Moria was stunned upon hearing Yeyin's request.
After all, he had planned to go after Whitebeard anyway, especially after being defeated by Kaido. Although he had been defeated, he managed to escape.
He intended to regroup in the Western Sea, rebuild his zombie army, and then confront Whitebeard.
"Are you planning to capture Whitebeard?" Moria asked, bewildered. This navy officer always gave him an odd feeling.
"Capture?" Yeyin laughed. "Do you really think I would attempt to capture one of the Emperors of the Sea?"
"He's known as the strongest man, and I simply want to meet him."
Yeyin's grin widened at the thought of Whitebeard's crew, each division commander strong in their own right. Just how many valuable things could he collect from them? The thought brought a strange smile to his face.
"Just to meet him?" Moria replied, puzzled.
"Fine, I accept. But is what you said about the Warlords of the Sea, is it true?" Moria asked again. This was no trivial matter. With that title, he could accomplish much more.
The biggest advantage would be freedom from the bounty placed by the Navy and the constant threat of bounty hunters. While Moria wasn't afraid of them, it was still a nuisance.
He had bigger plans—to become an Emperor of the Sea, find the One Piece, and become the Pirate King!
"Everything I said about the privileges is true," Yeyin assured. "I'll submit your application, and I'll inform headquarters that you're pursuing Whitebeard. Your title will be granted soon."
Yeyin knew that the Emperors of the Sea were a constant thorn in the Navy's side. Using this as a justification would expedite Moria's recognition as a Warlord.
Moreover, with this pretext, the Navy would start promoting the Warlord system quickly.
As for Crocodile plotting for Pluton, Mihawk's aloofness, Hancock's seclusion... Yeyin wouldn't concern himself with those matters for now.
However, he had already arranged for Dragon to go to Dressrosa. That nation would be their first major ally.
"Alright, I'll head to the New World," Moria said. "We..."
"Commander Yeyin, what are you doing?" Moria was interrupted when he saw Yeyin pulling out a broom and starting to sweep the deck.
"Your ship is a bit dirty, so I'm cleaning it up," Yeyin replied, continuing to tidy up the ship.
Moria was dumbfounded for a moment.
Half an hour later, the ship was spotless.
"Your sails are damaged too. Tear them down, and I'll replace them with new ones," Yeyin said. Issho drew his cane-sword.
"Buzz!"
A burst of sword energy cut down the sails instantly.
"You..." Moria felt a surge of anger, but sensing the power radiating from Issho, he hesitated.
Soon, a navy ship arrived.
A group of marines boarded the ship and, within a few hours, replaced all the sails with pristine white ones.
The once dark, eerie three-masted ship now shone brightly. The foreboding aura had completely vanished.
Moria's brow twitched. He was Gecko Moria, after all! With the ship looking like this, where was his dignity?
(End of Chapter)