The World Grand Tournament held on Whole Cake Island in Tottoland had captured the world's attention.
While it generated massive amounts of money, it also spread the might of the Beast God Pirates to every corner of the globe.Since Caesar single-handedly defeated seven star players on the high seas with overwhelming force, the prestige of the Beast God Pirates has now reached its zenith, blazing like scorching flames.
As a result, the pirate crew once again attracted a large wave of fairly capable individuals to join their ranks.
These new recruits were all shuffled and dispersed among the various legions.
During the final days of the Great World Tournament, the stimulated Gin, Doflamingo, and Crocodile began desperately challenging Bullett, Katakuri, Loki, Kuzan, and others as if their lives depended on it.
Thus, under the torment of monsters like Bullett, the combat prowess of Gin and the others rapidly improved.
It was estimated that it wouldn't be long before they could grasp the preliminary use of Conqueror's Haki infusion.
Notably, even Crocodile had awakened a fairly strong Conqueror's Haki, stepping into the threshold of kingly potential.
This guy, who refused to admit defeat even after being brutally beaten by Bullett over and over, actually teamed up with Doflamingo to achieve an exceptionally brilliant result—defeating the Giant King Loki in the mixed competition.
Although it was a joint effort, it was enough to demonstrate their tremendous growth.
It must be noted that although Loki was young, he was the most outstanding prodigy of the entire Giant tribe.
Back then, even when Kaido attacked in a furious rage, Loki fought him to a standstill.
This giant, who would only be eighteen by human age standards, possessed talent no less formidable than Caesar's at the same age.
Bullett also had a great battle with Loki, where both unleashed their full power and nearly destroyed the Sky Arena.
Fortunately, Shiki, Kaido, and a few others were sitting in the front row watching the spectacle that day and blocked the shockwaves of the battle for those behind them.
Otherwise, who knows how many might have died that time.
Even so, many people were still injured.
However, the audience's enthusiasm didn't wane because of the injuries; instead, it grew even more frenzied due to Bullett and Loki's frenzied fighting style.
It was said that the golden character cards launched by Doflamingo and Tesoro taking advantage of the situation—just those of Bullett and Loki alone—were being speculated to reach ten million Berries per card.
Tesoro now couldn't even keep track of how much dividend he had received.
Because there was simply too much money!
These enormous sums were rapidly converted by Doflamingo through underworld channels into vast quantities of weapons, ammunition, and numerous Devil Fruits!
Even with such crazy purchasing of supplies, they still couldn't spend it all.
So the remaining large portion of money was directly sent by Shiki to a sky island for storage, intending to retrieve it after the war ended.
This sky island wasn't one floating through Shiki's own ability, but a genuine sky island suspended among the clouds, which wouldn't fall even if something happened to Shiki.
Several such sky islands had already been discovered these days by Kaido, Shiki, and others capable of flight.
Following Caesar's instructions, they had been secretly relocating some pirates' families, assets, and supplies to these sky islands over ten thousand meters high.
Because no one knew whether Tottoland, located far behind everyone, would come under attack from other forces once the war began.
...
The seventh day of the Great World Tournament, also the final day.
Above Donut Island, Caesar transformed into a golden roc, carrying Linlin, Shirahoshi, and several others on his back, soaring upward through layers of clouds toward the sky island Shiki had found.
On the spacious bird's back, the wind was fierce. Linlin used her soul ability to merge with the gale, casually creating a storm Homie to form a wind barrier, shielding the women from the strong winds.
"Husband, I... I don't want to be separated from you."
On the golden feathers, Shirahoshi pouted, her large aqua-blue eyes shedding tears that pattered down.
Hancock also pursed her red lips, her eyes rimmed with redness.
She knew that Caesar intended to temporarily place them on Skypiea, as he was about to begin preparing for the massive war in two days.
During these past few days, they had lived up to Caesar's high expectations.
Through Caesar's day and night efforts, each of them had become pregnant with his child.
Except for Linlin.
Perhaps due to her age, Linlin had not conceived.
"Borororo, why are you crying! I'm not dead yet! Didn't I say? This is just a safety measure.
Think about it carefully—can I rest assured during battle if you, who have no ability to protect yourselves, are attacked from the rear?
Moreover, if the World Government shamelessly circles around to capture you and uses you to threaten me, tell me, should I heartlessly abandon you or compromise for your sake?"
Caesar's voice thundered like roaring waves, piercing through the fierce winds to reach everyone's ears.
Hiyori wore a resolute expression, comforting Shirahoshi:
"Husband is right! Shirahoshi, you must be strong. Although we aren't strong enough to help him, we mustn't become a burden to him at this time.
Let's do as husband says! Besides, don't you trust husband's strength? He will surely win this great war and return victorious!"
Hiyori was not only comforting Shirahoshi but also reassuring herself.
Because, like Shirahoshi, she now relied entirely on Caesar's protection.
Both Wano Country and Fish-Man Island had been relocated by Caesar to Tottoland, positioned at the intersection of the four seas in the New World.
If Caesar were to truly fall, not only the Beast God Pirates would suffer, but also the over one hundred islands and dozens of vassal nations under his command.
A short while later, a massive emerald floating island appeared in everyone's sight.
Before they even landed, Hiyori had already noticed that on a vast open area of the island, a large number of houses were being constructed.
Caesar set everyone down on the ground and returned to his human form.
"My lord!"
Kiku, dressed in samurai attire, hurried over, kneeling on one knee to greet Caesar and Hiyori.
Hiyori was surprised that Kiku and the others had already arrived here.
Moreover, judging by the number of houses, it was clear that a large number of people had been sent up several days prior.
Kiku noticed Hiyori's confusion and briefly explained to her.
"Your Majesty, it was Lord Shiki. He sent all the families of the Beast God Pirates and the elderly, weak, women, and children of the Giant tribe here."
As she spoke, Caesar suddenly turned around.
Everyone was astonished to see a small island, about two to three kilometers long, stirring up clouds and mist as it soared over their heads and landed in a lake on the massive floating island.
Splash—
The lake's water surged outward instantly, flowing into the mountains and valleys.
"Caesar, I've brought the research base up. Next, are we preparing for war?"
Shiki's tall figure flew out from the small island and landed before Caesar.
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