Chapter 263 - 263: Roger's Mystery

Chopper's mouth hung open in surprise: "Amazing, this tanuki can transform too!"

Luffy immediately let go of Patrick and crowded around the tanuki 'Pato', shouting excitedly: "Really? Let me see! Can you turn into someone like me?"

The composed Robin walked over to Patrick's side and began chatting with him, hoping to scout some intelligence about this Pirates Expo.

"Our Captain is just like this, please bear with him."

Patrick nodded, found a place to sit down, and listened to Brook's singing.

When the song ended, Patrick prepared to leave. He called out to his partner, flapped the wings on his back, and departed from the Straw Hat Pirates.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to remind Brook: "The rumors are true; this treasure is indeed related to Pirate King Roger. It's a hot potato."

"If it's exposed, it's a treasure that could make both the Four Emperors and the World Government step in to seize it. Be careful, the organizer this time isn't so easy to deal with."

Brook put away his violin, wiped the non-existent sweat from his forehead, and sighed: "Phew, I didn't expect that kid from back then to become so strong. Life is truly unpredictable."

Zoro nodded in agreement; a swordsman's intuition told him that this man was extremely powerful.

Sanji was shocked by the words Patrick left behind: "A treasure that even the Four Emperors would fight for? What on earth could it be?"

Luffy laughed: "No matter what it is, as long as it's related to the Pirate King, it's our goal!"

Hera also saw the encounter between Patrick and the Straw Hat crew: "I didn't expect them to recognize each other so quickly. I thought they'd be back and forth for a long time."

Kuina asked curiously: "Did you know all along? By the way, what exactly is this thing that both the Four Emperors and the World Government would fight for?"

Being so close, and since Patrick hadn't intentionally hidden his voice, everyone on the Argo heard his final words.

Hera looked at the curious crowd and gave a mischievous grin: "Alright, treasure is only interesting if it's revealed at the end. For now, just enjoy the journey."

"However, this treasure is indeed worth the Four Emperors and the World Government taking action. If the World Government knew, I reckon all Three Admirals would come here."

Her companions looked at Hera, who had piqued their curiosity only to stay silent, and clenched their fists.

Seeing her companions' unfriendly gazes, Hera quickly changed the subject: "A pirate gathering is great. No need to go looking for them one by one. It would be nice if there was one every year."

Seeing that Hera wasn't going to talk, the others snorted coldly and went back to their own business.

The founder of the Pirates Expo, nicknamed the 'Master of Festivities' and 'War Instigator', Buena Festa, looked at the treasure in his hand—the Eternal Pose pointing to Laugh Tale—and fell into a frenzy.

"Have the subordinates of the Four Emperors arrived? Great! Now my plan is even more perfect."

Bullet looked at the excited Festa: "It doesn't matter. As long as I can fight with all my strength, it's fine."

Festa said: "Don't worry, the whole world will be in an uproar because of this thing. Whether it's the Marine or the pirates, everyone will be dragged into the vortex of war."

"I will start a new era even more fanatical than the Great Pirate Era started by Roger—a war era where only the strong can survive."

Bullet didn't care about Festa's actions. He only cared about how many strong people this gathering could bring together, and whether that girl who once stood in front of him in the Level 6 Prison would show up here.

"Hera, once you get here, I'll make you realize that I am the strongest of this era."

After the pirates gathered, Festa officially began the Pirates Expo activities.

Although many pirates were gathered here, there wasn't much chaos. After all, there were too many pirates, so these people maintained a certain level of restraint.

The landing of the Four Emperors' crews and the Straw Hat crew, in particular, made these pirates exercise restraint.

Charlotte Smoothie casually grabbed a pirate, twisted his body like a towel to wring out a glass of juice, and then tossed the mummified corpse aside.

"How boring. The pirates here are too weak. Isn't it starting yet?"

As if hearing her complaint, fireworks exploded from the high tower in the center of the island. The host, Donald Moderate, stepped out and spoke to the audience below:

"I think you all know that at our Pirates Expo, stealing, robbing, and kidnapping are all permitted. There is only one inviolable principle: the Marine must not know the location of the gathering."

"Anyone who reveals it will be hunted to hell by every pirate present. Let me introduce myself, I am the host of this gathering, the Scavenger Donald Moderate."

"Next, please welcome our guest, everyone's favorite diva, 'Ann'."

Following his introduction, a diva appeared wearing a white ruffled crop top paired with a large green-and-white striped skirt, green leggings, and high heels. Her light green curly hair was tied into two pigtails behind her head.

Her purple eyes sparkled in the sunlight, and the diva Ann, who had some freckles on her face, walked out to intense background music.

She waved to the pirates below the stage: "Hello everyone, I'm Ann. Please take care of me!"

Immediately after, Donald Moderate took out a piece of paper depicting a giant dragon and handed it to Ann. Ann touched the dragon with one hand and picked up the microphone with the other.

As the singing began, the dragon seemed to come to life, leaping off the paper as flames spewed from its mouth.

The pirates below drew their weapons as they saw the flames coming toward them, but after the dragon spat the fire, it vanished.

Even the pirates engulfed by the flames didn't feel a burning sensation.

Donald Moderate explained:

"As everyone knows, Ann is a Devil Fruit user. She is a Paramecia Vision-Vision Fruit user, capable of making things she touches appear as illusions."

Hera nudged Uta beside her: "What do you think? The other side invited a famous diva too."

Uta's eyes were full of curiosity about Ann. She said to Hera: "If there's a chance, I'd like to try performing with her once."

Hera nodded: "There will be a chance. When things get chaotic, keep an eye on her and protect her safety."

Donald Moderate continued introducing the origin of the island:

"It is said that before the Great Pirate Era began, Roger once visited this island and buried a vast amount of treasure here, leaving behind the words: 'Bury our answer in the deep darkness.'"

"Everyone, this is the challenge the Pirate King has given us. Unravel this mystery and get your hands on the treasure!"

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