Aokiji stood silently, his eyes distant as he processed Lucas's words. The former admiral had seen his fair share of corruption, but the reality Lucas presented left little room for the idealistic justice Aokiji once believed in.
Black Arm Zephyr clapped a heavy hand on Aokiji's shoulder, pulling him from his thoughts.
"Kuzan, we've both been part of the system long enough to see it rot from the inside. The World Government isn't just broken—it's shattered beyond repair."
Aokiji's gaze shifted from Zephyr to Lucas, who was leaning casually against a golden pillar, a confident smirk on his face.
"You really believe you can replace the World Government?" Aokiji asked, his tone a mix of skepticism and curiosity.
Lucas chuckled, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous certainty.
"Replace them? No." He shook his head. "I'll dismantle them. Piece by piece." His smile widened. "And what comes after? It's not about perfection, Kuzan. It's about being better than the garbage currently in charge. And that? That's the easiest thing in the world."
Aokiji sighed deeply, feeling the weight of years spent chasing an ideal that no longer seemed possible.
"And if I join you?" he asked quietly. "What makes you different from them?"
Lucas's expression softened, but the fire in his eyes never dimmed.
"I don't pretend to be a saint, Kuzan. I'm not here to create some utopia. But I won't stand by while the Celestial Dragons treat the world like their personal playground. I won't exploit the people I protect." His voice dropped, low and resolute. "And I'll make sure that anyone who tries… won't live to regret it."
Aokiji studied Lucas for a long moment before finally nodding, the last remnants of his doubt fading away.
"Alright," he said quietly. "I'll join you."
Lucas grinned, pushing off the pillar and offering his hand.
"Good choice, Kuzan."
As they shook hands, Black Arm Zephyr chuckled, a rare smile breaking through his usual stern demeanor.
"With you on board, Kuzan, we'll have enough firepower to keep this territory locked down tight."
Meanwhile, in the Chat Group…
Golden Lion Shiki was the first to break the silence.
Golden Lion Shiki: "Lucas, are you really sure the World Government won't see you as a threat? Aokiji isn't exactly some small-time recruit—he's on par with Charlotte Linlin!"
Lucas's reply was immediate, his confidence unshaken.
Lucas: "I'm sure. In another future I've seen, Kuzan joins Blackbeard's crew after leaving the Marines. And even though Blackbeard became one of the Four Emperors, the World Government barely reacted. They won't see Kuzan joining me as a big deal—for now."
Whitebeard's booming laugh echoed through the chat.
Whitebeard"Gurarararara! How did that bastard manage to make Kuzan join him"
Pirate King Roger chimed in, his tone teasing.
Pirate King Roger: "I'll bet Kuzan had ulterior motives. No way he'd align himself with someone like Blackbeard unless he was planning something."
Golden Lion Shiki wasn't convinced.
Golden Lion Shiki: "Still doesn't explain why you didn't just wipe out the Big Mom Pirates. You're strong enough to do it. Why spare them but take in Kuzan?"
Whitebeard answered before Lucas could.
Whitebeard: "You've been out of the loop too long, Shiki. The Four Emperors aren't like the pirates of our time. They're more like mini-World Governments. Taking one down completely changes the balance."
Golden Lion Shiki: "You saying they're that different from us?"
Whitebeard: "Absolutely. That madwoman Charlotte Linlin runs Totto Land like her own little kingdom—34 islands, each one loyal to her. She's like a Celestial Dragon with more power and less pretense."
Senju Tobirama entered the conversation, his analytical mind piecing things together.
Senju Tobirama: "So the Four Emperors are essentially colleagues of the World Government. They allow them to exist to highlight their own so-called 'justice.' It's all about control."
Gold Thief Woonan: "Makes sense. As Lucas said before, good or bad depends on what you're comparing it to. The World Government lets the Four Emperors run wild so they can claim to be the 'better' option."
Golden Lion Shiki: "I get it now. If you destroyed the Big Mom Pirates, the World Government would see you as a real threat. But taking in Kuzan? That's just another rogue admiral to them."
Outside World
Lucas's approach was methodical—strength and subtlety in equal measure. On one hand, he worked tirelessly to enhance his own power and expand his influence, ensuring that even the World Government would think twice before making any reckless moves against him. With abilities like the Float-Float Fruit and the Flying Thunder God Technique in his arsenal, his existence alone was enough to draw their attention. Without substantial power, they would've long attempted to seize him, eager to study the countless mysteries he carried.
