[The Royal Shichibukai? Who Are They?]
[The Birth of the Grand Line's Fourth Great Power: The Royal Shichibukai!]
[Shocking News!]
Chinjao the Drill, a pirate with a bounty of over 500 million Berries and the 12th Leader of the Happo Navy, has accepted the invitation to become the first Royal Shichibukai!
[Another Pirate Joins]
Hammer "Naguri," a pirate with a bounty of 468 million Berries, officially announced his acceptance of the World Government's invitation and has joined the Royal Shichibukai.
[Official Statement from the Fleet Admiral]
"The Royal Shichibukai is a direct subsidiary of the World Government. The Navy will cease all bounties and manhunts against them!"
…
The next day, this earth-shaking news spread across the world, carried by the news crows. The World Government officially announced the formation of the Royal Shichibukai program. Not only would their bounties be revoked, but they would also be granted legal plundering rights—although half of their spoils would have to be handed over if they were caught in the act.
The announcement sent shockwaves throughout the seas. Few could have predicted that, in response to the current precarious situation, the World Government would lower its pride and recruit notorious pirates into its ranks. Even more astonishing was its concession to legalize their plundering activities.
"The Royal Shichibukai?"
"Isn't this just recruiting pirates under the guise of legitimacy?"
"Allowing them to plunder legally? That's outrageous!"
"How could they appease those criminals?"
"Do they really think such ruthless scum can be trusted?"
"What is the World Government thinking?"
For many, this decision was incomprehensible. Although the World Government clarified that legal plundering would only apply to non-member states, most still found the policy absurd. Among lower-ranking Navy officers, especially those inspired by ideals of justice, the decision was a bitter pill to swallow. When some attempted to protest and sought clarification from their superiors, they were met with stern reprimands:
"The orders of the World Government are absolute and not to be questioned!"
Disillusionment and frustration ran deep within the ranks.
Meanwhile, reactions among pirates were divided:
"Ha! Is the World Government out of ideas?"
"Throwing scraps of legitimacy to these dogs in hopes they'll heel."
"Anyone who accepts this deal is nothing but a disgrace to all pirates!"
"They're nothing more than the Government's lapdogs now!"
The recruitment of Chinjao the Drill and Naguri the Hammer into the Shichibukai was met with derision and mockery from many prominent pirates. Yet not everyone shared this disdain. Among weaker pirate crews—who constantly lived under the threat of Navy pursuit—jealousy burned brightly. The ability to plunder legally while escaping the Navy's notice seemed like an unattainable dream.
"Mamamama! So this is the power of the Paramecia-Type Castle-Castle Fruit?"
The scene shifted to El. He stood within one of the fortified outposts of the Hell Trading Company, watching a demonstration of the newly acquired Castle-Castle Fruit. A satisfied smile crept across his face as he contemplated the potential applications of this rare spatial-type ability.
Totto Land Kingdom
After returning from the West Blue, El spent time playing with Thor, Sif, and the other children. Nearby, Linlin curiously examined the Castle-Castle Fruit that El had recently brought back.
"Hehe, Mama Linlin, Mama Linlin, I already copied its power!"
Eden ran over, hugging Linlin excitedly.
"Oh? Is that so? Wonderful…"
Linlin cupped the little girl's face with a warm smile and asked, "Good girl, do you know how to use it?"
"Of course!" Eden nodded repeatedly. Then she lightly touched Linlin. In an instant, Linlin disappeared. Her vision blurred, and when it cleared, she found herself in a spacious, well-lit hall.
"Hmm?"
Linlin raised her eyebrows, surveying the large, undecorated space—vast enough to accommodate several adult giant warriors. A grin spread across her face.
"Mama-mama-mama! I see now—this is a copy of the castle on Atlantis!"
"Hehe, that's right, Mama Linlin!"
Eden emerged from the castle floor, pointing to the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows.
"You can see outside from here!"
Linlin walked over and peered through the windows. The view was crystal clear, as though she were in a real castle. Outside, the children ran around, playing happily. Meanwhile, Eden's body remained outside, darting around and touching others one by one.
"Swish… Swish…"
One after another—since El, Gerd, and the others weren't actively resisting with Haki—they were all transported into the colossal hall.
"This is really impressive," Gerd remarked, looking around with raised eyebrows. The ability was remarkably convenient: it essentially created a massive, portable castle. With some modifications, it could be turned into a mobile war fortress.
"Am I amazing or what?" Eden puffed out her chest, her face full of pride.
"You're amazing, alright," Helen replied with a smile. She picked up the little girl and kissed her cheek. "We get it. You're incredible!"
"This ability is so much fun…"
Second-born Sif was filled with curiosity, while first-born Thor ran around excitedly.
"It's huge! It's just like the castle outside!"
"Eden, does this mean we can play hide-and-seek here forever?"
Seventh-born Frey scratched his head with innocent excitement.
"Exactly!"
Hearing this, the children's eyes lit up with glee.
Meanwhile, Sally, the "Shapeshifting Witch," arrived at Dreamland atop a giant owl. She touched down to find the area surprisingly empty, except for Eden standing idly nearby.
"Eden, where is everyone else?" Sally asked curiously.
"Aunt Sally, they're right here!" Eden pointed to her own eyes, her face beaming with mischief.
"Huh?"
Sally quickly noticed something unusual about Eden's eyes. Inside her large pupils, numerous tiny figures waved back at her, all smiling.
"Wait a minute…" Sally began, smiling as realization dawned. "Is this the Castle-Castle Fruit's ability?"
"That's right, Aunt Sally! You're so smart!"
The doll-like Eden gave a big thumbs-up. With a swift gesture, she pulled Sally into the castle's internal space.
"Swish…"
Sally's vision blurred as the scene changed. She found herself in an extremely spacious hall. The design felt somewhat familiar, though less lavish than the original castle.
"This is unbelievable," she muttered, marveling at the surroundings. Noticing El nearby, she scooped up fifth-born Willie, who ran into her arms, and turned to El with a smile, recalling her reason for coming.
"El, I have news."
"I just received word that the Rocks Pirates have raided the North Blue," Sally reported, her grin widening. "They seized a shipment of Heavenly Tribute ships. And not just from one country—these were tributes from multiple World Government member states. The scale of the loot is staggering!"
She paused, her smile growing broader.
"This is bound to drive the World Government insane."
For the Fallen Angel Pirates, this news was undoubtedly a boon. Sally had already heard rumors that the World Government intended to have the Navy collaborate with the Rocks Pirates to suppress their crew. However, with the Rocks Pirates pulling such a daring move, any potential alliance between the two forces seemed ever more unlikely.
"Oh?"
El's interest was clearly piqued.
~~~
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