"Hugo, do you think such a thing is possible?" Lycaon looked calmly at the riverside. "If the Interastral Peace Corporation could dispose of even a head of the Market Development Department so casually, wouldn't the Higher-ups all be fearing for their own safety?"

"Heh, do you really expect those companies that squeeze blood and sweat from the sufferers of countless star systems to show any humanity?" Hugo laughed coldly. "In the name of the Amber Lord... as long as the price is right, there's nothing those company people won't sell. Of course, those few Emanators might be priceless, but for everyone else, it's just a matter of whether the price is high enough."

"The company you're describing sounds like some kind of flesh-and-blood factory." Lycaon sighed softly. "But if the company were truly driven solely by profit, I don't believe it could have reached its current scale."

"Oh? I didn't see that coming, Lycaon. What? Are you thinking of jumping ship to become a watchdog for the Interastral Peace Corporation? Speaking up for them like that? As a former partner, I'll give you a friendly piece of advice: with the competitive pressure at the Interastral Peace Corporation, you might not even land a spot as a watchdog."

A flash of anger crossed Lycaon's face. His gaze darkened, and he subconsciously glanced around—people were coming and going in Jiangying Square, as it was the peak of the after-work rush. If he were to have a falling out and argue with this guy on the street, it would not only damage the reputation of Victoria Housekeeping but also affect the image of the Mayor.

"I am simply having a rational discussion with you. If you insist on personal attacks, we might as well go somewhere else."

"Oh? Does the little dog dare to show its fangs if we change locations?" Hugo smiled playfully. "It seems the Mayor has trained you well. Forget it, I have things to do at my Gallery and no time to be bickering like this with you."

—

【"I heard he's a Galaxy Ranger? What kind of organization is that?" Luka asked.】

【"Galaxy Rangers are a group of followers of The Hunt who fight their own battles; they're a mixed bag. There are some who are relatively easy to talk to, and then there are wanted criminals with blood-stained hands like Boothill."】

【"Followers of The Hunt? Isn't that the same as the Xianzhou people? No matter how dangerous he is, he wouldn't do anything bad on the home turf of his fellow believers, right?"】

【Stelle leaned in and whispered a reminder in his ear: "Both the company and Belobog believe in Preservation..."】

【Luka immediately understood: "I see what you mean..."】

【"In short, you must be careful, Luka. A fugitive wanted by the company is no laughing matter."】

【"Haha, what's there to be afraid of! When I was maintaining public Order in the Underworld with my master, I encountered plenty of vicious criminals! I even personally captured the Black Widow of Stellaron Prison Town!"】

【Coming before the match board and looking at Boothill's arrogant face, Luka muttered to himself:】

【(Boothill... a major fugitive wanted by the company... I'm a bit embarrassed to say it in front of Miss Camellia, but... I feel like a company fugitive might not necessarily be a bad person.)】

【(After all, the Xianzhou Alliance hasn't put a warrant out for him, and they're even allowing him to participate in the Wardance.)】

【(Of course, if he is a bad guy, I'm not afraid. This iron fist of mine was built specifically to give bad guys a thorough beating!)】

—

One Piece.

"This kid isn't wrong about one thing: those who are wanted aren't necessarily bad people. Conversely, those who issue the warrants... well, I'll leave that unsaid." Robin, who had been sitting by the gunwale reading, gently closed her book and a slight smile played on her lips.

History is often written by the victors, while the present is often written by those in power. How many disasters and hardships in this world have been caused by the World Government? Those so-called wanted posters are nothing more than a means for them to capture and suppress the forces that resist them. However, seeing the bounty amounts for each member of the pirate crew steadily rising, Robin felt a sense of relief instead.

It meant that what they were doing was absolutely right... when the enemy feels a headache because of you, it shows you are on the right path.

Although the Interastral Peace Corporation maintains Order across the galaxy, such a massive corporation is composed of countless people. Who knows how many people like Oswaldo there are? If the Interastral Peace Corporation were entirely dominated by people like him, it would likely be nothing more than a larger "World Government."

"The fact that Xianzhou hasn't put out a warrant for Boothill shows that this warrant is just a personal grudge between the Interastral Peace Corporation and Boothill," Nami pondered, looking down. "No, to be precise, it's likely a personal grudge between Oswaldo and Boothill—given the former's status, he might not have even heard of Boothill."

"That's also why Gold Dust is willing to cooperate with him," Zoro said. He had placed a whetstone on the deck and was sharpening his blade as he spoke, the metal gradually taking on a dark, polished luster. "...The enemy of my enemy is my friend. That saying really is true."

—

【Stelle and Luka arrived at the arena together. Upon seeing Boothill, the latter came up to greet them enthusiastically.】

【"Stelle, son of a nice! To think I'd run into you here! You're here for the competition too?"】

【Stelle waved her hand: "I'm not competing; I'm afraid I'd accidentally kill you."】

【Hearing this, Boothill laughed loudly: "Hahahaha! Miau you, baby! I think you're just afraid I'll love you to death with one shot!"】

【"So you guys are that close?"】

【Boothill looked at the young man with the iron arm: "Not exactly close, just a life-and-death bond, that's all. But I won't go easy on you."】

【"I won't go easy on you either," Luka said with confidence.】

【Boothill spread his hands: "Kid, I'm giving you some serious advice: withdraw from the competition. You're no match for me."】

【"The match hasn't even started yet, how do you know I can't beat you? My iron fist might not be slower than your bullets."】

【Boothill shook his head: "Because the two of us just aren't on the same muddle-fudging path, Wubbaboo! You come for victory, I come for revenge. You come for honor, but honor is worthless to me. Also, stop mentioning that precious iron fist of yours; I feel sick just looking at that piece of junk sponsored by the company! I'll come back and modify it for you later!"】

【"I want all the news in the galaxy to report it—that an IPC fugitive became the brightest star of the Wardance, and he gave some big love, miau-ing those company dogs who came to Xianzhou for business into a sorry state—"】

—

delicious in dungeon.

"This Mr. Boothill truly has a natural talent for loving people."

Laios held a bowl of hot Slime broth, blowing on the swirling steam. Hearing that Boothill had come to the Wardance on Xianzhou, Laios had originally thought he was there to deal with the company dogs, but he hadn't expected him to run into Luka first.

Luka and Boothill... setting aside who he supported in his heart, he didn't want either of them to be eliminated. He still wanted to see Boothill test his skills against Xianzhou's local experts like Yanqing.