"El-sama…"
On November 12th, 1472 of the Sea Calendar, the Navy mobilized its forces across the first half of the Grand Line and the New World, assembling an expedition fleet of no fewer than 50,000 elite marines aboard over 120 ships of various sizes.
The fleet is led by Admiral Steel-Bone Kong, supported by the other two Admirals, and includes more than ten Vice Admirals. Among them are "Iron Fist" Garp and "Buddha" Sengoku, both considered Admiral candidates. The fleet is now advancing toward the Pirate Island Hachinosu—also known as "The Beehive"—the stronghold of the Rocks Pirates.
Additionally, the World Government has recently invited two more notorious pirates to join the ranks of the Shichibukai, bringing the total number of Warlords participating in this operation to four.
…
In the grand palace on Cake Island within Totto Land, in a massive office designed to accommodate giants, Sally, the "Shapeshifting Witch" and intelligence chief, solemnly reported to El, who sat confidently before her.
"The newly added Shichibukai… aside from Redfield, who is the other one?" El asked with mild surprise.
Five years ago, the Hell Trading Company discovered a reclusive noble youth in the West Blue with exceptional Observation Haki. His name was Patrick Redfield. El had personally approached him, won him over, and trained him secretly for six months near the Red Line.
Since then, Redfield had roamed the seas independently, building a fearsome reputation as "The Red Count" and "The Aloof Red." Rocks had once tried to recruit him, but Redfield declined. More recently, when the World Government extended an invitation to Redfield to join the Shichibukai, he initially intended to refuse. However, under El's instructions, he accepted.
This move wasn't about controlling the entire Warlord institution—doing so might risk exposing Totto Land's influence. Instead, El aimed to infiltrate and compromise the group by placing trusted individuals within it.
"In addition to 'The Aloof Red,' whom you personally recruited years ago..." Sally replied, "the other new Warlord is Byrnndi World, known as the 'World Breaker,' who recently gained the powers of the Paramecia-class More-More Fruit."
"The More-More Fruit?" El raised an eyebrow, then chuckled softly.
"Indeed, a remarkable ability."
The Hell Trading Company had spent years tirelessly searching for rare Devil Fruits, occasionally securing impressive finds but consistently missing out on the most exceptional ones—much to El's disappointment.
"Should we act now and recover World's abilities?" Sally suggested, interpreting El's interest as a desire to seize the More-More Fruit. Given the fruit's extraordinary potential, it seemed like an ideal candidate for future members of the Kukulkan family.
"No rush. Let him hold onto it for now," El replied casually, showing no urgency to bring the fruit under his control.
The Angel Pirates already had several top-tier Devil Fruit users. Launching a targeted campaign to hunt ability users prematurely could alarm the broader seafaring world and potentially unite wary fruit users against Totto Land. Worse, it might provoke the World Government or the Rocks Pirates to exploit such fears.
For now, El considered Byrnndi World insignificant. Taking the More-More Fruit from him, if and when necessary, would be a trivial task.
"What's the latest from the Rocks Pirates?" El asked directly.
"They're actively consolidating their forces and preparing for a full confrontation," Sally replied. "It seems they genuinely intend to clash with the Navy head-on, showing no signs of retreat."
"By the way, El-sama…" Sally leaned forward slightly, continuing her report.
"Rocks has sent envoys expressing a desire to form an alliance with the Fallen Angel Pirates, aiming to crush the Navy's expedition fleet together. However, the World Government is closely monitoring us, scrutinizing Totto Land's every move. Should we consider cooperating with them?"
"Just as expected…" El sneered.
"If Rocks backs down now and loses his nerve to confront the Navy, the opportunistic and ambitious scoundrels under his command won't respect him. And after our earlier clash with the World Government, if Rocks doesn't dare face the Navy head-on, he'll look utterly disgraceful."
"As for cooperation? That won't be necessary." El waved dismissively and went on:
"If we get involved, it'll escalate into an all-out war. If the World Government is pushed to the brink, they might activate that national treasure of theirs. Even if the Rocks Pirates are at a disadvantage, they likely won't be defeated so easily. For now, keep a close watch."
"Understood!"
For El, the World Government's ancient weapon remained a looming threat. Even he, with his ability to foresee the future, could scarcely guarantee he could dodge such a catastrophic strike. Most of his crew, no matter how skilled, would not survive unscathed.
The destructive potential of ancient weapons was something El dared not underestimate. Although he could devastate islands on his own, he knew these ancient weapons operated on an entirely different scale—capable of obliterating islands to their very foundations, creating deep-sea chasms, and altering sea levels globally.
"Any other updates?" Leaning back in his chair, El crossed his arms and smiled at the "Shapeshifting Witch."
"Just one more…" Sally's smile turned mischievous. Her form shifted visibly, and in the blink of an eye, she had seated herself on El's lap. Like a seductive serpent, she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered:
"Word from the Navy indicates that Rear Admiral Black Arm Zephyr has acquired the powers of the Logia-type Ice-Ice Fruit."
"Oh? Black Arm Zephyr?" El raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise.
"It seems my actions have significantly altered the trajectory of his life."
~~~
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