"This guy, Red Hair, after hiding for so long, finally decided to show his face," Benedict chuckled upon receiving news about Red-Haired Shanks.
Benedict naturally had people keeping a close watch on Red-Haired Shanks. However, for a period, he had vanished without a trace, much like Buggy, leaving no reports. After disappearing for about a month, he reappeared with several new companions. Besides the main combat forces from the original story, there were several new additions. According to intelligence, none of them were Devil Fruit users; their physical combat skills were exceptionally strong.
The only Devil Fruit user appearing among the Red Hair Pirates was Uta, the user of the Uta Uta no Mi. Benedict had no specific recollection of this fruit. However, due to its appearance, the Red Hair Pirates had been attacked by artificial Devil Fruits numerous times. Furthermore, the clashes between the Blackbeard Pirates and Red-Haired Shanks were a result of this very fruit, as both factions desired it. Although its exact power was unknown, it was safe to assume it was a Devil Fruit related to music.
This made Benedict feel a pang of regret. He had previously defeated a user of the Silent-Silent Fruit and extracted its essence. Now, he wondered if, had he not done so, it might have been a counter to the Uta Uta no Mi.
"Marshal, the World Government has attacked the Red Hair Pirates repeatedly, all in an attempt to capture that girl. It seems the Devil Fruit she possesses has some unique properties," Bai Qi stated seriously, looking at Benedict and speaking in a deep voice. "The more the World Government desires something, the more we must prevent them from obtaining it. Perhaps I could send Kenjiro and the others to apprehend that girl."
After learning about the conflict between the Blackbeard Pirates and the Red Hair Pirates, Bai Qi had taken it very seriously, quickly consolidating and analyzing all available intelligence.
Benedict nodded in agreement and said with a smile, "The members of the Red Hair Pirates are all strong, but facing a much larger force of artificial Devil Fruit users, they are indeed outmatched." After a moment of thought, Benedict continued, "Send Saitama, Sakata Gintoki, Yasuo, and Kamikaze. We absolutely cannot let that girl fall into the hands of the World Government."
Bai Qi nodded and replied, "Yes, Marshal." With that, Bai Qi departed to make the necessary arrangements.
Red-Haired Shanks had been growing at an astonishing rate. Perhaps it was due to Benedict's influence, or perhaps for other reasons. According to intelligence analysis, Shanks's strength had reached S+ level. Not only him, but six of his crew members also possessed S-level strength, and they all still had room for growth.
"Brr, brr, brr."
Benedict narrowed his eyes as the Den Den Mushi rang, and he answered it.
"Marshal Benedict."
It was Silvers Rayleigh's voice.
"Why are you calling me at this hour? Rayleigh?" Benedict asked curiously with a smile.
"The person you were looking for has appeared," Rayleigh replied with a chuckle.
Benedict was momentarily taken aback and asked, "Who?" He was a bit confused and couldn't immediately recall.
"It's Buggy the Clown, a former trainee of the Roger Pirates, and now a Marine Colonel of the Xuanwu," Rayleigh responded, word by word.
Benedict almost forgot about that fellow. After entering that mysterious zone, there had been no news of him. Now, he had reappeared.
"Where is he?" Benedict inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"Mary Geoise," Rayleigh replied.
"What?" Benedict thought he might have misheard.
"He is in Mary Geoise right now, and moreover, he is with members of the Celestial Dragons from a family called the 'Noxus Family'," Rayleigh added.
"How could this guy be with Celestial Dragons?" Benedict was perplexed. The Noxus family was a rather mysterious lineage among the Celestial Dragons. They were not foolish; on the contrary, they were very intelligent, low-key, and held the most authority among the Celestial Dragons, commanding respect even from the Five Elders. Benedict knew about this family because of Doflamingo. He had initially planned to eliminate Doflamingo. However, after the actions of Yasuo, Jing Ke, and Dao Zhi, they repeatedly failed to capture him. Later, on Blazing Island, Doflamingo reappeared and was spotted by Dao Zhi. But because Doflamingo boarded a Noxus family ship, and sensing the immense power of the Noxus members, Dao Zhi could only watch him escape. It was from that moment that Benedict had people continuously collecting information about him. Finally, he found the answer in books from Ohara. The Noxus family's status among the Celestial Dragon families had been unshakeable for centuries. Their existence was also connected to the moon.
Combining various historical pieces of information, Benedict had long speculated that the Noxus family might have some connection to outsiders.
"We received the intelligence after he had already arrived in Mary Geoise."
"Moreover, Buggy's personality has clearly undergone significant changes; he doesn't have that flamboyant demeanor anymore."
"Instead, he now projects a profound aura, and he is being warmly hosted by members of the Noxus family." Rayleigh's mind was also replaying Buggy's past. He truly couldn't fathom what had happened to Buggy after he went to that place, nor what his relationship was with the Noxus family.
"Mary Geoise, huh? Come to think of it, I've never been there before."
"Rayleigh, would you like to accompany me for a visit?"
Rayleigh chuckled at Benedict's words and said, "Forget it. I'm not like you youngsters. I fear if I go there, I might not be able to leave."
Benedict chuckled, his tone laced with a hint of sarcasm, and then said, "During the God Valley incident back then, you already entered Mary Geoise. The child you took with you, wasn't it Buggy?"
Rayleigh, in a certain bar, was taken aback by Benedict's words and frowned. "What child? What child are you talking about? I don't recall any child."
Benedict narrowed his eyes and smiled, "You entered then, during that battle."
"Stopping Rocks was one thing, but what you went up there to do was another."
"What was taken at that time?"