In the underground black market of the harbor town, Stussy immediately cut ties with the CP organization after successfully joining the White Wolf Pirates.
"The White Wolf Pirates are going to sea?"
"Do not ask me. I will not say anything. I am now an intern doctor of the White Wolf Pirates. Stop contacting me, CP organization. I am afraid the Captain will misunderstand!"
What was the CP organization worth? Every time they gave her intelligence, they only paid tens of thousands of Belly, treating her like a beggar! How could they compare to Captain Silas, who gave her 80 million Belly before she even boarded? Where could she find such a generous captain?
"Stussy, are you not afraid we will tell White Wolf Silas about your contact with us?"
"I believe the Captain trusts me more than you do!"
Stussy would not say that her initial contact with the CP organization was with Kureha's approval. How could she be stupid enough to contact the World Government's intelligence organization in White Wolf Pirates territory?
The only thing Stussy regretted was not managing to con a Devil Fruit from the CP organization.
"Training!"
Just thinking about the hellish training she would receive after boarding, Stussy's expression immediately fell. If only there was some fruit she could eat to instantly become stronger.
Behind Stussy, the CP organization intelligence agent watched her departing figure with an uncertain expression. Just as he was about to contact his superior...
"Hey, constantly causing trouble on our territory. Is the CP organization not getting a bit too arrogant?"
"Haha, it seems we haven't acted against your CP organization in so long that you've forgotten what the White Wolf Pirates are famous for."
"We're famous for dealing with your CP organization!"
Roya and Ed simultaneously appeared in the black market. Facing two great pirate-level fighters, even CP0-level intelligence agents could not easily escape.
Moreover...
"Is it handled?"
"Of course, though we did not completely clean house. We left some people behind. That way, following the trail will be easier next time."
This operation to clear out Marine and CP organization intelligence agents had been long planned by the White Wolf Pirates. Previously, with only Roya, Lily, and Ed, their combat power was slightly insufficient, but with Silas in command plus Ripley, Rocks, and the others acting together, even without Silas taking action, this was already a massive force.
Ripley and Rocks had grown up.
Including his veteran crew members, the current White Wolf Pirates could barely qualify as an "Emperor Crew."
A powerful pirate crew could not rely solely on a strong captain.
Capable crew members were equally important.
Of course, Silas had a clear understanding of the White Wolf Pirates' strength.
Even if they could be called an "Emperor Crew," they were just the weakest Emperor Crew.
No capable right-hand man, no sufficiently powerful influence.
Relying on Silas alone was still somewhat insufficient.
"Handled!"
As expected of a young person, his body was in great shape. In just a few days, Rocks's physical condition had returned to what it was before visiting the pleasure district.
At this moment, what Rocks held was a CP0 leader he had defeated.
His strength was comparable to an ordinary great pirate.
But in one-on-one combat, he had ultimately lost to Rocks.
And he had lost at his own specialty, the Six Powers.
Almost every CP organization member was an expert in the Six Powers.
Only the CP organization could systematically train their members, improve their physiques, and teach combat skills like the Six Powers.
However, Rocks's talent was above theirs!
Though this was partly because Silas was standing by, making this CP0 member know he could not escape and could only fight desperately, it was still enough to demonstrate Rocks's strength.
"Rocks!"
"Mm?"
"From today, you are an official member of our crew."
Though he had said Rocks needed to defeat Ripley to become an official White Wolf Pirates member, in reality, Rocks's current strength had already surpassed Ripley's.
Unless limited to narrow terrain like the Millennium Falcon's deck, Ripley was no longer Rocks's match.
"Rocks, you did it!"
Hearing Silas's words, before Rocks could react, Newgate was the first to celebrate. He had the best relationship with Rocks on the crew, so hearing Rocks become an official White Wolf Pirates member naturally made him happy.
"I need to work harder too!"
Though the White Wolf Pirates did not discriminate against interns, Newgate still felt he should work toward becoming an official crew member!
"This level is still far from enough!"
Though his face was already splitting into a grin, Rocks still tried to act like the cool senior in front of Newgate.
Being on the ship a year earlier made him a senior, right?
From intern to official crew member, though it seemed like just a small promotion, to Rocks, this was Silas's recognition of his strength.
From today, he was no longer that green newcomer but a true pirate!
Of course, this would not be his final goal.
As a naturally rebellious pirate, his ultimate target had always been Silas. Going from intern to official crew member was just his first step forward!
After finishing everything that needed doing, it was finally time to set sail.
This voyage would include nine people total.
Captain Silas, official crew members Rocks and Ripley, and apprentice crew members Newgate, Linlin, and Stussy.
Accompanying personnel: Kozuki Toki.
Plus original crew members Lily and Dean.
The remaining three original crew members, Roya, Ed, and Kureha, all stayed on the island.
Roya was now Sphinx's head steward.
His previous battle with Sebastian had left lingering effects. Though he could still display great pirate-level strength, this strength was no longer as enduring as before.
So Ed chose to stay and care for his old comrade.
Plus Black Merchant Duke Gate, who considered himself an affiliated pirate crew of the White Wolf Pirates, Sphinx's situation was gradually stabilizing.
Moreover, Silas had already coordinated with the Giant King.
Elbaf officially established diplomatic relations with Sphinx. During Silas's absence at sea, Harald would send a group of powerful giants over.
Previously, Elbaf's giants lived separately in several villages, but after the Marine attack incident, the giants had begun building a city on Elbaf.
With the Giant King stationed at the center, except for World Government powerhouses, Elbaf would not fear any invading enemies.
And upon discovering World Government traces, the giants would evacuate immediately.
Enemies they could defeat, Harald alone could handle.
Enemies they could not defeat, even if all of Elbaf's giants joined together, they would just be sending themselves to death. So Harald agreed to Silas's mercenary plan.
Elbaf would send three great pirate-level giants and a group of ordinary giants to Sphinx, helping Sphinx deter pirates to compensate for the combat power gap left by Silas going to sea.
Sphinx would pay the giants certain fees annually.
And as the giants began working hard, predictably, giants' strength would improve significantly over the coming period. Great pirate-level giants would not be limited to just the royal guards around Harald.
Furthermore, Harald had already sent people to fetch the two Giant Warrior Pirates captains.
Elbaf had nearly been destroyed as a nation.
And you are still dueling?
Get back here immediately!
Then, through urgent communications from intelligence agents remaining at Sphinx, the Marines and CP organization received news of the White Wolf Pirates setting sail again.