"Huh..." Coming out of the underground laboratory, Krululu raised her head, revealing her slender white neck, raised her arms, and used her palms to block the dazzling sunlight. The cloudless weather was just right for her comfortable mood at this time.
Kuang San standing next to her said: "My mood has improved a lot."
"Yeah." Krulru turned back to look at Kurumi behind him: "I don't understand how you could fall in love with that kind of guy."
"I feel relieved when you say that." Kuang San pursed his lips and replied, "This reduces one enemy."
"Huh?" Krulru said angrily: "Don't make such a joke! How could I fall in love with this bastard!"
"Yes, yes~" Kuangsan teased: "Kruuru likes his elder brother the most~"
"you……!"
"It's almost time, let's go have lunch." Kuang San walked away minding his own business.
"..." Although Krululu wanted to say that I don't need to eat like humans, Xiangling's cooking skills have already conquered everyone's stomach. She stood there and hesitated for a while, then took a few steps quickly to follow Kuang Ling. The pace of three.
Eric stayed in the laboratory and asked Leonardo da Vinci about the current situation of the angels.
"It is not difficult to perfectly reproduce the strength of the Lunaria tribe, but it is more troublesome to add the blood factors of other races and blend them together." Da Vinci said with his forehead in distress.
Eric obediently poured water for Da Vinci and flattered him: "Only Da Vinci himself can perfectly solve this problem."
Da Vinci rolled his eyes at Eric angrily: "You still have the nerve to say that you have thrown me into another big trouble today."
"Well……"
"It's just a copy of a fantasy beast fruit." Da Vinci Lily was fiddling with the glass bottle containing Krull's blood. She was very enthusiastic about this job.
"Alas." Da Vinci breathed out, examining and treating more than 10,000 Misaka sisters, adjusting Genos' mechanical body, and making humanoid weapons. None of the work was easy.
Da Vinci cheered up and said seriously: "In order not to limit the upper limit of the strength of the angels, these artificial humans will take several years to grow up."
Gaji, who has worked with Vegapunk, said: "Even Vegapunk would not be able to create a humanoid weapon of this strength."
"You are so flagrant..." Eric shed a few drops of cold sweat and said, "In three days, I will send the army to Beihai to replace the soldiers on the front line. You can also go with me."
"Yeah." Gaji agreed.
…
"Sister Kuang San." Guina approached Kuang San and asked in a low voice: "Is Eric ready to send troops to go on an expedition?"
"Where did you hear that?" Kurumi asked.
Guina curled her lips: "The army is gathering, and even a fool can see it."
"You also want to go on an expedition with the army?" Kuang San could tell at a glance what Guina had in mind.
"Yeah." Guina said fiercely: "If Eric doesn't agree, I will sneak out."
"Don't worry, Eric has decided to send you to Beihai to let you hone your sword skills through actual combat." Kuang San gave Guina a reassurance.
"Great!" Guina happily left quickly.
Krulru, who was dining on the side, watched with cold eyes and didn't say a word during the whole process.
…
After Eric's summons order was issued, the office door was pushed open hard: "Eric!"
"Nothing big or small." Eric stared at the visitor with raised eyebrows.
"Why did you only send me to Beihai! But Pei Tan stayed in China?" Runti's right hand grasped Pejiwan's back collar, and her brother was obviously dragged all the way here.
Peggy Wan shouted dissatisfied: "Sister, let me go!"
"Peggy Wan is only fifteen years old this year. He went to the battlefield. Do you want to increase the casualty data?" Eric replied coldly.
"Uh..." Runti was speechless, and then said firmly: "The little lady will protect Pei Tan!"
"You can't even protect yourself." Eric retorted rudely: "Take advantage of actual combat to hone your own personal strength!"
"Yes, sister, it's time for you to stay away from me..." Peggy Wan also advised.
