After reuniting with Juvia and taking Buggy as a captive, Eden and the group made a quick supply run through the town...
And donated all the treasure Buggy had hoarded over the years to the townspeople, as compensation for his long-standing tyranny.
To prevent the Buggy Pirates from causing more trouble, Eden split their crew into small squads and sent them across the East Blue to gather intelligence.
Only then did Eden feel ready to set sail again with his new team.
The team now consisted of: navigator Nami, shipwright Buggy, former Fairy Tail companion Juvia, Happy, and acting captain Eden...
And then there were the freeloaders—Luffy and Zoro—who, according to Nami, weren't even official guild members and were just eating for free.
As the Shark Superb cut through the waves...
The remaining Buggy Pirates waved tearfully from shore.
"Captain Buggy, take care! We'll miss you!"
—Aboard the Shark Superb—
"So... we're heading to the South Blue to rescue this... naked guy?"
Nami was still holding the newspaper photo of Gray streaking down the street and asked the others.
"No... Let's just leave him in jail."
Eden barely glanced at the eye-burning photo before rolling his eyes and slumping against the ship's railing, letting the sea breeze hit him.
He was still seasick.
"That said... wouldn't a normal jail be unable to hold Gray-sama?"
Juvia frowned as she raised a valid point.
"Normally, yeah... but the Taya Kingdom in the South Blue has an unusual powerhouse."
"So Gray being arrested isn't that surprising."
Eden recalled the kingdom's situation.
If he remembered correctly, that place was Aramaki's homeland—the man who would become Admiral Green Bull three years from now.
"Huh? There are people in this world who can threaten us?"
Juvia looked stunned.
"Don't underestimate this world."
"Whether it's admirals, fleet admirals, or the Four Emperors who stand atop all pirates..."
"Or the Revolutionary Army, the World Government, and hidden experts in every nation... they're all monsters beyond our level."
Eden patted Juvia's head like a mentor lecturing a student.
"So... does that mean we're not going to save Gray-sama?"
"Of course we are!"
"We've got monsters on our side too. If we want to go up against the top dogs of this world, we need Gildarts."
Eden rubbed his chin and began plotting.
With the right medical care in this world... maybe Gildarts could return to his peak.
And if he could strike a deal with Law, the Superhuman-type Devil Fruit user of the legendary Op-Op Fruit...
Not only could Gildarts heal from Acnologia's injuries, even Master Makarov's hidden wounds might be cured.
That could allow him to not only return to his prime—but maybe even surpass it.
"I even know a few ways to help Gildarts recover. If he gets back to full power, he won't lose to anyone."
Honestly, Eden couldn't imagine Gildarts losing in his prime.
Except maybe to Acnologia. That guy was ridiculous.
"Right! Gildarts is a monster!"
Happy agreed as he flew through the air.
"And if you give us a few more years of training—Laxus, Erza, me, Mirajane..."
"We might actually stand toe-to-toe with admirals and the Four Emperors!"
Eden paused.
According to his judgment, aside from the mysterious Imu—who likely possessed one of the three Ancient Weapons, Uranus—admirals and emperors were all superhuman at minimum.
He couldn't challenge them now.
But maybe, given a few more years...
He could catch up.
"Man, this sounds like a humblebrag."
"Hahahaha..."
Eden laughed loudly—then leaned over the railing and gagged.
"Bleh~"
"I believe you."
Juvia nodded seriously, full of confidence in Eden.
After all, Eden—who also used water magic—was half her teacher.
"What are you even talking about?"
"Do you have any idea what kind of monsters the admirals and emperors really are?!"
"You can't judge them with common sense... especially Edward Newgate, aka Whitebeard!"
"That guy's power is beyond your imagination."
Buggy couldn't help chiming in.
As a former crew member on Roger's ship, no one knew the true power of the Four Emperors and Admirals better than him.
Especially Whitebeard, who rivaled Roger himself.
In sheer strength, Whitebeard might've even surpassed Roger.
"Whatever you say, the one who's gonna be Pirate King is me!"
Suddenly, Luffy shouted.
"You? Pirate King?"
Buggy was numb.
"Hahaha... I get it now. I understand everything."
"This entire ship is full of lunatics."
Buggy burst out laughing.
He finally realized what kind of ship he'd boarded.
Only madmen would say they could fight admirals and emperors with just a few years of training...
Or claim they'd become Pirate King like it was nothing.
In Buggy's eyes, everyone on this ship was insane.
—Meanwhile—
South Blue – Taya Kingdom
"Now they should know where I am, right?"
Gray, having voluntarily locked himself in prison, muttered to himself in thought.
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Don't forget to give Power Stone