Chapter 424: Undercurrents of the World (Part 2)
Queen gave Yamato a warm smile…
But when his eyes fell on the newspaper she was holding—he fell silent.
"King, when are we setting sail?" Queen asked suddenly.
King glanced at Yamato.
"When she comes of age."
He answered with firm resolve.
"…Still ten years, huh?" Queen mumbled, a little dejected.
"I really miss Ka—"
Before he could finish, King cut him off sharply.
"Watch your mouth."
His cold eyes warned Queen to stop.
Queen immediately shut up.
Yamato, watching the exchange between them, grew frustrated.
"You're always doing this—starting to say something and then stopping halfway!"
"I'm done talking to you guys! I'm going to fight Jack!"
She stomped off in a huff.
King sighed softly at her retreating figure, then turned to Queen.
"It's been a while since we sparred. Let's see if you've gotten rusty."
Flames erupted from King's body.
Queen gulped at the sight of the blazing heat.
"Let's not…"
But in the next moment—
A slash nearly took his head off!
"You bastard, King!"
Queen transformed into his Brachiosaurus form and launched into battle.
Meanwhile, Yamato found Jack.
The teenage Jack stood at the center of a group, rigorously training using the methods King had taught him.
"Jack! Let's fight!"
Yamato declared, pulling out her frost-covered kanabo.
"Miss, you're no match for me right now."
Jack folded his arms, a steel muzzle over his mouth. Though his words were blunt, the affection in his eyes was unmistakable.
This little girl was his future captain—King had told him so.
Jack had been rescued by King seven years ago. He fled the New World to the East Blue, and had since quietly awaited Yamato's growth.
Because of his Fishman heritage and terrifying fangs, he had once frightened the young Yamato.
From that day on, he wore a steel muzzle to hide his face and never revealed his true appearance in public again.
"Whether I'm your match or not—we'll find out in battle! Raimei Hakke!"
With a roar, Yamato swung her icy club.
Boom!
Dust exploded around them.
The two clashed violently.
Jack held back, defending without striking—feeding Yamato experience blow after blow.
Elsewhere in East Blue—
"Shanks! I'm starving! When can we eat?!"
Buggy trudged behind Shanks, looking ready to cry.
Shanks, drooling at the food on display along the street, tried to stay focused.
"Just a little longer, Buggy. Once I make some money, we can eat!"
Since disembarking together, Shanks and Buggy had wandered island to island across East Blue.
But after blowing through all their savings, they had fallen into the depths of poverty.
"But I'm so hungry!"
Buggy whimpered, on the verge of tears.
Shanks looked around—then his expression hardened.
Moments later…
"Catch those two brats! They dined and dashed!"
A restaurant owner chased after them, shouting.
"You idiot, Shanks! This is your brilliant idea?!"
Buggy shouted as he ran, legs pumping madly while he was practically airborne.
"Haha! Just tell me—are you full now?"
Shanks grinned, ignoring the angry mob behind them.
"You absolute moron! Who thinks dining and dashing is smart?!"
Buggy howled.
"Hahahahaha!"
Shanks laughed, adjusting his straw hat as they dashed into the sunset, chased by furious sheriffs.
South Blue
After disbanding the Roger Pirates…
Roger returned alone to the South Blue.
"Rouge… do you remember me?"
He pushed open the door to a tavern.
Under his cloak, Gol D. Roger lifted his head to look toward the bar—where Portgas D. Rouge stood.
She recognized him instantly and smiled.
Three months later…
"Roger, what should we name our baby?"
Rouge leaned into Roger's chest, gently caressing her still-flat stomach.
"If it's a boy—Ace. If it's a girl—Ann."
Roger said softly, gazing at her belly with affection.
"Really? Gol D. Ace… Gol D. Ann…"
Rouge murmured tenderly.
"No. Portgas D. Ace. Portgas D. Ann."
Roger corrected her, his voice filled with warmth and resolution.
Rouge went quiet, listening to his heartbeat.
"…How much time do you have left?"
She asked softly.
Roger paused for a moment.
"…Six months."
Rouge said nothing, only hugged him tighter.
Grand Line
"Run! It's the Marine Hunter!"
On the open sea, a coffin-shaped boat faced off against a Marine battleship.
A sword slash split the sea itself—
The ship was cleaved in two.
"Pointless."
Dracule Mihawk muttered, sheathing his blade.
"Charlotte… I won't keep you waiting long. Pirate King? A boring charade."
He prepared to sit again—
But paused.
"Hmm? A powerful presence…"
He slashed in that direction!
"Crescent Sand Dune!"
A shout echoed as a sandstorm rose to intercept the slash!
"A Devil Fruit user…? Boring."
Mihawk's interest immediately faded.
"You bastard! That attack just now was yours, wasn't it?!"
A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped into view—an X-shaped scar across his face, earring on his right ear, cigar in his mouth, golden hook in place of his left hand, draped in a black coat.
It was—
Crocodile.
Mihawk narrowed his hawk-like eyes.
This man had made headlines recently.
He challenged Whitebeard and lost an arm—but lived.
He fought Douglas Bullet, the vice captain of the Rockefeller Pirates, to a stalemate on a desert-covered island.
Those two feats alone earned Crocodile the world's recognition.
Crocodile—Bounty: 80,000,000 Berries.
A surprisingly low first bounty—possibly because the Marines had yet to grasp his full threat.
Even Mihawk, the Marine Hunter who hadn't yet entered the New World, had a higher bounty.
"You know me?"
Crocodile asked coldly.
Mihawk lifted his black blade, Yoru.
"Dracule Mihawk—challenges you."
His piercing gaze locked onto Crocodile.
The next storm was about to begin.
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