Whoosh—

The cold, damp sea breeze swept through the port. The New World's weather was unpredictable — clear skies one moment, torrential rain the next.

A light drizzle began falling over Akropolis Port, but that didn't stop the stream of workers traveling back and forth between the port and the Red Line's undersea Red Harbor.

The port bustled with bare-chested laborers, shackled slaves, and wealthy merchants strolling about under umbrellas in fine clothing.

"This is probably the first time we've ever sat down and had a proper conversation like this, huh?" Magnus smiled, looking at Rona as if greeting an old friend.

Carts rattled over the cobblestone roads, and the scent of greasy grilled fish and fried potatoes filled the air.

"Well, you are a pirate and I'm a Marine," Rona replied casually, accepting the drink Magnus offered as she leaned back lazily in her chair. "I'm just curious — how do you dare show up in front of me so openly?"

"Let's be honest. You've gotten stronger, your wings have grown. Without proper preparation, we wouldn't be able to capture you anyway. As long as you don't interfere with the World Conference, I'll turn a blind eye," she added.

To be honest, Rona hadn't expected Magnus to show up here.

During the Reverie, elite Marines from around the world were gathered at the Red Line to protect the kings and prevent any incidents.

Under such circumstances, if another admiral saw Magnus, they'd definitely assume he was up to something.

Even if he was, it didn't matter much. There were nearly ten admiral-level fighters currently stationed around the Red Line.

Maybe if they tried to arrest Magnus head-on, he'd escape.

But if he dared to charge into Mary Geoise—

If he got cornered, not even wings could save him!

"Haha, we don't have any conflict now, do we?" Magnus chuckled.

"You said it yourself, didn't you? If you didn't catch me last time, you wouldn't try again."

"Who said that?"

Rona's expression shifted. In a flash, her blade was out — a diagonal slash parted the rain in the street, and before even a tenth of a second passed, the blade was pressed to Magnus' neck.

Yet Magnus held his cup calmly, his smile unwavering.

"Hmph, boring," Rona scoffed.

Neither of them had any intention of actually fighting. Rona wouldn't initiate a battle during the Reverie, and Magnus knew it.

But what Magnus didn't know was that Rona's reluctance to fight wasn't because of any promise or the danger of harming attending kings.

She just didn't feel like it.

"Magnus, what if I joined your crew as a vice-captain?"

The hell?!

Magnus nearly spat out a curse. "Haha, the great Hiihebi Admiral sure knows how to joke!"

What kind of joke was this? Rona wasn't like Aokiji who lost the fight for Fleet Admiral and turned pirate. Even Aokiji's defection was surrounded by conspiracy theories.

But Rona? Joining his crew?

Magnus immediately suspected a trap.

Could it be the Marines were trying something?

"Did something happen in the Marines to make you consider that? Maybe I can lend an old man's ear," he said.

Magnus was pleased with how Rocks and the others had handled the discovery of the enslaved giants — they didn't act rashly. If they had, their plan to reach Fishman Island would have been ruined. The special resin needed to coat their ship wouldn't arrive for two days, and they wouldn't have time to dive if they fought now.

Right now, Rocks and the others were quietly gathering the names of the captured giants and searching for the keys to their collars — when they made their move, it had to be swift and clean.

Magnus' role was to keep Rona, the strongest Marine nearby, distracted.

"What, not interested in me?" Rona gave him a sideways glare. Her hazy eyes made Magnus wonder if she was tipsy. As she crossed her arms, Magnus' Kenbunshoku (Observation) Haki could practically hear the buttons of her shirt straining.

A seduction tactic?

Magnus rolled his eyes. The Marines really underestimated him.

If they wanted to send a beauty, they could've at least picked someone younger. Rona looked fine, but she was already getting on in years.

Not that Magnus had room to judge. He was an old man himself — although his enhanced cell activity had rejuvenated his appearance, he still looked like a middle-aged guy.

It wasn't like he was too good for Rona.

'That bastard!'

Rona's Kenbunshoku Haki specialized in sensing emotion. Even though Magnus was smiling, his internal reactions had already betrayed him.

So what if she was a bit older?

All she said was she wanted to join his crew, not that she wanted to sleep with him! And now he was looking down on her?

She wouldn't touch this crusty old man if he begged!

Furious, the alcohol-induced haze in her head started to clear.

"Hey, old man. If you want me to look the other way about what you're about to do, you better offer something in return!" she snapped, slamming the table.

"Give me the secret to how you regained your youth. You must know how tempting that is for an old woman like me!"

She practically spat the words "old woman," the resentment thick in her voice. If Magnus wasn't going to show her courtesy, then why should she?

"But didn't you just say—"

"That was then. This is now!" she cut him off, arms crossed and legs up, looking smug.

"If you share it with me, I'll give you the list of all the giants the Marines captured in Elbaf. With that, the giants will owe you even more."

Wait, she's serious?

Magnus frowned, unsure if she was telling the truth or just trying to bait them into a trap.

"What, White Wolf Magnus can't handle it?" Rona mocked. "The list is right here. Dare to take it?"

No doubt about it — she was provoking him.

But with the challenge thrown down like this, if Magnus didn't accept, where would his Haōshoku (Conqueror's) Haki stand?

"Fine!" Magnus grinned.

"One month from now — Sabaody Archipelago. I'll give you a piece of Pure Gold."

"Trap or plot, bring it on!"

Magnus had no fear of revealing he had Pure Gold. Honestly, once he obtained it, hiding it would've been impossible anyway.

Even now, there were plenty of people suspecting it.

So fine — let them believe it.

Yes, I've got Pure Gold. Now what?

Will you come after me?

Or will you try to side with me?

The promise of immortality was enough to drive anyone mad.

"Pure Gold? You really have it?"

Even Rona was stunned by his answer.

She'd only been bluffing.

Whether or not Magnus actually gave her anything, she had already decided to hand over the list of captured giants.

Slavery had no place in this world.

She'd once turned a blind eye for the sake of power, to be strong enough to chase Magnus.

But not anymore.

Slave trade? Screw that. Cancel it all!

And if the Marines didn't agree?

Then she'd team up with the White Wolf Pirates!

What was the point of being an admiral, constantly ordered around?

She was done with it.

And once she made that decision and took action—

She felt it.

Her long-dormant Haōshoku Haki had begun to stir again.

A true Conqueror lives by their own will!

If one constantly compromises and follows orders against their beliefs, then no matter how much potential they have, how could their Haki ever grow strong?

"Haha, looks like even my soul doesn't want to keep wasting away like this."

Feeling her power return, Rona smiled for the first time in ages.

"So, Magnus — you in?"

"Let's do something big."

"This admiral position? I don't need it anymore!"

(End of Chapter)

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