A few days later.
In a hidden cave in the back mountain of Nine Snake Island.
"I didn't expect that there is actually a stone tablet with a historical text."
Ross stood inside the cave, which should have been an extremely dark place, but Ross distorted the light from the cave entrance to here, making the entire cave as bright as day.
When he brought Robin to look for the Historical Text Monument, Rhodes originally just talked about it because there was no such thing as a Historical Text Monument on Nine Snakes Island in his memory. However, after searching Nine Snakes Island carefully, he didn't expect that it actually existed.
"The history of Nine Snake Island..."
Robin came to the historical text stone tablet and carefully read it word for word.
This is an ordinary historical text stone tablet. It records the history of Nine Snakes Island. It is not an intelligence historical text, nor a road sign historical text.
but.
Even if it was an ordinary historical stone tablet, Robin would still study it carefully.
In the past few days, in addition to finding the historical text monument, Hancock finally chose to lead Nine Snake Island under the banner of Wanqi.
It is said that it is surrender, but in fact it is just hanging a flag of the Ghost Hand Pirates.
Just like today's Fishman Island and the Kingdom of Dressrosa, these two countries are flying the flag of the Ghost Hand Pirates and are listed under the banner of Ten Thousand Flags.
At first, Rhodes was thinking about taking Hancock to all nations, but after much deliberation, he decided to leave it on Nine Snakes Island to avoid causing a lot of trouble that would be difficult to deal with.
…
Half a month later.
The Pirate Empress, one of the Queen's Shichibukai, openly terminated her Shichibukai contract with the World Government and joined the Ghost Hand Pirates.
When the news came out, the world was shocked!
No one expected that the aloof empress would be conquered.
However, Ghost Hand Ross, who stands as the strongest in the world, does have this qualification.
Countless people who had unreasonable thoughts about the empress couldn't help but sigh after hearing the news, and quickly gave up their unrealistic ideas.
…
So far, four kings of the Shichibukai have had troubles under Ross. In addition to Crocodile, Moonlight Moria, and Doflamingo, the Pirate Empress has also had troubles.
And what makes the World Government even more angry is that the Empress was not destroyed by Ross, but gave up her position in the Shichibukai and joined the Ghost Hands!
"How abominable!"
Within the power room of the World Government, one of the Five Elder Stars could not help but curse.
The five old stars next to him said with twinkling eyes: "Pirates are unreliable. When giving her the status of Shichibukai, she should have considered the current situation in advance."
"How about destroying Nine Snake Island?"
Wulaoxing next to him suggested with anger flashing in his eyes.
It wouldn't matter if he was destroyed by Rhodes. Such blatant betrayal would undoubtedly be a huge blow to the majesty of the World Government.
If this kind of thing happens too often, it will make many people think that the World Government is not as scary as the Ghost Hand Pirates, and the Ghost Hand Pirates are more terrifying than the World Government.
This idea is extremely dangerous.
and.
When the Pirate Empress joined the Shichibukai, Vegapunk had not yet developed a warship with turbine power and a sea tower stone base that could cross the windless zone.
It was precisely because he was extremely helpless with the Nine Snakes Island hiding in the Windless Zone that he decided to let the other party become the Shichibukai. This was a very important factor.
But now, with the warships researched by Vegapunk that can easily cross the windless zone, there is no great danger even entering the windless zone. The natural barrier of Nine Snake Island no longer exists.
"no."
"That guy with Ghost Hand is not a stupid beast. Since he has brought the Pirate Queen under his command, he must have considered that we will fall out."
The sword-wielding Five Old Stars stood there with a hint of coldness in their eyes.
A person next to him took over and said: "Yes, maybe the people in Guishou are on Nine Snakes Island now. If they rush to attack, they will suffer great losses."
Discussions came and went, but in the end there was no conclusion.
The matter was shelved by the World Government.
…
After Nine Snakes Island was listed as one of the tributaries of Ten Thousand Nations, Rhodes stayed on Nine Snakes Island for another week. He had in-depth exchanges with Empress Hancock on the future development direction and planning of Nine Snakes Island, and comprehensively elaborated on the possible future development directions and plans of Nine Snakes Island. The tone of sustainable development.
Rhodes spoke highly of Hancock's contribution to Nine Snakes Island, confirming that Nine Snakes Island has independent sovereignty, and its planning and management are still determined by the empress alone. In addition, when all nations are threatened, Nine Snakes Island needs to send troops to help.
A week later.
Rhodes left Nine Snake Island by boat, and Hancock went to the dock to say goodbye in person, with a little red cloud on his cheeks, showing all kinds of charm under the sea breeze.
…
On the rugged sea, a sailboat was sailing slowly.
Robin took a newspaper he had just bought from Newsbird, came to Ross who was sitting on the deck, and said:
"The bounty is 500 million beli. The government seems to be really angry."
The newspaper published the news that the Empress unilaterally gave up the title of Shichibukai and became one of the tributaries of all nations. The World Government added a bounty of 500 million beli to the Empress!
Speaking of which, the empress's strength is not too weak. The reward of 500 million Baileys is not too low, but it is not too high.
"It's good to be angry."
Rhodes took the newspaper, took a look at it, and said with a smile: "It's best to piss off those five old guys. Then the world government will fall into chaos, and the guys behind the scenes should jump out directly."
Robin hesitated for a moment and said: "You asked the Empress to publicly announce her abandonment of the Shichibukai Treaty and join the nations. Isn't it a bit rash? The other four emperors are now very wary of us, as are the World Government and the Navy."
The power of the Ghost Hand Pirates is already huge.
After defeating the Whitebeard Pirates, he was already ranked first among the Four Emperors.
It is precisely because the Ghost Hand Pirates are too powerful that after receiving the public participation of Germa 66 and the Pirate Empress, both the Navy, the World Government, and the other four emperors have maintained their opposition to the Ghost Hand Pirates. Great caution.
Just imagine.
It is normal for four pirate groups with a small difference in strength to maintain distance and balance between each other. However, if one of the pirate groups becomes more and more powerful and gradually widens a large gap with the other pirate groups, then this one The balance was gradually broken.
"With the intelligence capabilities of the World Government, sooner or later we will know about the Empress."
Rhodes said calmly: "Instead of letting the World Government take the initiative to announce the revocation of Hancock's position in the Shichibukai and send troops to encircle Kuja Island, it is better to let Hancock give up on his own initiative."
"Wanguo is not afraid of being alerted by them now, because no one with white beard or red hair will take the initiative to attack, and the same goes for the navy and government."
"Making such big news makes it easier to recruit strong people around the world who are willing to join, forming a virtuous cycle."
Robin was thoughtful after hearing Ross's explanation.
After clearing the table, Robin chuckled slightly teasingly: "Hancock... when did you start calling the empress by her first name?"
Rhodes' expression remained unchanged and he said: "A more intimate title will help to bring the distance between Wanguo and Nine Snake Islands closer and create a harmonious and mutually beneficial situation."
Robin smiled and was about to say something, but Ross suddenly stretched out his hand and pulled.
Caught off guard, she suddenly lost her footing and fell into Ross's arms.
"It doesn't matter who I call by name. You are the only one who can call me by name now." Ross looked at Robin and said slowly.
Robin didn't struggle, just looked at Ross with a smile, his starry eyes were bright, and his long, silky black hair was gently blowing with the sea breeze.
Ross's heart moved and he lowered his head.