A few days later...
A massive island drifted back from the horizon, shrouded in a thin, natural mist that seemed to cling to it like a second skin. Through the haze, lush greenery and dense vegetation peeked out, vibrant and untamed.
"Jahaha! Captain Brook, this island's a real freak show! It spawns its own mist, and those Vines? They'll make any Devil Fruit user quake in their boots!"
On the third day of Charlotte Linlin's birthday bash, Brook, Golden Lion Shiki, and the crew had hauled this eerie island—Nebulandia Island—from the New World back to their base.
The island's Vines hunted Devil Fruit users with a vengeance, snaring them like Seastone. Without flight, even a beast like Scarlet would be swarmed and devoured by the vines!
Even the island's mist suppressed Devil Fruit powers, like a diluted essence of the sea itself—akin to Seastone, the sea's concentrated core, operating on the same principle.
"Nebulandia Island, the Devil Fruit Sealer, will be the first defensive bastion of our Sky City Plan. Let's kick off the Eighteen Hells blueprint!"
If Whole Cake Island could be a haven for all races and Ohara a paradise for scholars, then a punishment-and-selection island was a must.
The Eighteen Hells would serve dual purposes: filtering out elite pirates and punishing the unworthy. Nebulandia, with its anti-Devil Fruit properties, was the perfect start.
The plan had been overhauled. Eighteen Hell Islands would form a protective ring around Elan Island, with eighteen safe routes leading to this central hub.
In the original story, Totto Land boasted 34 food-themed islands in its orbit. The Hell Pirates' domain would one-up that with eighteen Hell Islands and nine Sky Cities—a setup worthy of true pirate swagger!
It'd be a grind for Shiki, scouring the world to snatch islands, and the plan would take years to complete. But when finished, the Hell Pirates' territory would be the New World's ultimate sanctuary!
...
Nebulandia Island was anchored near Elan Island, marking the start of the Eighteen Hells. No longer needing Shiki's Float-Float Fruit to keep it aloft, the island settled into the sea. The mist, thinned during transit, began to thicken once more.
"What a bizarre island! We can toss rebellious Devil Fruit users here for a proper lesson!"
Whitebeard Newgate grinned. He wasn't one for bloodshed, but teaching foes a lesson? That he could do—beat them into submission and recruit them as allies!
Brook paused, musing. If he caught a troublesome ability user, he'd probably just finish them off and recycle their Devil Fruit.
He envisioned the Eighteen Hells as a coliseum-style gauntlet. Any pirate who could conquer Nebulandia's challenges would prove their mettle.
He could set up rewards for each Hell Island cleared—cash, glory, maybe even a shot to join the Hell Pirates! Live Den Den Mushi broadcasts could turn it into a spectacle for the Sky Cities' entertainment. Titles like Hell Conqueror, Overlord, or Fastest Record Holder would add flair.
"The Pirate Sanctuary Plan is a go! Shiki, the Nine Sky Cities and Eighteen Hell Islands are on you! You're the master architect of this pirate legacy—a feat that'll echo through centuries. Future pirates will chant your name!"
Brook slapped a juicy dream on Shiki's face, knowing full well the man couldn't resist such a tempting vision. Who cared about bounties when you could be immortalized in history?
"Jahaha! I won't let you down, Captain!"
In that moment, Shiki's life felt transcendent. A Pirate Sanctuary! Brook was the destined king of the New World!
The plan ignited a fire in everyone's blood. Even Redfield and Newgate clenched their fists, awestruck. They were no strangers to big dreams, but a pirate sanctuary? That was next-level.
Charlotte Linlin and Stussy, newly wed and starry-eyed, gazed at Brook with adoration. That's our man, they thought—his ambition was downright dazzling.
Shiki was already itching to soar back to the Grand Line and plunder more islands. Redfield and Newgate vowed to boost their strength, ready to guard this sanctuary as its protectors.
"Brook, how about Raijin Island for one of the Eighteen Hells?"
Shakky chimed in, her eyes shifting from conflicted to resolute. She'd been a tad miffed about Brook and Linlin's recent closeness, but this grand vision snapped her out of it.
Brook was a man of big dreams—petty romance couldn't hold him back, and she wouldn't either. Love fiercely, no regrets! Her cunning, shadowy charm was back in full force, ready to support her captain's vision.
"Hah! Then I'll build a Pacific Sea Train to link the Eighteen Hell Islands!"
Shipwright Tom roared with laughter, envisioning his next masterpiece. Brook had dubbed the sea within the ring of Hell Islands and Elan Island the Pacific—a fitting name for his grand railway.
"I hear there's a 48 Seasons Island near the Calm Belt's Amazon Lily, called Rusukaina. It's even wilder than Merveille—perfect for the Eighteen Hells!"
Redfield spoke up, drawing on his bookworm hours at the Tree of Knowledge. Rusukaina once housed an ancient kingdom, long since destroyed, but its savage environment made it ideal.
"Yohohoho! Slow and steady, folks. First, we need to power up. Vesper's pushing seventy—before he keels over, we've gotta be strong enough to take on the Rocks Pirates head-on!"
Brook's heart raced as he looked at Redfield, Newgate, and Shiki. The throne of the New World was within reach!
Even the Rocks Pirates tread lightly around Hell Pirates' territory. Newgate's Quake-Quake Fruit and Shiki's Float-Float Fruit were unstoppable for offense and defense.
If Brook didn't need more time to grow, those two could already rampage through the New World unchecked. As long as Vesper or Rocks didn't get close, they were invincible!
Even Redfield had mastered a technique, obliterating enemy ships from miles away!
With the top-tier Paramecia and Logia fruits in their ranks, the Hell Pirates only lacked a powerhouse Zoan—Mythical, ideally.
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+300 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg