Once Law agreed to join, his dozens of subordinates naturally didn't dare object.
They all boarded together.
And when they saw the massive ship—refitted from the Ark Maxim—soaring through the sky—
the Heart Pirates reacted like country bumpkins seeing the world for the first time, shouting in excitement.
Their old ship had been a submarine.
But what was the deep sea compared to flying through the clouds?
That night, the Xia Te Pirates upheld a classic pirate tradition—
a banquet.
At first, Enel and Shiryu couldn't quite blend in.
But gradually, they adapted.
After all, this kind of life—
would become routine.
Above the seas of the New World—
the Maxim soared through the skies.
The New World's harsh environment far surpassed that of the first half of the Grand Line—
but for Xia Te, who could fly freely, it meant nothing.
"Why the hell is your bounty higher than mine, you big-eared freak? Just because you got lucky and ate a rare Logia fruit?"
Shiryu grumbled while looking over their newly issued bounty posters.
"Hah? That's the difference in strength, long-chin. It just means you're weaker than me."
Enel shot back with a sideways glare.
Ever since the bounties were released, the two had been bickering nonstop.
If Xia Te hadn't strictly forbidden infighting, they'd have already come to blows.
Meanwhile, Bepo, Shachi, Penguin, and the former Heart Pirates huddled in a corner, trembling.
Is this what top-tier pirates are like…?
Thud—
At that moment, the door to Weevil's room opened.
He walked out, looking flushed and satisfied.
Xia Te, lounging nearby, glanced at him sideways.
"Idiot. Your zipper's down."
Weevil looked down—
his white underwear was clearly visible.
Embarrassed, he quickly zipped up and scratched his head.
"S-sorry, big brother…"
"So? How was it with a Celestial Dragon?"
Xia Te grinned mischievously.
"It was the most comfortable thing I've ever done! Big brother, you've been so good to me!"
Weevil said tearfully, practically glowing with happiness.
"…That guy's a monster…"
Shachi swallowed hard.
Penguin nodded, drenched in cold sweat.
"Yeah… that was a Celestial Dragon… if the World Government finds out…"
Just imagining Weevil—face dripping with snot—going at it with a Celestial Dragon woman…
everyone shuddered.
If this got out—
it would be another world-shaking headline.
"By the way… is she still alive?"
Xia Te suddenly wondered, thinking about the size difference between Weevil and Shalria.
With that kind of disparity…
there was no way she felt anything remotely pleasant.
Probably worse than childbirth.
But judging by Weevil—
he definitely didn't care.
As long as he enjoyed it.
Thud—
The infirmary door opened.
Law stepped out, wiping blood from his hands.
"Captain Xia Te, I've examined them. There's no noticeable difference between Celestial Dragons and ordinary humans."
"Huh… that's strange."
Xia Te frowned.
"In that case, why does the World Government pamper those trash so much?"
Was it really just because they were "descendants of the creators"?
"Captain, where are we heading now? If we plan to take part in the war between the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates, shouldn't we stay near Marineford?"
Shiryu voiced his confusion.
He had assumed that, with only days left before Ace's execution—
Xia Te would remain near Sabaody.
Or hover above Marineford's seas, waiting.
Instead—
they had entered the New World.
"I need to replace these first. If they break during the main event, that'd be embarrassing."
Xia Te lifted Sakura Ten and Kogarashi.
Even a layman could tell—
their lifespan had reached its limit.
"New swords… If we're talking about the world's greatest swordsmithing location, that would be…"
Shiryu paused, his expression shifting.
"Captain… you mean—"
"Wano Country. Plenty of fine blades there."
Xia Te smiled.
The moment he said it—
not just Shiryu—
even the newly joined crew like Law turned pale.
"Captain! Wano is the territory of one of the Four Emperors—Kaido of the Beasts!"
"That guy's a lunatic who doesn't listen to reason!"
"Isn't it too early to confront Kaido!?"
Just hearing Kaido's name made many of them shrink back.
But the core members remained calm, silently waiting for Xia Te to explain.
"What are you afraid of?"
Xia Te chuckled.
"The main event right now is the war between Whitebeard and the Marines. I'm not in a hurry to fight Kaido."
"We won't fight."
"I'm going there to make a deal with him. And he'll definitely agree."
"And once that deal is made…"
Xia Te's smile deepened.
"The Red-Haired Pirates won't just sit still either."
Shiryu, Law, and the others froze again.
Not just Kaido—
even another Yonko, Red-Haired Shanks, was being drawn into this?