.
But on this island, running into anyone wasn't surprising. After all, what could be more terrifying than encountering an Earth Calamity?
"Hey kid, why'd you suddenly ditch me and go off on your own?"
Gurd strolled over, pausing when he spotted Law nearby and the still-tense standoff between Urouge and Killer further away.
When he'd been looking for people earlier, he couldn't find anyone. Now they were all gathered here—were these Supernovas somehow drawn to each other?
Law, Urouge, and Killer.
All three froze when they saw Gurd, cold sweat trickling down their faces.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to meet someone like him here."
"The legendary Pirate—Gurd, Vice Captain of the Beasts Pirates and one of the Earth Calamities!"
Gurd cheerfully raised a hand in greeting.
"Hey there, kids!"
"..."
This was anything but good!
The three tensed, muscles coiled, terrified Gurd might suddenly attack. They weren't ready to face someone of his caliber yet.
"Haha, don't look so nervous. I'm just here sightseeing—not really interested in rookies like you."
Gurd laughed heartily, his tone light.
"After all, you're all still too weak."
"Crack!"
Veins bulged simultaneously on all three faces.
Too... weak?!
"I can't let that slide!"
Law stood up coldly, transparent circles forming beneath his palms. Urouge and Killer likewise tightened their grips on their weapons, ready to strike.
"Looking for a fight?"
Gurd smiled faintly.
Truthfully, he was quite interested in recruiting these Supernovas—but only after they'd grown stronger.
He had no intention of babysitting them.
At this stage, these Supernovas were indeed weak, worlds apart from what they'd become in two years. They needed to forge their own paths to grow quickly.
Drake, Hawkins, Apoo, Capone Bege—none of the Supernovas who joined the Four Emperors amounted to much, their strength remaining mediocre.
But those who didn't join? They all became formidable later. Even Urouge, who had the lowest bounty among them, went on to defeat a 600 million berry Sweet Commander.
The difference was staggering!
As for Drake, that kid had already been around in the New World, and it was more about training his troops—combat strength was secondary.
The three Supernovas surrounded Gurd, but their subordinates panicked first, desperately trying to restrain their respective captains.
"Captain, don't act rashly! We still have to go to the human auction house!"
"Killer, Captain Kid is waiting for us to return!"
"Monk Urouge, calm down!"
Killer hesitated, but Law and Urouge remained unmoved. While they were partly provoked, they also wanted to witness the power of a big shot.
"A common flaw among rookies. Whatever."
Gurd stretched lazily.
Might as well humor them.
Thirty seconds later.
Law, Killer, Urouge.
All three were planted headfirst into the ground, neatly lined up from shortest to tallest, without even lasting a single round.
"CAPTAIN!!!"
The subordinates stood frozen in shock.
The fight ended too quickly—they hadn't even seen it clearly. One blink, and their captains were embedded in the earth.
So terrifying!
--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/GoddessTL
Thanks!