"Huh? Petan, are you in the rebellious stage now?" Runti had no idea about Eric, and was not so polite to her brother. She tightly wrapped her arms around Peggy Wan's neck.
Peggy Wan slapped Runti's arm repeatedly to show defeat.
"Both of you, please drink some water." As Eric's secretary-general, Hiyori diligently handed over two cups of tea.
Before the two siblings could say anything, a transparent spirit passed through the wall: "Captain, please, I don't want to go to Beihai!"
"This matter is not negotiable. You have to go whether you want to go or not."
"Wow...you cruel bastard!" Perona, floating in the air, began to roll around.
Eric ignored Perona's remarks and leaned forward to continue working.
About to go to the front line, different people gave different reactions. However, Eric did not let them have their way. If he did not have prestige, this huge team might collapse.
…
"call out--"
Ace, wearing an orange cowboy hat, short sleeves and shorts, whistled and called down a news bird.
"Boss, this is not the World Economic News. Why are you buying this kind of newspaper?"
"Global News is also a major newspaper that has recently emerged. It doesn't hurt to learn about the news from newspapers from different newspapers." Ace smiled: "Maybe you can find a lot of doubts from them."
"The captain is absolutely right." Scar nodded in agreement.
Eric does not want a news media with a monopoly position to emerge, even if the president of the newspaper takes orders from him.
Therefore, Eric ordered Zhang Liang to acquire and integrate some small newspapers and renamed them Global News. The news dissemination area reached 70% of the world. Although it was not as good as World Economic News, it had been in operation for nearly a year. Over time, it has gradually become a well-known newspaper.
This is also the art of balance of the emperor.
News that the World's No. 1 Martial Arts Tournament was about to be held was published in more than a dozen newspapers half a year in advance.
"What did it say?" The members of the Spade Pirates gathered around.
"Let's see...oh——!" Ace unfolded the newspaper. The news on the front page made Ace's eyes widen. He waved the newspaper in his hand: "There is an opportunity to make a fortune in it!"
"What!?" More than a dozen members immediately huddled together.
"Don't squeeze!"
Ace read loudly: "The second World's Best Martial Arts Tournament will be held in October this year. The first place prize is pure gold worth five billion beli..."
"Is there still pure gold in the Kingdom of China!?" Many members were dazzled by the golden light. The World's No. 1 Martial Arts Club three years ago was known to the whole world. Whitebeard won the first place prize of pure gold, which made many people envious. .
Ace's first crew member, Maskud Deus, asked: "Ace, are you going to China to participate in this martial arts competition?"
"Of course!" Ace said firmly: "There are still more than four months, enough for us to reach the Kingdom of China!"
"I guess Whitebeard, the strongest man in the world, will also participate!"
"Ace, you're here again."
"Captain, you don't really want to defeat Whitebeard, do you?"
Ace said seriously: "This is the first step to let the world recognize my strength!"
Skaar, who aspires to become the world's best intelligence expert, said: "Whitebeard will not participate in this session."
"Why!?" Ace opened his eyes wide.
"Whitebeard has already won pure gold once, and the Kingdom of China will definitely impose corresponding restrictions." Skar pointed to the end of the article and said: "Look, it says: The winners of the previous session cannot be accepted this time. Participate.”
"..." Ace stretched his neck, pressed his face against the newspaper, then held his head and shouted: "How could this happen!"
"The last winners..." Michal, who holds the title of teacher, rubbed his chin: "So, White Beard, Kui Long, Big Mom, Red Hair, Hawkeye... none of these powerful people will attend!"
"Eh?" Everyone was stunned, and then said happily: "These monsters can't participate, and our captain is very likely to win first place!"
Ace crossed his legs with his arms and said angrily: "If these guys don't participate, is it still necessary to participate in the world's best martial arts club?"
"You can't say that..." Deus, well aware of Ace's temper, advised: "If you want to challenge Whitebeard, you must at least get a good ranking in this martial arts competition to be qualified to challenge the 'World's Strongest'. !”
