"Hiss—!"
Beside Whitebeard, Marco and the others—who had only moments ago still been marveling at how Ace's younger brother had suddenly become one of the Four Emperors—sucked in a sharp breath the instant they heard Luffy's words. One by one, their gazes turned expectantly toward the Den Den Mushi in Whitebeard's hand.
Ace had never shared any information about the Straw Hat crew with the Whitebeard Pirates, nor had he ever mentioned Pokémon or anything related to it.
Yet after so much time had passed, anyone with functioning eyes could see the drastic changes Ace had undergone, along with the strange new abilities that had appeared on him out of nowhere.Everyone had simply chosen, tacitly, not to ask.
But now—hearing Luffy not only confirm that they possessed the power to grant abilities to others, but that he intended to do so for them as well—everyone's hearts instantly stirred.
In a world where strength reigned supreme, no one would ever refuse power.
Especially power with no side effects.
"Hiss… brat…"
For the first time, even Whitebeard couldn't help but be shaken by Luffy's words.
Within the entire Whitebeard Pirates, aside from Ace, he was the one who most deeply understood the power of the Pokémon world.
After all, the lingering injuries that plagued his body had been completely healed thanks to the Super Potion Ace had brought him.
Back when they had encountered the Straw Hat Pirates, that boy named Red had vaguely mentioned that the mysterious medicine was somehow linked to Ace's power—and that both originated from him.
At the thought that his sons might also obtain that same mysterious strength, anticipation welled up in Whitebeard's heart.
With a shift in mood, he let out a booming laugh:
"Gurararara~!"
"You really are an unexpected bunch!"
"Fine. We'll do it your way, Straw Hat brat!"
"Fish-Man Island will be ceded to you. In exchange, the debt we owed you will be wiped clean, and you'll be responsible for letting me and my sons master the power you mentioned."
With the bond between Ace and Luffy, Whitebeard had no worries at all that the Straw Hat Pirates would ever turn against him.
Though they were Four Emperors in name and rivals in status, Whitebeard knew very well that his crew and the Straw Hat Pirates would never become enemies.
"Really?! That's great, Whitebeard!"
"Then it's settled!"
"Bring your people to Whole Cake Island right away—we'll be waiting for you here."
"As for Fish-Man Island, you don't need to worry about it anymore!"
"Hehehe~"
The moment Whitebeard agreed to cede Fish-Man Island, the Den Den Mushi in his hand broke into a pure, innocent smile.
Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought Whitebeard was chatting amiably with some junior back home.
Who would have imagined that two Four Emperors—capable of shaking the seas with a flick of their fingers—would calmly and amicably divide an island like this?
After setting the meeting time, Luffy immediately hung up.
As Whitebeard stared at the now-silent Den Den Mushi, a complex glimmer passed through his eyes.
Perhaps it was at the moment the call ended that realization suddenly struck him…
It seemed that for a very long time now, every major event on the seas had the Straw Hat Pirates lurking somewhere behind it.
Sometimes they hid completely in the shadows; other times they stepped openly into the spotlight.
The Celestial Dragons' live execution, the defeat of a Marine admiral at Enies Lobby, the invasion of Mary Geoise a few months ago, and the recent shift in the balance of the Four Emperors…
This group of young people who had suddenly stormed onto the seas seemed as if they possessed an invisible hand, secretly manipulating everything that happened in the world.
And by the time people came to their senses, the Straw Hat Pirates had already ascended to the summit—reaching heights others could scarcely imagine.
Are youngsters these days… really all like this now?!
Lost in thought, Whitebeard couldn't help but recall the seas of his youth.
Back then, people did whatever they wanted and took whatever they desired—hardly anyone bothered with schemes or intricate plots.
If you didn't agree, you fought. The victor became king, the loser faded away.Even surrounding and ambushing someone counted as a high-level strategy.
But looking at everything the Straw Hat Pirates had experienced along their journey—it all appeared reckless and headlong on the surface, yet in truth, every step had unfolded exactly as they planned, without the slightest deviation.
That level of control over information and strategy was enough to send a chill down the spine of even the man known as the world's strongest.
