When Eli Winters returned to Little Garden, he did not immediately interrogate Jack and the others he had captured. Instead, he warmly invited the two giants to join in a grand, lively feast.
The recent raid had yielded abundant rewards. From several pirate ships, they had gathered a rich variety of fresh ingredients, ensuring that the banquet before them overflowed with delicacies. Golden-brown, crispy roasted meat, steaming seafood soups, and a dazzling array of exquisite desserts were spread across the table. Everyone indulged themselves heartily, savoring each bite with satisfaction and delight.
Despite the festive atmosphere, the two giants displayed little curiosity about the captured pirates. Having lived on this island for over ninety years, they had only a limited understanding of the outside world. They had never heard of the recently risen Whitebeard Pirates, and the other two crews were equally unfamiliar to them.
Eli remained vigilant throughout the feast. Though he sampled some wine, he drank sparingly. Others, however, had no such restraint. Aside from the steady Simon and a few of the more reserved girls, everyone else drank freely. Before long, they were all thoroughly drunk, sprawled across the floor like puddles of mud.
Seeing Big Pan and the others in such a state, Eli could only shake his head in quiet amusement. He instructed the sober members to keep an eye on their comrades, mindful that the island still hosted dangerous beasts.
Eli approached Jack and his companions, towering over them. "Care to explain why you all coincidentally came looking for me?" he asked, his voice calm but commanding.
Jack, Blenheim, and Artmos exchanged glances with the other pirate crews, honestly surprised. Their intent had been spontaneous—a personal challenge to Eli—without any coordination with the other crews.
Meanwhile, Defyados, Wehael, and Chulis remained composed. Their mission was clear: provoke conflict between Eli and the three major pirate crews. Though the situation had gone slightly awry, as long as Eli eliminated Jack and his group, their task would be complete, even if it cost them their lives.
Defyados sneered provocatively at Eli. "Go ahead, Eli Winters. Kill us if you dare. A true man wouldn't flinch at a little danger."
Jack, Blenheim, and Artmos groaned inwardly. "Bro, don't drag us into your nonsense," they thought.
Artmos shouted at Defyados, frustration clear in his voice. "Defyados, are you insane? We just wanted to challenge Eli. There's no need to risk our lives!" He was not afraid of dying; he was angry at the injustice of being painted as reckless. After all, it had been Defyados who had suggested this challenge in the first place.
Blenheim quickly added, "Yes, Captain Eli, we only meant to challenge you, not cause trouble. Please don't act impulsively."
Eli arched an eyebrow, a playful smirk forming on his lips. "Challenge me? And why would you want to? I don't recall any grudge between us."
Jack shifted uncomfortably, bound as he was, and grumbled, "You've been in the spotlight recently, Captain. I couldn't accept it quietly, so I came to test my strength against you."
Eli let out a soft chuckle. "That's all? Then why did three pirate crews arrive simultaneously? Surely someone is stirring the pot behind the scenes."
Defyados' eyes flickered, but he quickly retorted, "How dare you accuse us! It was purely coincidental."
Yet his mind betrayed him. Eli's sharp gaze caught the slightest hint of deception. Squatting to meet Defyados' eyes, he said calmly, "You seem nervous."
"Hmph. Kill if you will. No need for empty words," Defyados growled.
Eli's gaze deepened. Observing their reactions, he pieced it together. Jack, Blenheim, Artmos, and the still-unconscious Charlotte Farhait were genuinely there for a challenge or invitation. Defyados, Chulis, and Wehael, however, were the ones secretly manipulating events. Their identities and intentions were highly suspicious.
Eli pointed at Defyados, addressing Blenheim and Artmos. "Was he the one who sent you to cause trouble?"
Both men averted their eyes, refusing to betray their accomplice despite sensing his guilt. Eli, reading their expressions, only smiled and turned to Jack. "And you? Were you influenced by him?"
Jack nodded sheepishly. "Yes. He said that since you are in the spotlight, defeating you would make me famous. So I came."
Eli shook his head in disbelief. "Didn't you know your boss, Kaido, was already beaten by me?"
Jack shrugged. "Yeah, but I thought he underestimated me."
Disregarding the foolish remark, Eli's gaze settled on the silent Wehael. "Charlotte Farhait… you orchestrated this, didn't you?"
Wehael did not deny it, smirking with disdain. "So what if I did? Aren't you the one who hates pirates? Are you afraid to act because these are members of the Emperors' crews?"
