"Hahaha! That's all in the past. Now, this old man is just an ordinary chef! The Navy is really something, digging up old accounts from years ago..." Gray laughed boisterously. "However, since we all have bounties on our heads now, we'll have to be much more careful with our movements from here on out!"
"Don't worry, Uncle! No matter how many enemies come, I'll send them flying!" Ren said with a grin.
As the group shared a laugh, another News Coo landed on their deck, walking toward them with a letter held in its sharp beak.
"What's this?"
Ren took the envelope and tore it open. The contents left everyone in shock.
"The Fleet Admiral is inviting us to become Warlords (Shichibukai)?" Hill looked stunned. "Does that mean we're officially 'Great Pirates' now?!"
Ren casually tossed the envelope aside and laughed toward the sky. "Brothers! It's time for a banquet!"
Law, however, paused in deep thought before speaking. "Captain, you don't want to become a Warlord?"
"Of course not! I have no interest in being a dog for the Navy!" Ren replied without a second thought.
Law could only sigh. He had been thinking that if they had the legal status of a Warlord to plunder freely, their future actions would be much more convenient. At the very least, they wouldn't have to stay in hiding or flee whenever they spotted a Marine ship.
But since the Captain had refused, Law had to let the idea go.
The Captain's strength is unfathomable—likely already above Doflamingo's. I suppose the Warlord title doesn't really matter, Law thought to himself.
If Ren knew what Law was thinking, he would have burst out laughing. Young Master Mingo? Comparing him to me? I vaporized Blackbeard in a second. Mingo? He'd better pray he can get past Hancock first!
The banquet was in full swing. Even though Ren had no interest in the title, the fact that the Navy sent an invitation meant they—and by extension, the world—recognized their strength. This was a worldwide announcement; how could they not be happy?
While they were celebrating, a luxurious cruise ship was slowly approaching them across the sea. Immersed in their meat and wine, the crew didn't notice until the vessel was nearly upon them.
Without any warning, the opposing ship opened fire!
BOOM!
A pitch-black cannonball exploded in the water near their hull. The roar of the blast instantly snapped the drunken crew sober!
Looking up, they saw the luxury liner not far away. At its highest mast, the flag of the World Government fluttered in the wind.
On the World Government Ship.
An ugly man wearing a space-suit-like outfit was screaming at the top of his lungs.
"Insolent! Those filthy pirates actually dared to dodge my cannonball! Unforgivable! Absolutely unforgivable! Hey! You CP8 agents! Go out there and wipe them all out!"
The CP8 agents nearby were equally stubborn. Regarding the orders of a Celestial Dragon, they showed no hesitation. They prepared to annihilate the pirates in the distance!
"A World Government ship!" "What now, Captain? Do we fight?"
"It's not a question of whether we fight—they already attacked us!" Ren narrowed his eyes and addressed the crew. "Prepare for battle. Blue, control the sails. Uncle Gray, take the helm. Law, Klin... let's sink them!"
"With pleasure." Klin smiled. He swung his long blade, sending a brilliant arc of sword light screaming toward the government vessel!
Rumble—!
The sea was sliced open by the sharp edge of the strike. The terrifying force made the water recede, leaving a chasm that refused to close for several seconds!
The government agents never expected the pirates to strike first. Did they have a death wish?
"Rankyaku: Chaotic Water!"
A sharp cry rang out as several blue air blades intercepted Klin's attack. The resulting collision sent a shockwave that pressed down on the surrounding waves.
Seeing his attack blocked, Klin looked over in surprise. A Marine stood at the bow, clad in the "Justice" coat of an officer, staring back at Klin from across the water.
"A Vice Admiral is on board. I don't think I need to explain who the passenger is then," Law said, pulling down his spotted hat. He lowered his head slightly, hiding his expression.
Klin's face, meanwhile, had turned dark enough to drip ink. His knuckles were white as he gripped his hilt, his hands trembling slightly as if he were suppressing a deep-seated urge.
Seeing this, Ren immediately understood. It seemed the gentlemanly swordsman he had picked up had a history with the Celestial Dragons. He grinned.
"Rare to run into a Celestial Dragon. Let's go butcher him!"
Aside from Hill, everyone on the ship looked at Ren in shock. Even the veteran Gray couldn't help but advise: "Captain, attacking a Celestial Dragon isn't a joke. If we do this, we'll definitely be hunted by an Admiral the moment we reach the Sabaody Archipelago!"
"He's right, Captain. This is a Celestial Dragon!" Law added.
Klin remained silent for a moment before speaking. "Yes, Captain. We may be pirates, but we can't go looking for a dead end." Despite the hatred burning in his heart, Klin didn't want to put his comrades in danger for his own personal vendetta.
Ren laughed loudly. "Relax! Even if the Fleet Admiral himself comes, he won't be able to do anything to us. Don't underestimate your Captain! And Law... are you really afraid to touch a Celestial Dragon? If so, you'll never be able to fulfill your dream!"
The crew understood the first half of his sentence, but the part directed at Law left them confused.
Only Law's grip on his sword tightened. A few seconds later, before he could even make a decision, Ren suddenly vanished!
Whoosh—BOOM!!
Ren kicked a stray cannonball flying away and looked at the distant cruise ship with pure killing intent.
"I'm already stronger than an Emperor. You think I'll let a piece of Celestial trash bully me today?!"
He raised his hand. A sphere of white light—a Cero—began to gather at his fingertip.
The next second, the blast erupted. A blinding white light blanketed the ocean, the sheer energy displacement creating a tidal wave a hundred meters high!
With a single strike, half the cruise ship was vaporized. The remaining half began to tilt and sink slowly into the depths.
Neither Klin's group nor the World Government agents had time to react to the suddenness of the blow. The Marines had expected a retaliation, but they never dreamed Ren would deliver a "gift" of this magnitude!
The Vice Admiral, who had been standing proudly at the bow just moments ago, was now slumped on the deck. He stared at the figure floating in the air. As he recognized the face, his back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.
"It's Ren Kurogane?! The Great Pirate with a 500 million bounty before even entering the New World!"