"Is your ship... blessed?"
When he was first captured and imprisoned, Golden Lion constantly reflected on how he couldn't defeat Beelzebul, yet he hadn't noticed the abnormality on the ship.
It wasn't until these past two days, especially after the rudder on his head was removed this afternoon, that Golden Lion finally noticed something was wrong.
Elsewhere, he needed eight hours of sleep daily, but on Beelzebul's ship, he only needed less than three hours to fully restore his vitality and spirit.
When he considered that the other party was a member of the Lunarian Tribe, the race of gods, Golden Lion immediately began to suspect: was the east blue emperor blessed?
Legends of Davy Jones circulate on the sea, and naturally, there are also legends of being blessed and cursed.
Seven smiled slightly.
"Shiki-senpai, guess?"
Ever since helping Golden Lion remove the rudder this afternoon, Seven noticed Golden Lion had become eccentric, sometimes laughing foolishly to himself, sometimes pondering with his head down, and never once swearing again.
Golden Lion let out a cold snort.
"Is the contract about to begin?"
Seven kicked Saint Elaine, who was at his feet.
"Yes, the sky is about to brighten. We must deliver this swine Celestial Dragon to the Marine. Whether we can escape smoothly now depends entirely on Shiki-senpai."
If Vice-Captain Rayleigh were here, there would be no need to worry about the coating being tampered with. Unfortunately, Rayleigh and Shakky are likely still on vacation right now.
Golden Lion laughed with great satisfaction.
"Jie ha ha ha ha~"
"Beelzebul, if you are willing to become my right-hand man, I am willing to split the world with you after we conquer it."
Although he was reluctant to admit it, Golden Lion knew that Beelzebul's Talents and bloodline were even stronger than Rocks and Roger back then.
When Rocks was seventeen, he certainly wasn't like Beelzebul, breaking through a Buster Call and kidnapping a Celestial Dragon to extort the World Government.
Such a perfect successor was actually discovered first by that guy Roger.
Roger! You truly live up to your reputation.
"Shiki-senpai, while it's not yet dawn, we still have some time. I'll casually tell you some secret news, hoping it will be helpful to you."
When Golden Lion heard about the grievances and complex relationships between Rocks, Davy D. Jones, and Imu, a glimmer of clarity flashed in his eyes.
"No wonder that guy Rocks separated from us at God Valley back then."
"So it was Directly Ruling who betrayed us."
Golden Lion didn't admire many people in his life. Besides Roger and Whitebeard, who were his peers among the Three Legendary Pirates, the other was Golden Lion's former Captain—Rocks, the Captain of the Rocks Pirates.
"So many years have passed in a flash."
"Of the guys who once dominated the seas, only Whitebeard and I remain... and he has no intention of becoming the Pirate King, nor does he even want to search for One Piece."
Seven took over the conversation.
"Perhaps for Whitebeard, the family aboard the Moby Dick is his One Piece..."
Golden Lion did not reply, instead looking down at his empty legs, lost in thought.
Seven opened the cell door, took out a new set of clothes and the keys to the Sea Stone handcuffs, and left the pair of Prosthetics there.
"It's dawn."
"Shiki-senpai, after I finish playing this act with the Marine, the ones that need to float and fly over the Red Line are this ship and the Giant Yacht next door."
"Remember to stay as far away from Holy Land Mary Geoise as possible; there is an extraordinary fellow inside."
Golden Lion called out, stopping Seven from leaving.
"Who is present on the Marine side?"
"Garp, Sakazuki, Borsalino, several Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals, twenty Marine warships, and approximately twenty thousand Headquarters Marine soldiers."
Seven left those words, carrying the sitting cushion Saint Elaine back to the deck.
At this moment, all members of the Morning Star Pirates had assembled on the deck. Seven pointed to Shiliew, who was wearing a Military Coat, and introduced him to his companions.
"This is our new companion, Shiliew of the Rain."
Shiliew stepped forward, and as his gaze swept over Mihawk and Fujitora Issho, his eyes burned with intense desire—the desire to become the Strongest Swordsman.
After his gaze lingered for a few breaths, Shiliew nodded toward Kuma, Ginny, and Tesoro.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all."
"A pleasure."
After the crew members had introduced themselves, Seven kicked Saint Elaine, who was at his feet.
"We will hold a banquet after we reach the New World. Mihawk, Mr. Fujitora, Shiliew, you three stay here to assist Shiki-senpai in flying over the Red Line."
"Kuma-san, Ginny, be careful."
"I'm going to deliver the Celestial Dragon."
"Yes, Captain."
Although they had reached an agreement with Golden Lion, Seven still made thorough arrangements to prevent Golden Lion from smashing the two ships into the ground while flying over the Red Line.
Mihawk, Fujitora, and Shiliew are enough to handle Golden Lion's sudden attack, while Kuma and Ginny's mobility is responsible for ensuring the safety of the crew.
Repairing the east blue emperor only costs a hundred points. If the Giant Yacht breaks, so be it, as long as the crew is safe.
Of course, this is only the worst-case scenario.
Given Golden Lion's current eccentric mental state and the existence of those Indecent Photos, he definitely wouldn't unilaterally tear up the contract easily, unless Golden Lion wanted the Indecent Photos to be known to the world.
Seven picked up the bruised and swollen Saint Elaine and flew toward the Marine fleet.
Golden Lion waited specifically for Seven to leave the east blue emperor before floating out of the cabin.
"Jie ha ha ha ha~"
"Brat crew members on Beelzebul's ship."
Mihawk drew the black blade yoru from his back, Fujitora Issho drew the gamblers fireline, and Shiliew, seeing this, also drew the Famous Sword Raiu from his waist.
The Legendary Great Pirate Golden Lion—the undamaged version of Golden Lion after removing the rudder from his head and wearing Prosthetics—was worthy of such a formation.
Golden Lion was holding a cigar in his mouth.
"Jie ha ha ha~"
"Brats, make the ships fly."
Golden Lion suddenly felt a bit jealous of Beelzebul. To recruit such powerful crew members after only half a year at sea made it seem like he had wasted his time on the ocean all these years.
Roger! Fate is truly favoring you like this!
Meanwhile, in the waters of the Sabaody Archipelago.
Seven floated in mid-air, holding the Celestial Dragon Saint Elaine in his hand like a chick, while below, the Marine Buster Call Fleet was standing ready on the sea surface.
"Sashiburi da na, esteemed Marines."
Standing on the bow of the dog-headed warship were Marine Hero Garp, Admiral Akainu, Admiral Kizaru, and several Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals.
"You naturally evil pirate brat." Akainu bit his cigar, his arms already transformed into Magma Form.
"Release Saint Elaine immediately."
"Tsk tsk tsk tsk." Seven raised his palm and slapped Elaine's face, "Celestial Dragon, your pet Red Dog is barking wildly. Tell him to shut up quickly."
Saint Elaine opened his swollen mouth.
"Red Dog, shut up right now!!"
Saint Elaine had only one thought in his mind: to escape from this devil's hands as quickly as possible, and never to leave Holy Land Mary Geoise again for the rest of his life.
Surely he couldn't be kidnapped even in the Holy Land?
Hearing the Celestial Dragon call him Red Dog directly, Akainu was enraged to the point of overheating. If the Gorosei hadn't repeatedly stressed that Saint Elaine must be rescued completely unharmed, he would have long since blasted Beelzebul with Magma Jet.
Seeing this situation, Kizaru had no choice but to step forward.
Sakazuki's short temper clashing with Beelzebul's malicious humor—if the argument continued, heaven knew what changes might occur next.
"Beelzebul, the Ransom you demanded has been fully delivered. Release Saint Elaine now. I'm sure you know the consequences of severing ties with the World Government."
Seven slapped Saint Elaine again.
"See? How articulate he is."
Saint Elaine nodded frantically in agreement. The Yellow Admiral was indeed a lucky star, a savior, a fortune star... He would definitely find a way to make him the Fleet Admiral later.
Sensing that the two ships behind him were already floating in the air, Seven tossed Saint Elaine into the sea.
"Marines, catch him."