Linlin nodded, her eyes shining with greed. "That's right..." she murmured. "Once the Captain wins, our group will be the only one, easily surpassing Xebec and Roger."
Her voice revealed the ambition that consumed her. She longed to be the queen of the seas, the most powerful pirate in the world, and she was convinced that Hashirama would help her achieve her dream.
"At that moment, we will be able to do whatever we want and have everything a pirate always desires," she added, with a cruel smile that revealed her sharp teeth.
Kaido, on the other hand, merely laughed with his characteristic roar. "Wo ro ro ro ro, the Captain will not disappoint us." With an expectant look, he watched the central area of the island, where Hashirama was facing the marines and pirates.
—
The brutal death of the CP0 agents at Hashirama's hands left those present shocked and full of uncertainty. How was it possible for one man to possess such power?
Despite having joined forces to eliminate Hashirama in God Valley, reality had hit them hard. Their plan had failed miserably, and now they faced a much more formidable enemy than they had imagined.
"What will we do now, Captain Rocks?" asked one of Rocks' crew members, his voice trembling.
"Hashirama's trump card is stronger than we expected," murmured Xebec, frowning.
However, his tone was not one of defeat but of determination. He knew this was only a temporary setback and that they still had a chance to defeat Hashirama.
"Don't worry," Xebec said, taking a cigar from his chest and lighting it with a calmness that contrasted with the tension of the moment. "Those guys were just bait. I wanted to test our enemy and see what cards he had."
"It doesn't matter if they die, you don't have to worry. Compared to the Marines, CP0 is like trash."
Xebec's words provoked an immediate reaction. Kong couldn't help but reprimand him: "We've lost combat power. Xebec. You shouldn't talk like that!"
Xebec simply smiled arrogantly. "Kong, even if I say something about your mother, can you beat me? Don't be ridiculous."
"If it weren't for Hashirama, we, the Rocks Pirates, wouldn't cooperate with you marines," Xebec added, with a defiant tone.
"Do you think we also want to cooperate with you, pirate scum?!" Zephyr couldn't contain his anger at Xebec's arrogance.
"Since we do all kinds of evil, then, as righteous marines, how could you, the marines, cooperate with us?" Xebec didn't even look at Zephyr, exhaling some puffs of white smoke and speaking slowly.
Zephyr opened his mouth, with anger and frustration reflected on his face. He wanted to say something but could only clench his fists in pain.
Deep down, he knew that the cooperation between marines and pirates was a farce, an unnatural alliance. However, the orders of the World Government and the threat of the World Nobles forced them to work together, despite their principles.
"If you can't speak, then just shut up," Shiki said sarcastically. "If those old men from the Gorosei hadn't taken the initiative to ask us, do you think we would have cooperated with you marines?"
"Ha ha ha!" Silver Axe, another member of the Rocks crew, laughed out loud. "The marines are just a bunch of trash."
Silver Axe's words ignited the anger of Zephyr and Sengoku. The marines, dedicated to justice and order, were forced to tolerate the insults of these pirates, a humiliating and frustrating situation.
Zephyr, unable to contain his fury, roared: "You pirates deserve justice!"
However, Roger intervened to calm the situation. "This is not the time for internal struggles!" he said firmly. "Our priority is to cooperate to destroy Hashirama."
Kong nodded. "Zephyr, enough. The marines have to obey orders, as the World Government has commanded. Even if the object of cooperation is the pirates, it doesn't matter."
Zephyr, resigned, lowered his head and murmured: "Yes, Admiral Kong, I will obey the order and cooperate well with the pirates."
In the midst of the tension, Garp addressed Xebec and Roger with a piercing gaze. "You better control your subordinates as well," he said in a threatening tone. "Otherwise, it doesn't matter if I lose my life, I will focus solely on killing you."
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