Kaido's materials on the Kozuki Clan… Creed felt he already knew more than Kaido did, but he still took them and glanced through.
After flipping a few pages, Creed set them aside—sure enough, there was even less than what he already knew.
Sometimes, knowing the plot ahead of time wasn't all that fun. Being "all-knowing" could be pretty boring—it completely robbed the process of exploration.
The Toki Toki no Mi (Time-Time Fruit) still had no whereabouts for now, but Creed wasn't discouraged. He continued ordering Wano to pour more manpower and resources into searching for it.
After tearing out the Navy's New Headquarters in the New World, Creed had plenty of free time to focus on improving his own strength. There was no need to rush.
Because of how terrifying Imu was said to be, Creed decided that until he broke through to SSSS+ tier, he would not attack the Holy Land Mary Geoise.
The final battle couldn't tolerate even the slightest negligence.
Creed and Kaido were still talking when a subordinate hurried in to report that Shanks had come to request an audience.
"He's finally here."
After the battle at the Navy's New Headquarters, Creed had known Shanks wouldn't be able to hold back forever.
After all, in the New World, Creed had already consolidated the power of three Emperors. Outside of that, the only remaining "anomaly" was the Red Hair Pirates.
Of course, Creed would give him enough time to think it over—choose to submit, or be flattened.
No one could stop Creed from unifying the New World.
If the New World wasn't unified, the rear would be unstable, and Creed wouldn't be able to launch a crusade against the Holy Land Mary Geoise.
That said, because Creed understood what kind of existence the Red Hair Pirates were, he wouldn't shackle them or force them to "join" the Creed Alliance in a binding way.
But Creed absolutely required Shanks' submission in name!
Inside a lavish reception hall, Creed met a travel-worn Shanks.
"Shanks-senpai, long time no see."
Creed's greeting and courtesy startled Shanks a little.
After all, Creed was now someone who could stand on the same level as the Celestial Dragons—yet he still addressed Shanks as "senpai."
"Captain Creed. This time, I'm here on behalf of the Red Hair Pirates to request joining the Creed Alliance."
Shanks went straight to the point, leaving Creed momentarily stunned.
What a pleasant surprise—things really had fallen into place without effort.
"That's no problem. Shanks-senpai can join in name only. The alliance won't place the slightest restriction on the Red Hair Pirates."
Creed replied with delight.
This guy was way too sensible.
"No, no, no! Captain Creed—we want to fight alongside you to overthrow the Celestial Dragons."
Shanks shook his head.
That answer shocked Creed even more.
Creed knew Shanks had ties with the World Government.
But he hadn't expected that their relationship wasn't as "friendly" as people imagined—Shanks saw a chance to topple the Celestial Dragons, and he was even willing to lower his status to join the Creed Alliance.
"That's exactly what I want. Thank you so much, Shanks-senpai."
Creed clapped in praise.
"Never thought that between you and Luffy… you'd be the one to become the Pirate King first. Looks like I gave my hat to the wrong person."
Only after receiving Creed's approval did Shanks finally relax, then he sighed with emotion.
"You didn't give it to the wrong person. Luffy will become the next Pirate King—assuming there are still pirates by then."
Creed replied with a smile.
"The next Pirate King? Assuming there are still pirates by then?"
Shanks chewed on those words, a strange light flickering in his eyes.
He understood what that sentence implied—and what Creed intended to do in the future.
It was an unprecedented, grand ambition.
Everyone knew this was the Great Pirate Era. Countless hot-blooded powerhouses across the world threw themselves into the sea as pirates, all chasing after Roger's legendary great treasure.
Many pirates waved the banner of "freedom," but in truth they did the work of bandits—murdering and robbing, bullying the weak, committing countless vile acts that made people seethe with hatred.
To most ordinary civilians, pirates were evil, damned—practically devils. People wished they could eat their flesh and gnaw their bones.
They'd all suffered under pirate brutality.
Of course, there was also a small minority who truly upheld freedom and righteousness as they sailed—like Jinbe, for example.
But today, hearing Creed speak of a world with "no pirates"… honestly, Shanks was more shocked by that than by the idea of attacking the Holy Land Mary Geoise.
If you wanted to eradicate pirates, that meant declaring war on every pirate in the world!
And the world's pirates were an enormous force—just thinking about it made sweat bead on Shanks' forehead.
More importantly, the Great Pirate Era sparked by Pirate King Roger had carved the branding of "freedom" and "wealth" deep into the minds of the world's people.
You could say every strong person in the world was a potential future pirate.
Could that really be eradicated?!
Still—having that kind of audacity was something Shanks genuinely admired.
"The world will return to the track it was meant to be on. Pirates will go where they're meant to go. Pirates won't disappear."
Seeing Shanks frozen like that, Creed just smiled and continued.
Shanks nearly choked speechless.
I totally believe you… my ass.
"A world with no pirates," yet "pirates won't disappear," they'll "go where they're meant to go"…
Shanks couldn't make sense of it at all.
He even started to suspect Creed might be fooling him.
(End of Chapter)
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