"Otherwise, you are just this year's super rookie, and you are not qualified to challenge in the eyes of those monsters. Participating in this martial arts competition is also a stepping stone."
"..." Ace thought for a moment and agreed with Deus' statement: "You are right."
Ace clenched his fists: "Get the first place in this session, and then challenge the first place in the previous session!"
"Yeah!" Seeing that Ace agreed to participate in the martial arts competition, the crew members of the Spade Pirates clapped to each other in celebration: "As long as Ace advances to the top eight, we will get at least a share of the 100 million Bailey bonus!"
"What the top eight." Ace curled his lips and yelled: "If you want to win, you have to win first place!"
The members of the Spade Pirates followed the angry Ace: "Yes, yes~"
"Our captain is the most powerful."
"By the way, I got a secret information before. The past 'Four Emperors' seem to be in the nearby waters." Skar lowered his voice.
"How is it possible? The four emperors are all in the new world!"
One person said uncertainly: "Well, it might also be in Beihai."
Skaar put it another way: "I'm talking about the king who lost his crown, 'Red Hair' Shanks."
"..." The scene fell into silence.
"'Red-haired' Shanks..." Ace held up his hat, raised his head and asked, "I've always wanted to visit him, Skaar, do you know where he is?"
Skar unfolded the navigation chart and pointed it out to Ace: "The information I got is that it is on this island."
"...Okay!" Ace calculated in his mind for a while and said, "The next destination is this island!"
…
The leader of this expedition is Scathach, accompanied by Red Eyes, Black Eyes, Perona, Runti, Kuina, Genos, and Wendy; replacing Esdeath, Chiron, and Zhen who have been on the front line. De, Deidara, Bolqi, Miku and others.
"Brother-in-law..." Heitong raised his hand and wiped his tears: "You should pay attention to your health in China and be careful not to catch a cold..."
"No, I should say this to you, right?" Eric's cheek twitched: "The temperature in the North Sea is low. Have you brought enough cold-proof clothing?"
"Enough!" Hearing Eric's concerned words, the gloomy face of Heitong immediately became clear.
Seeing Heitong being so easily satisfied, Eric felt a little guilty. It was hard to tell from Chitong's expression, but Heitong's thoughts were clear to him, but he was afraid that his first member would be dissatisfied with him, so he never told Heitong. Hitomi takes action...
"Brother-in-law, what's wrong with you?" Black-eyed voice pulled Eric back.
"Nothing..." Eric glanced at Chi Tong furtively, only to see Chi Tong staring at him intently. After meeting his eyes, he tilted his head in confusion, as if asking what was wrong.
Eric asked himself: Didn't correct his sister's name for him? Does that mean Chitong acquiesced?
He is obviously a foodie who loves meat, but he obeyed his orders, left Xiangling's delicious food, and headed to the cold Beihai without any complaints. I'm afraid Chitong was complaining in his heart that he didn't take the initiative...
Just as Eric was lost in thought, a cry woke him up:
"Wait a minute!"
Xiangling rushed over from a distance carrying a large package on her back.
"Xiang Ling?" Eric looked Xiang Ling up and down: "You are not on the list, so you don't need to go to Beihai."
"I know." Xiang Ling calmed down her breathing and then said, "I heard from Chitong that there are fish in the North Sea that are not found in the New World."
"Eh?" Eric was stunned.
"I want to go to the North Sea to find ingredients that are not available in the New World!"
"Wait...what about your Wan Min Tang?"
"Business suspension." Xiang Ling said, "I put up the closure sign two days ago, didn't you see it?"
"..." Eric froze on the spot.
Well, it turns out that Chi Tong abducted the little cook directly.
Chitong promised: "Eric, I will protect Xiangling."
"Eric, I will research more super delicious menus!" Xiang Ling flexed her arms: "Just wait for me to come back from collecting materials in China!"
