The warm sun spilled across the broad deck of the Black Whale, and a salty sea breeze drifted past.
Chrollo was kicked back in a comfortable white lounge chair, focused on the latest edition of the Marine Daily that a News Coo had just delivered.
| Date | Headline | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| One Week Ago | Unprecedented Roar at Onigashima | A massive, serpentine creature was seen swirling in the thunderclouds. Witnesses were either severely injured or driven mad. Experts suspect Kaido of the "Lead Performers" had a drunken breakdown after another failed suicide attempt. |
| Three Days Ago | Gaseous Sandstorm Hits Alabasta | A bizarre gas-like sandstorm swept the kingdom, causing widespread drought. The World Government has linked this to the Warlord Crocodile, raising his bounty to 200 million Berries. |
| This Week | Big Mom Welcomes 85th Child | Charlotte Linlin gave birth to her 85th offspring, Charlotte Anana. Due to her staggering birth rate, the editorial board has officially dubbed her the "Human-Rearing Beast" for her "contributions" to the New World's population. |
---
"......"
"Wait, what?"
Chrollo sat there, stone-faced. The shadow from the ship's rigging fell across his face, leaving his eyes dull and lifeless.
The Twin-Tailed Serpent of Hell... is Kaido?
In the legends of the Dark Continent, that thing is a nightmare from the Death Marshes with a howl that can tear a soul apart. And here, it corresponds to "Kaido-sensei"? Chrollo pictured Kaido in his blue dragon form, rolling around in the clouds. Okay, I guess if you squint, a long dragon looks like a snake... maybe?
And the gaseous lifeform "Ai"... is Crocodile? That felt like a bit of a stretch, honestly.
But the one that really made his eye twitch was the "Human-Rearing Beast," Pap, being Big Mom. Pap is a Dark Continent calamity that grows by consuming symbionts and expanding infinitely. Comparing that to Charlotte Linlin, who expands her power through political marriages and constant child-bearing?
Does Big Mom even know she has this "honorable" nickname?
Though, to be fair, "fattening oneself up by draining men dry" actually tracked pretty well with Pap's ecology. Chrollo started to wonder if he'd opened the "Dark Continent" folder in the wrong format. Everything was... a bit weird.
But then he thought about it. This world had "Gods" called Celestial Dragons, the Five Elders holding the reigns of power, Imu sitting on the Empty Throne, and the chaotic Great Pirate Era. In a way, this societal darkness was probably more fitting of the name "Dark Continent" than any physical monster.
---
Uvogin wandered over, looking at the newspaper with a grin. His massive frame blocked out the sun, his face alight with the thrill of finding new prey.
"Hey, Boss. Who are we hitting first? The Human-Rearing Beast or the Twin-Tailed Serpent?"
"......"
Chrollo quietly folded the paper.
Nen techniques definitely had their perks, but the top-tiers in the Pirate World were monsters. Between their insane physical stats, Haki, and those wild Devil Fruit powers, the Phantom Troupe didn't have a guaranteed win just yet. Especially against the Four Emperors. Those guys could level islands on their own.
Let's not make Kaido laugh... we need to level up first.
Chrollo looked out at the shimmering horizon, his mind working at overclock speeds. According to the paper, the year was 1519—exactly one year before Luffy would set out to sea. The Four Emperors were currently Kaido, Big Mom, Shanks, and Whitebeard.
It was a delicate time. The "Worst Generation" hadn't made their mark yet. The Emperors were stable but the undercurrents were moving. This was the perfect window for outsiders like the Phantom Troupe to step in, set a board, and start plundering.
The island they just passed was Baterilla in the South Blue—Ace's birthplace and Roger's hometown. That "Roger" on the shore was definitely a fake; the locals just liked to dress up as him to honor his memory on the anniversary of his departure.
Chrollo remembered that island's fate. After the Paramount War, Akainu would eventually order a Buster Call on it just to wipe out the "adoration" for Roger. It was the starting point for a lot of tragedy.
To make it in this world, we need more power, Chrollo thought. Devil Fruits... that's the key.
If he could steal enough powerful fruits for the Troupe and figure out how to combine them with Nen, they'd be unstoppable. But the sea is a cruel mistress. Charging into the New World without a plan was suicide. Chrollo's style was always to move only after the plan was set.
"Everyone... gather around."
Chrollo's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strange weight, cutting through the deck and reaching every corner of the ship.
One by one, the Spiders appeared on the top deck.
Nobunaga leaned against a mast, clutching his katana.
Machi walked up calmly, her pink hair tied back, boots clicking on the wood.
Pakunoda, Shizuku, Franklin, Bonolenov... they all surrounded him, some sitting, some standing, all waiting for the word.
Even Uvogin and Phinks dropped their usual rowdiness, shifting into "listening mode."
Chrollo didn't say much. He reached out his right hand, and the ominous digital book—Skill Hunter—materialized, flipping to a specific page.
He closed his eyes, focusing. When he opened them, his gaze was deep and hollow. A faint black aura shrouded his hand, and a fountain pen appeared between his fingers. A tiny, ugly purple demon with fleshy wings shimmered around his wrist.
Nen Ability: Lovely Ghostwriter (Angel's Auto Notes)
---
The future was about to be written.