Chapter 76: Chapter 76: The Departure of Momousagi
Grand Line
The waters outside the Gate of Justice.
At this time, eight top Navy warships were passing through the waters. The battleships were arranged in perfect order, radiating a majestic momentum.
On the foremost Navy battleship, Shiro stood tall, one hand gripping the handle of his sword, Destiny, as the wind whipped through his hair.
After confirming that the World Government and Navy Headquarter had no further actions and that they had successfully left, Shiro finally felt a sense of relief. The Navy Headquarter would likely not have the energy to take any further action in the short term. However, the same could not be said for the World Government. After all, Shiro had caused a significant uproar this time.
With the war now over, combined with the earlier incident of killing a Celestial Dragon, and Shiro's shocking performance in the war at Marineford, it was highly probable that news of these events would quickly spread across the world.
This would undoubtedly serve as a direct slap to the face of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. Therefore, the World Government was unlikely to let this go.
Two hours ago.
When Shiro parted ways with Whitebeard, the latter once again invited him to join the Whitebeard Pirates in the New World, proposing an alliance to combat the inevitable retaliation from the World Government and Navy.
But Shiro had decisively refused. Aligning with the Whitebeard Pirates in the New World would undoubtedly result in the joint hostility of the major powers in that region. The World Government and Navy would never allow such an alliance to stand.
Moreover, Shiro had his own plans for development. When he entered the New World, his first move would be to claim the territory agreed upon with the Whitebeard Pirates, which included Fish-Man Island, home to the ancient weapon, Poseidon.
At this point, Whitebeard did not press the issue further and simply said that he would be waiting for Shiro in the New World.
As for the Red-Haired Shanks, Shiro hadn't had much interaction with him during this time, but as one of the Four Emperors, Shanks possessed formidable strength. In a life-or-death battle, Shiro knew he might not yet be a match for the Red-Haired pirate.
Therefore, Shiro's priority after settling down would be to further develop his Devil Fruit abilities.
Besides that, while Shiro already had a foundation of power with his 30,000 Navy elites, he was far from having a complete team of cadres. To stand against the World Government, Shiro needed to assemble a super-strong cadre team, including figures like Hawk Eyes, Aokiji, and Enel.
Otherwise, like the Revolutionary Army, who despite their strength, hid in the shadows and took control of small countries one by one, Shiro wouldn't be able to stand against the World Government and Navy openly.
But those concerns were for later. For now, the priority was to establish a solid base of operations.
"Shiro!"
As Shiro stood against the wind, lost in thought about his next steps, a mature and intellectual voice called out, accompanied by the sound of high heels clicking on the deck.
"Aunt Momousagi!"
Seeing the visitor, Shiro immediately turned around and smiled.
For Aunt Momousagi, Shiro had nothing but the highest regard. In this world of pirates, she was one of the best people in Shiro's life—someone he considered family. In the face of war, Aunt Momousagi had betrayed the Navy almost without hesitation to protect him. Even after the war ended, she refused Sengoku and Garp's requests to stay and resolutely followed Shiro, leaving Marineford.
It was important to remember that although Shiro had displayed immense power during the war at Marineford, and could even be said to have turned the tide of the battle single-handedly, the Navy's biggest enemy was still the Whitebeard Fleet. Despite his personal strength, Shiro couldn't yet compare to the well-established Navy as a whole.
Given that both the World Government and Navy were now Shiro's enemies, Aunt Momousagi's decision to stay by his side was a profound display of loyalty.
"Hahaha, you rascal! When I first met you, you were just a little brat, and now you've grown into a formidable man!"
At this time, Momousagi, still wearing the Admiral's cape, looked at Shiro with pride and joy in her eyes. The way he had conducted himself during the war at Marineford had genuinely surprised her.
She couldn't help but recall how, ten years ago, she had been a Navy with outstanding military achievements, and Shiro had been just an inconspicuous Navy handyman. Every day, he performed complicated logistical work, yet in all his free time, he dedicated himself to practicing his body and swordsmanship.
Moved by the determined young boy after observing him for many days, she had personally taught him swordsmanship and recommended him to the Naval Academy, where he became one of Zephyr's most promising disciples.
But who would have thought that this kid would rise to his current position just three years after graduating from the Naval Academy?
Today, Shiro's performance at Marineford was on par with that of a Navy Admiral, and Momousagi couldn't be prouder. As for betraying the Navy, she had already made her choice. From now on, she would do everything in her power to help Shiro implement a new order and ascend to the top of the world.
"It's all thanks to your teaching, Aunt Momousagi, hehe!" Shiro responded humbly. Praise from a senior like Momousagi filled him with pride.
"What's your next move? If you want to survive against the might of the World Government and Navy Headquarter, your current strength isn't enough."
"I plan to return to the branch base first and bring all my troops out!"
After some brief reminiscing, Momousagi got straight to business. As a former Admiral candidate, she was well aware of the power possessed by the Navy and the World Government. If Shiro wanted to build a force capable of surviving under such pressure and even challenging the World Government, he needed to develop rapidly.
Having operated in the branch base for many years, Momousagi had established a strong foundation, which could be used to support Shiro.
"Return to the branch base? No, Aunt Momousagi. It's too dangerous. There's no need to take such a risk in the current situation."
Shiro frowned and shook his head. The situation was tense, and the Navy, having suffered a major defeat, would be on high alert. He couldn't let Aunt Momousagi take such a risk.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Why? Do you think I'm some weakling?"
…
In the end, Shiro was unable to dissuade Momousagi. She left behind her Vivre Card and Den Den Mushi, and with a thousand soldiers, set sail back to the New World. But as Momousagi said, she was not weak, and there should be no problems.
"She'll be fine, Shiro. Like me, she's very strong. But unlike her, I love you more, ah! This love is like a storm!"
After Momousagi departed, the world's most beautiful woman, who had been watching from the shadows, made a grand entrance. The peerless beauty in a cheongsam walked towards Shiro, her crimson face making it seem as though she might faint at any moment.
She couldn't help it. Every time she saw Shiro, her legs went weak.
"Hahaha, Aunt Momousagi is a senior. You are my woman; you can't compare, Hancock!"
Shiro laughed as he looked at the stunning beauty before him. His heart swelled with emotion.
"Let's go inside and begin our little battle!"
…
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