The Grand Line, waters near Jaya Island
Astrix stood at the bow, repeatedly swinging the Plasma Longsword in his hand. He could feel it—he was getting closer and closer to unleashing a Flying Slash.
When that moment came, the vice-captain position would also be decided.
That raised a question: what should the pirate crew be called? And what about their flag?
Astrix deactivated the plasma sword and looked toward Mihawk, who stood at the helm.
"Mihawk, you're well-educated. Help me come up with a name for our crew."
Mihawk pursed his lips smugly. So, you actually noticed that I'm well-educated?
In truth, Mihawk had also sensed that Astrix was only a step away from unleashing a Flying Slash.
A master swordsman in less than half a month.
That kind of talent was worth cultivating into a rival.
He had the qualities of a king, could cook delicious food, brew wine, make sweet drinks, create Eternal Poses, repair ships, steer, and draw sea charts…
Most importantly, as a former member of the Roger Pirates who had reached the Final Island, Astrix was still exceptionally young.
Having someone like that as captain really did save a lot of trouble.
At the very least, he wouldn't be a burden.
Unknowingly, Astrix's "training" had worked perfectly—like a gentle rain nourishing the soil.
At that moment, the doctor, having finished mopping the deck, jogged over.
"Captain, don't we already have a pirate flag? Why do we still need a crew name?"
Astrix pointed at the flag hanging from the mast.
"You mean that? I snatched this ship in the East Blue and forgot to take it down."
Since the issue had been pointed out, Astrix casually flicked a finger. A bolt of electricity shot out, instantly incinerating the pirate flag.
Watching the flames ignite from the intense heat, Astrix muttered,
"The Mera Mera no Mi… even a dog wouldn't want it."
"Now it's gone. If you can come up with a name that satisfies me, I'll consider removing your Seastone handcuffs."
The doctor's eyes lit up, though inwardly he complained: He clearly has kingly qualities, yet he's so poor he doesn't even have a proper ship.
"Hey, News Coo."
Mihawk waved toward the sky. Reading the newspaper every day was a habit of a cultured man.
When the News Coo landed, Astrix took out 200 Berries.
"Two copies."
The doctor, being neither trusted nor an official member, naturally didn't qualify for crew benefits—like free newspapers.
After tossing one to Mihawk, Astrix lay back in a deck chair and glanced at his copy—only to immediately sit up.
"Mihawk, do you know that bird-man Morgans?"
Mihawk also found it odd. The entire article didn't mention his name at all.
"Not particularly."
Seeing the praise written about him, Astrix clicked his tongue.
"As expected of the president of the World Economic Journal. I didn't even notice when he took these photos."
"The shots are good. The lighting is perfect—and that close-up captures at least seventy percent of my handsome face."
Astrix didn't care about the exposure.
He was already on the World Government's wanted list—this was just another charge.
One capital crime or ten—it made no difference.
If the World Government was so capable, they could grant him immortality—kill him, revive him, and kill him again.
Astrix wasn't worried about his former crewmates being implicated.
Those people valued their lives too much—they had long since gone into hiding.
Only Vice-Captain Rayleigh and the former world's most beautiful woman—Shakky, the catalyst of the God Valley incident—remained active in the Sabaody Archipelago.
But Rayleigh could handle himself.
Right… Vice-Captain.
Sabaody Archipelago, Shakky's Rip-off Bar
After the Roger Pirates disbanded, Rayleigh chose to retire here with Shakky, coating ships for a living.
When he ran out of money, he would even auction himself off.
Most of the time, though, he simply sat at the bar, drinking with his lover.
Shakky slid a newspaper across the counter.
"A remarkable little brat from your crew has made a name for himself."
"Nani? Is it Shanks?"
The moment Rayleigh saw the front page, he froze—then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! It's actually Astrix? Thunder God, huh? So he ate a Devil Fruit."
He stared at the image of Haki tearing across the sky, lost in thought.
"His Conqueror's Haki has grown much stronger."
Among the three youngsters on Roger's ship—Astrix, Shanks, and Buggy—everyone, including Rayleigh, had believed Shanks had the most potential.
Astrix had awakened Conqueror's Haki early, but his physical talent couldn't compare to Shanks'.
As for Buggy…
He was hard to judge.
"I never expected the first of the three to make a name would be our little chef."
"Beelzebub Astrix…"
This was the first time Rayleigh had heard his full name.
Back then, Astrix trained diligently, but his physical limitations made him the only true non-combatant on the crew.
Yet outside of combat…
His talents were almost frightening.
After just three days studying under Gabban, he had already mastered drawing sea charts.
"I really miss his cooking."
Shakky rolled her eyes.
Oh, so now my cooking isn't good enough?
You can kneel on the washboard tonight.
"The World Government lost face this time," she said. "They'll either go after him—or come after you old-timers."
Rayleigh drained his drink.
"I'll go lie low for a few days."
It wasn't fear.
He simply didn't want his peaceful retirement disturbed.
East Blue, waters near Loguetown
Over a month ago, Buggy and Shanks had argued and parted on bad terms.
Following a treasure map, Buggy had been wandering the East Blue, searching for riches to build his own crew.
That day, he lay on a small wooden boat he had recently stolen, staring blankly at the sky.
"Shanks, you bastard…"
"You inherited Captain Roger's will. You said you'd sail to Laugh Tale one day. So why did you change your mind?"
"I misjudged you!"
Splatt.
A bird dropping landed squarely on him.
Buggy snapped.
"You damn bird! Even you dare bully Captain Buggy?!"
With a Chop-Chop Slap, he snatched the News Coo out of the air and grabbed the newspaper.
The moment he saw the familiar face on the front page, his body split apart in excitement, and tears welled up in his eyes.
"Astriiix!!!"
"Hahaha! I knew I didn't misjudge you!"
"A man like you should inherit Captain Roger's will!"
"Astrix!!!"
Reigniting his fighting spirit, Buggy grabbed the oars.
"Wait for me, Astrix. I'm heading to Paradise to find you!"
Driven by Morgans, news of Beelzebub Astrix—a former member of the Roger Pirates attacking the World Government and abducting a prisoner—spread across the Grand Line and the Four Seas within a single day.
Ironically, the World Government itself only learned of it through the newspaper.
The value of "leaving no survivors"… continued to rise.
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