"Oh...oh..." Both the current cook and the former chef left. Eric was in a daze, watching as Red Tong and Black Tong took Xiang Ling away.
"Pfft" Kurumi laughed out loud and joked: "Erik-san, how does it feel when a member is abducted by others?"
"It's okay, Sir Eric!" Brynn volunteered: "I learned a lot of cooking knowledge from Sister Xiangling. Although my cooking skills are limited, I can be responsible for everyone's food."
"Really? Thank you so much! Brynn-chan." Eric raised Brynn.
"This is what I should do." Bryn looked happy on the surface, but said in her heart: "I'm not a three-year-old child, so I don't need to lift it up!" '
"Ahem" Eric cleared his throat after hearing what Brynn was saying, and put Brynn back on the ground.
At the end of the parting, Eric said to Scathach: "Scathach, please pay attention to safety on the battlefield."
"Yes." Scathach nodded: "I will try my best to protect them."
"...It's okay to let them get some injuries." Eric handed Scathach a bottle of medicine with more than a dozen fairy beans in it.
"Remember to practice your marksmanship." Scathach warned: "I can check it when you come back."
"When you come back, you will no longer be my opponent."
"I look forward to that day." Scathach turned and walked towards the battleship.
On the same day that several steel battleships set off from China, Ace found the red-haired pirates who were repairing the first half of the Grand Route.
"Captain, have you really thought it through?" Skar asked uneasily.
"No matter what, I want to meet red-haired Shanks." Ace moved forward firmly.
"Spade Pirates?"
Shanks lifted Griffin up: "The legendary super newcomer wants to greet me?"
Ace immediately waved his hand and said, "No, no, no, that's not what I meant."
"My brother always mentioned to me that you were his savior. So I wanted to meet you and say thank you in person."
"Luffy's?" Shanks was quite surprised: "He has an older brother?"
"You came just in time. I also want to know what's going on with Luffy - let's have a good chat!"
"There's a party!"
Shanks said hello, and the peaceful forest immediately burst into joy, and the men fighting for their lives on the sea shouted loudly.
When the bonfire is lit, the moisture inside the wood evaporates, expanding the wood fibers and making a crackling sound.
Barbeque skewers were set up next to the flames, and the empty floor was filled with food and drinks. The red firelight reflected on the food, whetting one's appetite.
"Really, is Luffy still clamoring to become the Pirate King?"
"It's like his catchphrase." Ace took a sip of wine: "However, although I feel sorry for Luffy, I am the one who became the Pirate King."
"Really..." Shanks smiled and asked with a serious face, "Are there any strangers around Luffy?"
"Stranger?" Ace was startled and recalled for a moment: "A few months ago, when I left Windmill Village, Luffy was still the same as before."
"That's it." Shanks exhaled.
"What, what's wrong?" Ace asked, obviously caring about his brother.
"No, it's okay." Shanks shook his head in denial.
Ace confirmed that he was hiding his thoughts, but Shanks was Luffy's savior, and he couldn't force him to tell him. He lowered his head and continued drinking, and then inadvertently glanced at Ben Beckman's empty right wrist: "This is... …?”
"This?" Ben Beckman raised his arm carelessly, revealing a neat scar: "It was cut off by the Queen of Shadows."
Many members of the Spade Pirates looked at his wounds silently without saying anything.
Like a senior, Shanks asked with concern: "What are your plans next?"
"Plan?" Ai said frankly: "I plan to join the No. 1 Martial Arts Association in the World."
"..." For a moment, everyone in the Spade Pirates felt as if the air had solidified.
"Oh..." Shanks said in a long voice: "It's okay to just participate in the martial arts meeting, but don't get into any dispute with the Dawn Pirates. This is my advice to you."
"No." Ace smiled and waved his hand: "I have met Eric a few times. He is not a murderous lunatic."
"...Eric has also met Luffy?" Shanks asked, wanting to confirm.
