The New World, the Steam Pirates' base.
Several days had passed since Sakazuki's promotion to Fleet Admiral and his declaration of war.
The measures were ruthless and thorough.
Sabaody Archipelago was completely locked down. Any ship attempting to pass through to the New World was subjected to strict inspections.
The Steam Pirates suffered the greatest impact. Their losses were the heaviest. Combined with the recent clash between the Four Emperors, their power and business had shrunk by nearly half.
Their current situation was nothing short of adding insult to injury.
Over the past few days, they had contacted many government officials, but no agreement had been reached.
Knox sat on his throne with his eyes closed, one hand propping up his head.
"Enough! Get out, all of you!"
His subordinates did not dare hesitate and quickly withdrew.
He took a deep breath.
"Hah…"
He slowly opened his eyes. The cold look in them showed his mood was far from good.
Those government bastards were asking for far too much. So what if Sakazuki was choking the New World right now. What a joke. Did they really think he was some wage slave?
One day, everything they swallowed would be forced back out.
His fingers tapped the armrest of the throne as he searched for a way to break the deadlock.
A starving camel was still bigger than a horse. With the Steam Pirates' current reserves, there was no need to panic yet.
Since the government route was blocked, the Calm Belt was the only option left.
Compared to Kaido, who needed his own trained subordinates to escort ships through the Calm Belt, his situation was much simpler.
He could just hire people with money.
The problem was that this would only keep goods moving. There would be no profit and no loss.
Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock.
Urgent knocking echoed through the room.
Knox frowned.
"Come in."
A subordinate rushed in, his face full of excitement.
"Boss! There's a way! The technology of the Vinsmoke family from the North Blue can easily cross the Red Line! They want to cooperate with you!"
Knox leaned forward slightly. "Oh?"
The subordinate grew even more excited.
"It's confirmed. It's real! As long as we seize that technology, we won't fear the Marines' blockade anymore!"
Knox's eyes flickered. He let out a soft laugh.
"Cooperate? Interesting… Contact them first. Let's see what they want."
* * *
The Grand Line, Sabaody Archipelago.
Once a gathering place for pirates, Sabaody was now devoid of them. After days of suppression, those who survived had lowered their pirate flags.
No one was stupid enough to choose death over pride. Staying alive was what mattered most.
Scattered pirates gathered in hidden taverns across the islands.
At some point, a rumor began spreading among them.
As long as you had enough money, it was still possible to get coated and head to the New World.
Late at night.
Under the moonlight, the captain of the Flying Pigeon Pirates quietly steered his ship toward a secluded shack near a Marine base.
Once it stopped outside, a hidden door opened. The ship descended sharply into a huge underground chamber.
After the ship settled, he jumped down, cold sweat on his forehead.
This was way too thrilling.
Smuggling right under the Marines' noses.
He signaled two pirates to carry five chests filled with gold, treasure, and Berries. He looked at the coating craftsman giving orders nearby.
"I'm telling you, aren't you guys way too bold? Doing this right under a marine base. You're not marine spies, are you?"
The craftsman rolled his eyes. "Ever heard of hiding in plain sight? And besides, would spies make this kind of money. One job now earns more than half a year before. You should thank the Marines for this. Hehehehe."
The pirate captain's mouth twitched. It really was daylight robbery.
All the treasure they looted from the North Blue to get here was now on the ground.
Thinking about the bloody battles along the way, he started to question his life choices.
As for refusing to pay after coating, that was impossible. If they messed with the coating, one would not even know how they died.
Time slowly passed.
As dawn approached, a fully coated pirate ship slowly sailed toward Fish-Man Island beneath the sea.
After it vanished from sight, the craftsman returned inside.
"Hah…"
His demeanor changed instantly. He looked tired and yawned.
"Devil Fruit users are all so timid. Hardly anyone comes for coating."
He stretched and took out a Den Den Mushi.
"Better report to Mr. Carlo first…"
* * *
At the same time.
As the sky gradually brightened, along the endless wall of the Red Line, a massive snail fleet was crawling upward.
The entire fleet formed an almost ninety degree angle with the Red Line, yet continued to move forward.
Vinsmoke Judge had not slept all night.
As long as this crucial cooperation succeeded, the Vinsmokes would reign over the North Blue once more.
Standing atop a sideways castle, he gazed into the endless sea under the faint morning light.
A boundless sense of ambition filled his chest.
As for why he made the fleet climb sideways like this. It was also to show the Four Emperors his family's strength, technology, and foundation.
* * *
The Florian Triangle.
Several days had passed.
The once cursed sea was now completely gone, and the fog that once lingered all year had vanished without a trace. Only steaming seawater continued to rise.
The soldiers had taken off their shirts and worked bare chested on cleanup duties.
It was simply too hot.
Suddenly, a soldier spotted an afro floating on the sea surface, facing away from them. It was clinging to an upside down iron basin and moving slightly.
"That's great! A survivor!"
He quickly raised his gun to fire. Their Fleet Admiral had cleaned the area too thoroughly. Finally, a survivor.
Bang!
The gunshot rang out and everyone turned to look.
"Hey! There's someone alive over there!"
"Damn it! He attacked first!"
"I'll get him!"
Gunfire rang out nonstop. The afro seemed to finally react. With what looked like all his strength, it slowly turned his head.
Every soldier froze in shock.
"A sk… skeleton!!"
"It's a skeleton from hell, Lieutenant!!!"
The older lieutenant was disturbed by the noise and walked over.
"What skeleton? What nonsense are you causing now."
He stepped forward as the soldiers parted and saw the skeleton floating on the sea, clutching the iron basin. He was startled for a moment.
But he quickly came to his senses. Judging by how weak it looked.
"Well… it's strange. But this isn't a skeleton from hell. It's just a Devil Fruit user. Where are the seastone chains? Bring them."
* * *
The New World, New Marineford.
Inside the fortress office, Sakazuki stood before a sand table, analyzing the situation.
Carlo walked in with a strange expression.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki. The warships from the Florian Triangle operation found someone whose lower body was burned away. But still alive… a skeleton?"
Sakazuki waved his hand casually. "Just a Devil Fruit user. Send it to Egghead Island and see what can be studied. Recover it if possible."
Carlo acknowledged and withdrew, disappearing from sight.
Sakazuki felt nothing for those guys. He had killed too many.
If they were useful, they stayed. If not, the fruit would be reclaimed. It made no difference.
The forces stationed on the Grand Line were already being gradually deployed into the New World.
He looked at the four enemies marked on the sand table.
"Who should I start with…"
The New World was above. The Grand Line was below. Whisky Peak marked the entrance. From the entrance, looking upward…
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