The view from the treetops was impressive.
But those who arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago always set their sights on the depths of the sea.
Maude had "reserved" several plane tickets from Kuma.
This was the last favor Kuma could offer him.
Afterward, Maude extracted a small portion of Kuma's shadow, a medium that could potentially awaken Kuma in the future.
Once the business was concluded, Kuma didn't linger. He used the Paw-Paw Fruit's teleportation ability to vanish before Maude's eyes.
For Kuma, there was little difference between ten days and one.
This return to Marineford marked his final farewell.
Maude silently gazed toward Marineford.
Though he couldn't see Kuma's figure, he could sense his presence through Observation Haki.
"No matter what, I will fulfill my promise."
He muttered to himself.
This world was not short of evil men.
But there were also truly good people.
The present-day Admiral Fujitora was one, and the vanishing Kuma was another.
Despite the infamous title of "Tyrant," all Maude ever felt from Kuma was gentleness.
Retracting his gaze, Maude leapt down.
Moments later.
Maude pushed open the door to Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
Inside, Shakky, Law, Perona, and others turned to look at Maude as he entered.
Urouge, now awake after effective treatment, sat cross-legged beside the still-unconscious Apoo, solemnly watching Maude.
When Urouge woke up, he found his wounds properly treated and his shackles removed.
This meant that Maude had accepted his pledge of loyalty.
Maude closed the bar door behind him, nodded lightly to Shakky and the others, then shifted his gaze to the barely breathing Apoo and the seated Urouge.
Meeting Maude's gaze, Urouge struggled to his feet and staggered toward the bar counter.
Shakky, having anticipated this, took out two red bowls and a bottle of strong liquor.
"Uh..."
Urouge was surprised, realizing that Shakky had prepared everything he needed to swear loyalty before he even spoke.
"Thank you."
After a moment of surprise, Urouge solemnly thanked Shakky, then filled the bowls with liquor.
This was "Brotherhood Sake," a traditional step in the oath of loyalty among pirates.
Maude watched Urouge's actions without surprise.
By now, he was a seasoned pirate, familiar with such rituals.
"Maude, pledging loyalty to a man like you isn't such a bad thing, hahaha..."
Urouge raised his cup, laughing, despite his wounds reopening and blood seeping out.
He didn't care in the slightest.
Following local customs, Maude picked up the filled red bowl under everyone's watchful eyes.
Urouge's laughter subsided. He straightened his expression and declared, "With 92 members of the Fallen Monk Pirates, I, Urouge the Mad Monk, captain, hereby pledge loyalty to Bacardi Maude from this moment on. Let this sake be the witness."
"..."
Maude nodded and clinked cups with Urouge.
The oath was sealed.
Urouge slowly set down his cup, glancing at the gravely injured Apoo.
Though circumstances had forced him into this allegiance, it now felt like the right decision.
Just as he had said.
Pledging loyalty to a strong man like Maude was not necessarily a bad thing.
Bailey jumped onto Urouge's head, stamping lightly and declaring, "From now on, you're Jim Number Two."
"?"
Urouge's face was filled with confusion.
Perona muttered, "Big lump."
Shakky leaned on the counter, smiling.
Law leaned against the bar, indifferent.
His crew exchanged glances between Maude and Urouge, then turned to Law.
The crew's mascot, Bepo, scratched his head and wondered, "Captain, you've never shared a drink with Boss Maude."
"..."
A few veins popped on Law's forehead as he fought the urge to shove Kikoku into Bepo's mouth.
...
Within less than an hour, news of Maude's return and his swift defeat of the Supernovas spread throughout the Sabaody Archipelago.
"That monster... can't stay idle, huh?"
Pirates across the island were on edge.
At this moment, Maude and Law were alone in a room.
On the wooden floor lay the lifeless body of Scratchmen Apoo, one of the Supernovas.
Sent by Kaido to recruit fresh blood, Apoo's mission had ended in failure before it began.
Maude glanced at Apoo's corpse with satisfaction.
Not only had he gained significant Devil Fruit mastery, but he now held an unusual Devil Fruit in his hand—one marked by musical notes swirling across its surface.
"This fruit's power is formidable."
Maude tossed the fruit in his hand, recalling Apoo's ability.
Even Observation Haki couldn't predict the trajectory of soundwave attacks—nearly impossible to defend against.
Without preemptive intelligence, Maude might have been injured if not for sending his shadow clone to draw fire.
Currently, he couldn't infuse his shadow with Armament Haki, so it remained uncertain whether Armament Haki could defend against such attacks.
All in all, this was a high-tier Devil Fruit.
Law, arms crossed, showed no reaction to Maude's admiration.
During their separation, Law had kept a low profile, killing Devil Fruit users without hesitation to preserve the fruits.
The last time he'd used his powers to preserve a Devil Fruit had been back on Thriller Bark.
Time passed quickly...
Law's thoughts drifted as he watched Maude's prize.
Maude stopped tossing the fruit and used his shadow to envelop it.
"Two now."
The shadow swirled like dense mist, sealing the fruit inside the Shadow Casket.
With the fruit secured, Maude looked at Law and smiled.
"You've heard the rumors about the Golden Lion's return to the seas, haven't you?"
"Mm."
Law's eyes narrowed, sensing Maude's intentions.
"Your plan... involves the Golden Lion?"
"Something like that."
"What do you mean?"
"I want... Whitebeard and the Golden Lion, both former members of the Rocks Pirates, to unite and attack Marineford."
"Huh!!?"
Law's eyes widened, his face filled with shock.
"That's... impossible."
"It's not difficult."
Maude's voice was calm, shadows flickering in his eyes.
"Because the Marines have captured Fire Fist Ace, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates. That's the catalyst."
"The Marines caught Fire Fist Ace? I haven't heard a word about it."
Still reeling, Law furrowed his brow in doubt.
"If that were true, the news would have spread worldwide."
"Heh, considering the Marines' methods, they'd never hide such an important event. But don't forget—their current headache is the Golden Lion's return."
Maude's grin widened.
"In this critical moment, the Marines aren't foolish enough to announce Ace's capture. Doing so would place them between two legends."
"..."
Law remained silent, still skeptical.
Maude looked him in the eye.
"My job is to help the Marines spread the word... for free. That Fire Fist Ace is the Pirate King's bloodline."
"What?!"
Law's shock deepened.
Maude offered no further explanation, his voice calm.
"With that, a war to end the old era will be inevitable."
"!!!"
Understanding dawned on Law, sending a chill down his spine.
The man before him...
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