One Piece : Admiral Falcon is Pissed off again today!

Michael's words were entirely based on reality.

The quality of the Marine's recruitment over the years had undeniably declined.

The future Three Admirals, Momousagi, and Chaton—these five powerhouses codenamed with "color + animal"—could be considered the last peak of the Marine's recruitment efforts...

One might even call it a final flicker of brilliance.

But over the next twenty years, the quality of the Marine's recruits would deteriorate year after year.

Even someone like Koby could become the Marine's hope.

What a joke that was.

Thus, to fix this situation and to smooth his revolutionary path, reforming the recruitment pool was essential.

The vast number of swordsmen in Wano Country was part of the plan.

And the female warriors of Amazon Lily, skilled in archery and Armament Haki, were another crucial component.

Only by infusing new blood could an organization that had become mere puppets find a chance for rebirth.

"But if I go assassinate a Celestial Dragon, I'll be hunted down by CP0 forever, damn it!"

"That... is the price" Michael said with a faint smile.

"As the former Empress of Amazon Lily, do you have the courage to make such a sacrifice for your country?"

Gloriosa lips parted slightly, her beautiful face flickering with hesitation.

Doubt and guilt intertwined within her.

Doubt about Michael's plan.

Guilt towards Amazon Lily and Shakky.

Because of her youthful recklessness, she had abandoned her country in the choice between duty and love, chasing after Whitebeard to join the Rocks Pirates.

Gloriosa didn't even asked Shakky if she wanted to be the Empress of Amazon Lily.

She just left.

Finally, Gloriosa lifted her head and met Shakky's gaze.

Her decision was made.

"I'll do it!" Gloriosa nodded firmly.

"If it means setting my country on the right path, I'm willing to pay any price."

Shakky stared at Gloriosa in surprise.

In her memory, the former Empress had always been selfish, prioritizing her own whims over the welfare of her people.

Though not tyrannical during her reign, she had never truly acted like an empress—more like a beautiful, spoiled princess.

Now, Gloriosa was no longer the Empress.

Yet she embodied the qualities of a wise ruler more than ever before.

Michael nodded.

Amazon Lily couldn't possibly refuse this offer.

Then he turned his gaze to Rayleigh and Gaban.

"What about you two? Will you take on this job?"

Gaban remained silent, noticing how intently Rayleigh was studying Michael's face, as if searching for something.

"Michael... what exactly are you scheming?" Rayleigh asked gravely.

"Your ambition is far greater than I imagined!"

"Ambition? No, I'm just an ordinary man who can't stand to see the state of this world and wants to change it" Michael replied casually, spreading his hands.

"If the world is to be reshaped by a flood, then I am the first drop that breaches the dam. If the world is to be transformed by wildfire, then I am the spark that ignites it."

"...Fine, we'll join," Rayleigh said, tapping the table.

"But no assassinations. We'll make it a kidnapping instead."

"I want to execute a Celestial Dragon the same way the World Government executed Roger."

"If you agree, then it's a deal."

Michael narrowed his eyes.

Within Rayleigh's calm gaze, he saw a flame of vengeance that had never been extinguished—now showing signs of reigniting under Michael's deliberate provocation and encouragement.

"Execute a Celestial Dragon?"

"You pirates really know how to make things interesting."

"That's... perfect."

"Deal."

****

Year 1503 of the Sea Calendar.

On the first day of the new year, a massive and ornate ship departed from Mary Geoise.

This time, as many as twenty-six Celestial Dragons were aboard.

Due to the sheer number, CP0 lacked sufficient manpower, prompting the Five Elders to dispatch even the God's Knights—the organization responsible for overseeing Celestial Dragons—to serve as escorts.

However, Figarland Garling, the supreme commander of the God's Knights, had more pressing duties and did not accompany them.

"Isn't deploying so many guards a bit excessive?" Marcus Mars remarked to the elderly man beside him who held a sword in his arms.

"These days, whether pirates or anyone else, only a madman would dare lay a hand on a Celestial Dragon."

"Besides, isn't the destination Sabaody Archipelago? Hasn't the Marine's Vice Admiral Gion already led troops to clean up the place?"

"Don't you agree, Nasujuro?"

Ethanbaron V. Nasujuro did not look up, instead carefully running his fingers along the blade of the Shodai Kitetsu.

As the first and most powerful creation of the Kitetsu series, it is one of the Supreme Grade Swords.

"Shabaody Archipelago?"

"Have you forgotten about that Marine named Michael?"

"Didn't that fool Roswald keep ranting about making him pay? Because of him, they can't get new slaves."

Nusjuro spoke with a disdainful smile.

As one of the Five Elders, he had gained immortal life through Imu power.

In their eyes, these dim-witted Celestial Dragons were equally repulsive.

Though this disgust stemmed from how such beings tarnished the dignity of the Celestial Dragons' noble existence.

"But wasn't that Michael protected by Sengoku and Kong?"

"Indeed. Sengoku has close ties with him. There's no need to antagonize Sengoku over trash like Roswald."

The two Elders' conversation was ruthlessly pragmatic.

To them, Sengoku was one of the most formidable forces on the seas.

Even they had to consider Sengoku's stance carefully.

During the previous search for the Pirate King's heir, though Sengoku had complied with orders, his displeasure had been evident.

"Recently, Sengoku even promoted that Michael to Rear Admiral."

"He seems to be handling some classified missions now."

"Should we have CP0 deliver a warning to him?"

"Absolutely. Though there are many pigs like Roswald, the status of Celestial Dragons must remain supreme."

With that, the two Elders returned to Mariejois.

Little did they know that soon, an earth-shattering event would occur at the Celestial Dragons' destination—Shabaody Archipelago.

Had they foreseen this, their first action...

Would have been to kill Michael.

-------------

Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.

patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator