Lunacia's actions and beginning of the Great Pirate Age

Chapter 18 - Lunacia's actions and beginning of the Great Pirate Age

Two years after getting off Roger's ship, Lunacia spent most of her time focusing on training her special abilities, gathering orphans to train as future executives, and finding promising talents from the pirates under her control to become executive candidates.

It should be noted that the number of pirates under her control has increased significantly compared to before.

She has spent many years of development, and it seems that the information of having many ships coming and going out of her archipelago has spread all over the world, so pirates started to gather around her territory, but Lunacia will beat them up and make them swear allegiance every time she sees them.

Putting aside choosing talents from her subordinates, it is inefficient if she would personally collect orphans, so she decided to establish orphanages in various places all at the same time.

Her plan is to pick up those who are outstanding among those educated within the orphanage.

She traveled far and wide not only in Grand Line, but also on the islands in North, South, East, and West Blues, and if she meet pirates and outlaws like the mafia, she would beat them to submission, and put them under her wing after they swear loyalty.

On top of that, she would consult with local residents and build orphanages after obtaining their consent, while hiring applicants among the residents who could educate and take care of the gathered orphans.

Of course, while she did that, she would also propose trade and security suggestions, recruit immigrants, and if there are auction houses or other establishments selling slaves, she would buy and set all of them free, sending applicants to her island if they wishes so.

The World Government and the Marines decided to overlook Lunacia's actions in the meantime partly because big names such as Roger, Golden Lion, and Whitebeard are going on a rampage.

Seeing that as an opportunity, Lunacia headed to Water 7 to meet the shipwright called Tom.

As she deepens exchanges with him, talking about her adventures with Roger and his crew, she heard from Tom the idea of something called Sea Train.

She was quickly attracted by that idea, and offered to invest fully in him as soon as she heard about it.

Tom was surprised, but there was no reason to refuse, so he accepted.

Lunacia took several days to create a contract while contracting Bakkin via Den Den Mushi, and signed the contract after explaining to Tom what it entails from top to bottom.

Developing, designing, and manufacturing the Sea Train is very difficult, but Lunacia is the type who believes that there aren't that many things impossible if you have enough time, manpower, and resources.

She also signed another contract with Tom for the design and construction of her own pirate ship after signing the contract about the Sea Train.

Lunacia described vividly to Tom what kind of pirate ship she wants, and he also reacted by listening to her explanation while giving various suggestions.

They were really able to fill in the details, so Lunacia was very satisfied when she left Water 7.

And, she also signs an assistance contract with the scholars of a place called Ohara found in West Blue.

Her stance is basically, 'it's better to get along with researchers and engineers'.

Establishment of orphanages, building friendly trade relationships with various islands, supporting researchers and engineers――

Lunacia has been energetically carrying out those series of activities for a long period of time, and her sphere of influence is expanding ever rapidly――until neither the World Government nor the Marines could no longer deal with her so easily.

The World Government, which took the matter seriously, raised her bounty so much that it made everybody surprised, but that was the extent of what they could do.

And, Lunacia goes on to the final touch.

That plan was a clear declaration of war against the World Government, but it was something that will receive tremendous support from the civilians.

However, just before that, information came in that Roger surrendered to the World Government and would be publicly executed in Loguetown.

Furthermore, Shiki, who is necessary for the plan, singlehandedly attacked Marineford and got captured by the Marineford and imprisoned in Impel Down.

For the time being, she headed to Loguetown while sending messages using Den Den Mushi to those who can take action, summoning the executives that she raised to Loguetown.

The Marines' security is meaningless for Lunacia.

Unless the entire building is made of Seastone, she can use her ability to sneak in anywhere.

However, just in case, she stunned the marine soldiers guarding the prison.

Lunacia calls out to Roger who was imprisoned.

"It's been a long time, Roger"

"Oh, it's you, Lunacia... it's been a while."

Roger didn't bother asking how she entered.

