Chapter 231 One year later

The New Times report is interspersed with many photos.

Pirate raids, plundering by branch navies all over the world, and oppression by nobles in the countries they live in are the current situations of non-member countries.

Some were even captured and taken to Tekila Wolf to become slaves of the Kingdom of the Bridge, helping the Celestial Dragons build the giant bridge that seemed like it would never be completed.

Among the member states, the kings always tried every means to reduce the non-labor force population in order to reduce the expenditure of heavenly gold, and the miserable situation was like a purgatory on earth.

Among them, the Kingdom of North Sea Jersey was singled out and the whole process was highlighted, but the involvement of the revolutionary army was concealed.

Plague, which has always been mankind's mortal enemy, is being used to reduce the population, which makes all ordinary people who see this report tremble in their hearts.

Because such a future is likely to be their future as well.

……

One year later, East China Sea.

Since the Rubber Fruit appeared in the East China Sea a year ago, CP9, the Revolutionary Army, and the Red Hair Pirates have all gathered here.

But Shanks was very clear about the gap between himself and the other two giants, so in the last battle, the Red Hair Pirates did not show any intention of interfering and remained stationed in Windmill Village.

At this time, Ace was already twelve years old, and he, Luffy and Nami had become familiar with the Red Hair Pirates.

Although the village chief of Windmill Village, Slap, was dissatisfied, after more than a year, he found that this pirate was indeed easy to talk to, so he could only turn a blind eye.

However, the tavern business in the village is booming. At least these pirates actually pay for their drinks and don't do anything reckless.

"Shanks, is there really a fish as big as an island? How could it be that big? Are you bragging?"

Seven-year-old Luffy's eyes widened with curiosity.

[Note: Ace was originally three years older than Luffy, but here Lu Jiu did not delay the pregnancy, so he is four years older. ]

Shanks glanced at Ace, then smiled at Luffy and said, "It's not just fish as big as islands. There are many magical places in this sea, such as..."

At this point Shanks paused deliberately, stared at the fish and moved closer, then said in a low voice, "For example, there is a huge fish that can swallow an island in one bite. Who knows... he followed us to this sea area."

Upon hearing this, Luffy's eyes widened, and his curiosity turned into nervousness in an instant.

Jesus, who was standing by, slapped him on the shoulder, scaring the child so much that he jumped up.

"Hahaha! How can you call yourself a man if you're so courageous? You're still just a child..."

Luffy jumped onto the stool and said angrily: "Damn pirate, my fist is faster than a bullet, do you want to have a taste?"

Jesus grabbed the waving fist and said, "Only men who go to sea can be called real men, little brat."

Shanks also spoke up: "This sea is very vast, Luffy. There are islands 10,000 meters under the sea, seawater flowing upstream, and bubbles secreted by big trees that can make people float..."

Shanks looked at Ace beside him and said, "In the Grand Line, there are all kinds of races. In this world, humans are not the only ones... The animals that can talk are the fur tribe, and there are also giants, fishmen, mermaids, and long-armed people..."

For a moment, Luffy's eyes, who was standing on the stool, became brighter and brighter, and he had long forgotten that Jesus had just teased him.

Jesus Bu patted Luffy's head and said, "Only men who are brave and not afraid of danger can see the difference of this world, kid."

Luffy pouted, "I'm not a brat!"

At this time, little Nami, who had been waiting for the opportunity, handed over a glass of water.

Jesus Bu teased Luffy for a while, then he took it and drank it in one gulp without thinking.

In an instant, his whole face turned red: "Hot hot hot...!"

Xiao Namei was holding a plate with six cups of water on it, smiling.

"Five thousand Baileys a cup, thank you for your patronage."

Jesus took out the money and slapped it on the table, then rinsing his mouth.

This scene made the Red Hair Pirates members in the tavern burst into laughter and teased the cadre sniper.

Ace pursed his lips in disdain and continued to fight with the milk bread in front of him.

A figure sat down next to him: "Don't you want to drink? Your brother has insisted on not drinking milk or juice for two days in order to be recognized as a man."

Ace swallowed half a cup of milk and said, "Bravery has nothing to do with milk bread, right? A person who is not afraid of life and death for his ideals is a true warrior."

Beckman was stunned for a moment, then realized that this was a sentence from the New Age newspaper.

The serialization of the story of the Black Arm General in the New Times is nearing its end. To anyone with a discerning eye, his prototype is the former Navy Admiral Zephyr, who was once known as the Admiral of the older generation who could not be killed.

But such characters...have a tragic ending.

"So you want to go out to sea?"

