Chapter 347: I Want to Rule the Whole World!
The Sabaody Archipelago is the gateway to the New World, a transportation hub where nobles, the navy, merchants, and pirates from all over gather. Tourists and goods flood here like the exchange between the four seas, and the commercial and entertainment districts are undoubtedly among the most luxurious areas in the world.
However, today, the bustling commercial and entertainment districts, usually crowded with people, are completely deserted.
Even the most chaotic, lawless areas are quiet as if being rebuilt. Human traffickers and other criminal groups are temporarily out of business, collectively working toward a better future.
And the reason for all of this is: the Dawn Pirates have arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago today!
These criminals all remember what the Dawn Pirates did the last time they arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago.
Dozens of pirate crews and local human traffickers were slaughtered, and Eric killed hundreds of important figures, including but not limited to: Celestial Dragons, kings of allied nations, and nobles. They still have lingering fear when they think about it.
The local residents and tourists have hidden in their homes and hotels. Pirate crews either sailed out to avoid the Dawn Pirates or set sail to Fish-Man Island to escape. Meanwhile, the human traffickers have all hidden in their secret lairs, waiting for this devil to leave so they can open for business again.
Just over ten days ago, Akainu's furious roar echoed through the admiral's office, molten lava dripping from his body like liquid from a sow, burning holes into the solid floor and expensive sofas.
"Why?!" Sakazuki gritted his teeth, "The Dawn Pirates are about to arrive at the Sabaody Archipelago. Why didn't we set up a trap to capture them all?"
"Because we didn't leave any means to capture them," Sengoku looked down with a stern gaze, "Ten years ago, after the Golden Lion Shiki broke out of prison, he deliberately flew over the navy headquarters and even threw seven or eight warships to provoke us."
"As for the Dawn Pirates, who possess the powers of the Fu-Fu Fruit, we have no way of dealing with them either."
"But we can't just watch them pass through the Sabaody Archipelago without doing anything!" Akainu slammed his hand on the table, hot molten lava splashing out.
"Don't be so angry, Sakazuki." Kizaru tried to calm him down from the side.
Aokiji remained silent, observing the argument between Akainu and Sengoku, keeping himself out of it.
Sengoku, growing impatient, said, "This is the order from the Five Elder Stars. If we make a big show of dealing with the Dawn Pirates and they manage to escape easily, it would damage the World Government's reputation."
"!" Akainu's veins bulged, his teeth grinding together with a creak. "Is the reputation of the World Government more important than enforcing the Navy's justice?!"
"Sakazuki!" Sengoku shouted, his chest heaving with frustration, letting out a few deep breaths to calm himself.
"Sakazuki, this year, you're in charge of the patrol in the first half of the Grand Line. Do you understand?"
"Hmph!" Seeing the argument was pointless, Akainu snorted heavily and turned to leave.
Sengoku frowned and called out, "Wait, Sakazuki, where are you going?"
"To patrol Paradise!" Akainu didn't look back, striding out of the office.
Sengoku massaged his aching temples. Just half a day ago, he had argued with the Five Elder Stars, hoping to crush this young pirate crew at the Sabaody Archipelago, but his suggestion was easily rejected.
Their reason was: Failure to capture them would harm the government's reputation, so it was better to let the Dawn Pirates enter the New World and fight with Big Mom's crew.
At this moment, Kizaru stood up and said, "Sengoku, I'll be heading back to Punk Hazard to check on Vegapunk's progress with his modification experiments."
Sengoku waved his hand, signaling Kizaru to leave, the sound of his shoes clicking against the floor fading away.
"Sengoku, then I too…" Aokiji began to speak.
"Wait, Aokiji," Sengoku called, stopping him. "What exactly have you been doing recently? There are voices within the Navy that are dissatisfied with you."
Aokiji hesitated and then lowered himself back into his chair, unsure how to respond.
The Dawn Pirates walked down the empty streets, with shops on either side of the road tightly shut.
Erza knocked on one of the doors, and a frightened voice came from inside, followed by the sound of someone desperately covering their mouth.
Erza returned to the group, puzzled. "There's clearly someone inside, yet they won't open the door. What's going on?"
"They're afraid of us," Akame stated plainly. "We've killed a lot of scumbags here at the Sabaody Archipelago."
"Shouldn't the ordinary people be happy that we're killing the scumbags?" Erza didn't quite understand.
"Didn't I tell you? I'm somewhat of a celebrity," Eric shrugged, "Just not in a good way."
"..." Erza looked Eric over from head to toe. "After more than a month of getting to know you, aside from your behavior with women, you're basically a pile of aluminum alloy iron scraps. I can't really see you doing anything bad."
Eric: "..."
"Besides, none of the parties involved have objected, so I can't really say anything about your behavior of juggling multiple women."
"Hey..."
"Still, even though I know you're tangled up with so many women, with another one (referring to Hancock) out there, how do you still manage to attract women? What's your charm that makes them fly into the fire?"
"..."
"Ah, Eric-, can you hide that secret smile on your face?" Kurumi sighed, "The curve of your lips is a bit too big."
Cough cough Eric cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject, "Let's find Rayleigh quickly. We need his help with coating. After all, we're too close to the Navy headquarters."
"Welcome." Shaki's lazy voice came after the doorbell rang.
"Yo, isn't this Eric? Long time no see." Rayleigh greeted, sitting at the bar.
"Shaki, Rayleigh-, how are you?" The Dawn Pirates entered one by one, quickly filling the small bar.
"Thanks to little Eric," Shaki said as she poured water for everyone. "If you hadn't come to the Sabaody Archipelago, the casinos would still be closed, and Rayleigh wouldn't have come back."
"Hahaha!" Rayleigh laughed heartily.
Eric stated their purpose for coming: "Rayleigh-, we've come to ask you to coat our ship."
"Oh?" Rayleigh's glasses reflected a sharp gleam. "Are you all ready to head to the New World?"
"Yes," Eric nodded. "So this time, we're taking a complete route."
"Can you handle it?" The light reflected from Rayleigh's glasses made it hard for Eric to see his expression. "The Grand Line is far beyond your imagination. You've faced strong enemies before, and there are more ahead. Can you really dominate this sea?"
Just like the question he once asked Luffy, the question crossed time and space, now placed before Eric.
"I never thought about ruling. The most free person on this sea is the Pirate King!"
Such an answer might make Rayleigh happy, but—
I am me!
I'm Darren Eric, not Monkey D. Luffy!
I don't need to become the Pirate King! And I certainly don't want to be the successor to the Pirate King!
Rayleigh waited for Eric's answer.
The only thing he could hear was the pounding of his heart, his blood boiling in his veins, and at this moment, Eric wanted to shout his answer out loud:
"I won't just rule the seas. I will rule the entire world!"
(END CHAPTER)
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