Chapter 102: Back Then, We Were Also on the Same Boat...
In a certain sea area—or rather, airspace—of the New World, various strangely shaped islands were floating in mid-air.
On the sea below, a massive pirate ship, no less impressive in scale than the Rocks Pirates' ship of the past, was docked at a port nearby.
At the bow was a huge golden lion statue. Its owner was none other than the Golden Lion—Shiki.
Compared to the "Underworld Boss" Shiki of the past, the current Golden Lion had already made a name for himself. He had become the Captain of the Flying Pirates and the Admiral of the Golden Lion Grand Fleet, gathering over a dozen pirates who had risen to fame in the New World under his command.
These floating islands were created by Shiki's Float-Float Fruit. As long as inorganic objects were touched by his hands, they could float in mid-air like this with almost no physical effort.
The reason Shiki's ship was still on the sea was simply that he adhered to some strange pirate codes, such as "a pirate ship should be docked on the sea."
Unless there was an emergency, he wouldn't use his Fruit ability casually.
"Admiral, were you really on the same ship as him back then?"
A pirate under Golden Lion's command picked up the newspaper in his hand. Whether it was the Marines or the World Government, the photographers under them were a group of special elite talents.
They were good at lurking and could inadvertently infiltrate the vicinity of various big shots.
They were good at seizing opportunities and could always find a special angle to take very striking photos.
This photo of Nereus captured the scene of him standing in Mary Geoise on a rainy night. Those Marines who stopped in their tracks, lost and bewildered in the distance, just happened to become Nereus's background board.
Sometimes, these photographers might forget to take the lens cap off, but anyway, when CP agent positions became vacant, recruiting personnel from the photography department might be a good choice.
"Yeah, that guy... was an out-and-out monster back then. Except for that guy Rocks, no one's strength could compare with his."
Mentioning this matter, Golden Lion didn't feel much.
Golden Lion wouldn't actively bring up the fact that he joined the Rocks Pirates because he lost a Davy Back Fight.
But if his underlings asked proactively, he wouldn't avoid it either. After all, it wasn't shameful. Having stayed on the same ship as such a monster could be considered "gilding" his pirate resume.
"He had this habit before; he seemed born to be at odds with slave traders... I warn you, it's best not to do things that only low-level pirates would do.
Offending that guy on the sea is not a wise move.
Back then, someone mocked him for only playing petty games, saying if he had the ability, he should go release all the slaves in Mary Geoise. Unexpectedly... he really went and did it."
Golden Lion took the wine handed over by a subordinate nearby, a hint of reminiscence in his tone. Rocks had been dead for two years, and what he spoke of was something even earlier.
"First taking the throne, then attacking Mary Geoise. Nereus, I seem to have underestimated your ambition, you guy. Do you also want this world?"
Golden Lion muttered to himself, but his gaze became increasingly determined.
"That won't do. This world... belongs to me!"
Golden Lion knew Nereus was strong, but he didn't feel he couldn't fight him. As long as they weren't near the ocean, Golden Lion believed he could still contend with the other party.
"Admiral, who was the guy who mocked him back then?"
While Golden Lion was fantasizing about the battle for the world between them, the subordinate beside him suddenly asked a question. This question abruptly choked Golden Lion.
The guy who said Nereus was playing house back then... seemed to be himself...
At that time, in Golden Lion's eyes, Nereus and Whitebeard could both be classified into the "childish brat" category.
"Who would remember that kind of thing? That was so many years ago! Get everyone ready! This time we must take down that guy Silver Axe!"
When they were in the underworld, Golden Lion and Silver Axe didn't get along. Now they were tit-for-tat rivals on the sea.
Perhaps influenced by Nereus's "big event," Golden Lion also decided to thoroughly eliminate Silver Axe and annex everything he had.
Meanwhile, on the Moby Dick of Whitebeard, the other "childish brat" in Golden Lion's eyes back then.
"Newgate, look at this. You guys were companions before too, right?"
"Stayed on the same ship, but the relationship wasn't that good."
Paul Raggum handed the newspaper to Whitebeard. He had admired Whitebeard back then and invited him aboard his ship after the God Valley Incident ended.
During these two years of getting along with his "idol," Raggum even disbanded his own Paul Pirates and directly joined under Whitebeard's command.
On this ship, there was even another merman—Neptune.
After leaving Fish-man Island, Neptune met Whitebeard. Neptune's strength was enough to handle trouble underwater, but it wasn't enough to deal with crises in the New World.
Eventually, he accepted Whitebeard's invitation and boarded Whitebeard's ship, which could be considered receiving Whitebeard's protection.
"Neptune, want to take a look?"
"No need, I've already seen it. He indeed has more ability, able to bring back compatriots trapped in Mary Geoise..."
Neptune sighed. He couldn't deny this fact. At the same time, he didn't quite understand why his father insisted on making that choice on the throne.
From the perspective of Fish-man Island, the safety Nereus could bring to Fish-man Island was far beyond what the old Royal Family could compare to.
But even if it was his father's own choice, there were some things Neptune couldn't let go of, making him appear somewhat conflicted.
"So what do you think?"
"What do I think? This is Fish-man Island's own affair. Everything that has happened now cannot be undone. If you really ask what I think... I hope Fish-man Island, in his hands, can reach that ideal step."
Although Whitebeard wanted to ask, "If Nereus fails to do so, what do you plan to do, Neptune?" But after all, they were friends who had known each other for many years, so this question was left unasked.
In another sea area far away, relying on special Homies created by the Soul-Soul Fruit, plus various desserts transformed by the Cook-Cook Fruit, Whole Cake Island had been born.
"Mama, it's news about that person... Do you want to see it?"
Katakuri held the newspaper just received in his hand, somewhat torn about whether to show it to Charlotte Linlin.
After everyone went their separate ways following the God Valley Incident, Nanamo also left directly with Nereus, cutting off Charlotte Linlin's thought of taking this daughter away.
This matter, plus being sneak-attacked by Kaido who took the Devil Fruit, made Charlotte Linlin sulk for quite a while. After that, Katakuri and the others wouldn't mention Nereus's name in front of Charlotte Linlin.
After all, if Charlotte Linlin got angry, these children couldn't bear it. So much so that Nereus was treated almost like "You-Know-Who" here...
"Did he do something extraordinary? Then bring it here and let me see."
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