"By the way, I made an agreement with Whitebeard. Not long from now, Kozuki Oden and that woman, Toki, will come aboard my ship."
As they drank their fill, Roger suddenly spoke up.
"Oh."
Nicholas responded simply.
"You weren't like this before, were you? You're not trying to make us let our guard down and then strike, are you?"
Roger, full of gossip, continued, "Could it be that you really like her? She's already the mother of two children."
As he spoke, Roger seemed to suddenly realize his discovery, incredulously saying, "Could it be that you have a mommy kink?"
"Ha, you're the one with mommy kink. Do you think I'm some pirate who lacked motherly love since childhood?"
Nicholas spat directly at Roger.
But truth be told, in the world of pirates, many seek companions who radiate maternal warmth, perhaps to make up for past regrets?
"Don't worry. It's best to know about that kind of news if you can, but it doesn't matter if you don't. After all, they're just a bunch of failures."
Nicholas said nonchalantly. He was indeed interested in the information about eight hundred years ago that Toki held, but it was clear from Toki's demonstrated strength that she couldn't have been a central participant in the events of eight hundred years ago, and her knowledge was limited.
And the reason she insisted on constantly traversing time and space to Wano was probably to wait for the next person inheriting the wills of Nika and Joy Boy, and to convey certain information.
In other words, she was just a flesh trumpet.
"Where are you going next?"
"I'll probably go visit some friends I haven't seen in a while."
…
"What!?"
On the Moby Dick, upon hearing Whitebeard's words, members of the core crew, including Marco, Jozu, Thach, and others, all made incredulous sounds, while Toki, who was nearby, covered her mouth lightly with her hand.
"Old man, why did you suddenly make this decision, and why do Toki and the others have to go to Roger's ship?"
Marco asked incredulously.
"Marco, calm down."
Kozuki Oden first put his hand on Marco's shoulder, then looked at Whitebeard seriously and said, "Whitey-chan, can you tell me why? I believe you wouldn't make this decision without reason."
"Marco, Jozu, you two go out. Oden and Toki, stay."
Whitebeard said to Marco and Jozu.
Soon, under the gaze of Nekomamushi and Inuarashi, Marco and the others walked out of the captain's cabin, but they didn't see Oden and Toki's figures until the door was closed.
"Marco? What happened inside?"
Seeing Marco's somewhat heavy expression, Izo quickly asked.
"Nothing, it's just that Dad has something to discuss with Toki."
Until the result of their discussion comes out, Marco won't say much more.
In the captain's cabin of the Moby Dick, Whitebeard looked at Oden and Toki in front of him.
He slowly said, "Ultimately, it depends on your decision, Oden. If you're unwilling, no one can force you."
After meditating for a while, looking up at Whitebeard, Oden said seriously, "Whitey-chan, I've decided to go to Roger's ship. I want to see what really happened eight hundred years ago that the World Government wants to hide, why Wano closed its borders, and why the official history books contain the things passed down through the Kozuki family for generations! There's too much I want to know! Isn't this the purpose of my setting sail?"
"Then I'll contact Roger and them in a few days."
Whitebeard said nonchalantly.
...
The warm sunlight spilled onto the streets of Loguetown. After a stormy night, the town now exuded a refreshing aroma of earth.
Looking at the sea from the window of the room, and the mark next to the window, Nicholas smiled, then quickly washed up and headed towards the street.
During his stay in Loguetown, he discovered a breakfast shop. The food there was quite good, so he planned to eat there a few more times. Otherwise, after leaving in a few days, he didn't know when he'd be able to come back.
"Sir, the usual?"
The owner of the breakfast shop greeted Nicholas warmly.
"As usual, but today bring me two servings. Thanks."
Nicholas smiled and said.
The owner nodded and quickly turned to busy himself. Soon, he brought two servings of breakfast and placed them on the table in front of Nicholas.
Nicholas ate leisurely, and when he had barely taken a few bites, a figure wearing a dark green cloak sat directly across from him.
Seeing that Nicholas didn't speak and glanced at the breakfast in front of him, the person sat down silently and started eating.
After quickly finishing the food in front of him, Nicholas looked up at the person in front of him.
"You're quick to react, Dragon."
The person was none other than Dragon, who had almost defected from the Navy.
"It's been a long time since I had such a delicious breakfast. I really miss it."
After Dragon swallowed the last bite of food on his plate, he said to Nicholas.
"Heh, you deserve it. You left the position of Vice Admiral and became a rebel. I heard your father got implicated by you. If you weren't strong enough and didn't have enough connections in the Navy, you might have been secretly executed."
Nicholas gloated.
" What's the matter? Speak up. I'm busy these days."
Dragon's expression changed when Nicholas mentioned Garp. Then he spoke up.
"Nothing, just passing by here, I happened to notice traces of your activities, so I tried to contact you for breakfast."
Hearing Nicholas's words, Dragon looked at Nicholas's sincere eyes and realized that the other party seemed to really just want to have breakfast with him.
"By the way, I have something to ask you. Did you cause the storm that blocked Roger when Gold Lion intercepted him a while ago?"
This time Dragon's calm expression disappeared, replaced by surprise.
"How did you know?"
He blurted out.
"Damn, it was really you who did it."
Seeing Dragon's reaction, Nicholas was baffled.
"Yeah, it was me. We're still weak; I need someone to help us attract the attention of the World Government. After all, whether if it's the deeply rooted World Government or the Marines who cover the four seas and the first half of the Grand Line.
We're not strong enough to contend with them yet."
Dragon's purpose was also simple. As someone who had once been in the Navy, he knew how much the World Government cared about the truth of eight hundred years ago, and Roger's goal was bound to attract the attention of the World Government.
So he was willing to help Roger attract firepower while they developed in secret and built up their strength.
Just as Nicholas was about to continue asking questions, a figure approached and slowly sat down beside Nicholas and Dragon.
"Boss, please give me your signature dish."
The person's tone was calm, with a hint of aloofness.
Nicholas glanced up and was taken aback. Sitting there was a teenager, around sixteen or seventeen years old, with sharp eyes reminiscent of a hawk's gaze. There was an aura of sharpness typical of a swordsman emanating from him.
"Dracule mihawk?"
Nicholas asked tentatively.
"Who are you?"
A cold voice suddenly came from the young man's mouth.
Apparently, Nicholas's altered appearance due to sacrificing his life made it difficult for Mihawk to recognize him.
"You're a swordsman?"
Instead of answering, Nicholas smiled and asked back.
"I've been training with my master for over a decade, and I've only recently started my journey."
Mihawk nodded. For him, he would start slashing from the East Blue, slashing through the Four Blues, then slashing through the Grand Line until he reached the New World, aiming to become the world's greatest swordsman.
The title of the greatest swordsman wasn't given by anyone; it was earned through each and every slash!