After Ye Yu's response, the entire world fell into silence, leaving many people dumbfounded.
Following the silence came shock and confusion.
"I didn't expect Ye Yu to dare respond like that."
"So domineering! Not just his aura, but his eyes and words too."
"But won't this cause a lot of trouble?"
...
At this moment, the major pirate crews were shaken, never expecting Ye Yu to be so bold. The most furious, naturally, were Jin Mo and Song Ling.
Jin Mo was enraged: "Such audacity! How dare he say such things? Does he really think we're just bluffing?"
Song Ling's face turned icy, but instead of anger, she smiled coldly: "Well, well, he's got guts. In that case, we have to take action, or where will our dignity be?"
If Ye Yu hadn't made such bold statements, they might have hesitated, considering the true anomalies had just begun. Everyone was trying to avoid major conflicts, focusing instead on adventures, treasure hunts, or encountering Mystic Realms to grow stronger. But now, they were backed into a corner. If they did nothing after Ye Yu's words, they would lose face.
Jin Mo, furious, called to inquire.
"Song Ling, did you hear that? So, are you willing? If not, my Flying Sky Pirates will go after him soon! We'll make him regret it!"
Song Ling didn't hesitate: "Of course, I'll make him understand our power. He clearly doesn't take us seriously. Does he really think we won't act? Let's pick a time and move together. Even if his pirate crew has strong members, even if his Conqueror's Haki can knock out many fighters, we can plan around it. We'll keep the weaker fighters on auxiliary ships at a distance. Once we take down Ye Yu and he can't use his Conqueror's Haki, the weaker fighters can rush in."
Jin Mo nodded: "Good plan. Let's do that. We'll act once we have more auxiliary ships ready."
Jin Mo asked: "Shipwright, how many ships do we need to accommodate the weaker fighters?"
"Captain, our Azure Dragon Pirates have a lot of crew members, especially with so many Artificial Devil Fruit Ability Users joining. Many are still scattered across Dragon Country, waiting to be recruited. Our total crew count is estimated to be around 30,000 in the early stages. To transport everyone, we'll need ten large auxiliary ships, which will take about twenty days."
Jin Mo frowned, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"That's too long. I'll give you fifteen days! In fifteen days, we'll move out and confront them! We'll even livestream it, forcing Ye Yu to kneel and apologize in front of the entire Dragon Country."
"Understood, Captain. I'll do my best to finish them."
At this point, the crew's strategist chimed in.
"Captain, it might be better to focus on treasure hunts and Mystic Realms for now. Many powerful pirate crews would prefer to see that. We shouldn't let impulsiveness affect our plans. Our ultimate target is the One King Pirates, after all."
Jin Mo's voice was low and firm: "Hmph, no one can change my mind. With my strength and the Overlord Pirates, do you really think the battle with Ye Yu's crew in half a month will be intense or dangerous? No! It will be a one-sided victory! We won't suffer many losses, and we can even recruit their members while crushing them. Those who refuse to join will die."
"Very well."
The strategist didn't try to dissuade him further.
Song Ling shared the same sentiment. If it were just one pirate crew, they would hesitate and ponder whether it was worth it. But with two powerful pirate crews joining forces, they felt confident.
In Ye Yu's pirate crew, the only formidable members were Xia Ling with the Ice Fruit and Zhao Yan'er with the Flare-Flare Fruit. In a one-on-one confrontation with their pirate crew, the Overlord Pirates were undoubtedly stronger, not to mention the added strength of the Azure Dragon Pirates.
Soon, the declarations of the two major pirate crews dominated the top of the trending charts.
The Azure Dragon Pirates and the Overlord Pirates confirmed their alliance and announced they would soon take action against Ye Yu! If Xia Ling's pirate crew wanted to avoid trouble, they should not allow Ye Yu to board their ship.
This news delighted many powerful pirate crews.
"We don't need to lift a finger."
"If Ye Yu refuses to join, then such a presence should be nipped in the bud."
"There's going to be quite a show."
"Come on, place your bets now. Which side will win?"
"Is there even a question? The Azure Dragon and Overlord Pirates will undoubtedly emerge victorious. They're not acting immediately but planning a strategy, having their lower-tier crew members wait at a distance."
"Indeed, our pirate crew would do the same."
"Then, they are surely doomed."
"Whether Xia Ling and her crew suffer is uncertain, as long as they don't let Ye Yu join, they'll be fine. But Ye Yu is definitely in trouble. If he's not allowed to join, how will he face these two major pirate crews? Rely on his Conqueror's Haki? Hah, his only trump card is useless against true powerhouses."
...
They concluded that no matter the choice, Ye Yu was destined to face a grim fate.
At this moment, Xia Ling, upon learning of the declarations from the Overlord and Azure Dragon Pirates, showed no fear and spoke resolutely.
"Don't think such threats will make me abandon Ye Yu. Impossible! We welcome Ye Yu to join our pirate crew. We will not prevent him from boarding!"
After her response, Jin Mo's expression turned icy.
"Hmph, very well. You're truly fearless. Then, when the time comes, you'll regret it! Let me, Jin Mo, face the Ice and Flare-Flare Fruits."
Song Ling also thought Xia Ling was foolish, just as foolish as Ye Yu, completely courting death.
After Xia Ling's response, the crew members showed no signs of fear. They wouldn't be intimidated by such threats. The whole world was watching, and if they cowered, where would their pride be?
"Welcome aboard, Ye Yu!"
"What if two major pirate crews unite? We're not afraid!"
"We admire and respect our Captain and Ye Yu even more. No fear at all."
...
At this moment, Li Cang gloated.
"You're really not afraid? Let me remind you, it's not too late to leave and join our pirate crew."
Other pirate crews quickly seized the opportunity.
"Yes, quit now. Your pirate crew is in great danger. Trouble is brewing. Leave quickly, and we'll take you in."
"Even with a Conqueror's Haki user like Ye Yu, he's not a true powerhouse. His Conqueror's Haki is impressive, but it will be useless when the time comes."
"With such a doomed outcome, don't stubbornly hold on. Leave now and join us."
...
However, no one left the ship, which surprised them. The crew's cohesion was remarkably strong.
Xia Ling was satisfied and proud.
Lin Muxue looked at Ye Yu with a hint of sarcasm, "What a bold statement, aiming to become the One King Pirates? Are you overestimating your crew or yourself? If it's your crew, then yes, you are overestimating them. The Ice Fruit and the Flare-Flare Fruit are indeed powerful, but they're not enough. As for overestimating yourself, that's even more of a stretch."
Li Cang nodded in agreement, "And to speak so lightly of the Four Emperors, it's uncertain whether your pirate crew can even become one of the Four Emperors Pirates, yet you make such grandiose claims."
Ye Yu gave a cold smile, glancing at the members of the surrounding pirate crews, and spoke with a chilling tone.
"Do you want your crew members to take a nap?"
At these words, Lin Muxue and Li Cang quickly shut their mouths, as Ye Yu's Conqueror's Haki erupted, causing their lower-tier crew members to faint.
The other three pirate crews also quickly fell silent, not daring to mock, knowing that at such a close distance, they would surely be affected.
In an instant, the surroundings became quiet, not daring to utter another word.
Ye Yu did not take action because, except for Zhang Tian, everyone still believed that Contract Non-Ability Users were weak. He wanted to seize this opportunity to have Xia Ling focus on recruiting the underestimated Non-Ability Users.
He knew which Non-Ability Users were strong, so he wanted to take advantage of this, to significantly enhance the overall strength of the pirate crew.
Improving his own strength was important, but enhancing the overall strength of the pirate crew was equally important. This was why Ye Yu did not directly take action.
With the surrounding pirate crews quieted down, Ye Yu spoke.
"We will stay until midnight, the moment of true anomaly. In these five hours, anyone who wishes to join us is welcome at any time. Additionally, not just from Donghai City, but from all over the Drag
on Country, those who want to join us can sign up."
This made the captains of the other pirate crews frown, as they were now taking advantage of the national attention to start recruiting.
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