Arceus's Pirate Journey

Chapter 1090: Chapter 1078: Family or Enemy

The Divine Valley Battle, where Garp and Roger joined forces to put an end to Rocks’ ambitions, also established Garp as the Navy Hero.

In the original timeline of Alabasta, the government covered up the fact that the Seven Warlords of the Sea were defeated by a fledgling pirate, while simultaneously downplaying the impact of Crocodile’s scheme to seize the nation. They attributed the merit of defeating Crocodile to Smoker.

As a result, Smoker was promoted to Brigadier General.

Spandam did nothing and continuously failed, yet he smoothly rose to become the head of CP9 and even advanced to the ranks of CP0.

CP0 has always been called the strongest shield of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, but within this shield, there’s a waste with a power level of only nine, even inferior to a regular Navy Soldier.

Ultimately, these are all decisions of the World Government. To confront the World Government, which has the entire world as its backup, with individual bravery is nearly impossible.

Unless there are very few who surpass human limits, capable of opposing ancient weapons with their own bodies, achieving this kind of feat might be possible.

If the World Government wills it, they can place a waste in a high official position.

Even something as absurd as making a dog the king of a nation is not impossible.

If the World Government dislikes you, even if you’re an Admiral, they have ways to trip you up.

Zephyr’s family was killed during his peak term as Admiral, something ordinary pirates couldn’t accomplish, yet the extent of the intrigue behind it remains a mystery even to Sengoku.

The Navy is relatively independent, but ultimately it is a subordinate agency of the World Government.

To most Navy Soldiers, the World Government and Navy seem indistinguishable, but naturally, some people hold different views.

Admirals and Vice Admirals all have their own beliefs and perceptions, and they possess the ability to enact these beliefs without having to obey orders like most soldiers.

But how many soldiers are more loyal to the World Government than to the Navy remains an unknown number. Some soldiers are actually spies dispatched by the World Government to monitor the Navy, allowing their subordinate violent agencies to act arbitrarily doesn’t align with the World Government’s interests.

Thus, after the Loki Port incident on Hive Island, the World Government made a whole new decision.

First, there’s the appointment of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. The Death Surgeon Trafalgar Law offered 100 pirate hearts to the World Government as a gift and was granted the position of one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, finally filling the vacant seat among the Seven Warlords.

Although the quality of those pirates varies greatly, with very few truly deserving the title of Great Pirate, to maximize influence, the World Government still resorted to dramatizing their terminology.

Law’s news nearly made him a public enemy of pirates. The reputation of the Seven Warlords of the Sea within the pirate community has never been great; pirates fear their strength while disdain them for willingly becoming lapdogs of the World Government despite their prowess.

Compared to other Seven Warlords, the way Law ascended to become one particularly drew their contempt. This door-to-door ”suck-up” behavior incited anger among many pirates, and quite a few have already regarded him as a thorn in their side, planning to use Law’s head to make a name for themselves.

Yet the impact of ascending to the ranks of the Seven Warlords goes beyond this.

”Doffy, here’s today’s newspaper, that kid Law...”

”I saw it, Trebol, don’t be so harsh. After all, he’s my dear brother, the third Red Heart of the Donquixote Clan. You should be pleased he’s reached this position.”

On the beach of Dressrosa, Doflamingo, with a leisurely vacation demeanor, had reflections on his sunglasses that obscured his gaze. Yet judging from his tone, Doflamingo showed no sign of anger.

Due to Rosinante’s efforts, Doflamingo remained ignorant of the fact that Law learned of the past long ago. He only knows that Law has already consumed the Op-Op Fruit and has developed its powers to a considerable degree.

The Op-Op Fruit’s Eternal Life Surgery has always been Doflamingo’s goal. To this end, he openly calls Law his brother, part of the family, and retains the Red Heart position.

”Then we...”

”Of course, we congratulate him, fufufufu. Having disappeared for so many years, the kid who left home should return. Reach out to him and see whether he is still family or turned foe.”

Doflamingo hopes Law knows nothing, which would facilitate his plans. However, Law has been gone for over a decade. With the Donquixote Clan’s reputation, he could have returned long ago if he wanted.

Thus, Doflamingo’s words and actions don’t quite align; everything he does is for himself.

Last time, they couldn’t contact Law. But now that Law has become a Warlord, Doflamingo naturally has the opportunity to reach out.

”I understand, Doffy. By the way, what about Hive Island? The pirates who had initially occupied it have been eliminated. Hive Island is once again ownerless. I heard a Navy played quite a role there.”

”Fufufu, it’s just the old trick of the World Government. If that Navy was so capable, it’s unlikely he’d still be a mediocre major.”

A hero’s disciple is also a hero, how adept at generating influence.

However, Hive Island... that place is too troublesome and not worth wasting effort on. The Hundred Beasts aren’t interested in it, are they?”

”According to intelligence, Jack... better called Drought now, that Drought left immediately after destroying the place.”

”I see. Since they aren’t interested, recommend it to Buggy. Isn’t he actively recruiting now? The empty Hive Island might be a good stage if he’s capable of protecting it.”

Hive Island carries both a unique location and symbolic meaning, but Doflamingo has no interest in it.

If the Hundred Beasts occupy it, Hive Island becomes irrelevant to him. If not, many pirates will vie for it, and he has no extra energy to handle it at the moment – he may as well recommend it to others.

If Buggy seizes it, he earns some credit. If Buggy fails, he loses nothing.

...

While some members of the Donquixote Clan started to move, others also noticed the news in the newspaper.

Such as Misu and Tiger, currently serving as construction workers in hard hats at a place they’ve visited before, even having built a church there.

But upon returning, they found pirates pillaging the place, even setting fire outside the church intending to burn down both the church and the people hiding inside.

As for the outcome... They came to realize the difference between Ceruledge’s flames and ordinary fire, and learned what it means to leave nothing behind, while Misu now eyed Law’s news with contemplation....