Chapter 25

◇Sphinx Island, New World◇

It's been a few days since my date with Nami. I am currently at the New World by instantly teleporting in the shadow of a draugr I buried in the New World.

Draugr is a race I've created, It couldn't be considered as a race. Because this is purely my own personal creation.

A corpse that has a copy of my [Doppelman]. An undead that can only understand simple instructions. Even If I ordered them to stay inactive in all sorts of places in the world. They'll do it without question.

I mostly use them as my means of teleportation. Since they have my shadow, I can easily use [Substitute] in the draugr's location and put another copy of [Doppelman] to the corpse. Then rinse and repeat until I get tired of teleporting.

Oh, The island I'm staying on is an island that was victimized by piracy. Lots of destroyed buildings and houses were laid to waste. The civilization of the Island lies past the waterfall.

Inside the waterfall is the home of civilians that is being treated by a former pirate. This place is also the island where Whitebeard's grave is placed. It is his homeland.

I'm currently at this place and was sitting on a log. I have a full view of the village. The villagers were surrounding a man full of smiles. This man looked like pineapple but don't underestimate him. He was the former commander of the 1st division in Whitebeard's pirate fleet.

With a bounty of 1.347 billion ฿. He is Marco the Phoenix!

As I continued to gaze at the man with blue flames, I knew that I had to recruit this man.

After finishing the treatments, The man finally stared at me and frowns. I saw him coming at me and sit beside me.

"What're you doing here? ~yoi..."

"I came in peace. Trust me." (Shikage)

I turned to my side and face him.

"If it's the bad blood between me and the Whitebeard's pirates, I already am free of it... Curiel's shadow isn't with me anymore. Marco." (Shikage)

That's right, Gunner isn't with me anymore when I decided to recruit this man in front of me.

"Uh... Then, have you come for my head? ~yoi." (Marco)

He has a high price for his head but it is more beneficial in befriending him.

"No no no, It's the other way around. I wanted you to be one of the people who's hunting pirates." (Shikage)

"Hoooh... You're recruiting me? You do know I'm still a pirate?" (Marco)

"Sure I do, But what're you doing here isn't helping you become a pirate. There's a lot of civilians that you can help from Blackbeard's tyranny... They need you! We need you!" (Shikage)

It's a bit hard to recruit people by coercing them like a pirate. I wanted to convince him to join our cause. He would've been a strong protector to the Guild and the people!

"..." (Marco)

"... I know what's worrying you. It's about Whitebeard's self-proclaimed son right?" (Shikage)

Marco's eye went wide before looking at me. That's right, It is Edward Weevil. One of the eight warlords of the sea.

In order to show the power of the WG, They've chosen him to be the newest addition to the balance of the world. As a counter to the new Five Emperors in the New World.

This guy is still hunting for the former Whitebeard's pirate commanders. If it isn't for his mother, I really would want to recruit that guy. Sadly, He's being controlled by his very own mother.

"You're certainly right~yoi. There's no one who'll protect this place. It's the only memento of Pops." (Marco)

"I got it. But what if I told you that we can go back here right away if there's any kind of emergency that will happen?" (Shikage)

Marco was a bit surprised, And then I told him how. First of all, I have a command to my draugrs that every time there's a situation, They would communicate to nearby kin and refer it to another nearby kin until it will reach my Transponder Snail.

I have a lot of draugrs set up in different places throughout the world.

That's how far I have expanded my organization and ability.

And to pair it with the ability to teleport to those shadows is so unfair. Even I am scared at how I became. And this is only the tip of the iceberg for what I can do with the shadows!

My previous techniques have gone through some transformation and become more adaptable.

I continued to try in recruiting him. It only stopped until I heard Marco's words.

"Fine~yoi. I'll be one of your hunters. But sent all my earnings and salaries to this village." (Marco)

Due to the fact I kept on talking about the benefits and the security for this island, Marco finally bends his knee.

Oh sorry, Marco finally agreed to join. Now I have a medical hunter in my Guild. I'm expecting a lot from you, Marco!

"Then, Let's get you signed up. Follow me." (Shikage)

I walked towards a house while being followed by Marco. We stopped at the doorway to do something crazy.

Marco had already questioned me a lot of times. So I decided to just show it to him.

I touched the door with my right hand slowly channels my ability to the door. The door quickly becomes a shadow and becomes like a portal.

[Shadow corridor]!

This is the corridor that can transfer people to my [Niflheim] and we can use it to teleport the few people in my vicinity.

I focused hard to connect the corridor to the Thriller Bark and this place. Sadly, There's a limit on how many can I take with me during the teleportation.

After finishing the [Shadow corridor], We entered it and walk inside for a few minutes until we saw the end of the corridor.

In just a few minutes, We arrived at the Island ship.

Marco couldn't help but marvel at my technique. We're at the lobby of the Headquarters' main building. The hunters there were surprised to see the door of the entrance becomes a smoky shadow portal and two men came out of it.

The door changes back to its original state. Then an awkward moment happens when Marco shows up and the hunters look at his bounty poster at the request board. This man is one of the people that will let you promote to S-rank hunter. But luckily, No one dared to make trouble for him.

We quickly went to the registration desk and registered Marco as one of us. Then I opened up a hole in my shadow to get a white coat for him. He will be the head for any health-related problems. Quite a big promotion right away, But that's because of his competency. He's good!

And so, Marco left with a guide and I hope he would quickly adapt to his new life. His primary goal in joining me is to stop Blackbeard. I really owe this guy a lot for letting me recruit people who don't like him.

"Now then, What should I do now? It will take time for Marco to join my experiments on the zombies... Oh well, I guess we have time for now." (Shikage)

We should be ready for anything right now. Blackbeard's planning something, the WG is suspicious of us, There's a lot of unpredictable movements from the Five emperors.

But there's an organization that's beginning to be the Guild's partner. Although it is unofficial, The Guild and the Revolutionary Army are exchanging information about our own needs.

The Guild needs info about certain dangerous pirates and criminals while the Revolutionary Army wants info to the WG and the different governments on the island where our Guild hubs are stationed.

There's even a team of hunters that are part of the said organization. This team is the bridge that lets us contact each other. It's called the Wings of Freedom.

As the leaders of these two organizations, Both, Me and Monkey D. Dragon would sometimes talk to each other regarding the situation.

I must say that I've really become important to be able to talk with him. He's supposed to be our mortal enemy! The World's worst criminal.

But If the Guild will always be on the side of those corrupt governments, then who will keep them in check?

The supreme commander Dragon and his army would be the ones who will clash with the WG.

Currently, We have a scheme together. It's time for a reckoning! It will soon come together! I have allies too! Prepare yourself, Blackbeard!

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The Wings of Freedom wanted me to go to their base in Thriller Bark. They have their own property at my Island Ship. It is in the town, close to the Black port.

When I get there, I was welcomed by none other than the archeologist of the Straw hats.

"Nice to meet you, Guildmaster. I am the new member of the team."

"Likewise... I see, so where's Koala-san?" (Shikage)

"Oh, She got a new mission. I'll be the one who will coordinate with your scheme. I am Nico Robin."

Oh, Is that so. I guess the Revolutionary Army really trusts Robin and her skills.

"I understand, then let's start the briefing." (Shikage)

And so, We started to scheme together and Dragon would call occasionally to contribute.

The scheme is to lure the Blackbeard pirates into fighting at the island called Baltigo.

Monkey D. Dragon is really a decisive man, He can sacrifice the Island for dealing a blow to the WG.

You see, The one who will fight with the Blackbeard pirates is us, The Hunters Guild. And also the other Emperor who has a grudge against Blackbeard.

Since the Cipher Pol is maintaining their close observation of Blackbeard, They would also join the fighting to clean up the battlefield.

And that's where the Revolutionary Army would strike!

But to make it happen, We need to have contact with the Blackbeard pirate commanders and bring them to the Island.

That's why we all think that the decisive battle would be in the next 5 months.

If there's any possibility to make contact with those commanders, Then the battle would come much sooner. They're currently staying at the Island in the New World called Hachinosu.

"-and that's all for today, Guildmaster."

"Right, Thanks for the report, Robin-san... Oh, By the way, Are you free tonight?" (Shikage)

I invited Nico Robin to come with me to the Headquarters' main building.

She agreed and we took a carriage. We quickly arrived at the destination and entered it. The hunters there greeted me like the way Robin did a while ago. Having the highest authority in the Guild is so stressful but it is satisfying. Then we proceed to take the stairs and was heading to the room of her Nakama.

As we were walking towards the room upstairs, we passed so many rooms of hunters that can afford to stay in the main building.

And one of these rooms suddenly opened its door and a very tall man came out.

Oh~ this should be good.

"..." (Shikage)

"!!! Impossible! Aokiji?!"

"My my my"

A very surprised Nico Robin faced the A-rank hunter Kuzan. Since he had finished scouting the New World, He becomes a freeloader of the Guild. Even I am having trouble making him work. I wonder how did he become an Admiral.

Oh, It is because of his strength! Nevermind then.

"Oh, You're here, Kuzan. Meet Nico Robin, She's one of the Straw hats." (Shikage)

"I know... She's uh... uh... It's troublesome to think. Shika, Are you going to the Living room?" (Kuzan)

"Aokiji!! What're you doing here?!" (Robin)

Of course, I know their relationship, I have read the Divine Book. I can't believe I let them see each other here. What a pretty turn of events. Anyways, He's right.

"C'mon, Let's go to the living room. Robin-san, I want to introduce you to my Hunters and my girlfriend." (Shikage)

If Kuzan knew that I know Robin's history, He would've seen my prank.

"Well well, Calm down first, Nico Robin. Let's follow Shika. That room has a nice massage chair." (Kuzan)

"... What do you mean? hmm... I understand. Let us go, Guildmaster." (Robin)

Then we walked together until we reached the large living room for the hunters. The Living room is big and filled with things that won't make you bored. It is like an entertainment room.

Once we got to the room, Nico Robin finally saw the faces of the one who captured her way back at Water 7.

She also saw her Nakama having fun with the lady of CP9. She felt somewhat betrayed but what she really feels is confusion.

"Huh?! Is that you, Robi~n?!! It's good to see you!"

"Nami~! You look great..."

Nami instantly went to Robin's arm when she saw her. The bond between the Straw hats is really close like a family. Then I watched the former CP9 agents.

They were a bit awkward due to the fact that they were the ones who made Robin suffer at the hands of their incompetent chief.

"Everyone, why do you look like that? Is it because she's part of the Straw hats who bested you all. Hahaha~" (Shikage)

"Guildmaster, why is she here?" (Blueno)

Blueno's the first one to recover and asked me.

"Oh, It's because we will have a major operation with the Revolutionary Army in the future and she's one of them." (Shikage)

I have Robin's permission to let my core members know about her affiliation, So I didn't betray her or anything like that.

My words have caused some disturbance in the room, Even the lazy iceman was so surprised that he even woke up from his massage chair.

And so, we did some fun and relax in the room. Robin and Nami had a lot of time to catch up with each other.

*Creak*

"The room's really rowdy, yoi~" (Marco)

The door opened up and Marco with his doctor coat is there. I quickly welcomed him and introduce him to the others, The new protector of the Guild alongside Kuzan and me.

Although, The two are at odds with each other since the Ice man took the right arm of Marco's Nakama. But I still wanted them to get acquainted and if possible, work together. Because we three will be the pillars of the Guild.

Now we're ready to take on anything in the world. Nonetheless, I need to let them stay at the Guild and let them feel comfortable with the Guild.

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