"Am I seeing things? That ship is actually flying..."
In the Social Plaza, King Han of the Kingdom of Balewoo rubbed his eyes in disbelief, staring as if in a dream at the pirate ship soaring through the sky and spewing blue energy.
The royal families of the surrounding kingdoms were just as dumbfounded.
Since ancient times, they had seen ships that sailed the seas, and they had seen submarines that could dive beneath the waves. But a ship that could fly through the sky?
"Is that still even a ship?"
The Marines looked up at the enormous pirate ship tearing through the fiery red clouds overhead, their expressions grim.
After analyzing all kinds of intelligence on the Sky Pirates, the Navy had already learned that the Sky Pirates possessed technology far beyond this era, by who knew how many years. Even Vegapunk from the Navy's Special Science Group still could not create the technology to make ships fly like the Sky Pirates' Twin Goddesses.
If a small pirate ship like the Twin Goddesses could fly, that would be one thing. But now, even this enormous airship, comparable in size to a Navy warship, could fly. That meant that, at least in future wars, the warships of the Navy and the World Government would be at a complete disadvantage.
"So this is the confidence that made you dare start a war?"
Tsuru murmured. Zephyr and Garp's expressions did not look good either.
Even with their strength, they would be at a severe disadvantage against pirate ships capable of flying through the sky, let alone ordinary Marines.
For the first time, the royal families of the fifty nations around them began seriously considering that in the coming war, Yemu's side might not necessarily be the one to lose. Not with technology that could make ships fly into the sky.
Just then, Yemu slowly said,
"That's not the only surprise. Well, since we'll need to keep in touch in the future anyway... Here, take this."
As he spoke, Yemu took out a strange object from his clothes and tossed it to them under the surprised gazes of Tsuru and the others.
Tsuru caught it and saw that it was a square box with a small screen on top, a large spiral shell on the back, and rows of numbered buttons.
"This is a communication tool unique to our Rainbow Nation. We call it the Telephone Shell. 001 is my personal number."
Everyone froze.
"The advantage of this thing is that, because it works on an entirely different principle from a Den Den Mushi, the surveillance equipment used by your Marines and the World Government is completely useless against it. Of course, you can also hand it over to Vegapunk and try to crack it, to see whether he can figure out how it works."
Tsuru had already been considering exactly that, but after hearing the confidence in Yemu's words, a trace of unease rose in her heart. Even so, she still put it away with a deep frown.
Compared to how Yemu seemed to know the Marines and the World Government inside and out, even knowing about Vegapunk's existence, the Navy still knew next to nothing about the Sky Pirates.
Just then, Yemu pointed at the airship overhead and asked the royal families of the fifty nations beside him,
"Well then, while we have the chance, let's talk about something else. Your Majesties, are you interested in this ship?"
The royals of those kingdoms were stunned at first, but their eyes quickly lit up. Ignoring the fact that the man before them was the pirate holding them hostage, they said excitedly,
"Captain Yemu, are you saying you're willing to sell us this ship?"
"Really?! I'll pay one billion Belly! Captain Yemu, sell it to me!"
"Bastard, don't fight me for it! A ship that can fly in the sky. There's nothing else like it in the world!"
With a ship that could fly through the sky, they would never have to worry about pirates again. Besides, a flying ship was simply too impressive.
"Of course not. Naturally, I can't sell this ship to you."
The royal families of the fifty nations froze, but their faces soon brightened again, because Yemu's next words delighted them even more.
"However, as long as you provide enough money to build one, we can make a new ship for you. Rest assured, our prices are fair, and we also support private customization. No matter what kind of ship you want, we can build it."
Hearing this, Borsalino, who stood nearby, said with a strange expression,
"Fire Dragon Yemu, you seem more like a merchant than a pirate."
Yemu glanced back at him and said,
"What can I do? Building a nation isn't easy. As the President, I have to personally come out and drum up business. Speaking of which, I should thank the spies planted by the Marines and the World Government. Those people really have excellent shipbuilding skills. I couldn't bear to kill them, so I had to find them a place where no one could ever track them down, so they could build ships in peace."
The Marines' expressions immediately stiffened and turned ugly.
Just then, the enormous pirate ship had already stopped, floating in the sky. With the sound of rushing air, a burly figure descended from above, landing before everyone and walking to Yemu's side.
"Fisher Tiger!"
Seeing that red figure, Tsuru frowned and called out his name.
At that moment, Tiger took a long, deep breath. Painful memories stirred as he looked at the world before him, a world hideous beneath its beautiful surface.
To Tiger, the Holy Land of Mary Geoise was a place filled with painful memories. He had once suffered inhuman abuse here, leaving him filled with hatred for this world and for humans. If not for Yemu's appearance, he might have chosen suicide long ago, unable to endure it any longer.
But today, everything was different.
He had come here with new identities: navigator of the Sky Pirates, captain of the Sun Pirate Crew, founder of the Rainbow Nation, and leader of the Sun Army's fish-men. He had come solely to save the slaves oppressed by the Celestial Dragons.
And all of this was because Yemu, his captain, had given him the chance to realize his dream.
At that moment, Tiger felt something change inside him. The enormous weight that had pressed on his heart for so long finally began to disappear, and his entire presence started to shift.
Even facing the Marine Hero Garp and Admiral Zephyr, Tiger felt no fear at all.
With that thought, he turned to Yemu beside him and said,
"This really is a grand stage, Captain. The Sun Pirate Crew is fully prepared. If any of the Marines make even the slightest reckless move, we will make the Holy Land of Mary Geoise go up in flames!"
Everyone's expression changed at those words.
"Mm."
Yemu nodded, then turned to Zephyr and said,
"Admiral Zephyr, do you still think I'll surrender quietly?"
Zephyr's brow immediately furrowed, and he looked ready to attack.
Fortunately, Tsuru stopped him.
"Don't be reckless. Wait for Sengoku's message."
Just then, Sengoku appeared at the stairway entrance to the Social Plaza, accompanied by two others. With a gloomy expression, he slowly passed through the crowd and came to stand before Yemu.
"Your demand can be accepted. The Celestial Dragons will release all imprisoned slaves. However, as a condition, those gentlemen wish to meet with you!"
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