He had just read about the ever-elusive Lunacia who would appear and disappear on various islands written in the newspapers.

"Should I have sent you a congratulatory gift, when you became the Pirate King after conquering Grand Line?"

"Give me some booze then. I'll take that as gift."

"I thought you'd say so, so I brought some."

Lunacia turned her body into a fog, slipped through the steel bars, and enters the prison.

She took out two small bottles of alcohol, opened them, and handed one over to him.

His hands are handcuffed, but he can drink.

Roger drank about half of it all at once.

"Good drink."

"It's my favorite."

With that said, Lunacia also drank a little and says.

"So, why did you surrender?"

"Well, I guess I could say it now... it's an incurable disease. My time is already short."

"Shiki will be stunned when he finds out. After all, it seems that he invaded Marineford alone, saying things like 'I'll execute you personally' or something."

"That sounds like him."

Lunacia rolled her eyes at Roger, who laughed as usual and asked.

"I also drank with Whitebeard before I surrendered. That bastard, he described you as a cunning brat because of what you're doing."

"I'mma go pull out his mustache."

"Maybe it's my biggest regret not seeing that..."

Roger laughs heroically, but coughs blood in midway.

"It looks like your disease's quite serious."

"Yeah, anyway, it will be over tomorrow... do you want me to tell you how to get to Laugh Tale as a parting gift?"

Lunacia shrugs her shoulders at Roger, who asked that.

"Laugh Tale... since you named the island like that, I guess that there was something there you couldn't help but laugh at, right?"

"Well, you should look forward when you actually see it. Are you collecting information about it?"

"I think that the Poneglyphs are suspicious. Those things, they shouldn't be simple historical relics."

"You've got some good instincts there. You should just follow them. Though it's not always good to move forward."

'Is that so?', Lunacia nodded and asked.

"By the way, leaving the faraway Laugh Tale aside, are you hiding some treasures nearby?"

"Nope! There's nothing at all! I used every penny when we disbanded!"

Lunacia looked intently at Roger, who stated that definitively.

"Any last words? For tomorrow's execution."

"I'm thinking of saying how to get to Laugh Tale in my own way, but I can't think of any good words. Got any idea?"

Being asked, Lunacia grins.

"How about saying, all your treasures are out there? Most pirates would risk their lives finding it."

"That sounds good. I'll do that."

After answering that, Roger laughed for a while before saying.

"I'm glad you came to see me, Lunacia."

After saying that, he drank the remaining rum.

"Yes, you have helped me a lot one time. Let's meet again someday."

Roger smiles fearlessly at Lunacia's words.

"Yeah, see ya."

"By that time, I should know the meaning of the Laugh Tale you're calling."

"I'm looking forward to it."

Lunacia stood up while listening to Roger's words and told him with a smile.

"If you meet Rocks, please say I said hello."

"Right, maybe I will meet him... well, we'll get along. You should live well too."

"Yeah. See you soon."

"Yeah. See ya."

Lunacia then turned into fog, leaving the prison.

Seeing her off, Roger remembered the old days and laughed a little.

The next day, Roger, who was about to be executed noticed that not only his former crew members were around, but even Lunacia was among the watching crowd.

And she is surrounded by people who seem to be her companions.

At first glance, he knew that each of them was strong, and what surprised him the most was a young man carrying Black Blade Yoru on his back.

It's a man with eyes like a hawk. He could feel incredible strength from him.

'He doesn't look like someone who would follow anybody, so how in the world did Lunacia pull him in?

I mean, I can't believe that Lunacia would give Yoru to someone else――!'

While he was thinking about that, the time of the execution had come.

He shouts before the guillotine drops.

"My treasure? If you want it, you can have it! Find it! I left everything this world has to offer there!"

Roger's words.

His head was soon decapitated, but everyone in the crowd heard his words.

The treasures of a man called the Pirate King.

Everyone who knew about it got excited and cheered for it.

Among them, Lunacia laughed.

Like a child with a successful big mischief.

"...what are you laughing at?"

"Oh, Mihawk. A great man succeeded in an extraordinary prank in the end. How crazy is that."

He shrugs his shoulder to show incomprehension and turns to walk away.

"Hey, leaving already? It's such a waste since so many of us have gathered..."

"I am thankful for picking me up and raising me as an orphan... I even received a good sword from you.

'However', he continued.

"It's hard to say that I can use it to its fullest. I'm going to train."

"...I made a mistake in raising you."

"Don't worry, I'll respond to your call like this time. I'll return the favor in my own way. See ya."

Having said so, Mihawk left the scene.

There were others who soon followed suit.

"Crocodile... you too?"

"I'll contribute to you in my own way... because you placed me and my crew members directly under your command. I won't violate your policy, so don't worry."

"Okay okay. fine. But don't pick fights with Newgate and the others, okay? It'll be a hassle."

He also left, listening to those words with his back.

Having already expected it, Lunacia turned her gaze to the remaining two without any surprise.

"So, you guys are leaving too, huh? Doffy, Tesoro..."

"Yeah. I'll give you back the favor in my own way. Just in line with your policy."

"Same. You have helped me so much... I won't betray you. I'll contribute to increasing your influence."

Lunacia shrugs her shoulders.

"First, Tesoro should explode happily with Stella for many years to come."

"Is that congratulations? Or is it a curse?"

"It's my own way of blessing."

Hearing the exchange between Lunacia and Tesoro, Doflamingo left with a laugh.

Seeing him off, Lunacia asks Tesoro.

"Tesoro, can you tell me your plans from now on...?"

"I don't have a concrete plan yet, but I'm thinking of using my ability to open a casino... still, I've been wanting to ask this for a long time, but why did you give me the Goru Goru no Mi?"

"Because you are very much aware of how to be poor. Also, you should make Stella happy."

Tesoro was somewhat embarrassed being told like that by Lunacia with a gentle smile, so he ran away without looking at her face.

"...really, isn't it terrible that everyone's just leaving the boss behind?"

Lunacia puffed out her cheeks, and casually explored the surroundings with Kenbunshoku Haki, she then found someone quite interesting.

He was quite close to where he was right now, so she headed there immediately.

What she saw there was a young devil-like man.

Lunacia called out to him.

"Hey, you. You look strong. Why don't you fight me for a moment?"

"Kishishishi, you want to fight me? With Moria-sama!?"

"Yeah. If you lose, can you give me your everything?"

"Interesting! Let's do it!"

Lunacia shows a friendly smile while asking how much his bounty was.

"How much is your bounty?"

"I'm 200 million belly! But I should reach 300 million soon...!"

Lunacia was impressed, it was a bigger fish than expected.

Moria asks in return.

"Are you also a Pirate? I feel like I've seen your bounty poster somewhere..."

"If you pick up my corpse, you can become a billionaire."

"Kishishi! Let's fight then!"

"Shall we change location?"

Moria accepted Lunacia's proposal and led her while saying that he knew a good place.

And, the place where she was guided to was the ship of the Gecko Pirates Moria leads.

Led by Moria, he and his subordinates surrounded Lunacia.

However, she still had that sunny smile facing them as she said.

"I hope you can last a minute."

The Gecko Pirates who took that as provocation rushed towards Lunacia with Moria's lead, but were quickly wiped out.

It was because they couldn't bear the Haoshoku Haki Lunacia released.

Moria heard in his fading consciousness.

"By the way, my bounty is about 3.5 billion belly. Sorry, I forgot to tell you."

Hearing that amount, he remembered.

Using his last strength, he raised his face and says.

"Bastard... you're Lunacia the Immortal...! Why are you here..."

After saying that, he fainted.

"I came to see Roger off... you can't hear me, huh."

She didn't kill them, so Lunacia decided to sit beside Moria and wait for them to wake up.