The pirates sat and forgot, and they really believed the nine truths and one lie.

Chapter 1742 Orochi and Teach Show Mutual Appreciation

Fleet Admiral Sengoku has reached a verbal agreement with Orochi, so now the admirals, as the Navy's highest fighting force, must also adjust their strategies.

Aokiji, a general who was always calm and thoughtful, observed the two men, one ugly and one beautiful, exuding an air of evil, from the rear.

The general from Wano Country and his mysterious retinue—are they still people in the traditional sense? Their true nature can hardly be guaranteed by common sense.

We've come back to that age-old philosophical question, or rather, the fundamental question of power—the king and his mount.

Is Kurozumi Orochi currently in a state where his own consciousness is controlling the Devil Fruit power of Yamata no Orochi?

Or is it this strange and powerful mythical beast fruit that is gradually dominating and even replacing his consciousness?

These two outcomes lead to two completely different paths, and also imply vastly different levels of danger.

"I hope Marshal Sengoku's judgment this time is correct..." Aokiji muttered to himself, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly suppressed by reason and a sense of the big picture.

As a naval officer, he had to trust and carry out the marshal's decisions.

From a practical standpoint, Kuzan would also be happy to see this happen.

Since there are people, especially non-naval units, who are willing to take the initiative to share the pressure from Whitebeard, sending this outsider to deliver the goods and bear the main losses will undoubtedly minimize the navy's losses.

This is a harsh but realistic strategy.

If Orochi can truly use his uncanny immortality and splitting abilities to entangle or even hold off Whitebeard, then Admiral Aokiji can be completely free to deal with another troublesome target.

Shiki the Golden Lion, this old guy who can float islands, also requires top-tier experts to deal with him; we can't let him run rampant on the battlefield.

At this moment, Shiki the Golden Lion and Mirajane, the recipient of the ability, lost patience with the impenetrable tortoise shell of Mount Kailash. After confirming that it could not be broken from the outside, they flew back to the main battlefield from the outer sea.

They joined the increasingly chaotic and out-of-control Marineford brawl.

Shiki stood almost side by side with Blackbeard Teach, who was hovering in the sky, though they maintained a wary distance from each other.

Their gazes were all fixed on the Wano Country shogun, Kurozumi Orochi, who had just made his appearance and immediately stole the show.

“Wano Country…” Shiki narrowed his eyes.

"This country has been out of the mainstream world's view for far too long."

Indeed, Wano Country has been closed off from the world for too long. More than 90 percent of the world's population has never had direct contact with anyone from Wano Country, which shows the effectiveness of its isolationist policy.

This also suggests that the people living in Wano Country, under the rule of General Kurozumi, were probably doing alright.

At least it's a little better than some islands that are exploited by both the navy and pirates, and it's full of mockery of so-called order and stability.

“Black Charcoal Orochi…” Shiki turned to Teach and asked a question that puzzled him.

"Back then, Kozuki Oden was said to be quite strong. He was even someone Roger borrowed from Whitebeard's ship. Why didn't he kill this ugly guy who didn't look like much?"

Teach chuckled softly as he listened to Shiki's question, a knowing glint in his eyes.

“That guy, Kozuki Oden…” He shook his head.

"He only believed in their samurai code of righteousness. He was a strong man, but definitely not a qualified ruler."

Teach's lips curled into a smile tinged with a hint of approval. "Usurping the position of a fool, that's how it should normally happen, hahaha..."

Teach revealed an undisguised admiration for Orochi through his words.

After all, as the Kurozumi General, Marshall D. Teach had done the same thing before: served as a lackey for the powerful Kozuki Oden in the early stages, and later sought an opportunity to betray and usurp power.

This is almost a case of mutual respect.

An adopted son betrays his adoptive father (Teach to Whitebeard), and a retainer betrays his lord (Kurozumi Orochi to Kozuki Oden). It's true that the eldest brother, let alone the second brother, is an ambitious person who would sacrifice everything and trample on all rules and sentiments in order to rise to power.

At this moment, the black charcoal serpent standing at the bow of the Moby Dick had his attention completely focused on Hiyori Kozuki.

Looking at that face that bore a striking resemblance to Lady Kozuki, yet was younger and more beautiful, and now appeared pitiful due to anger and grief, he couldn't help but hurl insults at her, doing everything he could to humiliate her.

"Little Purple, I really miss you..." Kurozumi Orochi licked his lips, his lewd gaze sweeping over Hiyori.

"The woman you placed by my side, Mei Hua Kui, she's not dead yet. How about I take you to reunite with her?"

"Let's go back to my general's mansion together, and you sisters can serve me together. Wouldn't that be wonderful? Hahaha!"

For an ugly man, being able to sleep with a beautiful woman, especially the noble daughter of his enemy, is the best way to flaunt his power and desire for conquest, and it is something to boast about in any situation.

"You are not allowed to insult our lord!!" Cat Viper and Dog Storm bristled, their fur standing on end, their claws snapping out and their eyes flashing with ferocity.

These two former retainers of Kozuki Oden are now calling Kozuki Hiyori "Lord," which seems to indicate that they have tacitly agreed to this woman taking over the rights and responsibilities of her deceased brother, Kozuki Momonosuke, and becoming the new lord of the remaining Akazaya Samurai.

This loyalty remains unwavering even now that they are the rulers of a country; it is truly beyond words.

"Hmph!" The black charcoal serpent snorted coldly, its mockery deepening.

He suddenly remembered something and retorted sarcastically, "You two homeless idiots, your lair, the Woolen Principality, was wiped out by Lord Kaido long ago. Zunesha is currently hovering near Onigashima. Even if you wanted to go back, you couldn't!!"

"I'll cut off your two heads and send them to Kaido. That'll put an end to the restless Mink Tribe's plans. Kaido might even thank me handsomely..."

Kurozumi Orochi smiled sinisterly, looking at the remaining retainers of Kozuki Oden with the same gaze he would give to a few already dead corpses.

In his view, these people, and Hiyori whom they swore to protect, were all gifts tonight before receiving the Byakugan.

As for why he had no intention of currying favor with Kaido, although Orochi did not want to provoke too many people, being on equal footing with Kaido had always been one of his core beliefs.

The recent massive construction on Ghost Island has weakened his defenses, not to mention the defection of the elephant spirit.

And then there's the Black Charcoal Jade. The issue of evolved beasts hasn't received much attention from the outside world yet. By the time it's fully exposed, the Beast Pirates' strength will probably have swelled to an unimaginable level.

The other royal crews have stagnated in strength, but the Beasts Pirates have continued to grow stronger.