"Ding! Detected hostile intent from Gecko Moria.
Series Quest Triggered: [Allies Don't Fight Allies 2/7]."
"As an ally…"
Objective: Avoid combat with one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea: Dracule Mihawk.
Rewards:
Special Skill: Shadow Sight
Observation Haki Enhancement Card ×5
Shadow Sight: Transfer a portion of your shadow onto an object to gain its visual perspective.
(Current transfer limit: 1 target)
Karl's heart leapt with joy.
Here it comes again!
The series quest had activated once more—and this time, he absolutely could not fail.
Especially Shadow Sight.
It was practically Assassin's Creed-style Eagle Vision. If he attached part of his shadow to Raven, he'd gain a fully mobile "true sight" unit.
Come to think of it, every first reward in this Warlord quest chain seemed closely tied to the Warlord involved.
Mihawk gave a Black Blade forging method.
Moria offered shadow-based abilities.
So what about Crocodile?
Doflamingo?
Karl was suddenly very interested.
"Lord Gecko Moria," Karl said calmly, a polite smile on his face,
"So this is your territory. No wonder it's so… unique."
Moria snorted. "Flattery won't get you anywhere."
"Yes! Exactly!" Perona immediately piled on.
"Lord Moria! This bad Marine destroyed Kumashi! You have to kill him to avenge Kumashi!"
"And not just that!" Absalom chimed in eagerly.
"Master, most of our General Zombies and Animal Zombies were wiped out by him! The losses are massive!"
Moria let out a cold laugh, pointing his long, sharp finger straight at Karl.
"Marine. What do you have to say for yourself?"
The atmosphere instantly grew tense.
But Karl was ready.
"Lord Moria, we only entered this area while pursuing the Flame Pirates. One of them fled into this region, and we followed."
"We were unaware this was your territory. If we caused offense, I sincerely apologize."
Before Moria could reply, Karl turned to Nelson.
"You—report this immediately to Marine Headquarters. Inform them this area falls under the jurisdiction of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Gecko Moria. No reinforcements are needed to assist with pirate capture here."
"Yes, sir!"
Moria's expression subtly changed.
He already notified Marine Headquarters?!
This Marine was decisiveness incarnate.
Damn it—if anything happened to these Marines now, he'd be the prime suspect.
Moria's urge to snatch Karl's shadow instantly faded by more than half. Still, for the sake of pride, he kept a cold expression.
"Hmph. If pirates enter my territory, as a Warlord I'll handle it myself."
"But your men destroyed my creations. And that sword in your hand—
that's my property."
Karl glanced at Shusui, then casually tucked it behind his back, smiling lightly.
"Lord Moria, your monster army attacked us first. We merely defended ourselves."
"And if I heard correctly just now, your subordinates were trying to pick a fight with the Marines, weren't they?"
Karl looked at Moria with an amused glint.
"Tsk tsk… That wasn't your idea, was it—
Lord Gecko Moria of the Seven Warlords?"
Moria's face twitched.
"Hmph. You trespassed into my territory first. They only did what they had to."
Karl smiled without smiling.
"Oh? In that case, there's no misunderstanding.
I almost thought Lord Moria didn't care much about keeping his Warlord title anymore."
Moria's gaze darkened.
That Marine was threatening him—openly.
If not for the consequences of acting now, he would have torn Karl apart on the spot.
Karl was gambling—hard—on one thing:
Moria cherished his position as a Seven Warlord.
Only with that title could he hole up here in peace, create zombies, and pursue his long-awaited revenge against Kaido.
Lose that title—and the Marines would hunt him relentlessly.
His plans would be over.
"Heh-shi-shi-shi~"
"Of course not… but I've suffered heavy losses. Surely the Marines won't just leave like this."
Karl nodded solemnly.
"A fair point. Very well."
"Nelson, bring over Rochi Thompson, captain of the Flame Pirates. Hand him over to Lord Moria for disposal."
Just one pirate—hardly a big deal.
He'd treat it as payment for Shusui.
Moria remained expressionless on the surface, but his mind quickly calculated.
Rochi's bounty—87 million Beli.
Decent strength. Enough to make a General Zombie.
Still… compared to his losses, it barely scratched the surface.
A bitter loss, indeed.
Ten minutes later…
"Lord Moria," Karl said calmly,
"This is the pirate Rochi Thompson, bounty 87 million Beli. He's all yours."
Moria glanced at Rochi, then turned to Absalom.
"Absalom. Take him."
Absalom glanced uneasily at Karl, then dragged Rochi before Moria and forced him to kneel.
"Master."
Moria nodded slightly, then sneered at Karl.
"Marine. I'll let this slide—for now."
"But if you ever dare trespass into my territory again…"
"Don't blame me for showing no mercy."
Behind him, Perona somehow produced a torch, casting flickering light across the gloomy ruins.
"Now—get lost. Marines."
Karl already guessed Moria wanted Rochi's shadow, and simply didn't want them watching.
If they weren't welcome, then fine.
"We're leaving."
Without hesitation, Karl turned and walked away.
The group retraced their steps, boarded the warship, and the massive gates slowly opened, clearing a path.
"Move out!" Karl ordered.
Nelson nodded, quickly issuing commands as the anchor was raised and the warship sailed through the opening.
Meanwhile…
"Damn those Marines! Damn them all!"
"So many shadows—gone! All gone!!"
After tallying the losses, Moria was furious.
Years of painstaking work—ruined in a single day.
Even the zombie he placed the highest hopes in—Samurai Ryuma—had been destroyed.
And worse—
Shusui.
A Great Grade Blade. A national treasure of Wano.
"Damn it! That was something I personally brought back from Wano!"
Seeing Moria's rage, both Absalom and Perona lowered their heads, not daring to speak. The remaining monsters trembled on the ground.
After venting for a long while, Moria finally calmed down.
"Absalom."
"Yes, Master."
"From now on—any pirate that enters the Thriller Bark waters…"
"Don't let a single one escape."
"Yes, Master!"
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