Ace looked at Beckman and said, "You want to invite me? Although you guys are probably very powerful, the Red Hair Pirates have been introduced in the New Era Newspaper as a strong contender for the Pirate Emperor. But... I will not become a pirate."

At this time, Shanks's movements of teasing Luffy slowed down a bit, and it was obvious that he was also listening to the noise here.

"Humph! We don't want a brat like you!"

Uta's voice sounded, staring at Ace with dissatisfaction.

However, Ace did not argue with her as usual. Instead, he looked at Beckman and asked, "What is your ideal? The lofty but empty freedom? Or the so-called Pirate Emperor?"

Tall and empty?
Beckman was stunned.

This little kid in front of me seems to have changed a lot in just over a year.

Is it because of that mysterious father?

"You seem to... think pirates are inferior?"

As soon as the words came out, the tavern suddenly became quiet.

Everyone in the Red Hair Pirates looked at Ace, including Captain Shanks, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

"Boom."

Little Luffy jumped down from the stool and stretched out his hand to block his brother: "What...what do you want to do?"

Although he was a little scared, Luffy still took the lead.

Nami saw that something was wrong, so she quietly left the tavern and went straight to Ace's house.

At times like this, we have to seek external help.

In the tavern, Uta glanced nervously at Lakilu next to her. The other party gave her a look while biting the bone-in meat, which made her feel relieved.

"Snapped."

Ace reached out and pulled his brother behind him, then he looked straight at everyone and said, "Uncle Beckman is right, I do look down on pirates."

……

"Hahahaha!"

"I told you this brat is brave!"

"There are so many of us and yet you dare to say such things. This kid is really amazing..."

"Arnold, go get that little girl back, or the village chief will chase the boss with his cane and beat him up."

"Hahaha... that would be really embarrassing for the boss."

"Anyway, we've already lost face because we've been looked down upon by a little brat."

"What face do pirates need?"

"For freedom! For the sea!"

"cheers!"

……

Makino, who had been in the kitchen, ran out in a hurry when she saw that the tavern was silent. At this moment, the pirates were laughing and toasting, which made her feel relieved.

Seeing Luffy looking angry, he poured him a glass of juice.

When she returned to the kitchen, Ace still did not retreat, but looked at Shanks and said, "The reports published in the New Era Newspaper are all true, right?"

Shanks did not refute but agreed when he heard this.

Ace continued, "Although I haven't been out to sea, I have read every issue of the New Era Newspaper and compared it with the World Economic Newspaper. The existence of pirates seems to have brought only pain and sorrow to this world."

"Of course, you seem to be different from those pirates who only know how to rob. You will pay for food and drinks, and you will not rob or kill people."

"But pirates like you should be few and far between, right?"

Shanks took a sip from his wine glass and said, "Why do you ask?"

Ace: "The latest issue of the New Era Newspaper states that many countries on the Grand Line will fly pirate flags in order to seek asylum, in order to deter other pirates."

"You should be big pirates too, right? Because of your power you can provide protection, and you can also get some money."

"But compared to the vast ocean, the number of pirate groups that can become great pirates is too small. So if they want to gain wealth, hold banquets, or eat meat and drink wine, the only source of these things is ordinary people."

When these words were spoken, Shanks and the others were a little surprised for a moment.

A child who is only twelve years old can actually think of so many things and be able to tell that there are so many inferior pirates.

Beckman looked at him and said, "So what is your ideal? Just like what you just said, an ideal that you can achieve regardless of life or death."

Ace straightened his chest: "I want to make this world a better place, this is my ideal!"

good?

Jesus Bu on the side couldn't help but tease: "Do you know what beauty is, kid?"

Ace looked at him and retorted directly: "A man will not abandon his family and children for an illusory freedom, causing a woman to raise a child alone. For that child, a childhood with both parents is a good one."

_

Jesus was speechless. He sat back and began to drink gloomily.

It was bad enough that I was criticized by that gentleman, but now I am being looked down upon by a twelve-year-old child... outrageous!
Ace continued: "It's a good thing that ordinary people are no longer robbed by pirates, it's a good thing that the navy can do their duty, and it's a good thing that there is no heaven in this world..."

"Ace."

Shanks interrupted him and smiled helplessly: "Such an ideal is really grand. But you know, Ace, in order to realize this ideal, many, many people will sacrifice their lives."

"There was once a man who gambled his life on the future for the same ideals as you. But you haven't grown up yet, so some things can only be kept in your heart."

At this time, the Den Den Mushi in Beckman's arms rang.

The deputy captain's expression changed, and after looking at Shanks, he stood up and walked out of the tavern.

Coincidentally, Nami was also caught and the four little ghosts got together again.

