Five of the Ten Kings Islands had already lost their rulers. The new additions—Orion, Anman, and Wilanyu—had meddled in the underworld conflicts, only to be wiped out by the Hell Pirates without warning!
Now, Sabachi had been slain by the giant warrior Jennifer, while Jevalle met an even grimmer fate—tortured to death by several officers from the Rocks Pirates after taking down Rocket Jonas.
Next up, the overlord emperor of Madagascar Island, Vesper, was about to fall. That would leave only four kings standing. Four kings' combined forces still outmatched supernovas and major pirates!
And Shirokiri, known as the top contender below the overlords, carried real weight in the New World. Salem wasn't far behind—a powerhouse blending brains and brawn!
"Right! We need to contact those two who bailed right away. We'll rebuild the Vesper Pirates' glory!"
Shirokiri reignited his hope. Even if they fell from overlord status, they'd still be a formidable force—as long as the Rocks Pirates and Hell Pirates didn't hunt them down relentlessly!
"Idiot! Ravena and Jokade retreated wounded, they didn't run! Watch your tone, or you'll scare off the officers we can rally. Forget it, I'll make the call myself!"
Salem cursed Shirokiri under his breath. This was no time to alienate allies. As the Vesper Pirates' chief steward, Salem knew he was better suited for the job!
Shirokiri was a mess, but he'd inherit the Vesper Pirates' name. Let him be captain in title only.
"Fine, fine, it's all yours, Salem. From now on, you're the vice-captain of the Vesper Pirates. Handle everything!"
Shirokiri knew he wasn't cut out for management and handed over the reins, showing his respect for Salem.
That lifted Salem's spirits a bit. He'd be the real power behind the new Vesper Pirates, with Shirokiri as the figurehead captain and top fighter!
Energized, Salem contacted Ravena and Jokade, urging them to bring the treasures and regroup to consolidate their strength!
Before word of the Vesper Pirates' defeat spread, he frantically reached out to managers on thirty or forty islands, ordering them to gather all treasures and converge—even to sabotage key facilities!
Salem aimed to gut the empire from within, leaving Brook and Rocks with nothing but ruins and empty shells.
But his orders raised suspicions among the island managers. This wasn't normal. They started digging for intel!
Soon, on Brook's command, Mortomas spread the news through intelligence networks: Brook and Rocks had allied, with Brook taking full control of the Vesper Pirates' territories!
Those who submitted to Hell Pirates management could keep their posts and luxuries. Resisters would face total annihilation!
The revelation hit like a magnitude-ten quake across the New World—and the world at large. Brook and Rocks splitting the New World?
How could supernovas and big-name pirates swallow that?
Such vast territories—even the mightiest overlord crews couldn't digest it all!
And had the Vesper Pirates really crumbled so fast?
Factions stirred, sensing chaos ahead. With only two overlords left, it was prime time for pirates to seize opportunities!
Most registered pirates in guilds ditched their affiliations like trash and started causing trouble.
But some held back, watching the winds. The situation wasn't clear yet—Vesper's death unconfirmed. Let the bullets fly a little longer!
...
On Zawa Island, Vesper panted, staring at the terrifying Rocks. So strong—truly a once-in-centuries monster!
"Heh... Haha, Vesper, you're done! Accept your death!"
Rocks bore scars too—the life-burning Vesper was no pushover. Worthy of a long-reigning veteran overlord!
"You're strong and sharp! Back when you took down Ingram, I sent scouts to track you down. Never thought you'd rise so successfully!"
Vesper wiped blood from his lip. Back then, he'd sensed Rocks' potential—especially as a D—and tried to snuff him out early.
"All that talk's pointless. You're dead today. The dual-overlord setup in the New World is my design. Over the next decade, it'll see changes like never before!"
Rocks grinned wickedly. God Valley, the Navy—they'd all crumble in the New World. Even allied nations would become his turf!
As for Brook? He'd be next. Seize God Valley's Devil Fruits and treasures, and everything falls into place. Then, strike the World Government—storm Holy Land Mary Geoise.
Rocks had clear goals. His ambition knew no bounds. World King was his ultimate prize!
"Cough... Haha, Rocks, I think Brook's the one who'll go the distance. You're just a stepping stone!"
Vesper, the old fox, taunted Rocks on his deathbed. No surprise from a master of schemes and cunning!
"Old man! Trying to shake my resolve? Not a chance!"
Rocks pressed the assault, each blow forcing Vesper to give everything just to survive. He'd underestimated—by his calculations, he could've held Rocks off another day. But the enemy was too powerful, his life force amplified several times over.
"In hell, wait a few decades, old man!"
Rocks roared, Conqueror's Haki manifesting like solid force. His supreme blade hacked relentlessly, blow after blow, driving Vesper underground!
Blood poured from Vesper's mouth. He was spent—laughing through the pain. He'd bought Shirokiri only two or three hours. What a disgrace for an overlord!
As Rocks raised his blade for the killing strike on Vesper's head, a white cloud zoomed in at breakneck speed.
"Wait up!!! Rocks! Let me snag an assist!!!"
Brook, riding his Cloud Hera, raced toward the battlefield with urgent desperation!
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