Because of the indiscriminate devastation wrought by Davy Jones and Charlotte Linlin, the island had shattered into several pieces, each one drifting on the sea whose fury was finally beginning to settle.
The dark clouds gradually dispersed. The violent rain and raging winds softened into gentle fingers brushing against Davy Jones.
This war had ended with their battle—yet Davy Jones still felt unsatisfied, as though he could have gone even further.
He landed on one of the broken island fragments, holding a crumpled sheet of newly acquired parchment.
This parchment was the "spoils" he had obtained from Charlotte Linlin upon her death.
His current trophies included:
• Whitebeard Edward Newgate's Compass
• Akainu Sakazuki's Codex
• Charlotte Linlin's Sea Chart
Six more remained.
He unrolled the parchment, revealing an ancient nautical map, its lines drawn in either deep black or faint, pale strokes.
At its center were the words "Charlotte Archipelago," and near it "Silent Island," with outlines marking the islands and islets beside their names.
Davy Jones raised a brow slightly.
Both Charlotte Archipelago and Silent Island were names coined only recently.
Which meant this sea chart reflected the world in real time, updating even the names of islands Davy Jones himself had never heard.
The Charlotte Archipelago, as its name now implied, had been shattered into scattered crumbs—like a cookie crushed to pieces—and the chart accurately depicted this state.
Additionally, "Waterless Land – Fang City" was also marked, though only as a tiny, unobtrusive dot. Yet, its presence conveniently illuminated nearby Fish-Man Island as well.
Beyond those places, the sea chart showed only fog. No other islands, sea routes, or landmarks were visible.
Even the Red Line was obscured by the mist.
Then, Davy Jones noticed a mark representing himself—a small black dot—positioned on the Charlotte Archipelago, blinking faintly.
He also saw a dozen more flashing black dots departing from Silent Island and heading toward the Charlotte Archipelago.
Understanding dawned upon him.
Wherever the chart was, and no matter the moment, it would always draw a circle centered on its holder, revealing islands and seas within range—such as the Charlotte Archipelago and Silent Island.
"Fang City" was a special exception: permanently marked, and thus its surrounding fog—including that around Fish-Man Island—was cleared.
But once Davy Jones moved far enough from Fang City, it would vanish again beyond the chart's borders.
As for the crew members who had formed contracts with him and bore the Contract Mark, each of them appeared as a blinking black dot—his "eyes" and "torches."
Their presence cleared away the fog on the map, just like Fang City did.
Before long, Davy Jones indeed saw ten warships sailing toward him—the main force of the "New and Old Four Emperors War."
As the ships approached the broken Charlotte Archipelago, Crocodile, Jinbe, Marco, Law, Alvida, and the others looked upon the apocalypse-like battlefield, each with their own emotions.
Some were excited.
Some were tense.
Some sighed with relief.
Some trembled with fear…
A Four Emperor had dragged another Four Emperor down from power—giving them no chance at all.
Had such a thing ever happened before?
No matter how hard they had prepared, no matter how much they believed in victory, the moment they thought of Charlotte Linlin—an almost unsolvable force—they couldn't help but waver.
Especially Crocodile, Marco, and Jinbe—men who had fought a Four Emperor, or had been close to one—knew all too well how terrifying Charlotte Linlin was.
No matter their achievements—no matter how many of Big Mom's commanders they had taken down—
if Charlotte Linlin remained alive, they would lose.
Crocodile and Moria had both already experienced that fate once: crushed, forced back to Paradise for over twenty years.
Thus, whether Captain Davy Jones could defeat Big Mom was the single most crucial factor deciding this war.
And the result was clear:
Not only had the captain defeated her—
he had done so cleanly and decisively.
Shaken, the pirate officers disembarked and gathered around Davy Jones, dropping to one knee.
No one asked where Charlotte Linlin was. The answer was obvious.
The cataclysm they had witnessed made it clear that only one of the two monsters could survive.
And the one who survived was Davy Jones.
Crocodile, Jinbe, and Marco each relaxed for their own reasons—they had bet everything, and they had bet on the right man.
Crocodile, driven by ambition.
Jinbe, for Fish-Man Island and racial equality.
Marco, for the future of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Davy Jones told them to rise, then asked:
"The enemies on Silent Island and in the Mirror World—did you deal with them?"
"Most of them died in battle. Only a few were captured," Crocodile replied. "Of the Charlotte Family and core fighters who came this time, only a handful remain alive."
"Which ones?"
"Among the Charlotte Family: Praline and Chiffon. Among the combatants: Bobbin."
When the mirror connecting to the Charlotte Archipelago shattered from the shockwaves of Davy Jones and Big Mom's clash, Crocodile had immediately ordered a full withdrawal from the Mirror World.
They could no longer interfere in a war between two Emperors.
Shortly after returning to Silent Island, Brûlée—the Mirror-Mirror Fruit user—learned of Katakuri's death, as well as the passing of her sister Brownie.
She chose to commit suicide.
Perona did not stop her. Partly because Brûlée no longer had any value… and partly as a final act of mercy.
Praline, Chiffon, and Bobbin saw that all hope was lost and surrendered to the Davy Jones Pirates one after another.
Praline, a mermaid, had deep resentment toward the Davy Jones Pirates—her older sister Primm had died in the previous naval battle.
The one who truly secured her surrender was Chiffon, with her broad, expressive smile.
Not everyone in the Charlotte Family felt loyal. Many wished to rebel against Charlotte Linlin—among them the strange twin sisters: Chiffon and Lola.
Lola had long ago vanished in pursuit of love.
Chiffon did not want to die. She still hadn't found her missing sister, nor lived her own life. So she chose to surrender.
"Are they useful?" Davy Jones asked.
Crocodile stroked his golden hook.
"Bobbin has already surrendered. He and the captured Pekoms know Totland well—they can help us seize territory."
Everyone stiffened for a moment—then excitement lit their faces like men dividing spoils.
Yes. The war was over. A loser had fallen.
The victors were ready to carve the feast.
Crocodile continued:
"As for Praline and Chiffon—they're both among the '34 Ministers.' One is Minister of Design, the other Minister of Softness."
"They hold high status in Totland. Using them to open negotiations with the eldest daughter still on Whole Cake Island—Minister of Fruits, Compote—would be a solid strategy."
Davy Jones nodded.
Speaking for all the crew, Crocodile said:
"Captain Davy Jones, please allow me to lead our forces to seize Big Mom's territory!"
Totland was now a massive slab of meat—its roasted aroma already spreading. Soon, beasts from every corner would come to tear into it.
As pirates, how could they pass up such an opportunity?
Especially when they held the advantage of striking first.
"Very well."
Davy Jones's tentacles shifted slightly.
"Crocodile, you have full authority. Take as much as you can swallow."
Davy Jones was always tolerant in delegation—and Crocodile and Jinbe had never once failed him.
This time would be no exception.
He did not expect Crocodile to take all of Totland in one sweep—that was unrealistic. Even the Davy Jones Pirates could not digest such a prize yet.
Besides, the moment blood scented the sea, many would rush in to divide the carcass—those who would not mourn Charlotte Linlin for even a moment.
Everyone had come to feast.
Crocodile could not possibly drive every contender away.
As long as they ate something, they gained something.
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