Luffy: "Ace was so handsome just now!"

Uta: "Humph, just a little bit. But Captain Jesus, who dared to teach him a lesson, was defeated. Great!" Nami: "Two idiots, although they are already familiar with each other, they are pirates! I almost asked Aunt Lu Jiu to find Uncle."

Uta: "I'm a pirate too, so why don't you stay away from me?"

Nami: "Aren't we in the same group? We just paid 30,000 Baileys. We'll meet at the same place later. Do you want to go?"

Uta: "Of course we'll go, we're in the same group!"

Luffy: "I want to grow up quickly so I can go out to sea. Going on adventures like Shanks and the others, that's my dream!"

Ace, who had been silent all this time, also did not oppose Luffy's ideals at this moment, even though his younger brother seemed to be more inclined towards the freedom of pirates.

No one can interfere with other people's future, not even your younger brother.

Sabo already has his own life, and Luffy will also have his own path in the future.

In any case, he believed that the two brothers would not be those inferior pirates because they were both gentle people.

……

Half an hour later, all the Red Hair Pirates members in the tavern were gone, and everyone was carrying supplies and preparing to set sail again at the port.

Little Luffy also followed, wanting Shanks to take him out on an adventure.

However, after being ridiculed by Uta again and being told to tell Nami to postpone the party and not to spend all the money to cheat Jesus, the Red Hair Pirates headed towards the Clover Islands.

On the deck, Shanks was now at the bow: "Have you confirmed the intelligence?"

Beckman replied: "The fruit sank into the sea and was swept onto land. Because of its peculiar appearance, it was sold by a child to a guy who knew the value of the fruit."

"He was about to leave the East China Sea to attack the Grand Line, but was discovered by CP9. The man died, and the fruit fell into the hands of those agents."

Shanks frowned: "The Revolutionary Army didn't make any moves?"

Beckman replied: "Since the movement of the Taijila Wolf more than a year ago, the Revolutionary Army's actions have become more covert. It was also luck that the CP agents took the initiative this time, but it is not ruled out that the Revolutionary Army is now planning the same thing as us."

Beckman paused at this point and said, "If a parahuman devil fruit didn't know something, the Revolutionary Army shouldn't have worked so hard."

Shanks replied: "Although I don't know the specifics, the World Government has been paying more and more attention to the Revolutionary Army. In the past it was that gentleman, but now it is the entire Revolutionary Army. The difference is obvious."

"The movement of the Taijila Wolves more than a year ago was too big. Even the five on Mary Geoise showed up. You can imagine what happened."

The two were silent for a while.

The appearance of the rubber fruit once again caused changes in the East China Sea, and the two were not worried about the people of CP9.

But the Revolutionary Army...

If that man is determined to get the Rubber Fruit, then it would be best for him to bring the fruit back and give it directly to Ace to eat after he gets it.

Thinking of this, Beckman hesitated for a moment and then said, "The blood of the Pirate King doesn't want to become a pirate. What are you going to do, Shanks?"

Shanks shook his head slightly: "Let it be. That fruit is related to the future of this world, and we can't let the CP people take it back to Marijoa."

"If you do this, the will of the future will make it appear next to the person who should appear."

Shanks also laughed as he said this: "Mr. Garp's hometown, the hidden name of the two Ds. No one knows what the future will be like. Even the captain may have guessed wrong, right?"

……

Two days later, a large number of agents fell on the deck of a ship that was fleeing from the Clover Islands but approaching Rogue Town.

Lor, holding a long knife, looked at Foz F in front of him: "An animal-type devil fruit ability user is really thick-skinned."

There was a cross-shaped knife wound on Foz F's chest that was bleeding. He looked at the box in his hand and replied, "It's just a parahuman devil fruit. Why are the Revolutionary Army keeping such a close eye on it?"

Lor did not answer him, but after his companions surrounded him, he suddenly swung his sword and attacked.

More than a year ago, in the town that was massacred by the World Government, Lor's domineering nature had grown to a new level.

When faced with agents of CP9's level, capturing them is only a matter of time.

In just three minutes, Foz F, covered with wounds all over his body, collapsed in a pool of blood.

If it weren't for the physical strength brought by his animal-type abilities, he would have been dead by now.

Sheathing the knife, Lor walked forward and bent down to pick up the devil fruit box.

"boom!"

A gunshot rang out, and a lead bullet covered with armed color domineering knocked the box away. A warship was approaching, and three CP0 agents appeared on the deck using Moon Step.

At the same time, the sniper rifle produced by the research institute fired, and bullets shot out, but were easily avoided by the three people.

