"Erza, according to the intel I've gathered..."
"The Marines actually have a complete Haki training regimen."
"In other words, with your current promotion speed, it's only a matter of time before you can learn how to use Haki within the Marine ranks."
"Compared to you lot, who've already joined the Marines and have the behemoth World Government backing you, it's far more troublesome for us 'pirates' to learn Haki~"
Eden paused here, his voice taking on a contemplative tone.
"However, you don't need to worry about us!"
"After all, I've already figured out my next move..."
"I'll become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea as quickly as possible."
After Mihawk departed, Eden and Erza continued their conversation.
"So, you've already set your sights on a goal, haven't you?!"
A faint smile played on Erza's lips as she looked at Eden and chuckled. Erza had a great deal of confidence in Eden.
"Mm-hmm."
"Allow me to keep you in suspense for now..."
"I reckon it won't be long before you find out exactly which Warlord I'm planning to take down."
Eden chuckled in response.
"I'll take these pirates off your hands for now."
"As for the money, I'll send it to you as soon as possible," Erza said, glancing at the boatload of pirates she was taking, assuring Eden.
"There's no rush for the money," Eden replied generously.
"No!"
"The money is urgent!"
Before Eden could finish, Nami, who became instantly agitated at the mere mention of 'money,' rushed forward, practically shouldering Eden aside to address Erza directly.
"Alright."
"Rest assured~" Erza couldn't help but smile, watching Nami spring into action at the scent of money. Honestly, in that regard, she was quite like Master Makarov. Perhaps only those who managed finances could truly grasp the importance of money, huh?!
"Well then, that's that..."
"We'll be taking our leave now."
"All units, fall out!" Erza said, giving Eden a wave before turning towards the warship behind her.
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Rear Admiral Erza!"
The Marines who had been maintaining order at the Baratie sea restaurant immediately began to move in an orderly fashion towards the warship docked at the simple pier upon hearing Erza's command to fall out...
"Brother Eden, bye-bye~" Among them, Levy politely bid him farewell as she passed by Eden's side, and, as an afterthought, retrieved Gajeel, who had been knocked unconscious by Mihawk.
"Goodbye."
After bidding farewell to Levy and Erza, Eden returned to the restaurant and addressed Luffy and the others, "So, what are your plans now?"
"What do you mean?" Luffy looked bewildered, seemingly not grasping the intent behind Eden's question.
As for Zoro, he seemed to sense something. His brow furrowed slightly as he asked Eden, "Could it be, Eden, that you have some plans of your own?"
"That's right."
"Actually, there are many ways to get to the Grand Line."
"Besides the most traditional route through Reverse Mountain on the Red Line, I can also head straight south, through the Calm Belt, to directly reach Paradise, the first half of the Grand Line." Eden gave a slight nod, revealing his intentions.
Mm, he had already decided to cross the Calm Belt directly, head to the Grand Line, and take down the Sand Crocodile, Crocodile, who was currently plotting in Alabasta and was one of the Seven Warlords. By doing so, Eden could also seize this opportunity to become a new Warlord of the Sea.
"Of course, if you want to come with us, that's fine too."
"However, if you come with us, I'm afraid you won't be able to go to Loguetown," Eden seemed to recall something as he looked at Luffy and Zoro, adding.
"Loguetown?" Luffy was completely clueless about Loguetown.
"Loguetown, huh?!"
"It would indeed be a shame not to go." Zoro and Usopp exchanged a glance, hesitating. On one hand, it was the town where the Pirate King once lived; on the other, their only navigator was leaving with those two pirate crews... It was a tough choice between the two.
"Loguetown, also known as the Town of the Beginning and the End!"
"It's the town where the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger (the World Government concealed his 'D' initial), was born, and also where he was executed after being captured by the Marines. You could say it witnessed Roger's entire life," Nami explained, looking at Luffy.
"We gotta go, we gotta go..." Luffy nodded emphatically upon hearing this. Mm, Luffy really wanted to see the place where Roger had once lived.
"In that case, let's bid farewell here."
"If fate guides us true, I believe we'll meet again very soon..." Eden smiled, and as he spoke, he handed Luffy a Den Den Mushi.
"What's this?!" Luffy looked at the Den Den Mushi in his hand, perplexed.
"This is a Den Den Mushi I just got from Erza."
"After you've been to Loguetown..."
"You'll eventually head to the Grand Line, right?"
"Without a navigator, I imagine you'd find things quite troublesome."
"With this Den Den Mushi, you can consult our navigator, Nami!"
"It's not free, though." After all, Eden had poached the Straw Hats' navigator. To compensate Luffy, he gave him a Den Den Mushi to communicate with Nami.
"I got it! I'll take good care of this!" Luffy said, about to put the Den Den Mushi away.
"Let us keep it safe instead!" At this, Zoro and Usopp, who had absolutely zero confidence in Luffy's ability to keep anything safe, strode up to him and snatched the Den Den Mushi from his grasp before he could hide it...
"Well then, see you, Luffy."
"I hope to hear your name in the newspapers very soon." After bidding Luffy farewell, Eden, along with Natsu, Nami, Juvia, and Happy, set off on a new course.
As for Luffy, Usopp, and Zoro, the three of them weren't in a hurry to leave.
"Sanji, be my cook and set sail with me!" Luffy extended a sincere invitation to Sanji.
"I refuse," Sanji replied without a second thought.
"Eh?!"
"What's your reason?" Luffy asked Sanji, puzzled.
"Because on your ship... there isn't a single pretty lady!"
"Besides, I'm the sous chef of this restaurant." Sanji's well-reasoned reply left everyone speechless.
Until 'Red Foot' Zeff spoke up, "Sanji, you're fired! Leave my Baratie sea restaurant! Go find your dream! Your journey shouldn't end here."
~# Every 30 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter