"Yo Hachi, I need three packs of takoyaki," a mafia member in a dark suit called out, approaching the stall. "Do you have any?"
"Nyu? Oh, perfect timing," the octopus fishman, Hachi, replied cheerfully. "I just finished baking them. Here, that will be 1200 Berries for three packs."
"Thanks," the mobster said, handing over the cash. "Your takoyaki has a good reputation even with the normal folks around here. Here you go, exactly 1200 Berries."
"Nyu! Thanks for the business!" Hachi chirped, accepting the money.
This was the port town of Mopuchi. It was the main base for the Black Cat Pirates and also an important spot for Capone Bege's gang. The Black Cat had built this new town and named it Shamrock.
On the main street in front of the port, a group of mafia members in suits was hanging around the food stall.
From the outside, it looked like they were demanding protection money. But the octopus fishman running the stall and the gang members were actually just chatting happily.
"Still, you've got guts," one of the mafia members remarked while chewing. "Opening a shop so openly like this... It might sound weird coming from mafia guys like us, but fishmen usually get stared at."
"Nyu~. Well, yeah," Hachi admitted. "At first, I was scared of humans too. I was staying over on the hidden island."
The octopus fishman used one hand to grease the hot plate for the next batch. With another hand, he rested his chin on his palm casually.
"Hidden island?" The mobster raised an eyebrow. "Ah, that base you and Black Cat used. Even the Godfather doesn't know about that one."
"Yeah, that place," Hachi nodded. "I didn't mind the construction and farm work over there, but I can make real money working here. Recently, more humans are buying my food as souvenirs for their families inland. It's starting to feel pretty comfortable here."
Besides the gangsters and pirates, the area was full of Mopuchi islanders. Some came to work at the port, and others opened various shops. There were even others who set up food stalls just like the octopus fishman.
"Well, in Shamrock, seeing fishmen or merfolk isn't rare anymore," the mobster noted, glancing toward the docks. "If you look at the port, you always see two or three fishmen working."
"Nyu~. Thanks to that, people don't look at me strangely like they did at the start," Hachi said with a smile. "You guys from Mr. Bege's gang treat me normally, too."
In the town, you could see fishmen working hard, even if they didn't have their own shops. Fishmen were very popular as sailors because they were stronger than humans; they easily carried barrels and boxes that normal humans couldn't lift.
"There aren't many fishmen here yet," the mobster continued, lowering his voice slightly. "But in the next place we are clearing out, the number of fishmen will go way up. Honestly, I'm getting tired of seeing them."
"Ah, Maple said she was helping out over there too," Hachi recalled.
"That squid girl? Yeah, she helped us kick out the pirates who were hiding there," the man laughed. "Having so many arms is really useful, just like with you. It's scary at first, though."
"Ahahaha! Well, even for a fishman, having this many arms is rare." Hachi waved his remaining empty hands playfully and laughed. "Nishishishi."
"Rare?" The mobster looked puzzled. "If your parents are octopus or squid fishmen, wouldn't the baby be the same?"
"Ahahaha! I guess humans think that way!" Hachi slapped a tentacle on the counter in amusement. "No, fishmen have all kinds of bloodlines. It's normal for a child to look totally different from the parents. A tuna father and a bonito mother could easily have a shark or bream child."
"Huh, so fishmen are different in that way too..." The mobster looked genuinely surprised.
"Well, it's normal that you don't know," Hachi said kindly. "I didn't know much about humans either."
"More humans are learning about us little by little, like you guys," Hachi added softly, looking at the sky. "And we are learning about humans little by little... I wonder if more places like this will appear..."
"Haha! That sounds right, Hachi," the mobster agreed.
"If it were that simple, the world would be a much better place."
--
"You brat!" Shiki roared, his face twisted in rage. "You destroyed the ship I needed for the finale... You've really done it now!"
I had just let the fishman go—he was badly hurt, clearly tortured. At the same moment, the old man with a ship's steering wheel stuck in his head like a rooster's comb came flying at me.
If you lost your trump card, just go home already!!
"Golden Lion! Who is backing you!?" I shouted, dodging his strike.
"Hah?"
"You didn't come up with this plan! Am I wrong!?"
No matter how I think about it, this isn't a plan a pirate would make. I don't care how big of a pirate he is; this strategy and plan did not come from a pirate's point of view.
Damn it, this is causing so much trouble! And the way this guy flies is too weird. It is super hard to hit him! Well, it is my first aerial battle, so maybe that's why!
I fired my 'Biting Cat' attack several times to intercept him, but I missed. I kicked away his slashing attacks, but he just went higher, dragging this into an air battle.
Damn it, come down and fight on the ground!
But if he did that, his other forces would swarm us. I knew it!
"This attack is to check the World Government and the Navy, isn't it!?" I yelled, piecing the puzzle together as we clashed. "If you burn down the Holy Land along with the food gathered from all over the world for some celebration, the Government will try to take food from the member nations to replace it. They will need materials to rebuild the Holy Land too! If that happens, many member nations will suffer. Raids and small wars will increase! Was the incident in the West Blue just a practice run to create the spark for this!?"
That bastard is laughing strangely. I was right!
It makes sense now! That island they moved could have been a strong base, but it didn't have a proper commander or army. The main goal was to see how countries would react when they lost supplies and food, and how the Navy would move to protect them!
And on top of that, this attack on the Holy Land!
I was trying to solve the West Blue problem smoothly without using my negotiation cards. I was trying to show them that damaging the West Blue any further would be bad for them. But he just wiped all my work clean! Big pirate or not, I don't care. He's messing everything up! I won't be satisfied until I kick his ass!
"Since the Holy Land was attacked," I continued my deduction aloud, "the Celestial Dragons will definitely want an Admiral or a strong force to stay there permanently! If that happens, their ability to deal with pirates and rebellions happening everywhere else will drop significantly!"
"And slaves, too," Shiki sneered. "With all this debris raining down, a lot of slaves probably died."
"...!" My eyes widened. "They were already hunting people to gather slaves!"
"The Celestial Dragons usually have excellent guards!" Shiki shouted back. "Some might get hurt in this mess, but not many will die!"
"So, the people who want slaves haven't decreased at all!?" I gritted my teeth. "You are thoroughly...!"
"Jihahahaha! The great Celestial Dragons don't care where the stuff they want comes from," Shiki laughed maniacally. "It's going to be a busy time for slave traders."
This guy...! He has a steering wheel growing out of his head like a rooster, and he wears pink sunglasses... He really is a bird-brain bastard...!
Large rebellions and small wars create refugees with nowhere to go. Underground forces like kidnappers and slave brokers will gain huge money and power! And since this guy can hide in the sky, if the Navy can't move, he can expand his power as much as he wants!
If I don't take him down here, the world is seriously in danger!
"If that happens, the despair of the people, and their hatred towards the Celestial Dragons—no, towards the nations that lead them—will be limitless!" I shouted at him. "Do you intend to fuel chaotic rebellion and confusion!?"
"Jihaha, good read," Shiki commended, floating just out of reach. "You're mostly right about this operation."
...Mostly? I thought, confused.
"Kuro, was it? You... become my subordinate," Shiki demanded suddenly.
Don't screw with me, you idiot!!!
--
"I refuse," Kuro spat back instantly. "I can never work for someone who uses power in a way that causes so much damage."
"Jihahahaha, don't say that." The Golden Lion grinned as he spoke to the boy pirate wearing a suit like a government official.
Neither of them showed an opening. But there was no ease on the Black Cat's face. In contrast, the Golden Lion showed no sign of nervousness at all.
"You are strong," Shiki praised. "Compared to Linlin, your power is only about 30% of hers, but I'm impressed you copied the Giants' technique with such high accuracy. You are already one of the strongest in the Grand Line. If you work under me, you won't have trouble finding ways to use that power."
Showing his confidence, the Golden Lion took a cigar from his pocket, put it in his mouth, and lit it.
"And more than anything... you are my kind. Your ability will grow if you stick with me."
"Your kind?" Kuro scowled. "Don't lump me in with someone who engages in mindless destruction."
"No, we are the same," Shiki insisted. "Both you and I are here. That is the answer."
Puffing out strong-smelling smoke, the Golden Lion continued. "I came here for a plan, just like you said. So, what about you?"
"I am here for the reconstruction of the West Blue, which you people destroyed," Kuro replied coldly.
"Jihahahaha! You're a very serious guy!"
"It's because you guys did whatever you wanted!"
"True. But that's not what I mean."
"Ah?"
"I don't know what it is, but you were trying to use the Celestial Dragons' authority for your own benefit," Shiki analyzed, pointing his cigar at the boy. "Otherwise, even if you are a pirate the Government likes, there is no reason for you to come this far or protect the Holy Land."
Shiki's eyes narrowed. "Kuro, you are a pirate who understands the value of domination."
The Black Cat clicked his tongue quietly.
"You understand that the world is made of only two types: those who rule and those who are ruled," Shiki preached. "That's why you came all the way to the Holy Land, trying to maneuver things for your own gain."
"...And you came to crack the current system of rule," Kuro concluded.
"Jihahahaha! You do understand!" Shiki roared with laughter. "Come with me, Kuro! Your strength and intellect are tools for ruling people! If my ability and your 'Black Cat' forces combine, we can build a pirate crew that even the Government can't easily touch!"
"Let's rule this sea together, you and I, and create the next era!"
The pirate spread his arms wide as if to welcome him, shouting loudly. He declared that he would aim for what comes after the Great Pirate Era started by the Pirate King.
"I am not interested."
But the Black Cat did not change.
"Not in domination, and... not in you."
Perhaps he had caught his breath during the conversation. He relaxed his body slightly, adjusted his glasses, and declared clearly:
"True, I believe domination is necessary. People are weak. They can break down over the smallest things. That is why people gather and cooperate. But when people gather, roles are always born. Roles turn into classes. This creates differences, for better or worse. That structure becomes a system of rule with a big 'one' at the top. This is even more true for pirates who live outside the law."
"Exactly! The essence of a pirate is domination!" Shiki agreed.
"I don't deny that. But what is that domination for?"
"...What?"
While frowning, the Golden Lion secretly used his power to keep an eye on the debris, ready to move it at any time. He felt the Haki surrounding the Black Cat growing stronger with every word he spoke.
"I am also a pirate, and a ruler," Kuro said. "I suppress the people with force, make them work, and collect taxes."
"...I can roughly guess what that looks like just by talking to you. But fine. There is no mistake that it is your nature."
"But what I aim for is different from you," Kuro countered. "What you say sounds like domination for the sake of domination. You just want to keep ruling and reigning."
"What is wrong with that!"
"Then your nature is no different from the people beneath our feet," Kuro said dismissively. "You said you would create an era, but fundamentally, that is impossible. All you can do is inherit a role."
"Then—what are you fighting for!!" Shiki bellowed.
"For freedom."
Night broke, and the sun began to rise. The sunlight started to illuminate the town that was still burning and all the debris falling toward the ground.
"As long as people rule people, there can be no perfect rule," Kuro stated, his voice carrying over the wind. "There are always cracks in domination, and people will always fall through them. Those satisfied with being ruled are fine. But those who cannot fit in, yet lack the will or force to fight, become the weak and are pushed away."
An image of a man returned to the Golden Lion's mind.
"Why do so many of the weak endure it? Why do those who do not like the rule, or those pushed away by it, endure and entrust their will... their thoughts... to the next generation?"
Shiki froze. He was a pirate like the boy in front of him, but he was the exact opposite of the 'Black Cat.' If the pirate in front of him was a man of intellect, that pirate from Shiki's memory was a man of wildness.
But, Kuro continued, echoing a ghost.
"It is to reach for the freedom that will come someday. Because they were pushed into a weak position, they entrust the hope of freedom to the next generation."
A pirate was standing there, speaking the same words as that man, but with a quiet voice that was the exact opposite of him.
"My role is to stand by the many people, and those deemed weak, for the sake of a future someday," Kuro declared, his stance shifting. "I will point out the path to freedom and peace. For those I already carry on my back, I have decided that this is how I will be."
"If you say you will stand in the way of that," Kuro lowered his center of gravity.
Here it comes. The Golden Lion felt it on his skin. The Black Cat's Haki, which had been slightly disordered, began to flow smoothly again. Contrary to his quiet tone, fighting spirit was overflowing within the Black Cat.
"I swear on these three claws, I will push through!"
"You talk big! Die!" Shiki screamed.
At the same time the pirate snapped his fingers with a sharp sound, the debris floating around rushed toward the Black Cat.
"Tch...!"
But still, in terms of speed alone, the Black Cat was far superior. He ran over the colliding ships and wreckage as if running through the sky. He dodged everything at a speed that sometimes made him invisible.
"Jihaha, I guess it's hard to catch you with just this level... But!"
Using his ability, the Golden Lion made debris of all sizes float around Kuro, boxing him in. Standing on the wreckage of the largest ship, the Black Cat tilted his head slightly, watching the situation. The Golden Lion grinned.
"Your 'Sovereignty' attack is impressive," Shiki analyzed loudly. "You fire countless flying slashes in less than a blink of an eye, and make them all crash together to turn into a 'thrust' specialized for piercing. A normal person couldn't do that! But!!"
The Golden Lion spun his palm, and even more debris gathered on the battlefield. At first glance, it looked like it would get in the way of the Golden Lion too, not just the Black Cat—
"You can only fire your Sovereignty in the air where there are no obstacles, right!?" Shiki taunted.
Hearing the Golden Lion's words, the Black Cat grimaced.
"To change the slashes into a clean 'thrust', you have to kick a wide area almost simultaneously to make the slashes collide and form the shape!" Shiki explained triumphantly.
The Black Cat clenched his hand, which was burned for some reason.
"If you are on the ground, the ground gets in the way," Shiki continued. "If you kick the ground, it's a waste of slashes. And if you try to create the same phenomenon high up to avoid the ground, it puts too much strain on your legs! So you have to fire it in the empty air. But with this many obstacles, the conditions for kicking are even worse than being on the ground!"
"Now your trump card is crushed! Jihahahahaha!!" The Golden Lion laughed loudly, convinced of his advantage.
The Black Cat stared at him in a daze. And then, he muttered in genuine realization:
"——So that's why I kept dislocating my shoulder during practice."
"You didn't know that?!!" Shiki shouted in disbelief.