The sixty-plus islands under the Rocks Pirates' banner were plunged into chaos and despair once again. Couldn't Captain Rocks give it a rest already?
Every island was being scoured for recruits, forcibly drafted into pirates to fuel the next great clash of titans. Yet the stench of death still lingered on Changshui Island, where bones and decay hadn't even begun to fade.
Ever since Rocks obliterated the Dark News Agency, those vulture-like news birds had reverted to their wild state. Food was never scarce for them now—Changshui Island had become a paradise for scavengers.
Each war for supremacy left countless bodies in its wake, cleaned up by these carrion-eating vultures. Pirates with surviving comrades might carry their dead back home, but those wiped out entirely? They became fodder for the birds.
This grim reality led some pirates to plead: no more battles on Changshui Island. It had turned into a hellscape—piles of corpses, eerie winds, and a wretched environment where plague rumors swirled.
...
Rocks and Vesper, quick to adapt, scouted a new battlefield nearby: Normandy Island, dubbed the "New Meat Grinder." A low-lying island with no mountains, just flat plains perfect for all-out charges.
This only deepened the recruits' resentment toward the fool who suggested moving the fight here. Changshui's forests and hills offered places to hide or flee, but Normandy? It was a death trap with nowhere to run.
With the Rocks Pirates sharpening their blades, Vesper's crew and the Hell Pirates had no choice but to keep pace, expanding their own fleets for the arms race.
Brook, however, despised these senseless wars. Why drag in hordes of weaklings? Elite clashes between top fighters were enough.
He publicly condemned the use of low-tier pirates, declaring that only officers and elites should fight. Otherwise, he'd lead Whitebeard Newgate and Golden Lion Shiki to sink Normandy Island into the sea!
This bold stance earned the Hell Pirates praise across the New World. Residents of various islands hailed them as the most honorable overlords. Some under Rocks' rule even began fleeing with their families to Brook's territory, seeking refuge from Rocks' endless wars.
...
With Saracha mysteriously absent for days, Brook didn't hesitate. He seized every island bordering his territory and pushed deeper, expanding his influence.
Where had Saracha gone?
...
New World, Bulidian Island—the former stronghold of the previous overlord.
Now a wasteland of ruins, it had been ravaged by Rocks long ago. Badly wounded, Rocks had looted what he could and fled to recover, leaving nothing but scraps for others.
Countless pirate crews had since scoured the island for leftover gold, silver, or anything valuable. Dawei, Vesper Edward, and even Saracha himself had combed through it, finding nothing.
This time, Saracha wasn't just dodging Rocks' pursuit. He was hunting for something specific: any trace of Emperor's training method for Conqueror's Haki Coiling.
Vesper, that stingy old bastard, refused to share the technique, leaving Saracha at a disadvantage. So he came here, hoping for a stroke of luck.
For days, he ignored Vesper's Den Den Mushi calls, fed up with the old man. After years with the Overlord Alliance, he still hadn't learned Conqueror's Haki Coiling—infuriating!
His search on Bulidian Island yielded nothing until yesterday, when another pirate crew landed. They seemed clueless that this was once an overlord's base.
...
The newcomers were a rowdy bunch, their boisterous laughter echoing across the ruins. Clearly not bloodthirsty big shots, just a carefree crew.
Saracha was ready to leave, letting these small-timers poke around. He, a New World overlord, had no time to mess with nobodies.
But as he passed by, their conversation caught his ear, sparking his interest.
"Captain Roger, you sure you're hearing this island's call? Don't tell me you got the wrong place again!"
One pirate roared with laughter. Roger was always claiming he could hear the "call" of living things—even the pulse of Poneglyphs. His crew was used to it by now.
"No mistake this time! I feel it—a strong pulse. We're definitely finding that Poneglyph!"
Roger's lack of caution was stunning, shouting about Poneglyphs for all to hear. His words triggered a faint ripple in the air, instantly noticed by Rayleigh and Gaban.
Recognizing Saracha's silhouette, they tensed. A New World overlord? Roger's crew froze, their carefree vibe replaced by dread. What rotten luck—running into another titan!
Saracha, sensing he'd interrupted their treasure hunt, flashed a smile and led his crew away.
...
But his heart raced. Poneglyphs? That guy could find Poneglyphs? If Emperor hid one here, there might be other treasures—maybe even the Conqueror's Haki Coiling method!
True or not, Saracha saw an opportunity. Let this crew do the digging, and he'd swoop in later.
"He's strong," Roger said, watching Saracha's retreating figure, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
"Idiot! That's Saracha, a New World overlord stronger than Shirokiri or Brook! I told you to read the papers and bounty posters, but no—you can't even recognize one of the four overlords!"
Rayleigh chewed out his reckless, face-blind captain.
"So that's him! No wonder he's so strong!"
Roger grinned, but a flicker of unease crossed his face. He sensed malice from Saracha—someone even he might not handle. Protecting his crew against such a foe felt daunting.
"Rayleigh, Gaban, everyone—stay sharp. That guy doesn't seem friendly," Roger said, his tone suddenly serious. If Saracha attacked, could he, Rayleigh, and Gaban hold him off?
Roger had faith in his other officers. The Butcher Pirates' top officer, Harvey, had already been taken out by Ochoku of the Rocks Pirates.
The Butchers still had two officers with bounties over 500 million. Roger was confident that Spencer, Rangram, and the rest could handle them in a group assault.
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+300 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg