Chapter 333: Response
The Five Elder Stars, who sat high above the world and looked down on all, were discussing various decisions in their usual manner in the vast room.
However, the usual light and relaxed atmosphere was now gone, replaced by an unusually heavy atmosphere, as if the pressure in the room was suffocating the navy ensign who was kneeling on one knee.
"I understand. You may leave now," said the blonde-haired man, his voice filled with anger. Despite his effort to suppress it, the ensign could still sense the anger.
"Yes!" The ensign did not dare look up, and without any question, he maintained his bowing posture as he slowly exited the room.
"What a troublesome man, 'Kui Long Eric ' Darren Eric," said the old man with the fluffy white beard, his voice calm. "Who exactly is this guy?"
"His actions are undoubtedly a declaration of war against the World Government," said the tallest elderly man, the only one standing. "It's almost like the return of the Rocks Pirates from 29 years ago."
"They've done what the Rocks Pirates couldn't do," said the elderly man with a pair of thin mustaches, his eyes glancing sideways. "If not for the age difference, I'd suspect this guy was Rocks's illegitimate child."
"The balance between the three major powers is already fragile because of his interference," said the elderly man in a robe as he maintained the edge of his sword. "If we don't eliminate this threat early, it will become a huge disaster in the future."
"The only good news is that Kui Long Eric has returned to the Grand Line. Based on his declaration, he plans to launch a direct assault on the World Government," the blonde-haired man said, calming his anger and pressing his temple. "As long as he doesn't rely on his agile mobility, we'll have the chance to eliminate him."
"Kui Long Eric is not a man who follows the rules," the man with the fluffy beard said. "Just from the fact that he provoked Big Mom and then quickly chose to flee, we can see he doesn't care about his reputation."
"We can only have the Navy headquarters increase surveillance of the Dawn Pirates and wait for them to enter the Navy's range..."
"Fortunately, no one else has heard of Im-sama's name. That's the only thing to be thankful for."
"Where did this guy get his information from?" someone frowned. "Does he have unknown sources in the Holy Land?"
"We need to investigate if any spies have infiltrated Mariejois..."
◇
"Declare war on the World Government?" Esdeath waved her hand, brushing off the remaining water from her shoulder. "That suits me just fine."
"Eric, you usually don't do such high-profile things," Scáthach asked with a neutral expression. "What happened?"
"You... you all heard too?"
"Your voice spread throughout the entire Loguetown, there's no way we wouldn't have heard it..."
"Hahaha, gotta do a few rash things in my youth to not have wasted it," Eric scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Standing on that high execution platform, a fire suddenly ignited in my heart!"
Akame tilted her head. "Just like before death?"
"..." The air fell still. Eric shook his head vigorously. "Not like that!"
"I understand," Artoria nodded. "Before I fell into eternal sleep, I had a long dream..."
"You don't understand! I said it's not like that!"
"Captain Eric, it's your fault!" Perona twisted the fabric of her clothes, wringing the water out. "You even caused this heavy rain. You should have warned us ahead of time!"
"I ate the Thunder Fruit, not the Rain Rain Fruit," Eric shrugged. "In the past, when I used my powers to create thunderclouds, did you ever see a heavy downpour?"
Perona was stunned.
Eric started to shift the blame. "So this heavy rain wasn't my fault."
At that moment, Chiron walked over. "Everyone has boarded, Captain. Orders?"
"Although we've sailed quite a distance on the Grand Line," Eric looked around at the members gathered around him, "this time, this voyage marks a new beginning for us!"
"Whether it's laughter or pain, the upcoming journey will be a difficult and thorny road. Not only will we face the pursuit of the Four Emperors, but we'll also have to deal with the behemoth that is the World Government!"
"Many pirate crews are eyeing us, and Big Mom and Kaido, two monsters, stand in the way of our rise. Our task is to throw these old guys in the trash!"
"..." After a passionate speech, Eric paused.
"What's wrong?" Akame encouraged. "Brother-in-law, that was a great speech!"
"Sorry, I... forgot the words..." Eric mumbled, causing everyone to slump.
"Ara, this is really your style," Kurumi laughed behind her hand.
"Mm!" Eric cleared his throat. "Anyway! For the upcoming journey, I need you all to continue lending me your strength."
