As one of the strongest in the world, Red-Haired Shanks is extremely powerful, but what stands out the most is his extraordinary Conqueror's Haki.
But today, an eighteen-year-old boy told them that his Conqueror's Haki was stronger than Shanks'.
Winning in a clash of Conqueror's Haki against Shanks? How could that be possible?
Although their encounters have been limited, Vice Admiral Tsuru and Aokiji have experienced Shanks' Conqueror's Haki over the years.
Both of them felt the overwhelming strength of Shanks' Haki! Back when Vice Admiral Tsuru met the Pirate King, she thought Shanks' Conqueror's Haki was just as powerful as Gol D. Roger's.
But now, all of that had been challenged.
Aokiji gave Arthur a deep look before saying, "Well, that's really impressive. Did you even manage to beat Shanks' Haki? It seems you really are one of the world's top powers."
Arthur smiled at this and said, "I've said before, there's still some distance between me and the very top of the world."
After this, there was a brief moment of silence.
Vice Admiral Tsuru was thinking quickly.
The young man in front of her has Conqueror's Haki that might even be stronger than Shanks'. And he fought against Shanks, only losing by a small margin. Based on that alone, this person undoubtedly has combat power on the level of the Four Emperors.
He's appeared in the New World and the Grand Line multiple times and even visited Fish-Man Island twice, helping it to make some changes.
'Could he be... a senior officer of the Revolutionary Army? Or maybe one of the Revolutionary Army's leaders, someone on par with Dogra? Or is he Dogra's chosen successor?'
A flood of thoughts passed through Tsuru's mind in an instant.
But to Arthur, it seemed like Vice Admiral Tsuru only hesitated for a brief moment without saying a word.
However, Tsuru didn't expect that her intense thought process would be noticed. While Arthur didn't know exactly what she was thinking, he could sense the complexity of her emotions through the mental waves she gave off.
Arthur was amazed by how active Tsuru's brainwaves were at that moment. He hadn't even seen such activity in people's brains when they were asleep. 'Is this what they mean by a wise general and chief strategist? Even Sengoku follows her advice?'
Arthur's eyes held a sense of wonder as he glanced at Tsuru. "Actually, it's a coincidence that you're here this time."
Arthur's words immediately caught Tsuru's and Aokiji's attention.
"I've been thinking about meeting someone from the World Government. Even though you're different from the usual World Government officials, you're still a part of it. So it's perfect that you're here."
Tsuru looked up at Arthur and asked, "You want to meet with someone from the World Government?"
Arthur nodded. "Yes, I've sailed back and forth across the Blue Sea many times over the past few years, and I've even fought Shanks. I think I'm strong enough now to protect my homeland.
"So, I want to reveal the existence of the Sky Island to the World Government! I believe that joining the World Government and becoming one of its member nations would be a great decision."
"After all, with an organization like the Marines ensuring peace, the first half of the Grand Line is quite safe. If I take up a position there, my people would be well protected, and they could enjoy a new environment, different from the White Sea, here in the Blue Sea."
Hearing this, both Tsuru and Aokiji were left in shock.
The reason they came here was simple: to find out where Arthur stood.
The Marines have controlled the first half of the Grand Line well, with most pirates being stopped here.
Only a handful of the strongest pirates could make it past the Marines' defenses to reach the New World.
But Arthur's appearance suddenly changed the balance.
Suspected to have power on the level of a Four Emperors, Arthur posed a huge threat to the Marines' control over the Grand Line.
It wasn't about opposing the Marines, but they needed to figure out where Arthur stood. If he wasn't hostile, even if he wasn't aligned with them, that would be fine. But if he opposed the Marines, it would cause major trouble.
Having a Four Emperors-level figure in the first half of the Grand Line could cause unimaginable damage.
This is why the Marines have always carefully guarded the first half of the Grand Line, preventing the Four Emperors from entering and using the area as a base to gradually chip away at the New World.
Although Marine influence weakened after Roger's death, and they almost lost their hold in the New World, they still managed to maintain control in the first half of the Grand Line and a few bases in the New World.
Now, Arthur was saying he wanted to join the World Government and make his home, the Sky Island, a member nation. This news filled Tsuru with joy.
Even though she still had some doubts, she couldn't sense any ill intent from Arthur, just some uncertainty.
Although there isn't much known about Sky Island, there are still a few records about the dials from there.
The last time I watched the battle between Arthur and Red-Haired Shanks through a video snail, Garp mentioned Kong.
Back then, it felt like a missed opportunity for Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru. But now, things have taken a huge turn.
Having a country with Four Emperors-level power in the first half of the Grand Line is a tremendous boost for the Marines.
If we can reach a strategic agreement with Arthur and form some win-win deals, it could give the Marines even stronger control over the first half of the Grand Line.
And as a member of the World Government, if the Marines can build a good relationship with Arthur, they might even be able to ask for his help!
Despite her earlier doubts, a smile appeared on Vice Admiral Tsuru's face. Aokiji, too, seemed more relaxed.
"So, you really want to join the World Government and become one of its member nations?" Tsuru's voice lightened.
However, the fact that a powerful and unpredictable Four Emperors-level figure remained in the sky above the first half of the Grand Line still left the Marines' top officers uneasy.
This outcome, though unexpected, astonished them.
"Yes! Personally, I don't like pirates. While pirates like Shanks and Whitebeard have helped many people in some ways, their identity as pirates has caused great harm to the world."
"True, true," Tsuru nodded in agreement, the wrinkles on her face relaxing as she listened to Arthur's words.
"So, you've decided to join the World Government?" Aokiji took a sip of Sky Island wine.
"That's right," Arthur confirmed.
No one mentioned the upper ranks of the World Government because they all knew it was mostly filled with corruption.
"In that case, I can help you connect with the relevant officials of the World Government.
If you're ready, you can also provide the Sky Island officials in charge of this matter, and we'll escort them to Mary Geoise."
Tsuru thought about it. After next year, in the year 1520 of the Sea Calendar, the World Government conference would be held.
If Arthur's nation joined before then, it would be just in time for the meeting. And having a new member nation, especially one with Four Emperors-level strength, would be an incredible public relations move.
This would benefit both the World Government and the Marines.
Vice Admiral Tsuru was also thinking about some of the resources Sky Island could offer.
If the Marines could use Sky Island's wind dials to power their ships, it would make hunting down pirates much easier.
"That works. I've already selected the Sky Island officials to negotiate with the World Government, and I've just been waiting for the right moment," Arthur replied.
"Since you're willing to assist with this, I'll leave it in your hands," Arthur said sincerely, nodding to Tsuru.
"You won't be disappointed, child," Tsuru smiled and nodded back.
No one knew that Arthur's goal in joining the World Government was part of a larger plan to "climb the ladder" of power.
Both Tsuru and Aokiji let out a sigh of relief, and a pleasant lunch came to an end.
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