After a long pause, Whitebeard turned his gaze toward Ace beside him and sighed:
"Ace… your little brother really is someone extraordinary."
"I've thought that for a long time," Ace replied with a bitter smile.
"But I never imagined he'd surpass me so quickly."
Though Ace was certain that Luffy surpassing him was only a matter of time, after having spent time with the Straw Hat Pirates…
Wasn't that time just a bit too short?
It had only been a little over half a year since their last meeting…
So how did you become a Four Emperor just like that, Luffy?!
…
…
Meanwhile, on Whole Cake Island.
With Katakuri and the others lending their aid, the Straw Hat Pirates swiftly took control of the entire island. Before long, the whole of Totto Land would bow to them.
As expected, Big Mom flatly rejected Red's proposal to have the Big Mom Pirates join the Straw Hat Grand Fleet.
Red didn't bother with further persuasion. Instead, he directly tossed her and the remaining diehard members of the Big Mom Pirates into Usopp's body storage, granting them the same "treatment" as Kizaru.
There were still many matters to deal with—now was not the time to waste on Big Mom and her people.
Yet Red already had a clear plan in mind. He believed that, given the path the Straw Hat Pirates were now walking, they would inevitably attract many powerful individuals to join them—or at least cooperate with them.
And Fish-Man Island would be the perfect demonstration!
…
…
"Jinbe! Whitebeard has agreed to cede Fish-Man Island to us!"
After hanging up, Luffy flashed a huge grin and said excitedly to Jinbe, who was waiting nearby:
"Now you can finally join our pirate crew without worries, right?!"
"This…"
Completely caught off guard by how easily Whitebeard had given up Fish-Man Island, Jinbe froze. His eyes turned into blank dots.
The day before, after the Whole Cake Island incident had come to an end, Jinbe—who had come alone out of loyalty to lend assistance—had bid farewell to the Straw Hat crew.
But after three months together, Jinbe had already grown close to everyone.
His steady, chivalrous personality and conduct had earned him widespread respect and affection among the crew.
Thus, at Red's subtle prompting, Luffy had formally invited Jinbe to join the Straw Hat Pirates.
Naturally, Jinbe had declined—using the same reasons he had given three months earlier.
However…
Luffy's status now was worlds apart from what it had been back then!
Previously, although the world dubbed the Straw Hat Pirates the "Fifth Emperor," true powerhouses never acknowledged that title.
But now, the Straw Hat Pirates had truly ascended as one of the Four Emperors—there was no longer any need for restraint.
And so came Luffy's call to Whitebeard, asking for Fish-Man Island.
Jinbe's concerns boiled down to three things…
First, the safety of Fish-Man Island.Second, his responsibility to the Sun Pirates.Third, his personal reverence for Whitebeard.
Fortunately, the third point didn't affect his decision. As long as the first two were resolved, Jinbe would have no reason left to refuse.
And in this world, who could safeguard Fish-Man Island better than the Straw Hat crew—or rather, Red himself?!
Five million merfolk and fish-men—if even a select few among them were granted Pokémon templates and moves by Red—could form an underwater force capable of shaking the world in an astonishingly short time!
Jinbe, who had personally experienced the power of a Pokémon template, understood this better than anyone.
As for the Sun Pirates, the same solution applied.
"Luffy-dono, Red-dono… everyone…" Jinbe murmured softly, his expression growing complex.
For Luffy to seize Fish-Man Island from Whitebeard just for his sake…
Though Jinbe didn't know exactly how great a debt the Straw Hat Pirates owed Whitebeard, he could tell from the conversation that it was no small matter.
Yet they had used it so readily—simply to invite him aboard.
How could Jinbe not be moved?!
Step!
His heavy wooden sandal struck the deck.
Jinbe suddenly dropped to one knee in a dignified, knightly posture and declared:
"I am deeply honored by your kindness!"
"I do not know why you hold me in such esteem, but since matters have come this far, to refuse again would be discourteous!"
"Please rest assured—first, I will settle affairs on Fish-Man Island and with the Sun Pirates."
"When all is done, I will return and devote my strength to you all!"
"That's a bit much, Jinbe."
Though he knew this was simply Jinbe's manner of speaking, Red stepped in, gently helping him up as he smiled:
"Jinbe, have you considered something…"
"The way you're talking—Luffy doesn't understand a word of it?"
"Ah?!"Cold sweat instantly broke out on Jinbe's forehead.
He hurriedly looked at Luffy—and sure enough, Luffy was tilting his head, his forehead full of question marks as he pondered what Jinbe had just said.
Red patted Luffy on the shoulder, met his gaze, and said:
"Alright, let me translate."
"Long story short—Jinbe has agreed to join our pirate crew!!"
"Eh?!"
Luffy's face lit up as he hurriedly looked at Jinbe. "Is that true, Jinbe?!"
"Yes!" Jinbe nodded firmly.
In truth, the moment Luffy brought Fish-Man Island under his banner, whether Jinbe formally joined the crew had already become a meaningless question.
At heart, Jinbe was already a subordinate of the Straw Hat Pirates.
By accepting Luffy's invitation now, he had merely risen from an affiliated member to an officer.
Higher status, greater authority—this was nothing but a promotion and a blessing!
"That's awesome, Jinbe!"
"Then to celebrate, let's throw a—mmph mmmph mmmph!"
Seeing Luffy instinctively about to call for yet another welcome banquet right after one had ended, Red rushed forward and clamped a hand over Luffy's mouth, whispering:
"Didn't you hear? Jinbe still has other matters to handle."
"The welcome banquet can wait until he comes back."
"Ah…"Luffy let out a disappointed groan.
Red sighed helplessly, then signaled to Jinbe that he could head back to Fish-Man Island.
After bidding farewell to the crew, Jinbe walked straight toward the nearest shore.
Left behind were Red—still covering Luffy's mouth—and Luffy, staring wide-eyed at each other.
"Luffy, throwing banquets like this isn't good—it wastes manpower and money."
Nami walked over at that moment, scribbling in a notebook with a pen as she spoke.
"That's not something a good ruler should do. You don't want to turn into someone as annoying as Big Mom, do you?"
"I don't want to be like her~!"Luffy instantly protested, his spirits lifting.
At the same time, the idea of throwing another banquet vanished completely from his mind.
Seeing this, even Red raised an eyebrow, shooting Nami a look that said 'As expected of you,' which earned him a proud smile in return.
"Everyone~"
Red clapped his hands, drawing the attention of the entire crew.
"Although we've successfully taken control of Totto Land and obtained one set of coordinates from a red Poneglyph, that doesn't mean we can relax."
"I'm sure you all understand…"
"The ones who truly want to see us wiped out aren't the other Four Emperors—"
"But the World Government!!!"
"They already know our location. They may even be mobilizing troops toward us as we speak!"
"What comes next will be our real test."
"Wait, Red!"
Sanji raised his hand.
"If it's just the World Government's top fighters, we shouldn't need to flee like last time…"
"But if they send large fleets to attack the other islands in Totto Land, we don't have enough manpower to defend everything, do we?!"
Sanji had pinpointed the issue.
Though the alliance's fighters were strong, they still fell short of the World Government's elite forces—especially in terms of sheer numbers.
If the enemy avoided Whole Cake Island and instead scattered their forces to attack other islands, the Straw Hat Pirates would still suffer losses.
Hearing this, Red grinned and lifted his head, eyes gleaming.
"Relax. I thought of that long ago…"
"That's why I had the Whitebeard Pirates come here as quickly as possible!!!"
"With our current strength, plus Whitebeard and all of his commanders…"
"Even if the World Government mobilizes its entire military, they may not be able to cause any damage to Totto Land."
"I see."
At those words, everyone except Luffy suddenly understood.
The so-called "bottom line" of trading Fish-Man Island had also been bait—meant to reel in the Whitebeard Pirates!
If the World Government truly arrived in Totto Land, how could the Whitebeard Pirates—who were already here and had their own grudges against the Government—possibly stay out of the fight?!
Dark…That was way too devious!
As expected of Red!
Only you could come up with something like this!
Unspoken thoughts aligned in everyone's hearts, yet no one said them aloud.
(End of Chapter)