Chapter 106: New Era, Doflamingo's Great Ambition
With Whitebeard buried after the Summit War, Ace had taken the helm of the Whitebeard Pirates, continuing under the name of Whitebeard.
One day, Marco approached Ace with a stack of newspapers, brimming with excitement. "Ace, there's great news!"
Marco laid the newspapers before Ace, who asked, "Did you find Dad's Shock Fruit?"
"No," Marco replied.
"Then it's not news I care about."
"Ace, this is bigger than finding the Shock Fruit."
"Marco, are you joking? What could be better than that?"
"Your brother, Monkey D. Chiba, has left the Marines."
"Left? But not defected? How is that great news?"
Ace's face lit up with realization. "You mean Chiba's betrayed the Marines?"
Marco nodded, and Ace snatched the newspaper, scanning it: "Admiral Chiba, former Marine alternate, has betrayed the Marines and is now wanted..."
Ace's eyes widened with excitement. "I never imagined Chiba would actually leave the Marines!"
Marco added eagerly, "Ace, you're close with Chiba. Why not bring him onto our Whitebeard pirate ship? I could offer him my position as captain of the first division."
"If he joins, all our captains could reach Admiral level in three years, and you, Ace, could achieve the Four Emperors' strength, matching Dad."
"No," Ace said firmly. "I'm not fit to be Chiba's captain. He should lead us, and we should follow him."
"But what about Dad's will?"
"Dad wanted us to thrive and sail the seas. Clinging to his name without making our own mark would only overshadow his legacy."
"Alright, I agree with Ace and am willing to follow him under Chiba's command," Joz said, recalling Chiba's formidable punch that day.
"I'm in too," Vista added. His strength had hit a plateau, and Chiba's guidance could help him surpass it, perhaps even rival Hawkeye for the title of world's greatest swordsman.
The crew voiced their support, leaving only Marco silent.
Ace understood Marco's attachment to their father. "Marco, Dad fell to Blackbeard and his crew, and Chiba avenged him by defeating Blackbeard."
"Chiba might not even want us," Ace cautioned.
The crew's hearts sank at the thought. Chiba was a Marine almost elevated to Marshal, renowned for his skills and potions. Those around him, like Hina and Peacock, were powerful, with Marine bounties surpassing 2 billion. Even Koby's bounty surpassed many on their ship.
Chiba might indeed deem them unworthy.
"If Chiba rejects us, what then?"
"Yes, we can't miss this chance," they agreed.
Ace reassured, "Chiba's my brother. I'll do my best to persuade him. Marco, you're our elder. If you're not on board, I don't have to use my connection."
Marco pondered and finally sighed. "This is a new era. We shouldn't cling to Dad's name. Ace, you're the captain. Whatever you decide, I support you."
"Great," Ace grinned. "Let's find Monkey D. Chiba and make him our captain."
The Whitebeard Pirates crew erupted in cheers.
Meanwhile, on the Red-Haired Pirates' ship, Shanks read about Garp's assault on the Five Elders. "Tsk tsk, old man Garp's gotten bolder, even daring to strike a Five Elder."
His crew was equally amazed. "Isn't Garp afraid of Celestial Dragons' retaliation?"
"Retaliate? Who'd dare after his punch?"
The Summit War's events were burned into their memories.
Whitebeard's Shock Fruit had shattered Marineford, yet Garp's punch had overwhelmed even him. That power was terrifying.
"But the article doesn't say why Garp attacked the Five Elders. What drove him to such anger?"
The reporters had published the story without knowing the cause.
Benn Beckman placed a stack of wanted posters before Shanks. "This might be why."
"Huh?" Shanks picked up the top poster: Monkey D. Chiba, bounty...
The high figure nearly made Shanks' eyes pop.
No wonder Garp was furious. The Five Elders forced Chiba out of the Marines.
"Captain, with Chiba out of the Marines, it's a huge opportunity for us."
"If Chiba joins our crew, we can form a scientific division. His potions and training methods would strengthen us, letting us surpass Kaido and Big Mom, following Roger's path to the greatest treasure."
Shanks laughed. "Hahaha, set sail! Let's find Chiba and bring him aboard."
The crew was abuzz, but Shanks knew Chiba wouldn't join any pirate crew.
Still, he hoped to gain something from Chiba.
The kid had grown immensely, and the world was changing in unpredictable ways.
On the Beasts Pirates' ship, Kaido laughed heartily. "Wororororo! Garp beat a Five Elder! Chiba betrayed the Marines! Wororororo!"
