Saint Top's Complaint and Shanks's Boast

Caius and his party sailed on in pursuit of Roger.

They had reliable intelligence on the Roger Pirates' position and felt no need to rush. As far as they were concerned, the crew was already within reach.

Across the seas, people watched Wano's ships. No one knew what had prompted such a large force to leave at once.

Every move Wano made drew attention. This one had the whole world watching, and powerful figures everywhere waited uneasily for news.

No one wanted to be Caius's target. A visit from him was no small matter.

In Mary Geoise,

at the World Government offices,

Saint Izan and Saint Top met with the other three Elders. They did not know why Caius and Imu had gone to sea, but they knew better than to interfere.

CP0 had no intention of explaining Caius and Imu's plans to the others, leaving the Five Elders with little firm information.

They had their suspicions. The plan had been set in motion a year earlier.

Roger's crew was the most likely target.

Its reputation had finally grown to the level Caius wanted. Ending the crew now would fit his timetable.

"We all know what's most likely happening," Saint Izan said. "Even if we're wrong, we should be ready for anything."

"Roger's time is up. As for that proposal he sent us, let's pretend we never saw it."

He spoke with conviction.

"Then that's settled. Though I have to say, playing nursemaid to this whole affair is getting old."

Saint Top sounded weary.

Caius was building the power to overthrow the World Government. Top did not know what would become of the Elders afterward, but he was confident they would survive well enough.

He had never spent so many years tending to someone else's plans. The constant demands were wearing on him.

He would almost rather Caius and Imu had a child and left the future to a young heir. At least then the arrangement would make sense to him.

But they had no child.

Top had another motive, too. If they did have an heir, he could place one of his descendants at the child's side and secure his family's position for generations.

"Just do your job, Top. If Lord Imu hears you talking like that, you'll pay for it. I'd rather not lose an old colleague."

Saint Mars frowned.

Imu would certainly punish Top if his remarks reached her. Mars could not say how, but it would not be pleasant.

"You've grown careless lately. Remember that you're the Warrior God of Justice. Watch what you say."

Saint Peter's warning was pointed.

The others joined in, and Top finally understood he had gone too far. He fell quiet.

What he had said was dangerous. The Elders held their positions because Imu allowed it. If she withdrew that favor...

"Enough," Saint Izan said. "Have CP0 make its move. Lord Caius isn't trying to hide this voyage, so they only need to handle the smaller details."

...

On an island at sea,

the Roger Pirates had stopped to replenish their supplies. Several of them were drinking in a tavern, unaware that Caius was coming for them.

"Roger, you really aren't worried? What if they show up here? We'd be finished!"

"Don't be ridiculous. If Caius had time to chase us, we wouldn't still be sitting here."

"Besides, we're not the crew we used to be. Even if he came, we wouldn't have to run."

"That's right!"

The pirates laughed and traded boasts, treating the danger as a joke.

Roger and Rayleigh smiled along with them. Neither thought the threat was immediate.

From what they knew of Wano's course, Caius's ships were not headed their way. The talk seemed harmless enough.

"Still, Caius has become terrifyingly strong. I don't know how he does it."

Roger spoke almost in passing.

"Neither do I."

"He keeps getting stronger as if nothing can slow him down, and you hardly ever see him train."

Rayleigh sounded thoughtful.

He remembered fighting and joking with Caius on Maple Leaf Island years ago. Even then, he had expected Caius to become a formidable fighter. This, though, was beyond anything he had imagined.

"It's just Caius."

"Buggy and I will be stronger than him someday! Just wait, Roger, Rayleigh. When I'm Pirate King, I'll make sure you both eat like kings!"

Shanks kept eating as if his boast needed no further explanation.

The tavern fell silent. Everyone turned toward the little boy.

Then the room erupted in laughter.

"That's the spirit, Shanks!" someone said. "I believe you'll do it."

"And don't forget who looked after you when you're feeding everyone like kings!"

The crew laughed even harder.

"Did you hear him, Rayleigh? I never thought Shanks would come out with that!"

Roger laughed so hard his shoulders shook.

"Roger, you really..."

Rayleigh pointed at him, at a loss for words.

Then he smiled. Young Shanks had a wonderful dream, and Rayleigh wanted him to chase it. Whether he could ever match Caius was another matter, but the boy had promise.