In the North Blue, the Charlotte family had begun rapid expansion, seizing several countries in succession, aiming to recreate a new version of the World Government.
Although the Whitebeard Pirates had not conquered through violence, their past reputation meant that many non-aligned nations voluntarily sought their protection, hoping to join under their banner.
In the West Blue, the NEO Navy and the Cross Guild were also expanding rapidly and without concealment.
They seemed convinced that the current World Government had neither the energy nor the focus to deal with them, so they acted without restraint.
Even Zephyr, usually calm and cautious, no longer hid his movements and began to strengthen his forces.
As they expected, the government's losses had been severe; it truly lacked the strength to target them effectively.
After withdrawing their forces from the New World, the World Government launched a global conscription without delay.
No matter your origin or background, as long as your criminal record wasn't too severe, you could participate in this recruitment.
Those with strong abilities could stand out and earn positions granted by the government based on their demonstrated strength.
If one's power was sufficient, they could even rise directly to the rank of Admiral at Navy Headquarters.
Without a doubt, this mass recruitment once again shook the world.
Yet, people weren't discussing how many positions the World Government would offer.
But how strong was the Beasts Pirates led by Ian? To what extent had they pushed the World Government that it had no choice but to resort to such extreme measures?
Anyone with even a little knowledge could already tell that the Beasts Pirates seemed to possess enough power to rival the World Government.
They were no longer just a simple pirate crew.
For the first time in history, a force capable of matching the World Government had appeared in this world.
While the whole world was thrown into turmoil, the Beasts Pirates, of course, didn't stop.
The conquest of the New World had officially begun.
Because his manpower was limited, Ian only sent out two fleets.
One fleet, led by Uncle King, advanced from Wano, conquering territories that had once belonged to the Charlotte family, the Cross Guild, and the World Government.
The other fleet, led by Solem and Kuma, moved in the opposite direction—returning to the Giant Kingdom to recruit soldiers while also taking over territories that had once belonged to the Whitebeard Pirates.
Wano sat in the middle of the New World, perfectly positioned for a pincer advance.
The actions of both fleets could not simply be described as easy.
In truth, they faced absolutely no resistance.
As the fleets passed through those waters, all the countries nearby scrambled to raise the Beasts Pirates' flag, declaring their submission to Ian's rule.
After all, who would dare oppose the Beasts Pirates?
In just over a month, almost all the countries in the New World had raised the Beasts Pirates' flag.
Even the entire Totto Land that Aunt Linlin had personally established had now submitted under the Beasts Pirates' banner.
Theoretically, the New World had been largely conquered.
Yet in reality, Ian's control over the New World remained limited.
Even though no king dared defy him and all countries paid their tribute obediently, Ian still found it difficult to directly intervene in their internal affairs.
Patience.
After all, the root of the problem was simply that he didn't have enough people.
At this stage, when the New World was almost entirely under Beasts Pirates' influence, somewhere in the New World, a man riding a bicycle let out a sigh.
"I really don't know where to go from here… maybe I should respond to that invitation after all?"
Marine Headquarters, G-1 Base.
King flapped his wings, hovering over the base.
This Marine base had quite a reputation across the world.
Even among the G-series Marine bases, this one held the highest standards, almost on par with the Marine Headquarters itself.
After all, like Marine Ford, it bore the heavy responsibility of defending the Holy Land, Mariejois.
In some ways, it was even more important, for it guarded against the monsters emerging from the New World.
In the past, a Marine Admiral's assistant was stationed here for extended periods, precisely to prevent the forces from the New World from breaking through to Mariejois.
In the original timeline, this fortress would have even become the new Marine Headquarters.
But now, the grand fortress stood empty, leaving only the magnificent main building and the vast military port. Inside, there was no sign of human activity.
"If even this base has been abandoned, then Mariejois should be deserted too, right? Once its defenders are gone, it's far too dangerous there."
King lifted his head, gazing toward the back of the base. Not too far away, the red cliffs loomed.
The Red Line.
Long ago, his ancestors had lived atop these towering walls that reached the clouds.
Perhaps, one day, he might have the chance to return and live there once more.
Ian.
Truly an extraordinary person.
Perhaps he was the Joy Boy that the Lunarian tribe had been waiting for all along.
After a brief moment of reflection, King turned without hesitation and departed.
There was no reason to linger here. His next destination was the G-5 base.
The New World was vast, so Ian had divided this sea into multiple sectors, each guarded by a high-ranking officer.
King was responsible for the area at the entrance to the New World—essentially the frontline.
He had chosen the G-5 base as his station.
After all, the G-1 base was too close to the Red Line.
It was worth noting that Enel was stationed at the Dressrosa, Kuma at the Hive Island, and Mihawk, Ian's close friend, lived in seclusion there as well.
The Giant Kingdom and the seas beyond were under the care of Solem and others.
Aside from these locations, there was another critical area.
Beneath the Red Line—Fish-Man Island.
Ryugu Palace, a grand banquet was underway.
"Ian-sama means…"
Jinbei spoke seriously, "He wants me to stay on Fish-Man Island, build a large-scale Fish-Man and Sea Beast army, and at the same time prevent pirates from the first half of the Grand Line from entering the New World smoothly."
"Ian-sama wants a peaceful and tranquil New World. These pirates are a bit too troublesome!"
"No problem!"
Neptune looked completely exhilarated.
His choice had indeed been the right one! That Ian had already taken control of the New World so quickly!
The world domination must be just around the corner!
Wano Country waters, a certain island.
"You are—!!"
Several members of the Beast Pirates, who had eaten artificial Devil Fruits and transformed into beastmen, surrounded a chubby black man along with some wild beasts.
They said in shock, "Captain of the Fourth Division of the Whitebeard Pirates… Marshall D. Teach? How are you here?"
"Arrr hahaha!"
The chubby black man laughed heartily. "Can you help me contact Ian? I'm here to join his pirate crew!"
**********
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