"Well, he also taught us how to use Armament Color and Knowledge Color Haki."
"..." The members of the red-haired pirate group were a little confused.
"Stop talking about this." Shanks changed the subject: "You said you want to become the Pirate King, how do you want to do it?"
"First of all, I have to make the entire sea area recognize my strength."
"oh?"
"Down with the strongest man in the world."
"Take off Whitebeard's head?"
"That's right!"
"But, boss." La. Jilu, who had been eating barbecue, said, "The strongest person in the world shouldn't be..."
"Ahem" Ben Beckman interrupted La Killua.
"Don't pay attention to what he said." Shanks smiled.
"Hehe..." La Kiru patted his belly habitually, revealing a huge scar in the gap between his shirt and pants.
Ace asked curiously: "What are you doing in this place?"
"...recruiting crew members. A year ago, my crew members suffered some heavy losses." Shanks didn't want to continue this topic and changed the topic.
After the banquet, which was neither lively nor deserted, Ace led the crew back the same way.
On the way back, Deus whispered into Ace's ear: "Ace, have you noticed?"
"Yeah." Ace nodded: "Each member of the Red-Haired Pirates has a different degree of disability."
"The sniper's eyes, the chef's belly, the ship's doctor's hands, Snake's legs..." Medical student Dios explained in detail.
"I don't know which enemy did it."
"Who else could it be? The three Four Emperors now!"
"The red-haired pirates were defeated one after another, and losing the title of Emperor of the Sea caused a great sensation at the time."
"Many pirate groups thought that the Four Emperors could be easily defeated..."
"As a result, many pirates formed an alliance to challenge and were completely destroyed..."
The members of the Spade Pirates tried to dissuade Ace from trying to defeat Whitebeard, but Ace ignored the crew's intentions and they gave up.
"However, I didn't expect that the captain actually knew the Fourth Emperor Kuilong."
"Eh? Didn't I say that?" Ace asked in confusion.
The members of the Spade Pirates shouted in unison: "No!"
Ace scratched his head and said, "There's nothing to say."
"When we get to the new world, can we walk sideways?"
"What stupid words are you talking about?" Ace said: "Although Eric and I are acquaintances, we are also in a competitive relationship. There is only one position for the Pirate King, and everyone else moving forward on this road is our potential competition. and enemies."
Everyone returned to the boat, and Ace gave the order with high spirits: "Set the sails—let's go!"
"Head to the Shampoo Islands, then to the Fish-Man Island...and finally arrive at the Kingdom of China to participate in the world's best martial arts tournament and win!"
"Oh!" The members of the Spade Pirates collectively responded loudly.
…
"Sanda Sonia!" Hancock rummaged through the box looking for clothes: "Where is my wedding dress?"
"Sister." Sundar Sonia dissuaded from the side: "When you go to Sir Eric's place, you are not going to get married..."
"Snake Princess." Groliosa smacked her lips: "Once your relationship with Eric is known to the navy, your title as a Shichibukai will be revoked!"
"Damn it—!" Hancock gritted his teeth: "You're ruining my good deeds again!"
"I am responsible for the country!"
"Stop blabbering! Since you abandoned this country, you no longer have the right to dictate to me!"
"I know clearly where Mr. Eric is, but I can't see the one I love..." Hancock showed a devil-like expression to Croliosa, and pressed his forehead to Croliosa's head. : "Do you know how painful my heart is?!"
"So, this time the navy's order just goes with the flow..."
Hancock pointed at Croriosa's nose and said, "Don't do this to me!"
"Ha..." Groliosa gave up and turned to Hancock's two sisters: "You must be careful not to let the relationship between Hancock and Eric be exposed."
The two sisters looked at each other, Marigold nodded and said: "Granny New, we will do our best."
Without the interruption of Groliosa, Hancock happily gestured with his clothes.
"Sir Eric... I will be at your side soon!"
Some people died, but not completely...