"Hmph!" Perona arrogantly crossed her arms. "I'll generously lend you my power."
"Disgusting~" Porche wiped away tears with a handkerchief. "Why does the boss always say such touching things, making me cry like this..."
"Because of you and the crew, we escaped from the Celestial Dragons," Kallen Kana said loyally. "Even if it's hell, we'll go with the captain!"
Lant nodded silently.
"No, I'm not going to hell."
Gin pounded his chest in loyalty. "Wherever the captain goes, I'll go."
Kurei Kai's cigarette burned down with a glowing orange tip. As the ash grew heavy, it finally crumbled, falling into the white dust.
Kurumi walked over to Robin, who had been watching the crew express their feelings, and asked, "Aren't you going to say something?"
"No," Robin smiled slightly. "I only want to learn about history. As long as the captain can do it, I'll always follow him."
"Is that so..." Kurumi turned her neck, her gaze landing on Eric. "Anyway, the days ahead will certainly be interesting. It's great to be alive..."
"..."
"I used to be a canary bound with sharp blades," Kurumi's plump lips parted. "It was the brave knight who saved me from the high tower."
"I hated the blades tied to me, but now I'm glad they can help my knight. Do you think this story is beautiful?"
Robin smiled softly, the corner of her mouth lifting. "As long as the person involved is happy, it's the most beautiful story."
Eric shouted, "Target—Reverse Mountain, set sail!"
"Oh!"
...
The storm raged on, and the powerful currents of the sea propelled the Without Fear forward at high speed.
"Captain, we've spotted a navy warship on the side. Navy hero Garp is on board."
"Oh? Is he here to send me off?" Eric walked to the bow of the ship, staring at the imposing figure of Garp , who had once stopped the Rocks Pirates from attacking the God Valley.
"You brat, what exactly are you after?" Garp 's loud voice cut through the rain and reached Eric's ears.
"..." Eric smiled wide, the flames in his eyes burning fiercely.
"..." Garp was momentarily stunned, reading the meaning in Eric's gaze. His mouth split into a grin. "This won't be easy, kid."
Eric raised his arm high. "Only by doing what others can't do will one be worthy of being called emperor!"
Garp adjusted the dark ball in his hand and threw it toward Eric with all his might. "Fist Rock Meteor!"
"Boom!"
The ball was hit by Eric's lightning in mid-air, bursting into a dazzling firework, vanishing almost instantly in the downpour.
"Vice Admiral Garp !" Bogart rushed over to report. "We're heading into the sea current toward Reverse Mountain! The warship won't be able to turn back!"
"Got it, what a shame," Garp said, laughing heartily. "Now, Sengoku can't say I wasn't doing my job!"
Garp waved his hand. "Full speed ahead! Change course!"
"Remember, you're lucky today!" Garp shouted. "Next time, I'll use my Fist Meteor Shower to smash you and your ship!"
"This time, you're lucky!" Eric yelled. "Otherwise, I'd have you swim back!"
"...Hahahaha!" Garp laughed loudly.
...
"Yo, Mr. Kurokas!" Passing by Twin Cape, Eric encountered the lighthouse keeper of Twin Cape.
"Isn't that the famous 'Kui Long Eric '?" Kurokas put down the newspaper and joked.
"Too much flattery," Eric clasped his hands, accepting the joke. "Did Laboon hear Brook's music?"
"Thanks to the info you provided, I found Brook," Kurokas said with a sense of nostalgia. "When Laboon heard Brook play the violin again, it cried a lot."
Chiron spoke up. "Is it alright now?"
"Yes, since it stopped hitting Reverse Mountain, its injuries have gradually healed," Kurokas asked. "It should be sleeping below, should I call it out?"
"No!" Eric quickly waved his hand. "We haven't sailed a week, and haven't reached my goal. It's not the time to meet."
"Don't you have the Golden Lion Float Fruit's powers?" Kurokas asked curiously. "Why are you coming back this way to Reverse Mountain?"
"I've been wandering around the four seas for a while. Although the journey wasn't short, it wasn't a complete one. Besides..."
Eric looked back. Many members were still looking at the huge water current of Reverse Mountain, rushing down with tremendous momentum. "There are several members who haven't crossed Reverse Mountain."
"I see." Kurokas smiled, bidding farewell. "I wish you a pleasant journey."
