"This is way too much... At this rate, I'll have to hand over billions of Belly every year..."
"Then go file a complaint!"
"You @#—why don't you go!"
There were some eye exchanges among the crowd below, but not a single person dared to speak up.
Refuse?
None of them dared. Not only did they lack backing, but their Vivre Cards were stored with Orin. In front of Orin, they were nothing—he could squash them anytime he pleased.
Didn't they see that even those underworld merchants with World Government ties were keeping their mouths shut?
Besides,
If they didn't dare to speak now, they probably wouldn't get another chance to make sneaky moves in the future.
Orin had an endless number of experts in intelligence under his command—not to mention that he himself was the most elusive of them all.
They all knew roughly how big each other's market share was and how much annual profit they made.
Trying to skim profits and pay less?
Caught, and you're as good as dead!
Seeing everyone with such grim expressions—as if they'd just lost their parents—Orin, well-versed in the art of manipulation, spoke again.
"Of course, under my protection, your businesses and market shares will be safeguarded. The underground world will experience unprecedented prosperity! In the name of Orin!!!"
The meeting didn't last long. Almost no one dared to interrupt—Orin's words were practically treated as decree.
At the same time, a flag bearing a black sun was distributed by staff to every attendee present.
This was Orin's "Black Sun Banner"!!
It represented the factions under Orin's protection and regulation. Even the Kingdom of Duramos had recently hoisted it and announced its significance to the entire world!
From this moment on,
The rising of the Black Sun marked the emergence of Orin-led underground powers onto the historical stage.
The underground world—now a force comparable to the World Government and the Emperors of the Sea—began demonstrating its influence over the globe.
Countless reports rushed to break the news, including congratulatory messages from the Elders, who even began negotiating with Orin over the division of interests.
Orin had no intention of ruling the world—good news for them.
Otherwise, if such a terrifying force really did try to overturn the seas, it might even prompt Imu-sama to take action!!!
...
East Blue
On a small sailboat, the crew was happily celebrating their encounter with Yasopp.
"Let's celebrate! We finally have a sniper onboard!!!"
"Party time!!!"
Among the revelers were newcomers like Shanks, who had only been out to sea for a few years, and Ben Beckman, drinking and eating meat with their crewmates.
Just then, their intelligence expert and doctor Hongo walked over with a newspaper in hand.
"Hey, Captain! It's news about your good friend!!"
"Nani?!"
Shanks, dressed in a white shirt and straw hat, was happily drinking when he took the paper. Right on the front page was that familiar face of Orin.
Yasopp also glanced over—clearly very concerned about news regarding Orin.
"What's up, Yasopp? You know Orin?"
Shanks chuckled, not understanding how his new crew member could be linked to Orin.
"He doesn't know me, but I know him... The world's number one sniper—that's the goal I'm chasing!!!"
"Uh... is that so? Well, good luck then. Orin, he..."
Shanks stopped halfway.
Though he believed in his crewmates—men with dreams shouldn't be laughed at—surpassing Orin...
He paused for a moment, then began reading the newspaper seriously, a mix of pride and complexity on his face.
"What's wrong, Boss?"
"It's Orin... they're calling him the Black Emperor now. His presence is no less than Captain Roger back in the day..."
While he felt proud of his friend, Shanks also felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
Orin had gone too far ahead. Not just for Yasopp—even Shanks himself felt that he might never catch up in this lifetime...
"What kind of face is that!!!"
A hearty laugh rang out beside him. Shanks looked over and saw Beckman, Lucky Roux, and the others holding drinks and meat, smiling at him.
"This isn't the Shanks we know! One day, we'll become big names in the world too. You've got to believe in yourself, Shanks!!!"
Looking at his crewmates, the young Shanks paused. A strange light flickered in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled up.
"Yeah... Let's rise to the top of the pirate world together. When the time comes, let's have a real showdown with Orin—sounds fun!!! Hahahahahaha!!!!"
As the words fell, a slightly immature but overpowering burst of Conqueror's Haki erupted from the young Shanks.
I truly look forward to our next meeting,
Orin!!!
...
The latest issue of the World Economic News paper had just been released.
Buggy was the first to order his crew to rob civilians—not because they couldn't afford a mere newspaper, but because they'd long been blacklisted.
"Captain Buggy, we got it!!!"
Before his crew could bring it to him, a dismembered hand had already flown out and snatched the paper up to the main seat.
Despite being blacklisted, Buggy remained the World Economic News paper's most loyal reader.
Why?
Because the paper was owned by Orin.
And it always had plenty of news about Orin. As the world's number one Orin fanboy, Buggy cared deeply about that.
The first thing that caught the eye was a picture—Orin in the center, surrounded by several major figures and powerhouses, with various underworld bosses in the background.
Everyone was clapping, as if they had come to some grand consensus.
Standing tall, Orin wore a gentle smile, looking approachable and friendly...
If you ignored the black-and-red lightning storm swirling around him.
And this image—
It was a photo of great historical significance.
It was—
Orin's Dark World Summit!!!
"Orin... and Vice Captain Rayleigh..."
Seeing the familiar faces, not too different from his memory, Buggy suddenly recalled those days three years ago, back aboard the Oro Jackson.
"As expected of Orin... so freakin' cool..."
Overcome with emotion, Buggy burst into tears, a fountain gushing from his eyes. Not even his arms could stop it.
"Captain Buggy..."
Beside him, Cabaji looked at Buggy's reaction and realized that the legendary Orin was actually his captain's old friend. He couldn't help but ask:
"That Orin-sama—since he's already this powerful, why hasn't he formed his own pirate crew?"
"Ah!???"
Buggy was stunned for a moment at the question.
Yeah...
Although Orin was technically a pirate, he never had his own Jolly Roger or crew name...
Could it be?!!
Buggy found it hard to believe, but his mind recalled a memory—back in the ship's kitchen, Orin had said something to him while laughing and eating:
"When you make it big, I'll come join you, Buggy!!!"
"I'll always save the position of Vice Captain just for you!!! Orin!!!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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