"Buru~"
"Buru~"
The Den Den Mushi connected.
Arthur chuckled lightly.
"Shakky? You're actually calling me first this time—now that's rare. What, did you get your hands on some interesting intel?"
"Arthur…"
Puff—
From her voice alone, he could tell she had just exhaled a puff of smoke.
"I got hold of something big. Though honestly, with your capabilities, you'd probably learn about it yourself in a few days at most."
"But—"
"By the time you find out on your own… it'll already be too late."
Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly.
He understood immediately what she meant.
"Alright, Shakky," he said calmly.
"Tell me—what's the price this time?"
After all, information was her business.
If he didn't get the intel now and left Fish-Man Island first, by the time he heard about it again, the opportunity would already be gone. And by then, even money wouldn't help.
"Heh~"
Shakky laughed softly.
"One-tenth. No matter what you gain from this, I only want ten percent. Not a single beri more."
Arthur raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"Oh? Only ten percent? That means this treasure must be enormous. For you to settle for so little…"
"Fine," he said smoothly.
"A tenth it is. Now tell me."
Shakky's tone turned serious.
"Rocks D. Xebec's treasure…"
"…has been discovered."
"…On Hachinosu Island."
The air froze.
Even Neptune, standing nearby, widened his eyes in shock.
This wasn't some ancient rumor.
It had only been a few months since the fall of the Rocks Pirates. The World Government had desperately tried to erase their existence, yet now—
Someone had found Xebec's treasure.
That was nothing short of a bomb capable of shaking the entire world.
Arthur let out a soft chuckle.
"So it really exists…"
"I suspected as much—but to think it actually surfaced."
He wasn't surprised.
Back then, Rocks had entrusted him with quietly watching over some people—elderly, women, and children of the Xebec family line. Arthur had already settled them safely in Britannia, living as ordinary civilians.
They were distant relatives at best, and knew nothing of Rocks' secrets.
Arthur had kept his promise.
But he had always suspected that Rocks would never leave everything behind without preparation.
And now—
That suspicion had been confirmed.
Shakky continued:
"For months, people have been searching. Before the God Valley incident, Rocks entrusted the location of his treasure to one of his elite subordinates."
"That man died during the battle."
"But recently, someone got their hands on that information."
"Yesterday, on Hachinosu, he was captured. After being tortured… he spilled everything."
"The news has only been circulating for one day, but it's already spreading fast."
"Arthur, you'd better move quickly. You're still on Fish-Man Island."
She paused, then added thoughtfully:
"Though… even if you don't rush, it won't matter much. The New World is vast. No one can reach Hachinosu immediately."
Arthur nodded slowly.
She was right.
But—
If he waited even two or three days, everything would already be over.
By the time he arrived, there wouldn't even be scraps left.
"Understood," Arthur said calmly.
"Thank you, Shakky. Your ten percent is guaranteed."
"Heh~ That's what I like to hear."
The line clicked dead.
Arthur stood in silence, his gaze darkening.
Rocks D. Xebec's treasure.
If it were anyone else's fortune, he might not have cared.
But Rocks?
That man had once ruled the seas.
Whatever he left behind would be unimaginable in scale.
"Your Majesty," Neptune said gravely,
"If you intend to pursue this… it won't be easy."
Arthur nodded.
"Of course. Anyone with half a brain will come running."
"This treasure will draw monsters from every corner of the sea."
Then he stood.
"No matter what, I'm going."
Neptune clenched his fists.
"I understand."
The moment Arthur left Fish-Man Island, trouble would follow.
Because—
The true protector would be gone.
Arthur immediately began making preparations.
He would take Galahad, Gareth, and several non-Fish-Man knight candidates. Max and the others would remain behind.
Fish-Man Island still mattered more than treasure.
Wealth could be reclaimed.
But losing territory? That was irreversible.
Neptune bowed deeply.
"Sir Gawain—Fish-Man Island will be in your hands."
Gawain smiled brightly and placed a hand over his chest.
"You have my word. By the name of a Knight of the Round Table, I will protect this land."
With a sharp motion, he drew his blade.
"Everyone!"
"The King's departure means danger is coming."
"I don't know who among you may fall."
"But I promise you this—"
"Those who survive will earn glory!"
"Stand your ground!"
"This land is our home!"
"And we will defend it!"
The knights dropped to one knee in unison.
"Yes!"
Gawain turned to Max.
"Maintain constant surveillance. The moment anything feels off—report it."
Max nodded firmly.
"Understood!"
Everyone knew it.
This was the real test.
If they failed—
Britannia's enemies would tear them apart.
Arthur had already made too many enemies.
If he fell, the vultures would descend instantly.
But—
Arthur would not allow that to happen.
---
The ship cut through the sea.
Arthur stood at the bow, staring into the dark waves.
Gareth approached quietly.
"My King… it's late. You should rest."
Arthur smiled faintly.
"I'm fine. I'm just wondering…"
"Why now?"
"Why did Rocks' treasure surface at this moment?"
Gareth hesitated.
"Could it be… that the one who found it was simply too afraid to act?"
Arthur froze.
Then he laughed softly.
"You're right."
"So simple… and yet I overlooked it."
A lone pirate.
Holding a secret that could shake the world.
Of course he'd hesitate.
Of course he'd panic.
Of course he'd make mistakes.
Arthur exhaled slowly.
"Rest now."
"Because what comes next…"
He gazed toward the horizon.
"…will be war."
A war unlike any before.
The final gathering of monsters.
The last echo of Rocks D. Xebec's era.
And the storm—
Has begun stirring up.
---------------------------------///
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