Since he was only going to fetch someone, Magnus didn't bring too many along this time.
Ripley and Rocks, of course, came.
They were still newcomers to the White Wolf Pirates, with enormous room to grow — better to get out and experience the world than stay on Sphinx spinning their wheels.
And then, their true rookie: Edward Newgate.
From February until now…
Four months had passed.
When Rocks learned Rokushiki: Soru (Six Styles: Shave), it had only taken him about a month. In this respect, Edward Newgate seemed much clumsier.
Even now, all he'd mastered was Rokushiki: Tekkai (Iron Body).
But "clumsy" was relative.
Though Newgate lagged behind Rocks in learning the Rokushiki, he made up for it in Haki.
After mastering Tekkai, during one sparring match with Rocks, he unexpectedly awakened Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki), leaving Rocks so jealous his eyes turned red.
He'd trained for a year and only awakened his Armament Haki in a life-or-death battle with a pirate worth thirty million.
His Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) was still in a nebulous state between "awakened" and "not awakened."
He awakened Armament Haki after just a few months of sparring.
Is this what they call talent?!
Rocks finally understood why Magnus had recruited Newgate.
Compared to this naturally blessed kid…
Comparisons were infuriating!
What Rocks didn't know was that Magnus was even more exasperated.
So this is the talent of someone destined for Emperor level?
Before he had the system, it had taken Magnus five full years to learn all of the Rokushiki, and another ten to master Haki.
But Rocks and Newgate?
One mastered all the Rokushiki in a year; the other awakened Armament Haki in four months.
Compared to them, Magnus felt like he'd wasted his youth.
So when he saw Rocks still dissatisfied…
Magnus almost wanted to show him what a Captain no Ikari (Captain's Wrath) looked like!
She probably really lacked talent for Observation Haki.
Her Armament Haki was progressing steadily, but her Observation showed no sign of developing.
Compared to giants her age, Ripley was already very strong.
Most giants peaked around vice admiral level, worth maybe ten to fifty million in bounty.
Far from great pirate level.
Only about ten giants in all of Elbaf had great pirate-level strength — most of them ancient-blooded royal guards.
Then again, this was perhaps just greed talking.
Great pirates were all worth over a hundred million!
Just being recognized as a great pirate meant you could sail these seas unchallenged as long as you didn't provoke an admiral.
Ten great pirates… plus the already admiral-level giant king Harald… it was no exaggeration to call Elbaf the world's strongest nation.
After all, the World Government wasn't a country but an organization — a super-organization uniting over a hundred member nations.
This time, Magnus only brought three: Ripley, Rocks, and Newgate. The other original White Wolf members stayed on Sphinx.
Partly because Sphinx's development was just starting; partly to deter foolish pirates who didn't know their place.
Now that Magnus's strength was clear, unless they could capture him personally, the navy wouldn't dare attack Sphinx lightly.
Most new pirates grew cocky with a little power — didn't matter if you were an admiral or an emperor.
They'd attack first and think later.
Roya, Lily, and Ed — three great pirates — were more than enough to intimidate the region. Unless an admiral came in person, they could hold their own even in the New World.
Also, the White Wolf's fifth original crewmate had arrived at Sphinx recently.
A fish-man craftsman.
After the White Wolf's disbanding, he'd returned to his homeland, Fish-Man Island. Due to delayed news, he'd only learned of Magnus's return recently.
Now, half of the White Wolf's original crew had regrouped.
Truthfully, Magnus didn't want them to come.
They were older now — two even had families in some remote country. Not suited for the dangerous life ahead.
They were about to face the world's most powerful forces.
Magnus hoped they'd come in ten years.
And then, he'd throw them the grandest banquet to welcome them.
Amid Deen the fish-man craftsman's complaints, the ship set sail once again.
Almost at the same time, the navy's intelligence net on Sphinx lit up, closely tracking the White Wolf's movements.
But the sea was too vast — and Magnus had a pile of Eternal Poses. They couldn't guess where he was heading.
Magnus's Observation Haki could cover an entire island — and expanded even more in the presence of hostility.
Following the Black Pearl was suicide.
Holy Land Mary Geoise.
Encrypted documents passed down the line like clockwork in a dimly lit room, where figures in white suits and white masks moved about.
"We must track White Wolf Magnus's movements as soon as possible."
"Scout the surrounding islands. With the Black Pearl's supplies, they can stay at sea at most a month."
"And don't forget about Imperial Flower Ripley!"
A giant from Elbaf who ate the Mini Mini no Mi, able to shrink herself and objects. Combined with Magnus's fruit, which could freeze produce, and enough tea, beans, and pickles on board to prevent most sea-borne illnesses…
If he wanted, Magnus could stay at sea for years.
"In any case, before we attack Elbaf, make sure word reaches Magnus — but avoid letting the White Wolf Pirates and Elbaf join forces!"
This order to attack Elbaf came directly from the Gorōsei, citing the unchecked giant king Harald and the many giants who'd gone to sea as pirates harming member nations.
Thus, the World Government decided to subjugate Elbaf by force, making the giants obey and reducing their destruction.
This reasoning won over much of the navy.
Not only because of the giants — but because many hawks in the navy believed their failure at Sphinx had tarnished their reputation. They needed a new victory to restore it.
Without the World Government's approval, they'd never have dared target Elbaf.
After all, it was the world's strongest nation!
But with that backing, this operation would be a joint effort between the navy and the CP organization, with no chance of failure.
So what if it was the world's strongest nation?
Defeating it would prove the navy's strength.
That was just an accident.
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