Charlotte Linlin was somewhat uncertain of Kaido’s intentions.
“Cooperate?”
Kaido’s grinning voice came through the Den Den Mushi, “Yes, cooperate.”
“Even if the Poneglyph was stolen, you should have a rubbing of it.”
“Give that rubbing to me.”
“Then, seize the other two Poneglyphs and get the One Piece first.”
“Everything will be much easier.”
Charlotte Linlin snorted, instantly understanding Kaido’s wicked scheme.
“You want me to help you become the Pirate King?”
“Don’t be ridiculous…”
Kaido’s voice boomed from the Den Den Mushi, “Barorororororo!”
“It’s cooperation, Linlin!!!”
Charlotte Linlin’s expression turned displeased, a hint of anger flashing across her face.
“I refuse!”
“Kaido!!!”
*Click—*
The call was hung up.
Charlotte Linlin’s expression was uncertain, her mood fluctuating.
Honestly, it was a very good plan, and neither side would lose out, even if they split it.
But the unavoidable issue was the need for someone who could read the Poneglyphs.
The only known person was Pudding, but the Three-Eyed Tribe, not yet awakened, couldn’t read the Poneglyphs, and she was captured by the Marines in that battle.
The world-shaking news did not report anything about Pudding.
Clearly, she had been kept secret by the Marines.
Therefore, except for the core members of the Charlotte family, everyone else in the world didn’t know that Pudding had been captured. Captured on Whole Cake Island.
It was already a huge embarrassment.
Did she have to reveal that not only was the Poneglyph stolen, but the only hope of reading Poneglyphs was also stolen…
This was something Charlotte Linlin could absolutely never utter…
-----------
New World, Land of Wano.
Inside the grand hall of Onigashima.
Looking at the hung-up Den Den Mushi,
Kaido’s face darkened.
“What the hell, this old hag.”
“She refused such a win-win situation…”
Kaido hadn’t expected Charlotte Linlin to refuse. Based on his understanding of that old hag over the years, this wasn’t like her…
He couldn’t think of any reason for her refusal, so Kaido snorted and stood up.
“Damn old hag…”
He stretched his body a bit, and the pain from his wounds somewhat dissipated his drunkenness.
Grabbing his Kanabo, he walked out, saying to King next to him, 138Reading.net,
“Gather everyone…”
-----------
New World, Red-Haired Pirates’ base.
Many pirate ships were docked by the port.
Strangely, all the Red-Haired Pirates were on the island, yet their main ship was nowhere to be seen at the port.
On the island.
Inside the island’s largest hospital.
Shanks frowned, staring at the room where surgery was being performed.
Yasov was inside, being operated on.
The impact from the conglomerate of several islands, forming a lion’s head, was too immense.
The Red Force, their ship that had sailed with them for years, couldn’t withstand it and was shattered into pieces, disappearing into the sea.
The crew members were scattered and drifted away by the violent currents.
Many were still missing, but there was no time to waste; Yasov’s injuries were too severe.
After losing an arm, he continued to fight, and his Observation Haki had his head about to explode. He was then swept into the sea by the impact and lost consciousness…
There was no choice but to bring the few rescued individuals and rush back to save Yasov…
As for the others, they had already dispatched nearby pirate crews to search the seas.
In the distance.
Beckman walked over with a newspaper, looking weary, and sat next to Shanks.
“Latest news.”
He handed the newspaper to Shanks.
“Charlotte Linlin’s Poneglyph has been stolen.”
“It’s being exhibited at Marineford.”
Shanks’ voice held a slight tremor. “Oh?”
He took the newspaper and opened it.
Hearing Beckman’s words, the others also gathered around to look at the newspaper, and the heavy atmosphere lessened slightly…
A moment later.
*Rustle—*
Shanks closed the newspaper and handed it back to Beckman.
“Sakazuki is trying to cut off the foundation of the Great Pirate Era that Captain Roger started…”
“A terrifying man…”
The fun of sailing and adventure lay in the unknown, and the One Piece that attracted countless people to sail. These things attracted people, constantly heading for the sea.
The Poneglyphs being signposts was something one naturally understood as they progressed.
But before setting sail, people didn’t know these things; they could set off with just an adventurous heart.
And if they were told before setting sail that the Poneglyphs were in the hands of the Emperors, and one had to defeat an Emperor to seize them to get the signposts to the One Piece.
How many would choose to go to their deaths…
Not to mention that the Marines had now seized a Poneglyph.
By revealing the fact that one needed to collect four Poneglyphs to become the Pirate King and reach the Laugh Tale, the difficulty had increased even further. Now, one not only had to seize the Poneglyphs from the Emperors but also storm Marineford and steal that Poneglyph.
Logically speaking…
There were arrogant people, but there was a limit to how delusional one could be…
The current situation was that over 95% of the world’s top combat power was gathered in the New World.
Marineford, fighting four Emperors, still held an advantage.
Someone who could defeat the Emperors and then attack Marineford… would they still need the empty title of Pirate King? They would already be the King of the World…
Sakazuki’s actions had greatly dampened and eroded people’s desire to set sail and chase their dreams…
Beckman frowned. “This can’t go on.”
Shanks shook his head. “Let’s drag this war out as long as possible…”
His right hand unconsciously rested on his severed arm, and his voice grew low.
“A variable will definitely appear, we just don’t know how long it will take…”
His choice of that fruit was definitely not wrong…
He had bet everything…
The others exchanged glances, not knowing what variable Shanks was referring to, nor where his confidence came from…
-----------
At this moment…
East Blue, an unnamed sea.
The person Shanks had bet everything on was currently…
Drifting aimlessly at sea in a small wine barrel.
It had been several days since he set sail. The food ran out on the first day. He didn’t know how to navigate, and then encountered a storm, and his small boat capsized.
He had no choice but to hide in a wine barrel.
This was already the third day of his wine barrel drifting adventure…
Luffy, inside the wine barrel, was gaunt with dark circles under his eyes.
“So… so hungry…”