Chapter 23: Bathing In The Sun
"Isn't this promising?"
In Admiral Sengoku's office, Vice Admiral Garp remarked casually as he snacked on Sengoku's collection of rice crackers,
"Even the underdogs want a taste of success!"
"If the Valoran family transitions into the Valoran Chamber of Commerce, it could greatly benefit us Marines!"
Darkness often breeds violence and disorder.
"But do you think that family's ambitions will be just a sunny stroll?"
"Or will they resist when others try to steal their sunshine?"
Sengoku sighed deeply,
"If this continues, they're bound to encounter major challenges!"
Kings, nobles, and even some high-ranking officials in the World Government may not willingly contribute money and effort to construction projects!
But they're always ready to reap the rewards.
"Maybe it's not trouble after all, but perhaps a pleasant surprise."
"They might be the ones to transform West Blue entirely!"
Garp glanced at Duke's photos and information on Sengoku's desk and spoke in a low voice.
He then emptied his bag of rice crackers and gulped them down.
"Hey, save some for me,"
"That's my last bag of rice crackers!"
Sengoku, seeing Garp's bulging cheeks and his frantic swallowing, veins popping on his forehead, grabbed Garp's neck and shook it vigorously!
"Water, water..."
Garp's face turned red as he reached for the tea on his desk to soothe his throat.
Garp's hasty eating often led to choking on rice crackers.
"Haaaaaa, have you unified the West Blue's underworld?"
"It seems another emperor may soon rise in the shadows,"
"But will your ambitions end here?"
"Valoran family, baaaaaa, I eagerly await the day you shake up the world!"
In Dressrosa's palace in the New World, Doflamingo grinned, his eyes glinting with madness.
Doflamingo craved chaos in the world and harbored revenge against all.
The Revolutionary Army didn't pay much attention to the Valoran family's unification of the West Blue's underworld, their focus being elsewhere.
Their aim was to topple oppressive regimes and liberate the oppressed masses!
Though it seemed futile at times.
A revolution that merely ousted tyrants without empowering the people was just adding chaos to the seas.
The Celestial Dragons made life miserable for civilians in World Government-affiliated countries in the Pirate World.
But in reality, it was these countries that needed the World Government's protection, not the other way around!
In the pirate world, even with a weakened World Government, the presence of Marine and World Government offered protection and deterrence.
As for non-World Government countries, except for a few powerful ones, they often became havens for criminals and pirates.
For ordinary folks, these places were nothing short of hell.
"Dragon, you don't grasp the essence of revolution!"
Crocodile initially couldn't fathom why Dazbonis rejected joining his Baroque Works.
Until Shadow Stream emerged, gaining fame in West Blue by assassinating several major underworld figures and even a notorious pirate with a nearly 100 million bounty.
Now, it was the top assassin organization in West Blue.
"The Valoran family that unified West Blue's underworld?"
"And the Shadowstream Killer Organization linked to them?"
"Did you reject Baroque Works just because of them?"
"It seems Dazbonis's courage ends here!"
"This world is vast indeed."
Crocodile puffed his cigar, exhaling a smoke ring nonchalantly.
"If you reveal your identity,
I'm certain Dazponis won't refuse Baroque Works' invitation,"
"After all, you're one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea,
Almost standing at the pinnacle of this world!"
Beside him, Nico Robin smiled, covering her mouth.
"Baroque Works was never my true aim,"
"Don't forget your mission, Nico Robin!"
Crocodile's tone turned icy, his gaze piercing through the cigar smoke.
Baroque Works, from the start, was merely a means for Crocodile to fulfill his goals of finding Pluton and seizing Alabasta!
Even Nico Robin was just a tool selected by Crocodile.
Now defeated by Whitebeard, Crocodile trusted no allies and had no partners.
He was a true pirate.
"Of course, Mr. Sir Crocodile!"
Nico Robin smiled, acknowledging.
She knew her cooperation with Crocodile would likely end with her translating the historical text he sought.
But so what?
In this world of high bounties, betrayal, and isolation,
She had been hunted by the world government, left with no one to turn to.
Crocodile was her only option now.
Since Crocodile was using her, why not use him too?
Delving into lost history, deciphering ancient texts,
That had become Nico Robin's sole obsession in this world.
Nico Robin was unaware of her father's existence.
For now, Duke hadn't considered directly contacting Nico Robin.
Among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, besides Crocodile and Doflamingo, the others paid little heed to the changes in West Blue's underworld.
Mihawk was busy with his rivalry against the red-haired swordsman, Moria obsessed with his corpse-stealing schemes,
Jinbe focused on guarding Fish-Man Island, while Kuma and Boa Hancock managed their own territories.
West Blue?
Why should they concern themselves with events there?
As for the Four Emperors of the New World?
They paid little attention to shifts in West Blue's underground power.
A mere mafia family was insignificant to them.
However challenging it might seem, a ruler in shallow waters could never compare to a dragon in the depths.
But soon, Duke would demonstrate that strength arises from adversity.
Unifying West Blue's underworld was just Duke's starting point.
The next step was monopolizing the entire region and amassing wealth.
For Duke, money equated to true power.
But before tackling West Blue's monopolization, Duke had a few smaller issues to resolve.
Such as dealing with the wounded Zhuoran before him and the Flower Kingdom's trio lurking in the background!
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