On the other hand, Lucas knew better than to flaunt his strength recklessly. Terrifying the World Government too soon might provoke them into deploying their Ancient Weapons or even Imu himself, bringing about a confrontation Lucas wasn't eager for just yet. Sure, if push came to shove, he could escape. No one could catch him—not with his abilities. But Lucas wasn't just a lone pirate anymore. He had territories to protect, allies to support, and a reputation to uphold. Running from battle wouldn't just be inconvenient; it would be a blow to his pride.
"Lord Lucas," a familiar voice called out.
Lucas turned to see Jinbei approaching, a parchment in his hands. "The list of forces that took advantage of us has been compiled."
Lucas unrolled the parchment, his eyes scanning the names. His gaze hardened as it landed on a particular entry.
"Germa 66?" A cold sneer spread across his face. "I haven't even gotten around to troubling you yet, and here you are, robbing me first."
In the Chat Group
Pirate King Roger : "Do you have some kind of grudge with Germa 66?"
Lucas: "No grudge. They just have something I'm interested in."
Golden Lion Shiki: "What could possibly catch your eye? If you're interested, it must be something big."
Lucas: "Biotechnology. Germa 66's advancements in biotech aren't far behind Caesar. Since Vegapunk is out of reach for now, I'll use Germa 66 and Caesar to fill the gaps in my knowledge."
Fire Fist Ace: "Germa 66… That name sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before?"
Fisher Tiger: "You've probably seen them in the comics that run in the newspapers. They're notorious in North Blue—an evil army that relies on advanced tech to wreak havoc. The story's framed around their battles against the hero Sora."
Fire Fist Ace: "Ah! That's right! I've seen that comic. So they're not just some made-up villain group—they're real?"
Lucas: "Very real. Germa 66 is the private military force of the Germa Kingdom in North Blue, controlled by the royal Vinsmoke family. They once ruled all of North Blue through sheer force until the World Government pressured them into backing down."
Golden Lion Shiki: "Makes sense. The New World might be chaotic, but it's limited in size and too unstable for anyone to replace the World Government. But North Blue? That's one of the four seas that form the government's foundation. No way they'd let anyone unify it without stepping in."
Gold Thief Woonan: "So, the Germa Kingdom unified North Blue and the World Government just let it happen?"
Lucas: "Not exactly. They didn't wipe them out, but they revoked Germa's territorial status. The Germa Kingdom has no land—it's a kingdom that floats on the sea."
Fire Fist Ace: "No territory? What kind of kingdom is that?"
Lucas: "A mobile one. Germa uses giant snails as transport. They've built entire fortresses and palaces on these snails' backs, turning them into mobile strongholds. When they dock together, they form a floating sea kingdom."
Golden Lion Shiki: "That's some next-level tech. Better than Marine warships?"
Lucas: "Much better. Their mobility and flexibility on the sea give them an edge. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Germa's true power lies in their cloning technology."
Gold Thief Woonan: "Cloning?"
Lucas: "Yeah. They mass-produce soldiers using scientific cloning. Every soldier in Germa 66 is genetically engineered—loyal, fearless, and physically superior. They'll throw themselves into gunfire without hesitation."
Howard Stark, the ever-curious inventor, perked up immediately.
Howard Stark: "Cloning? I need to see this for myself! That's the ultimate death squad!"
Lucas: "I'll show you when the time comes, but don't get too excited. Their cloning tech, much like Artificial Devil Fruits, has its flaws."
Howard Stark: "Flaws? Like what?"
Lucas: "Think about it. Cloning is essentially copying a person's bloodline and abilities. But certain talents and strengths just can't be replicated. Otherwise, Germa would've ruled the world by now."
Golden Lion Shiki's eyes gleamed with realization.
Golden Lion Shiki: "Wait… If they got their hands on my blood, or Whitebeard's, or even Roger's, could they clone us? Could those clones have our strength?"
Lucas chuckled.
Lucas: "Now you're catching on. That's the flaw. No matter how advanced their tech is, they can't clone people with exceptional abilities. Otherwise, they'd just be pumping out armies of Pirate Emperors and Marine Admirals."
Whitebeard roared with laughter.
Whitebeard: "Gurarararara! Imagine an army of me running around. The world wouldn't know what hit it!"
Lucas: "Exactly. If cloning was perfect, Vegapunk would've done it already. He had access to Bartholomew Kuma for the Pacifista project, but even then, he couldn't replicate Kuma's full power. And you're telling me they couldn't get Kaido's or Big Mom's blood? It's not that they can't get it—it's that it doesn't work."
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