She didn't offer much explanation, seemingly deliberately avoiding the topic.
In fact, she wasn't lying. Charlotte Linlin had indeed shown her kindness; even her Dream-Dream Fruit was given to her by Charlotte Linlin.
Vladimir wasn't interested in delving deeper. She was just a hostage.
"No, we're going to Kaido's territory first. As for you… just don't run away."
In reality, it didn't matter if she ran. At worst, Vladimir would find trouble with BIG·MOM later.
...
Setting aside Vladimir's actions, let's turn to Marine Headquarters on the other side.
In a conference room, unlike usual, only a few people were participating in this meeting.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Hero Garp, Admiral Aokiji, and… a pirate.
The pirate was tall, with a short male ponytail on his head. His appearance was somewhat ugly, and his laughter was unbearable to look at.
His true name was unknown, but he was generally called "Big Mark." He hailed from the West Blue, with a bounty of 320 million Berries.
As the captain of the God Thief Pirates, one of his most notable past deeds was theft, targeting Whitebeard.
He had once stolen a chest of gold and jewels from Whitebeard's Moby Dick, and simultaneously poisoned the food in the galley. Unfortunately, he only managed to kill the cook.
"Kekekeke, so… starting today, I'm a Shichibukai?"
At this moment, Big Mark let out a strange laugh, his eyes gleaming. "I have privileges, I can steal as I please? Excellent, Sengoku, I agree. I've wanted to see Mary Geoise for a long time. It must hide the world's great secrets!"
As he spoke, he became more animated. "Isn't Phantom's Shadow Fiend very powerful? He could infiltrate Mary Geoise and kill a Celestial Dragon. I think I can do it too! It's interesting to think about. I heard Mary Geoise has Holy Guards, all of them Devil Fruit users, hahaha."
Pirates are all like this, so arrogant!
Sengoku's expression soured, thinking to himself.
"Nonsense!" He snorted coldly and said in a deep voice, "Pirate Big Mark, the Shichibukai is not for you to play with! By becoming a Shichibukai, the Marines will no longer target your pirate crew, but your existence is for balance…"
"So verbose, Sengoku. I know what you guys are up to," Big Mark sneered dismissively. "With the stronger evil forces now, you're just compromising and forming the Shichibukai, using the power of seven great pirates to balance the situation."
This balance, meaning suppressing the first half of the Grand Line. In the New World, the Four Emperors wouldn't even bother with the Shichibukai.
Among the current five Shichibukai, only the World's Greatest Swordsman, Mihawk, could catch the eye of a Four Emperor.
Sengoku's face darkened at such impolite words and he grunted, "Aokiji, did you explain it to him?"
"He's very unreliable," Garp shook his head. "I think we should just arrest him. There are five candidates, and he's not the strongest."
"Kekekeke, Garp. If you were the Marine hero from ten years ago, I would have surrendered obediently. Unfortunately, you're old now."
Big Mark laughed heartily. "With just the three of you, you can't catch me. Otherwise, would I dare to come directly to Headquarters?"
He wasn't skilled in combat, or rather, his combat power wasn't very strong, but his abilities were bizarre, making it difficult for most Admirals to deal with him.
Even Whitebeard couldn't capture him. Otherwise, given that he dared to infiltrate the Moby Dick and poison them, he would have been dealt with by the Whitebeard Pirates long ago.
Seeing that the conversation was about to break down, Aokiji had to step forward and say, "Don't be too arrogant. If you want the Shichibukai title, you must cooperate with our Marine work."
"Work? What kind of work?"
Finally getting to the main point, Sengoku stated directly, "We originally wanted you to join to counter the rise of Phantom. Now, there's something more important for you to do."
"You want me to oppose Phantom?" Big Mark's expression changed slightly. "Then I'm truly sorry, I don't want to die yet. BIG·MOM is already finished. I have no interest in poking a tiger's whiskers. The Shichibukai title isn't worth me taking such a risk."
He dared to go to the Moby Dick to poison Whitebeard, but he didn't dare to provoke the Phantom Pirates.
They were all monsters inside. Any one of the Dominator-level executives could be a problem.
Upon hearing his words, Sengoku's eyes narrowed. "We're not asking you to fight them, but to steal something."
"No need to say more, I refuse!"
Big Mark sneered. "If it were Whitebeard, I would agree immediately, since it's not the first time. But dealing with Phantom, you should find someone else. As for the Shichibukai title, give it or don't, I don't care."
With that, he tried to flee.
But Aokiji was prepared and blocked him first, saying, "Don't rush. You'll be interested."
Sengoku closed his eyes and pondered for a long time before saying, "You are a user of the Sneak-Sneak Fruit. No one is more suitable than you."
"That's why I'm saying, I haven't lived enough!" Big Mark roared.
"Pluton's design blueprints."
"What did you say?!"
Big Mark's eyes widened as he looked at Sengoku in disbelief.
...
New World, Red-Haired Pirates' territory.
A ship flying the Red-Haired Pirates' flag blocked the path of a giant whale.
This was a pirate ship under the Red-Haired Pirates. Several pirates walked out onto its deck.
These pirates looked at the whale, or more accurately, at the man in the haori on the whale's head.
"Excuse me, are you from Phantom?" someone asked loudly.
Vladimir opened his eyes and looked calmly. "How did you know?"
"Phantom's Sea Dragon has a beast army. This whale has appeared before and was remembered. So, as soon as you entered the Red-Haired Pirates' territory, someone reported it, and we waited here in advance."
The pirate said with a smile, "Although I don't know which one of you from Phantom you are, our Captain wishes to meet you."
"Shanks?"
Vladimir raised an eyebrow and, after a moment of thought, understood.
At this moment, the pirate threw a letter. Vladimir easily caught it and then opened it.
A moment later, he directly tore it to shreds.
"You…" The pirate's expression changed slightly, very displeased.
Vladimir ignored him and stated directly, "Go back and tell Shanks that we at Phantom owe him a favor, but that doesn't mean he can dictate our actions. He… doesn't have that much face!"
____________________
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