“Mama, we swore a long time ago that we are forever members of the Sun and Moon Pirates.”

Smoothie and her sisters declared this with unshakable resolve. They turned to Charlotte Linlin and firmly reminded her: “Mama, you’re also one of us.”

Charlotte Linlin froze for a moment, her expression shifting to one of confusion and frustration as she looked at her daughters.

In just two short months, had they really pledged themselves wholeheartedly to Kuke?

While Linlin had to admit that Kuke was undeniably charismatic and capable of drawing people in, the allure of freedom and her identity as a ruler was just as enticing.

She wasn’t asking her daughters to betray Kuke. This was merely about negotiating terms with him. If he agreed, they could leave openly and amicably, without turning into enemies. And yet, they still refused.

What were they thinking? Were they her daughters or Kuke’s?

“Kuke, what do you think? Things are getting dangerous here. I’m willing to fight, but isn’t earning my freedom a fair exchange?”

Charlotte Linlin felt she was already being quite generous.

If it were anyone else, she wouldn’t have even said a word. She would have simply taken advantage of the chaos in the battle to escape, just as she had done in the past.

This way, she could regain her freedom without any risk to herself.

“Call me Captain.”

Linlin gritted her teeth in frustration.

Here she was, offering such a fair deal, and yet Kuke still wouldn’t agree.

Did he not worry that she might just run off during the battle?

It was infuriating.

Kuke stepped forward, walking to the bow of the Radiant Eclipse, his commanding presence overlooking Akainu and the others on the shore below.

The moment he appeared, the fiery and domineering aura exuded by Akainu visibly diminished.

Akainu clenched his fists, his killing intent thick in the air, but behind it lurked undeniable apprehension.

Though his every fiber urged him to strike immediately, he had to admit—Kuke was the most difficult and terrifying enemy he had ever faced.

“Not enough,” Kuke said calmly, his voice carrying far.

“Not enough?”

The gathered crowd onshore was stunned, their faces reflecting utter disbelief.

Was Kuke saying that the Navy’s forces were insufficient? That they didn’t have enough strength or numbers?

“You’ve got to be kidding! This is the entirety of the Navy’s elite forces, and it’s still not enough?”

“I thought the Sun and Moon Pirates at most could hold their own against the Navy’s full strength.”

“Everyone is here—except for that embarrassment Z—how could this not be enough? Won’t Akainu and the others be infuriated?”

“This is the first time I’ve heard someone complain about the Navy not having enough strength.”

No matter how vast or powerful a pirate crew was, it could never match the sheer scale of the Navy’s forces.

The Navy’s overwhelming numbers had always been the bane of pirates, and no one dared accuse them of lacking manpower.

The other admirals—Kizaru, Aokiji, and Garp—remained silent, pretending not to hear.

Akainu shot a resentful glance at them. “Leaving all this to me, you bastards.”

But this was about the Navy’s dignity.

Akainu stepped forward, his voice full of defiance. “Not enough? Do you really think we can’t kill you?”

Kuke cast a single glance at Akainu, and the admiral fell silent.

“Hahaha, kill him? If the Navy could’ve killed Kuke, they would’ve done it already.”

“They’ve tried. Kuke simply came back to life, and instead, the Navy lost Sengoku.”

“Haha! Akainu is the least qualified to make that statement. He’s suffered the most losses and humiliation at Kuke’s hands.”

The pirates in the distance erupted in jeering laughter.

For pirates, mocking the Navy was second nature—regardless of whether they could win or lose.

Akainu’s face darkened like a thundercloud.

“To those hiding below, come out.”

Kuke’s calm command cut through the air.

To the so-called hidden forces that thought themselves undetected, Kuke’s words were like a death knell.

“Old guys in hiding? Does he mean there are more?”

The crowd’s attention shifted instantly, trying to spot what Kuke was referring to.

“Who could he mean?”

“All of the Navy’s top fighters are already here. The only ‘old guys’ left are Z and Tsuru, but why would they hide?”

“Could there be secret Navy powerhouses we don’t know about?”

“Who is it?”

“Exactly how strong is the Navy?”

The thought sent cold sweat streaming down the backs of the gathered pirates.

Suddenly, with a resounding crash, a section of the ground broke apart, revealing a dark, ominous hole.

From the shadows, the sound of footsteps echoed, and multiple figures emerged into the light.

They wore loose-fitting robes and eerie masks.

“It’s CP0!”

“Even those monsters have shown up.”

CP0’s reputation preceded them, known far and wide for their infamous deeds. Behind countless major incidents, CP0’s involvement was often whispered about. The destruction of entire powers often bore their mark, earning them the title of the World Nobles’ strongest shield.

Each member’s identity was shrouded in secrecy, but one thing was clear: none of them were weak.

Under the scrutinizing eyes of the crowd, the CP0 agents unfurled a massive red carpet from the entrance of the underground passage, laying it meticulously all the way to the shore.

They looked less like the fearsome assassins of CP0 and more like subservient slaves.

“Who could be inside? Who warrants this level of deference from CP0? A Celestial Dragon?”

“Impossible. Those useless Celestial Dragons wouldn’t dare come here. They’d be slaughtered on the battlefield.”

“If it’s not them, then who? Could it actually be the Five Elders?”

“No way. The Five Elders have never left Mary Geoise.”

All eyes were glued to the tunnel’s entrance.

The sound of measured footsteps grew louder, accompanied by blurred silhouettes.

Emerging from the darkness into the sunlight, they came into view—the Five Elders.

The crowd froze.

Their minds went blank, overwhelmed by terror and disbelief.

“The Five Elders… why are they here?!”

Three of them had come—one holding a sword, another with curly hair, and the third with flowing long hair. They were accompanied by four suited men trailing silently behind them.

“I could’ve guessed the Navy wouldn’t want the Sun and Moon Pirates to become the Pirate King. But for the Five Elders to personally show up? That’s beyond comprehension.”

“No one could’ve imagined this!”

“The Five Elders have never been seen on the seas before.”

The crowd felt as if they’d been struck by lightning. Numb from head to toe, they could only stare in dumbfounded shock.

The Five Elders were the supreme rulers of the known world under the World Government.

Their status was akin to gods, untouchable and all-powerful.

In all previous eras, as pirates and marines clashed in bloody battles, the Five Elders remained aloof in the Holy Land, watching over the world as omnipotent deities.

But now, they had descended.

The gods had come down to confront mortals.

“How strong do you think the Five Elders are?”

“No one’s ever seen them fight, but with centuries of World Government rule, who knows how much power and how many Devil Fruits they’ve accumulated? If they wanted to, they could easily become the strongest.”

“True. It’s said that Phoenix Gion’s Mythical Zoan Phoenix Fruit once came from the World Government’s vaults.”

“So the Five Elders must be incredibly powerful.”

“Stronger than the admirals, perhaps?”

The Three Elders exchanged glances and smirked, clearly pleased by the reactions of those below.

They looked up at Kuke, standing atop the Radiant Eclipse.

Their expressions conveyed unshaken confidence.

“You too… will bow before us.”

——

DONT FORGET POWER STONE

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep