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New World, Gotter Island
War raged, and thick smoke billowed everywhere.
The Red Hair Pirates flag hanging in the port was incinerated in the flames, and the town it protected was left with only ruins.
The only fortunate thing was that the island residents had taken refuge deep in the mountains in advance. Facing monsters several times taller than Giants, they didn't even have the courage to resist.
"Quickly notify the Boss."
The town's gangsters used a Den Den Mushi to contact the Red Hair Pirates. Everything on the island had been destroyed, and if they didn't receive help, they would be unable to survive.
And the monster's message.
"Tell Red Hair, this is just the beginning!"
After several islands were destroyed, news of "Accursed Prince" Loki's reappearance quickly spread throughout the New World, causing headaches even for the Yonko.
Totto Land, Cake Island
"Mamamama, that Red Hair kid is going to have bad luck! How happy! Oh, right, why haven't I seen Katakuri for so long?"
"Mama, Katakuri has been cultivating diligently ever since he lost to Daichi the Destroyer last time, and he instructed no one to disturb him."
"Hmph, how useless!"
Hachinosu, Moby Dick
"A troublesome fellow has been released!"
Whitebeard put down the newspaper in his hand, feeling a bit of a headache, but looking at Loki's actions, it shouldn't affect them.
The Division Commanders ran to Whitebeard.
"Pops, good news!"
"Good news?"
Whitebeard paused, seeing everyone gathered around Marco, and Marco's silly, bashful smile, he quickly understood something.
He knew Marco was in love, and he also knew the girl's background. She hadn't deliberately hidden her past.
A very honest girl.
The last child born on their ship was Oden's child.
Whitebeard's gaze was complex - happy but also a bit melancholic. He actually knew that all of this was Daichi's arrangement, but he didn't stop it.
His sons had accompanied him for most of his life, and now that he was old, he also hoped his sons could have their own families.
"Gurararara!"
"My sons, let's feast!"
"Oh oh oh!"
"I'm going to sea to prepare the best gift for Marco's child!"
"Thatch, I'll go with you!"
New World, Simple Cave on a Winter Island
Red Hair Pirates' Temporary Base
"The losses are too great!"
Shanks put down the Den Den Mushi, his face so gloomy it could drip water. This time, Loki came prepared, never staying too long on one island, causing them to miss him multiple times in a row.
If Loki wasn't found soon, not only would their losses continue to expand, but his flag would also gradually lose its deterrent power.
If he delayed action, those pirates eyeing the Yonko positions would surely target his territory and subordinate captains, and might even swarm him.
Hongo looked apologetic. While serving as the ship's doctor, he was also responsible for intelligence work, and failing to find Loki was his responsibility.
"Sorry, Captain."
"It's not your fault."
Shanks shook his head.
Benn was smoking beside him, his face grim as he spoke: "With Loki's intelligence capabilities, it's impossible for him to evade our pursuit. Someone must be assisting him behind the scenes!"
"You're right."
Shanks nodded.
Loki was just one person. How could he evade their pursuit every time? Someone must be providing assistance behind him.
As for who that person was, even without saying it, his comrades knew perfectly well.
"Daichi the Destroyer!"
The officers' faces were filled with rage.
It must be Daichi the Destroyer!
Benn extinguished his cigarette butt. As the team's strategist, he clearly understood the conspiracy hidden within.
"He's targeting us!"
Loki was being used as a pawn.
Benn asked coldly.
"Hongo, what are the Beast Pirates doing?"
"The same thing they did on Hachinosu!"
Hongo took out the collected intelligence.
In the past year, the Beast Pirates had stopped relying on violent expansion and instead started a real estate business. Now, Beast Pirates properties were found throughout the New World.
Even Hachinosu was no exception.
They didn't know why Whitebeard would cooperate with the Beast Pirates, but if the Beast Pirates were to seize land and build houses in their territory, they would certainly not agree.
Anyone who wasn't a fool could see the malicious intent hidden by the Beast Pirates.
Benn's eyes were filled with gloom: "The Beast Pirates will act soon, and this time they will definitely be prepared!"
The officers' faces turned ugly.
The Beast Pirates were coming fiercely, clearly intending to start a war, and they had only been a Yonko crew for less than three years, making their paper strength the weakest among the Yonko.
Shanks drew his long sword, his gaze cold.
"Prepare for battle!"
"Understood!"
On the Other Side, Wano Country
Kuri Inari Shrine
After the Fire Festival, the people of various villages learned of the Shogun's happy marriage and flocked to Kuri Inari Shrine to worship and pray for the Shogun.
In the offering box outside the main hall of the shrine, silver coins overflowed from the box, and the wishing wall was also covered with wooden plaques, inscribed with blessings.
"May the Shogun's marriage be happy."
"Wishing Daichi-sama peace."
"May next year be the same as this year."
Ever since Yamato became the Shogun, the lives of the people in various villages had visibly improved. This Fire Festival, every household was able to enjoy abundant food and delicious wine.
The people knew very well who to be grateful to.
That's right - it was the Shogun's husband, Daichi-sama!
The main hall of the shrine, due to the Shogun's arrival, was temporarily closed, with only shrine staff inside.
The shrine maiden reported softly: "Priestess, the Shogun has arrived at the mountain gate."
"Understood, I'll be right there."
The priestess knelt beneath the statue, her clear voice very pleasant.
After the shrine maiden left, only the priestess remained in the main hall. The priestess's two large ears perked up, and she looked up at the "Groudon" statue placed in the main position.
The woman immediately bristled!
"That bastard pirate, sending such a filthy thing to the shrine and even occupying the Inari God's main position! This is blasphemy!"
The priestess was emitting black aura all over, clearly having accumulated a lot of resentment. Even her fluffy fox tail was flickering with electric arcs, every single hair standing on end.
"The most hateful, the most hateful thing is..."
"He actually collected taxes!"
"Seventy percent! Seventy percent!!!"
"Wuwuwu, that's all my money! I couldn't bear to spend a single cent!"
The fox woman prostrated herself on the ground, sobbing, crying into a ball.
Was it easy for her to save money?
She had been running the shrine at a loss, but in the past two years, as the people's lives improved, the shrine's financial situation finally got better.
However, before the good days had lasted for a few days, the pirate had targeted her little stash of money. Her money hadn't even had time to warm up yet.
"I'm going to curse him!"
The priestess jumped up, pulled out a curse doll from her bosom, with Daichi's name written on it and various distorted runes drawn, even pierced with black nails.
The woman took out a hammer, revealing a terrifying smile like a female ghost, and her waist-length orange hair floated up.
"Haha, hahahaha~~"
"DING!"
After sticking another nail into the curse doll, the black resentment on the priestess finally dissipated, and she stood up full of energy, her red eyes pure like gems.
"Oh dear, it's time to welcome the Shogun!"