Jack the Drought said, "Captain, Monkey D. Chiba's research is incredible. If we recruit him, our ship's strength will soar. It's our best chance to grow stronger. We must get him."
"And if we can't, we can't let the Red-Haired Pirates or Big Mom get him, especially not Ace."
"Wororororo! Monkey D. Chiba's bounty surpasses Roger's. We can't miss this. Find Chiba's whereabouts. We must have him."
At Big Mom Pirates' headquarters, Katakuri laid newspapers before Big Mom: "Latest news: Garp beat a Five Elder, and Chiba left Marine."
"Mamamamama!" Big Mom chuckled, eyes gleaming. "Garp's fiercer than ever! Even taking on a Five Elder."
Katakuri urged, "Mom, focus on Chiba. We must bring him to our side."
"If he helps us, our ship will be the strongest at sea. You can be the new Pirate King."
Big Mom's eyes shone as she laughed. "Mamamamama! We must have Chiba. He'll raise strong offspring for us. Mamamamama!"
In the World Government Army Chief's office at Mariejois, Kong and Ethanbaron sat silently, facing four grim-faced Five Elders.
"Kong, Ethanbaron, you failed to capture Chiba."
"Ethanbaron, how did Garp beat you? The photos have tarnished Marine's image."
Ethanbaron, already upset, retorted, "Garp's strength is such that all five of us together might not withstand him."
"Ethanbaron, you're undermining yourself. Garp can't be that powerful. You underperformed."
Ethanbaron snapped, "Fine, I underperformed. You go handle Garp."
Bearded Saint Satan scoffed, "So many excuses. Do you remember your position?"
"Enough bickering. Let's focus on damage control," blonde Shepard said, rubbing his forehead.
"Chiba knows too much and holds Marine's best training systems and pill formulas."
"Our research shows his formulas are superior to those left at Marine. If leaked, they'll disrupt the sea's balance, threatening our dominance."
"At any cost, capture Monkey D. Chiba. If not alive, silence him permanently."
"Let the CP organization handle it. They're skilled in assassination," Satan suggested.
"Hmph, CP's fine for ordinary targets, but not Chiba," Ethanbaron objected.
"Making excuses again, Ethanbaron?" Saint Satan retorted.
"What do you mean?" Ethanbaron was enraged.
"What's the point in arguing?" Shepard interjected. "Let CP try first. If they fail, gather intel on Chiba, then send the Knights."
The other two Five Elders agreed. "That's the safest plan."
In the New World, Dressrosa, moonlight streamed through a palace window, illuminating Doflamingo on his throne, clad in a pink feather coat and sunglasses.
He chuckled as he read the newspaper.
"What's got you so happy, Young Master?" Virgo asked.
"Fuffuffuffu! Chiba left the Marines, Garp beat a Five Elder. The world is truly fascinating. I sense a storm brewing across the seas."
Doflamingo's smile widened. Chaos meant prosperity for his underground businesses.
"Chiba left the Marines? How is that possible?"
"See for yourself."
Doflamingo tossed the newspaper to Virgo, who read it in shock.
"A legendary Marine, on track to be Marshal, leaving the Marines? Incredible."
"And Garp, challenging a Five Elder? His family is truly audacious."
"Fuffuffuffu! This is our chance. If we ally with Chiba, we'll dominate the overseas market."
Virgo hesitated. "Chiba's not one to deal with easily. He might not cooperate."
"Fuffuffuffu! Everything's about profit. If the reward's right, even Monkey D. Chiba will work with us. We have something he can't refuse."
"You mean the Smile Factory's Devil Fruits?" Virgo guessed.
"Exactly. Chiba loves research. If I offer Smile Factory data, he'll cooperate."
Doflamingo smiled, but Virgo frowned. "Dover, Chiba's strong. If he takes the data and refuses to deal, we might be powerless."
"Underground deals need strength."
"Fuffuffuffu! Virgo, you're right. A day ago, I wouldn't have said this. But my String-String Fruit just awakened, and my Armament and Conqueror's Haki have advanced."
"My strength's grown tenfold. I can face Chiba now. And with you, an Admiral-level fighter, we're strong enough to negotiate."
"If we succeed, Sugar strength will grow, controlling more puppets and expanding our influence."
Doflamingo laughed. Sugar, though not a fighter, was central to his power system. Her growth meant greater influence for the Donquixote Family.
"I heard Chiba left Marine on Hancock's ship. I'll go to Amazon Lily and negotiate. Virgo, you're coming."
"Understood."
Doflamingo and Virgo set sail for Amazon Lily.
[•———•——•———•]
𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧
✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.