Satoru finally arrived in the New World after passing through the Holy Land, Mary Geoise. However, during his brief stay in Mary Geoise, he managed to uncover a portion of the World Government's hidden strength. He observed individuals with power rivaling that of Admirals, which left a deep impression. More intriguingly, he discovered an area where even his Six Eyes couldn't penetrate—a mysterious location shrouded in powerful barriers. This place piqued his curiosity, and he suspected it to be the residence of the enigmatic Lord Im.
As the ship entered the New World, its unpredictable weather served as an immediate welcome. What was moments ago a clear sky quickly transformed into a torrential downpour with fierce winds. The abrupt change startled Satoru.
Though his Six Eyes allowed him to sense the natural phenomena causing the shift, others lacked such insight. For most people, the New World's weather seemed chaotic and impossible to predict. One second might be bright and sunny, the next, shrouded in storm clouds.
The Navy crew aboard the warship reacted swiftly. These elite sailors had prepared for such situations, having faced the New World's challenges multiple times. Their actions were methodical and efficient.
Meanwhile, Chris, a relative newcomer, was caught off guard. Despite being a high-ranking officer, his inexperience showed as he scrambled to follow the other sailors. In contrast, Satoru was unfazed. His Infinite Void protected him from the rain entirely, while Admiral Kizaru casually retreated to his quarters to avoid getting wet.
"The New World is truly as unpredictable as they say," Satoru remarked to himself.
Out of nowhere, Kizaru reappeared beside him, speaking in his usual relaxed tone. "This is the real New World. Many pirates call it a paradise, but in truth, it's the harshest hell. Some don't even make it past the first storm before their dreams are crushed."
Satoru nodded, sharing his observations. "For the weak, the New World is a paradise to aspire to. For the strong, however, the Grand Line's first half is where they truly thrive."
Kizaru smirked, acknowledging Satoru's insight. "Exactly. The law of the jungle rules here, and it's laid bare for everyone to see. However, these pirates in the New World share one common enemy—us, the Navy. Admirals like me are their ultimate targets. Killing one of us would make them legends, a dream far too tempting to ignore."
Satoru tilted his head. "But how many of them can even come close? Not even Whitebeard could defeat you—if he didn't have his health issues, of course."
"True," Kizaru said smugly. "And when it comes to running away, no one's faster than me!"
Satoru couldn't help but chuckle at the admiral's casual pride in such a statement.
"There's about a day and a half before we reach G8," Kizaru continued. "Any pirates we encounter on the way are yours to handle. If you can't deal with them, it means you're not ready to take command of a base in the New World."
Satoru grinned confidently. "Don't worry. I'm strong enough to handle it."
Kizaru shrugged. "Good. Let's hope your confidence matches your ability."
While pirates continued to flood into the New World, the harsh reality awaited them. Many were wiped out before they could even establish themselves, either by nature's fury or by the overwhelming strength of veteran crews. For those who survived, two choices remained: either stubbornly charge ahead, often leading to their downfall, or join the protection of a powerful crew.
Of course, the latter option required enough strength to earn even cannon fodder status. For the truly weak, there was no place in the New World.
As the ship pressed on through the turbulent sea, Satoru couldn't help but reflect on the challenges ahead. His journey in the New World was only just beginning.