One Piece: Rayquaza of the Beasts Pirates

"Since you are Roger's son, then I will explain everything to you."

Crocus recounted the events of that year: "21 years ago, Roger was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and that was the year he invited me aboard the ship. I used all my medical skills to extend his life by only five years."

"Knowing that he was about to die, he decided to use his own life to exchange for a peaceful life for us crew members."

"He made a deal with the Navy, surrendering himself in exchange for the retirement of us crew members. As long as we don't go out and make any more moves, the Navy won't hunt us down anymore."

"However, I never expected that he would say those words at the last moment of his execution, thus ushering in this great era of piracy."

His gaze returned to Ace: "We didn't know you existed. We only heard later that the Navy conducted a long and unprecedented manhunt for pregnant women on the island where Roger had lived in seclusion for a year."

"I always thought that even if Roger had children, they wouldn't escape the Navy's clutches. I never expected..."

It must be said that Roger had a truly remarkable eye for talent.

Who would have thought that a pirate would entrust his child to the Marines who have been hunting him down?

That navy officer actually managed to save the child.

"Then why did he say that?" Ace asked impatiently.

Crocus was visibly taken aback. After a moment of contemplation, he finally shook his head: "Although I can guess a little about the reason, I can't say. It's related to the existence of One Piece."

Enraged, Ace instinctively reached out to grab Crocus's collar and interrogate him.

At that moment, a large hand grasped his wrist.

Ace turned his head sharply, his eyes filled with confusion and anxiety: "Brother Kane?"

“Don’t make things difficult for him. This was Roger’s own choice.” Kane looked directly at him: “Don’t forget why you boarded the ship. Dwelling on the unchangeable past is pointless.”

Ace and Kane stared at each other for a moment, then Ace lowered his arms.

"You have a good captain."

Crocus sighed, then turned back to Ace, his tone softening: "Child, you seem to harbor a deep resentment towards Roger. If you'd like, you might want to hear how this old man views your father."

This was a family matter, so Kane didn't feel comfortable getting involved. He simply watched silently as the two walked into the lighthouse.

Robin had quietly appeared beside Kane without anyone noticing, her slender fingers lightly tapping her chin, a playful smile curving her lips: "Truly astonishing courage, Lord Kane."

No wonder they dared to take in a devil's son like me; compared to the son of the Pirate King, I'm still somewhat lacking in stature."

"Then you're wrong."

Kane chuckled: "If Ace hadn't made a name for himself, he would have been nothing more than an insignificant name in the eyes of the World Government. You're different; you're the kind of person who can dig up the roots of the government."

"Then it seems I must rely on you, Lord Kane."

Robin blinked in feigned surprise, her smile becoming even more alluring.

"Stop with these pointless tricks. I'm not one of those fools in the West Sea you can manipulate. I can tell the difference between acting and genuine emotion."

Kane remained unmoved: "From now on, you'll be getting to work, Secretary."

Kane then began to issue a series of detailed mission instructions.

To Robin's surprise, Kane granted her far more authority and trust than she expected—directly allowing her to intervene in the Beasts Pirates' core weapons and Seastone trading network.

"Besides the task I've assigned you, you have another important thing to do."

"what's up?"

"exercise."

"what?"

Seeing Kane's genuine expression, Robin was slightly taken aback, her beautiful eyes revealing genuine confusion.

"As my secretary, you can't do without some ability."

Kane said with a serious expression, "At the very least, you need to learn Armament Haki and Observation Haki. I don't want to receive news one day that my secretary has been easily kidnapped. Rescuing you would be a lot of trouble."

Save me?

Upon hearing this unfamiliar word, Robin felt a complex mix of emotions.

She was silent for a moment before replying softly, "I understand."

A moment later, Crocus emerged with Ace, whose expression was complex.

The anger in the boy's eyes seemed to have faded somewhat, replaced by a bewilderment born from a shattered understanding.

He needs time to process all of this.

Kane looked at Crocus: "Old man, do you know how many uses Conqueror's Haki has?"

"Conqueror's Haki? You've got the wrong person." Crocus shook his head: "I'm just a ship's doctor with some skill at best. Fighting is Roger and the others' job."

“Okay.” Kane shrugged.

He was even thinking of learning Jabbar's special Conqueror's Haki techniques.

Chapter 96 Conflict with the Queen Mother's Hymn

Goodbye, Raab!

Yamato stood at the bow, waving his arms vigorously, his voice cutting through the sea breeze: "Remember the techniques I taught you!"

The rest of the people gathered at the ship's side, waving goodbye to the enormous figure.

"hold head high--"

Laboo let out a cheerful cry, as if in response, and then, carrying Crocus, which had already submerged in its belly, it swam towards the deep sea.

It is going to bring a perfect end to that long wait that has lasted for decades.

The Liekong Strike has embarked on its journey once again.

Several days later, in a certain sea area of ​​the New World.

A massive steel behemoth, ten thousand meters long, loomed in front of the Sky Pivot like a floating island.

Grand Tesoro.

Gilles Tezzolo spent years building the world's largest entertainment city, a seaside city that never sleeps, built of gold and desire.

Two giant island tortoises, as large as mountains, were pulling this enormous creature.

The bow is a huge entrance that churns up and churns boats carrying guests from all over the world.

Just as the Sky Pierce was about to enter the neon-lit entrance, Violet rushed over in a panic, pointing towards the stern:

"It's bad, Kane! The Queen Mother Hymn is heading straight for us!"

Kane strode quickly to the stern of the ship.

In their field of vision, the giant cake ship was hurtling towards them menacingly.

He frowned: "Who's leading the team up there?"

“Perospero, Daifuku, Owen, Opera…”

Violet observed with her clairvoyance, quickly reciting names she already knew by heart from the bounty posters.

As the chief lookout on the Sky Pierce, she takes photos of important figures from various factions every day and wouldn't mistake them.

Upon hearing the list, Kane understood.

None of the three Sweet Commanders are here, so they're definitely not here to fight. They're simply here on Charlotte Linlin's orders to assess Tesoro and decide the Big Mom Pirates' attitude towards him.

"Lord Kane, should we give way?" Speed ​​asked worriedly, watching the massive ship getting closer and closer.

Who do you think I am?

Kane glared at Speed ​​and yelled, "Get the hell closer!"

Let's crash then, who's afraid of who?

Even if Charlotte Linlin personally led the expedition, he couldn't just slink away. Not to mention that there wasn't a single general on the Queen Mother's Anthem, he couldn't just run away in disgrace.

This is not a matter of saving face, but a political issue.

"Yes!" Speed ​​was startled, seeing Kane so agitated for the first time. He quickly stood at attention, turned around, and shouted instructions to the crew to take emergency actions.

Before long, the massive hull of the Sky Piercing Star drew an arc on the sea surface, turned its bow, and charged toward the Queen Mother's Hymn at full speed.

On the Queen Mother Hymn.

As the Sky Rift approached, Perospero's expression darkened.

His original intention was simply to tease the other party a little, to give his younger brother Owen a small chance to vent his anger, and to show off the power of the Charlotte family.

But the other party's aggressive, almost insane attitude put him in a very difficult position.

Their purpose in coming here was not to provoke a full-scale war with the Beasts Pirates.

While Perospero was still weighing the pros and cons, his younger siblings behind him, who were always eager to stir up trouble, were already howling with excitement.

"Wow, it's driving towards us? Instead of running away, it's actively approaching us?"

"They really don't know their own limitations!"

The Charlotte family children burst into laughter.

Charlotte Armand, with a slender sword at her waist, a face as pale as paper, and long, light blue hair, her eyes flashing with a dangerous light, shrieked, "Charge! Brother Perospero, avenge Brother Owen!"

Dafu rubbed his hands together excitedly and loudly echoed, "Armand is right!"

Although Irving didn't speak, his slightly trembling body and his eyes, which seemed to be spitting fire, spoke volumes about his anger.

That battle three years ago almost ruined his life.

If he hadn't been successfully rescued, he would probably be living a life worse than death right now.

Hearing his younger siblings' clamor, Perospero simply abandoned his composure as well.

He raised his candy cane and pointed it directly at the Sky Piercing Seat: "Then let's go and say hello to those barbarians!"

"Oh oh oh!!!"

Amidst deafening cheers, the already astonishing speed of the Queen Mother Anthem surged even higher.

Within minutes, the two behemoths were almost touching, and the expressions on the faces of the crew on both sides were clearly visible.

Almost at the same instant.