Eric waved. "Thank you."
"We'll take the seventh route." In the meeting room, Eric looked at the sea chart and immediately decided on their next destination.
"Ara, is it because of your little lover in Amazon Lily?" Kurumi immediately saw through Eric's thoughts.
"..."
Akame added, "Since Eric didn't speak, it seems Kurumi is right."
Scáthach remained expressionless. "Eric's thoughts are too easy to guess."
Under the piercing gazes of the women, Eric began sweating more.
"Since it's Eric's decision, we'll follow." Esdeath expressed indifference.
The women's gazes finally dispersed.
Eric was about to thank Esdeath for her timely intervention, but he accidentally saw Esdeath licking her lips, looking at him with the eyes of a half-satisfied fox staring at a little rabbit.
Eric thought to himself: 'I'm still too young.'
◇
Eric's declaration quickly spread across the world thanks to the efforts of the informed (Morgan), and as a result, his bounty skyrocketed to 2.5 billion Berries. His speech had led to a bounty increase of over 300 million Berries, which many pirates found impressive and began to use as a reference for their own declarations.
Many pirates with big dreams but limited abilities, hoping to attract attention, made impassioned declarations from the platforms in various towns, while the stationed Navy showed them the consequences of Speaking too boldly.
On the island of White Soil in the Grand Line, "Baldiigo."
Dragon, holding a newspaper, stood with his green coat flapping in the strong wind.
"Is this your response?" Dragon grinned. "You certainly have your style."
Belo Betty, with a cigarette in her mouth and an alluring figure, spoke up, "The plan to recruit the Dawn Pirates failed. Will they expose the identity of the Revolutionary Army officer, Kuma?"
"No, since their goal is also the World Government, they won't become enemies with us, the enemies of the World Government."
"I don't trust these pirates," Belo Betty lifted her sunglasses with her index finger. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend? Pirates killing each other happens far more often than pirates being captured by the Navy."
Dragon smiled showing his teeth. "I trust my ability to judge people."
"..." Belo Betty threw away her extinguished cigarette and lit a new one. "I'm going back to the East Army. The Eastern forces have been thrown into chaos by the Dawn Pirates. I hope my comrades haven't been affected by those bastards."
"Be careful on the road."
"Got it." Belo Betty waved her hand.
...
Hancock lazily leaned against the pet snake chair, her pale, delicate right hand resting on her face, her long black hair hanging down her back. Her high-slit qipao couldn't conceal her extremely seductive figure. The waves of her chest and the long, beautiful legs shimmered with a seductive charm.
In her usual expression of defiance and impatience, the Queen of the Amazon Lily now looked with eyes full of water, her face flushed, her cherry-pink lips lightly breathing, emitting an incredibly seductive moan.
She had a newspaper by her side, and at the top of the newspaper was a picture of Eric shouting loudly.
Today, the Kuja Pirates had just raided a merchant ship and happened to buy the latest edition of the newspaper.
"Ah~~ Lord Eric, such inspiring words, how I wish I could have heard your declaration in person..." Hancock's eyes wandered over the image, her left arm casually covering her forehead. "I can't take it anymore~"
"Lady?" The two sisters outside heard the moans from inside the room and hurriedly entered.
...
On the Without Fear, eight time zones away from Hancock, Eric suddenly shivered.
"Ara, is my room cold?" Kurumi smiled teasingly, moving close to Eric.
"No, just a sudden chill..." Eric frowned slightly. "It's fine now."
"Hmph." Kurumi said grumpily, "You're usually jumping around looking for Esdeath. Why come to my room this time?"
"Of course, I came to see you." Eric gently adjusted Kurumi's body, their eyes meeting. "Sorry to have kept you waiting."
"…I'm not the only one waiting for you." Kurumi pointed firmly at Eric's chest. "Akame, Scáthach , Miku, and the married-in bride, Reiju, and that unknown wild woman, Boa Hancock."
"You just named them all..."
"At this moment, you're only allowed to have me in your heart." Kurumi jabbed her finger into Eric's chest.
"This isn't you…" Eric began to explain, but as he saw Kurumi's gaze, he quickly corrected himself. "Right now, my heart only has you."
"That's more like it." Kurumi gently wrapped her arms around Eric's waist. "Hold me tight."
"Yes, my princess."
(END CHAPTER)
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