Sky Island, open air banquet hall.
Despite being covered in blood, Dracule Mihawk remained seated, drinking alone.
He was not drinking out of frustration.
At only nineteen, failing to defeat Borsalino, who was in his prime, was nothing unusual.
The real issue was simpler.
Sven had knocked out everyone on Sky Island, leaving no one to treat his wounds.
Following Mihawk’s gaze, Sven and Borsalino stood at a distance, locked in a tense exchange.
“Bro, the world should not be like this.”
“Kid, stop talking.”
Borsalino had not expected this outcome.
As a Marine Vice Admiral on the verge of promotion, he had somehow reached a cooperation agreement with a wanted pirate.
Worse, this kid was openly trying to pull him toward rebellion.
It was absurd.
The fragments of hidden history he had just learned shook the foundation of his beliefs.
The justice he upheld now felt uncertain.
Conflicting thoughts clashed within him.
He has been to the Final Island, so what he says should be true.
The World Government is rotten.
So what, a pirate is still a pirate.
He did not even want to become a pirate, he was forced into it because of the failures of the World Government and the Marines.
Have you forgotten your justice?
Borsalino pressed his fingers against his temple.
His breathing grew heavier, reflecting his unsettled state.
He only wanted to leave and think in peace.
“Little brother, are your people reliable?”
“Do not worry.”
Sven pulled out several photos.
“Everything is here.
We are not going to the Blue Sea, so you can relax.”
“Brother, I have one request.”
Borsalino burned the photos without hesitation.
“Speak.”
“You understand what the World Government is like.
For the sake of these weak Skypieans, do not reveal the existence of Sky Island.”
“Fine, I promise.”
As he thought about the gold Sven had offered, a flicker of satisfaction rose in Borsalino’s chest.
In less than a day, he had earned enough wealth to last a lifetime.
It was worth the trip.
He could attempt to eliminate Sven and claim all the gold for himself.
(Greedy bastard, hehe..)
But this boy was not easy to kill.
More importantly, he found himself unwilling to do it.
His sense of justice, unclear as it was, still restrained him.
“Little brother, where is the prisoner you captured?”
“He escaped.” Sven shrugged. Find the original chapter at g.com.
“While you were fighting Mihawk, he slipped away.”
“I see.”
Borsalino hesitated briefly.
“I should still pursue him.
Catching at least one target is better than none.”
He wanted the gold, but he also wanted to become an Admiral.
Agreeing not to expose Sky Island meant an unspoken understanding.
As long as Sven kept quiet, so would he.
As for the destroyed photos, Borsalino did not believe for a second that those were the only copies.
That cunning brat must have more.
He had attended a pirate banquet, shared drinks, and now he was being restrained by evidence.
Using gold as leverage, Sven and Borsalino reached a series of agreements.
They would avoid direct conflict when possible, exchange information when needed, and maintain a fragile balance.
Before leaving, Borsalino spoke again.
“Are you certain you will not be active on the seas for a while?”
“Relax, I keep my word.”
After Borsalino departed, Sven picked up a bucket and began splashing water over the unconscious Skypieans one by one.
“Old Gan, Mihawk is injured.
Find some nurses to treat him.”
“Yes, Thunder God.”
Gan Fall nodded quickly.
The dangerous enemy had already left, driven away by Sven.
As expected of Thunder God.
Sven returned to his seat, reflecting on his earlier decisions.
He should have abandoned the idea of recruiting that doctor much sooner.
The value of the Ope Ope no Mi was undeniable, but letting its user escape introduced risk.
If the World Government captured him again, information about Sky Island could be exposed.
“I should not have hesitated back then.”
Just as the thought crossed his mind, a figure suddenly appeared nearby.
“Captain, is that guy gone?”
Sven glanced over and immediately kicked him.
“You little fool, you even deceived me.”
The doctor dodged with an awkward smile.
“That made it more convincing.
If even you were fooled, he would never suspect anything.”
“You do have some brains.”
Sven crossed his arms.
“Find a way to disappear.
The World Government will never stop chasing the Ope Ope no Mi.”
The doctor’s expression darkened.
“So you knew all along.”
“Then why not hand me over?
At least you could have cleared your bounty.”
Sven rolled his eyes.
“I am a pirate.
A pirate should have principles.
A bounty was recognition, even if it came from enemies.
Across the seas, only Gol D.
Roger and Edward Newgate had bounties exceeding five billion.
On the Marine side, only Sakazuki stood at that level.
The name of Rocks D.
Xebec had been erased entirely after the God Valley Incident.
Sven patted the doctor’s shoulder.
“Disappear somewhere I cannot find you.
Otherwise, I might be tempted to turn you in myself.”
“Understood, Captain.”
Three days later, Golden City, Shandora.
Before a massive stone tablet, Sven traced the newer inscription with his fingers.
Memories of his visit two years ago surfaced in his mind.
Back then, he had followed the captain to Sky Island.
Beside him, Mihawk stood wrapped in bandages from head to toe.
“What does it say?”
Sven shook his head.
“I cannot read the first part.
The latter section was dictated by Captain Roger and carved by Kozuki Oden.”
“I have come here and will guide this passage to the Final Island, Pirate, Gol D.
Roger.”
Mihawk frowned.
“D?”
“The captain’s true name is Gol D.
Roger.
The World Government calls him Gold Roger to hide the D.”
Sven’s tone remained steady.
“The D clan once stood against the World Government.
They fear that name, so they erased it from history.”
A faint grin appeared on his face.
“In other words, even if we overturn the world, as long as we are not part of the D clan, they might still try to recruit us.”
Mihawk stayed silent for a long moment before speaking.
“I want to go down.
Do you have a method?”
Even he could not survive a fall from ten thousand meters.
Sven spread his hands.
“You are not even willing to call me Captain.”
Mihawk responded by drawing Yoru.
“Sven Beelzebub, draw your sword.”
Sven unsheathed his blade as well.
“Let us move.
Do not damage the inscription.”
After their exchange, Sven reached into his pocket and took out a small device.
“Mihawk, put this on your head.”