"Kuzan, get back to headquarters immediately and leave the Straw Hats alone!"
Sengoku hung up the Den Den Mushi right after saying that.
Kizaru, casually trimming his nails, asked, "Marshal Sengoku, are you sure about letting the Straw Hats go like that? You know, Straw Hat Luffy and Carl are both very strong."
Sengoku waved his hand, cutting him off. "We have more pressing matters right now. The Straw Hats can wait."
He added, "And don't forget, we have our own people among the Straw Hats. Any significant move they make, we'll know about it instantly."
Vice Admiral Tsuru frowned. "Sengoku, are you really going to meet Blackbeard?"
Sengoku nodded firmly. "We have to! Portgas D. Ace has a unique position, one that means a lot to the Marines. A mere Shichibukai title is a small price to pay to Blackbeard!"
Seeing Sengoku's resolve, Tsuru and Kizaru didn't press the issue further.
Garp still looked lost in thought, his fist clenched tightly under the table.
In a certain sea area of the New World, the Moby Dick was anchored.
Red-Haired Shanks, carrying a large sake jug, walked onto the deck step by step. Everywhere he went, many of the Whitebeard Pirates crew fell to the ground, and cracks spread across parts of the ship.
Marco, Jozu, Vista, and the other division commanders were ready for a fight.
"My bad, just hopped onto the enemy's ship to show off a bit," Shanks grinned, not sounding apologetic at all.
"You bastard, using your Haki on our ship! Just looking at your face makes the wound that Roger guy gave me ache!" Whitebeard retorted, not mincing his words.
"Brought some painkillers, and a whole lot of trouble to start a war," Shanks said, shaking the sake jug.
Marco couldn't help but yell, "Hey! Red-Hair! Look what you've done to the ship!"
Shanks looked at Marco and smiled. "It's Marco! How about it? Want to join my crew?"
Marco scoffed. "Stop talking nonsense!"
Jozu, Vista, and the other commanders all looked towards Whitebeard.
Whitebeard said, "He's not here to start a war. Let me talk to him alone."
Once everyone else had left, Shanks poured sake into a large bowl and tossed the jug to Whitebeard. Whitebeard took a sip and frowned.
"West Blue sake? Not exactly top-shelf."
"It's the sake from my hometown."
"That red-nosed brat who used to threaten to cut off my head with you back then, is he dead yet?"
"Buggy? Last I heard, he's still a pirate. The year the Captain was executed, Buggy and I parted ways in Loguetown and haven't seen each other since."
"They say you lost your arm in the East Blue. Who in the world has the power to take the arm of a man like you?"
"I bet it on the new era!"
They chatted for a few more moments, and then Shanks, seeing it was time, got straight to the point.
Pointing to the scar near his eye, Shanks said, "This wound isn't from a duel with Hawkeye. It's from your son, Teach."
"You should know what I mean, Whitebeard! He was vying for a commander's position, lurking on your ship, waiting for his chance!"
Whitebeard remained unconvinced. "What do you want me to do? Get to the point!"
"Stop Ace! Ace could become the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. I know he's strong, but Teach is dangerous. Don't let Ace go after Teach, that's my request!"
Whitebeard slammed the sake bowl onto the deck. "Tell me what to do? You're a hundred years too early!"
Shanks silently drank his bowl of sake, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. "This era of chaos will become unstoppable!"
Whitebeard gripped his Murakumogiri. "Nothing's scary at all! I am Whitebeard!"
Clang! The two blades, one massive and one smaller, collided, and the sky seemed to split open...
The Straw Hats, sailing through the first half of the Grand Line, were completely unaware of this.
That day, the Straw Hat and Heart Pirates found strange railway tracks floating on the sea. Then, a Sea Train zoomed past, widening everyone's eyes in astonishment.
Soon after, they saw a giant frog standing in front of the train, only to be hit by it.
For a moment, everyone was utterly confused.
All eyes turned to Carl, the one who usually knew everything, but Carl remained silent. He knew about the giant frog, but if he acted like he had all the answers, it would make everyone too reliant on him.
The Merry Go and the submarine followed the tracks and soon came across a small house on the sea.
It looked like a train station or something similar.
"Grandma! Grandma! Pirates are coming!" a little girl with braided pigtails suddenly shouted.
"Really? Chimney, bring the Den Den Mushi here...!" An old woman holding a sake bottle stumbled out of the small house.
Chimney brought the Den Den Mushi, but when the old woman picked up the receiver, she looked confused and forgot what she wanted to say.
"She's just drunk!"
Everyone in the Straw Hats couldn't help but complain.
Afterward, the Straw Hats talked with the grandmother and granddaughter and learned that the old woman's name was Kokoro, the little girl's name was Chimney, and there was a rabbit-like cat named Gonbe.
Granny Kokoro seemed like an alcoholic, but she wasn't afraid of pirates at all. She even smiled and said she had seen Luffy and the others in the newspaper.
Then, she took the initiative to explain the Sea Train and even mentioned the City of Seven Waters, which amazed everyone.
As for the giant frog, Granny Kokoro seemed to know about it but didn't want to talk about it.
Granny Kokoro seemed to have a good feeling about the Straw Hats and even drew a picture for them, saying that if they took the painting to the mayor of the City of Seven Waters, they would receive special treatment.
Although the painting was a bit strange, the Straw Hats didn't refuse her kindness.
The Merry Go continued forward, and soon a city floating on the water came into view. At that moment, everyone's eyes widened.
"What a beautiful city! Is this the City of Seven Waters?"
"Amazing! The city is built on water!"
"Let's dock quickly, I can't wait!"
Everyone was very excited, and the Merry Go's speed increased, soon stopping at the port.
Next, Nami personally distributed money to everyone while also forming groups. Some were free to explore, while others entered the city with tasks.
Nami, Usopp, Luffy, and Mr. 3 took the pile of gold to exchange for Berries.
Sanji took Chopper and Jango to go shopping.
As for the others, they were free to do as they pleased.
Anyway, with Momoo watching the ship, no one with any sense would dare to try and mess with the Straw Hats' vessel.
After all, the Straw Hats were now recognized by many as the Fifth Emperor; anyone looking for trouble was welcome to try.
Sure enough, the Straw Hats' arrival caused a stir in the City of Seven Waters.
Forces from all sides rushed to inform each other, and almost instantly, the news spread throughout the city and even reached the ears of the major powers.
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