Eli's eyes glimmered with amusement. "Ah, so you're part of the World Government."
Jack, Blenheim, and Artmos were stunned, struggling to believe it.
Defyados and Chulis' faces darkened; they had not expected Eli to recognize them. Wehael, though uneasy, maintained a façade of composure. "Ha. Eli Winters, if you dare not kill us, you will release us. Don't hide behind excuses. I see you as nothing more than a man who bullies the weak."
Eli chuckled. "Do you think I'm too cautious to kill you, or are you trying to provoke me into wiping you out so the three pirate crews attack me? Clever, but predictable."
The World Government had underestimated him. Their plan relied on Eli's known ruthlessness toward pirates. They expected him to eliminate Jack and his companions, provoking the three major crews into confrontation so that the government could reap the benefits. They misjudged him. Eli had no intention of killing Jack and the others—not because he feared the crews, but because eliminating the Emperors would plunge the New World into chaos. Territories protected by these crews would quickly fall to other pirates. Compared to those ruthless lawless pirates, the Emperors' crews were preferable, at least offering a measure of stability.
Infuriated, Jack glared at Chulis. "You're a World Government stooge! I trusted you! From now on, you're no brother of mine. Eli, kill him. I'll make sure my boss pays him."
The others exchanged uneasy glances. "See? He's not dumb. Selling out his own allies comes naturally."
Chulis' face darkened. "Captain, he's trying to sow discord. I've been loyal to you. Haven't I? I even took women for you."
"Lies! You acted on your own! I never gave permission!" Jack roared. His anger was raw and unfiltered, convinced Chulis was betraying him.
Chulis sneered. "And did you enjoy it or not?"
Jack blushed, deflated. "We… we loved each other afterward. What's wrong with that?"
"You're despicable."
Chulis looked triumphantly at the speechless Jack. Eli slapped Chulis on the head, snapping him back to reality. "Remember, you're still my captive. No boasting."
"Now, tell me," Eli said, his smile calm, "you're all in my hands. Think carefully about how you plan to survive."
Wehael still held onto anger. "Aren't you a man who hates evil? You're letting us go?"
Before Eli could respond, Jack spat angrily. "World Government stooge! You've tried to manipulate us against Eli Winters. You filthy rats will pay. My boss will punish you severely!"
Blenheim and Artmos realized the truth. They glared at Defyados, and Artmos apologized to Eli. "Captain, this was our fault. We trusted Defyados' lies. We offended you. We will make amends properly."
Defyados, seeing his cover blown, discarded pretense. Like Wehael, he sneered. "Eli, when you killed Sakazuki, you did so cleanly. You criticized him for slaughtering innocents. And now, facing these guilty pirates, you hesitate? Are you afraid of who's behind them? Hah! You're nothing but a cowardly hypocrite."
Eli's expression remained serene. He spoke calmly to Defyados, "No need to provoke me. I have my own rules. Think carefully about your fate. As for the rest…"
Pointing at Jack and the others, he grinned. "I'll get a good price for you."
Eli ignored them afterward. He would deal with the pirates eventually, but not yet. First, he had to establish his influence in the New World. Killing them now would only worsen the lives of civilians. In this chaotic world, the authority of the official government was far weaker than that of these powerful pirates.
Night fell quietly. With Big Pan and the others drunk, Simon kept watch. Little Garden was home to many dangerous beasts, and without vigilance, the injured captives could be devoured.
Suddenly, Wehael, who had been seemingly asleep, opened his eyes sharply. Observing his surroundings cautiously, he noted Simon's full attention elsewhere. A twisted smile spread across Wehael's face.
He turned toward the still-sleeping Jack and others, whispering to himself in mania, "Hehe… all of you will descend to hell with me!"
At that moment, his tightly bound right arm began glowing red, as if an intense fire burned within. Violent energy surged, threatening to erupt at any moment.
Jack, in light sleep, sensed the danger and snapped awake. Seeing Wehael's arm glowing like molten iron, his face drained of color. "Explosion! A bomb!" he shouted in terror.
The others awoke in shock, but it was already too late. Wehael's arm detonated, sending a massive explosion through Little Garden.
"Has a volcano erupted? Let's duel!" shouted a drunken Broki.
"Idiot, that's a bomb!" Dongli corrected him.
A crater the size of a football field gaped before them. Eli's face was calm, while Filina and the others were pale with fright. Without Eli's spatial barrier, they would have been annihilated by the blast.
"Decisive, indeed," Eli remarked, nodding at the crater.