"The Revolutionary Army? They really are haunting us."

The three CP0 agents were all wearing masks, but none of them cared about Foz F who was lying on the ground.

Just as one of them was about to pick up the box, gunshots rang out again in the distance, causing him to instantly retract his arm.

I saw a dragon-headed ship approaching. On the lookout on the mast, Jesus Bu aimed at the CP0 guy again.

Beckman exhaled: "The Revolutionary Army has indeed taken action. It seems that the CP9 in the East China Sea has no secrets in front of them."

Shanks smiled and said, "After all, he is different from us."

As the ship approached, the other side did not open fire to block it. This was also related to the confrontation between the two sides.

Afterwards, Shanks stepped onto the CP9 warship, and a sense of oppression filled everyone's heart for a moment.

"boom!"

The crimson thunder exploded, and the domineering aura of the king was released.

"Crack!"

The deck was shattered with his domineering aura, and Shanks also boarded the warship.

"Can you please give me the favor and give me the fruit?"

The CP0 people looked at Shanks and said, "You are just a pirate, but you can say such shameless words."

Lor also looked at Shanks: "The great pirate from the New World appeared in the East China Sea just for a parahuman devil fruit. It seems that this parahuman devil fruit has a special meaning, right?"

On the docking pirate ship, Jesus Bu raised his gun and said dissatisfiedly: "I just helped you, Revolutionary Army, can't you give me some face?"

Lor looked over and said, "There is no room for negotiation. Pirates, you have no face in the Revolutionary Army."

For a moment, the air on the deck seemed to freeze.

"Oh!"

The CP0 agent suddenly started to move and reached out to the box to take it.

However, a one-handed axe blocked it, and the huge impact made it squat directly, because the difference in foundation was too great.

Lor swung his sword to make a slashing attack.

"boom!"

The violent collision caused the ship to heave and sway.

At this time, Red Hair also targeted the three CP0 agents: "In this case, let's eliminate one side first."

The western sword was swung, and in less than ten minutes of cooperation with the Revolutionary Army, the three CP0 members were defeated one after another, and even if they were not careful, they would be cut in half by the red-haired man.

Under the encirclement, the three men were quickly injured.

After looking at each other, they forced back the opponent in front of them and retreated.

"Evacuate."

Finally, three CP0 agents took away Foz Fowler, who was still breathing.

If an operation fails, someone must be held responsible. The Rubber Fruit has always been the responsibility of CP9, while CP0 is responsible for monitoring the Revolutionary Army.

The best outcome would be for someone from CP9 to be held responsible for this operation, otherwise they would also be implicated.

As for fighting desperately...it is impossible to fight desperately without orders from above, because the difference in immediate combat power is too great.

……

The three members of CP0 took Foz Fu away. At this moment, only the Red Hair Pirates and three teams of the Revolutionary Army were left on the deck.

Shanks restrained his Conqueror's Haki and said, "I had a contact with that gentleman from the Revolutionary Army a few years ago. It was just a parahuman devil fruit. It's not rare in the New World."

One team member was helping Lor stop the bleeding from his shoulder wound, but the other seven had no intention of giving him any face.

The Revolutionary Army, who had previously blocked with a one-handed axe, stood up and said, "It is true that parahuman devil fruits are not uncommon in the New World, but although we don't know the details of this fruit, it was named by the master."

Lor also looked at Shanks.

"Sir, you'll be here soon. If you think your face is big enough, maybe you can give it a try."

Shanks' heart tightened upon hearing this.

A few years ago, the feeling of oppression from that gentleman was still fresh in his memory...

However, we should try to talk about it.

The original name of this fruit was hidden by the World Government for eight hundred years. The myth of Nika may still be circulating in this ocean, but there is probably no record of the real name of this fruit.

But... that gentleman personally named...

"Let's find another place."

Beckman looked at the Revolutionary Army and said, "You can keep the fruit, but we need to move to another place. There should be more than just one three-person CP0 team in the East China Sea, and this place is too close to the Red Earth Continent."

The revolutionary soldiers talked for a while, and finally Lor picked up the box, checked it and put it away.

After installing a piece of high explosive on the keel of the CP9 warship, everyone returned to their own ships and left the area with the Red Hair Pirates' ship.

Not long after, CP0, who had returned with support, arrived as expected, but found nothing.

……

Meanwhile, in Alabasta, the first half of the Grand Line.

Kevin himself also received a communication from Donghai Belo Beti.

Nika fruit...found it.

"what happened?"

A blind, casually dressed middle-aged man asked.

Kevin replied: "It is indeed something very important. I wonder if you can wait for me for a while."

……

(End of this chapter)