Was Dragon a Kaze Kaze no Mi (Wind-Wind Fruit) user, or did he, like Kaido, hold a Ryu Ryu no Mi (Dragon-Dragon Fruit) model?
Creed was genuinely curious about Dragon's Devil Fruit. In the original timeline's fleeting glimpses, Dragon seemed able to command wind, rain, and lightning—an ability of frightening scope. Kaido, whom Creed had fought before, also wielded thunder; there were echoes between the two…
He shelved thoughts of Dragon for now. The priority was setting sail for Whitebeard's territory and escorting Princess Shirahoshi to him safely.
"Captain, there's one more important matter," Crocodile said solemnly, piquing Creed's interest.
"Our crew still lacks a unified Jolly Roger."
Creed blinked, then laughed in realization. True—he'd been roaming with Redfield and others, never pausing to think about such things. Redfield had long been used to working solo, and never treated a crew flag as a priority. Robin had mentioned it before, but he'd put it off.
Up to now, Crocodile's group had simply slapped "Creed" across a giant skull—making it the first crew in the New World to fly a name as its flag. But times had changed: the Creed Pirates had grown into a force of several thousand. Continuing without a single, unifying emblem—still just his name—wasn't right.
Crocodile's reminder was perfectly timed, and Creed couldn't help but praise him. "Good catch, Crocodile—lucky you brought it up, or we might've kept overlooking it."
"As for the design, I'll leave it to you. My aim is to topple the World Government and end the rule of the Celestial Dragons—shape it around that."
He had hesitated before, wary of exposing his intent too early and stirring the ranks. The Marines were still the sea's dominant power, hard for any force to shake. But with global conscription underway, troops shifting, and headquarters rumored to be moving into the New World again, the storm was clearly gathering. There was no point hiding anymore.
What's there to fear? Do it.
Crocodile stared, momentarily stunned. He'd thought Creed meant only to become the New World's supreme ruler—he hadn't expected… this. Still, a man who had danced with death had nothing left to be afraid of. If the rest of his life could blaze, better to burn bright than rust.
After a few more instructions, Creed prepared to depart. He didn't tell Crocodile he was headed to see Whitebeard; Crocodile's grudge with the old man ran deep, and Creed didn't want needless thoughts stirred.
Before long, the Creed sailed away from the small island called Green Coconut.
He hadn't expected Redfield to be even more worked up than Shirahoshi.
"At last… to meet you, sovereign of the seas—the world's strongest man, Whitebeard!"
Redfield muttered on the deck, eyes fixed on the horizon, face full of yearning.
Creed understood. Rumor among the masses held that Redfield alone could stand shoulder to shoulder with the crews of Whitebeard and Roger. In truth, Redfield had fought both Roger and Whitebeard and judged himself inferior; Garp even remarked that he was unworthy of a name in the annals of history. (That line appears in the game One Piece: Unlimited World R.)
When he defeated Steel Bone Kong, Kong was already in his eighties, while Redfield was at his peak. In short, the legend that he ran even with Roger and Whitebeard was a bit inflated.
Of course, Redfield back then likely possessed SSSS-level strength, not far off those two. Since gaining the Batto Batto no Mi, Model: Vampire, he'd poured nearly all his time into fruit development, and his progress had been swift. Recently, when Creed quietly checked his stats, he found Redfield's fruit power had reached the threshold of awakening, and his Strength attribute had risen to SSSS-level.
In other words, Redfield now had two SSSS-level base attributes plus one SSSS-level ability. He was one step from the Four Emperors' tier. Creed was optimistic his swordsmanship could climb another rung to SSSS-level as well—these days, their frequent sparring had helped him greatly.
If Redfield advanced to a true SSSS-class powerhouse, it would be a tremendous boost. Perhaps that breakthrough would come after meeting Whitebeard—Creed had a hunch Redfield might cross blades with him.
In the New World lay Whale Island, named for its whale-like shape—a vast, lush landmass over a hundred li across. It was one of Whitebeard's bases. With tens of thousands under his banner, Whitebeard maintained multiple strongholds, but he favored this one and often came to rest here.
Creed hadn't even reached Whale Island when patrol boats spotted his ship. They recognized the Creed at a glance, and urgently reported it. In recent years, the world's hottest name had been the Marine defector—the New World's Fifth Emperor—Creed. Even on Whitebeard's side, many younger pirates idolized him and knew his companions and ship by heart. The giant vessel built of Treasure Tree Adam announced his arrival the moment it appeared.
Whitebeard's people had already been warned to expect him. The old man wasn't on the island, but aboard the Moby Dick holding a raucous banquet. Pirates crowding the harbor joined the revelry—an ocean of joy.
The Creed's approach damped the laughter a shade. Faces turned sober.
The Fifth Emperor had come to meet the era's sovereign.
What thread bound the two? Curiosity rippled through Whitebeard's men. Hands drifted to hilts by reflex—years of honed vigilance. Not everyone believed Creed had come just to drink with their "Old Man."
After all, Kaido's last visits had been sudden raids—ships sunk, brothers slain, grievous losses. Between sea emperors, kind words were rare; vigilance was constant.
"Gura-ra-ra!!"
(End of Chapter)
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