Roger stared at the newspaper in his hand, his expression darkening.
After a long silence, he finally spoke in a solemn voice:
"I have to personally kill Byrnndi World."
Roger's meaning was clear.
Not only did he intend to stop Byrnndi World—
He intended to kill him.
"Finding him won't be easy. He's definitely hiding somewhere and secretly building the ship."
Scopper Gaban sighed.
"Right now, he's probably become the target of the entire New World."
"There's nowhere he can run forever."
"We'll find him sooner or later."
Rayleigh reminded calmly.
The Roger Pirates weren't the only ones searching for Byrnndi World.
Other pirates—
As well as the World Government and Marines—
Surely all wanted the blueprint for Pluton.
"After killing Tom in Water 7 and stealing the blueprint, Byrnndi World wouldn't risk appearing at Sabaody to coat his ship and enter the New World."
"He should still be in the first half of the Grand Line."
Gaban analyzed calmly.
And to be fair—
His analysis was correct.
At this moment, Byrnndi World was indeed still in the first half of the Grand Line.
"Set sail!"
"We're heading to the first half of the Grand Line!"
Roger shouted.
Their ship immediately began moving toward the first half of the Grand Line.
But they weren't the only pirates interested in Pluton's blueprint.
For example—
The Golden Lion, Shiki.
After leaving the Rocks Pirates, he had spent his time raiding and accumulating wealth to build his own fleet.
The moment he learned from the news that Byrnndi World possessed Pluton's blueprint—
He mobilized immediately.
And began searching the world for him.
He needed a ship.
And Pluton was the ideal vessel in his eyes.
If he managed to seize the blueprint and build it—
Then merely possessing such a ship would be enough to attract countless pirates to join him.
"Jiehahaha…!"
"A weapon capable of destroying the world, the Pluton battleship—"
"Only someone like me deserves it!"
"Byrnndi World… I'll find you!"
Somewhere in the New World,
Golden Lion stood atop a looted merchant ship, wielding his two famous swords as he laughed maniacally.
And it wasn't only Golden Lion.
Other pirates had already begun moving as well.
For instance—
Whitebeard.
Charlotte Linlin.
Kaido.
And the remaining remnants of the Rocks Pirates.
Without exception,
All of them were interested in Pluton's blueprint.
…
Several days later.
Mary Geoise.
Is was training his physical combat skills in the backyard of his castle.
At that moment, Roz Minian entered the courtyard and softly reported:
"Master, Dorak requests an audience outside."
"Dorak?"
Hearing this, Is stopped moving and turned toward her.
"Yes."
Roz Minian nodded.
"Let him in."
Is nodded.
"Yes, Master."
Is ended his training and changed into clean clothes before returning to the castle's reception hall.
The hall was empty.
Only Roz Minian and Dorak were present.
"Master."
Roz Minian greeted him.
The moment Dorak saw Is, he hurriedly bowed.
"Forgive the disturbance, Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is."
"Is something the matter, Saint Dorak?"
Is sat down calmly on the sofa, picked up an apple, and gestured for him to sit.
"Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is…"
"Do you remember Kegimendora from a few days ago?"
Dorak reminded carefully.
"The one whose legs I crushed?"
"Has he come looking for trouble now?"
Is bit into the apple and asked with interest.
"No, no, no, Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is."
"He's not looking to trouble you."
"On the contrary…"
"He hopes to obtain your forgiveness."
Dorak hurriedly waved his hands.
"My forgiveness?"
Is was genuinely stunned.
After having both legs crushed by him—
Now he wanted forgiveness?
What kind of logic was that?
"Because of his reckless actions a few days ago, he angered you."
"So today, they entrusted me to present you with several exceptional maids, along with a large quantity of gold, silver, and jewelry."
"They hope to gain your forgiveness."
In truth,
It wasn't Kegimendora who wanted forgiveness.
Everything had been ordered by his father.
Is held immense status within Mary Geoise.
Kegimendora's father feared retaliation.
So he thoroughly investigated Is's preferences.
After learning that Is favored beautiful, untouched maids—
He spent heavily across the world purchasing exceptional candidates.
After numerous rounds of selection,
Only the finest among the finest remained.
Yet he didn't dare personally visit Is's castle.
So he could only ask Dorak to deliver them under his son's name,
Along with precious treasures,
In hopes of earning Is's forgiveness.
"Another group of exceptional maids?"
Still eating his apple,
A faint smile appeared on Is's face.
"I guarantee they're all top-tier."
"No slave brands."
"No one has touched them."
"They're healthy, disease-free, and well cared for."
"They've been fed only the finest foods beneficial to their bodies."
"Is that so?"
"Of course."
"You know me, Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is."
"I wouldn't send you defective goods…"
"I see."
"Then take me to have a look."
Is stood up and burned the apple core in his hand into nothingness with purple flames.
He intended to see these maids first—
Then decide whether to keep them or set them free.
"Please follow me, Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is."
Dorak nodded before leading Is outside the castle.
Several women in different styles of clothing stood outside.
Their skin was smooth and delicate.
There were no signs of mistreatment.
Their appearances were beautiful.
Their figures outstanding.
They were even more exceptional than the maids Dorak had delivered previously.
Behind them stood several men in black—
Likely there to prevent escape.
Several treasure chests rested at their feet.
"Not bad."
Is's gaze swept across them as the corners of his lips lifted slightly.
Although he already had many maids,
The quality of these women was undeniably extraordinary.
"That's only natural."
"To earn your forgiveness, Kegimendora put tremendous effort into selecting them."
The maids froze upon seeing Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is.
In their minds,
Celestial Dragons were supposed to be ugly, overweight nobles.
But Is looked nothing like they had imagined.
"H-He…"
"He's Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is?!"
One maid recognized him immediately and cried out in shock.
She had seen newspapers reporting on Is before.
Never had she imagined that her future master would be the man whom the world called—
A God.
How could she not be shocked?
"You insignificant maid…"
"How dare you directly speak Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is's name?"
Dorak's expression darkened instantly as he stepped forward, intending to teach her a lesson.
"No matter, Saint Dorak."
"I don't mind."
Is stopped him and shook his head calmly.
"But she's merely a maid."
"She directly spoke your name."
"That's a serious disrespect."
Dorak reminded him.
"I don't care about such things."
"…Very well."
Dorak nodded.
Since Is himself didn't care,
There was nothing more for him to say.
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