The Sea Circle Calendar marked the year 1512. Over the past two years, while the world hadn't undergone drastic changes, it was far from calm. The turbulence stemmed primarily from the rise of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
In an effort to utilize the Seven Warlords of the Sea to counter Kaido and Edward Newgate, the Five Elders recommended Moria to Claudius. Moria, who harbored a deep-seated grudge against Kaido after being defeated in New World, seemed like a viable choice.
Claudius, however, had little regard for Moria. After suffering a crushing defeat at Kaido's hands, Moria had fallen into obscurity, retreating to the Devil's Triangle in the first half of the Grand Line. There, he became a recluse, obsessed with his research on zombies.
Still, since the Five Elders had suggested him, Claudius reluctantly agreed. For now, he had no suitable replacement to fill the position. He figured Moria could be dealt with or replaced later if necessary.
Thus, Moria joined the Seven Warlords of the Sea as a matter of convenience.
Another noteworthy addition to the Seven Warlords was Boa Hancock. After her return to Amazon Lily, she became the Empress of the island and rose to prominence during her coming-of-age ceremony, known as the "Empress's Hunt."
On her first voyage as a pirate, Hancock boldly attacked an island under World Government control, annihilating the CP agents stationed there. Her bounty soared to 200 million berries in one swift move, which earned her an invitation to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Unbeknownst to the world, Hancock was loyal to Claudius. Her connection to him remained a closely guarded secret, and no one suspected that Amazon Lily and its famed Nine Snakes Pirates were aligned with CP-X.
Unlike most pirate crews, the Nine Snakes Pirates were deeply rooted in Amazon Lily's history, with a lineage dating back hundreds of years. Every Empress of Amazon Lily also served as the captain of the Nine Snakes Pirates, giving the group an air of legitimacy and heritage.
This long-standing tradition reassured the World Government. They viewed the Nine Snakes Pirates as a stable and predictable entity, one unrelated to the chaotic factions of New World.
---
After solidifying the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the World Government launched another assault on Kaido not long ago. However, this campaign failed to achieve significant results.
Kaido, having witnessed Charlotte Linlin's downfall due to a decapitation strategy, had prepared meticulously to avoid a similar fate. Furthermore, Marine faced significant logistical challenges invading New World on a large scale, needing to guard against potential interference from the Whitebeard Pirates and other major pirate groups.
Unlike Linlin, Kaido didn't host grand tea parties or gatherings that presented opportunities for ambushes. His so-called "Fire Festival" celebrations were confined to Wano and carried minimal risk.
As a result, the World Government's attempts to strike a decisive blow against Kaido ended in stalemate. Moria suffered another defeat during the campaign, further cementing his reputation as a liability. Ultimately, the conflict yielded no substantial gains for either side.
The World Government, recognizing the difficulty of confronting New World's pirates, shifted its focus to combating the Revolutionary Army.
---
The Revolutionary Army, taking advantage of the chaos in New World, had expanded rapidly. With a foothold in New World, they spread disorder across the seas, toppling three to five kingdoms annually, a number that continued to grow.
Meanwhile, New World's pirate landscape experienced significant shifts.
Kaido's Beasts Pirates, having absorbed much of the Big Mom Pirates' legacy, surged in strength and influence. For a time, it seemed Kaido might overshadow Whitebeard as the dominant force in New World.
However, Kaido's ambitions didn't stop with his rivalry against the World Government. After recovering from their conflict, he turned his attention to Whitebeard, sparking a fierce clash between their crews.
Though the battles were brutal, Whitebeard ultimately emerged victorious, reaffirming his status as the most powerful pirate in New World. The Whitebeard Pirates once again demonstrated their strength, solidifying their position as the foremost pirate crew.
While Kaido and Whitebeard were locked in conflict, another contender quietly rose to prominence: Red-Haired Shanks.
Shanks' Red-Haired Pirates followed an elite model, focusing on quality over quantity. Their crew was small but formidable, and they gained notoriety by defeating several prominent pirate factions.
As a former member of the Roger Pirates, Shanks carried significant clout. His connection to the Pirate King, combined with his growing strength and reputation, made him a rising star in New World.
Claudius knew it was only a matter of time before Shanks reached the same level as Kaido and Whitebeard, standing as an equal among the Pirate Emperors.
As for whether anyone else would rise to fill Charlotte Linlin's vacant position, Claudius wasn't certain. Perhaps someone would emerge, but it wouldn't happen easily or quickly. Kaido and Whitebeard wouldn't allow a rival power to gain traction without resistance.
---
In addition to these major shifts, maritime trade experienced its own transformations. The Fish-Man Island had become a hub of commerce, with its underwater treasures gaining immense popularity. Nobles and merchants scrambled to acquire these rare goods, driving demand to unprecedented heights.
This lucrative trade was controlled almost entirely by CP-X. Claudius, as its overseer, ensured substantial taxes were paid to the World Government, keeping them satisfied.
While smaller traders were allowed to participate, they were limited to scraps, leftovers that Claudius deemed unworthy of his attention. Even so, these scraps were enough for them to earn significant profits.
Beyond treasures, the seabed surrounding The Fish-Man Island contained valuable mineral deposits. These resources fueled another burgeoning industry: arms manufacturing.
Crocodile and Doflamingo capitalized on these minerals to establish a robust weapons trade. Using Alabasta as a production hub, Crocodile oversaw the creation of high-quality cold weapons, from swords to spears.
Through Tesoro's shipping network, these arms were smuggled into Doflamingo's dark world connections. Doflamingo sold them indiscriminately to pirates, revolutionaries, governments, and anyone willing to pay.
While the current mineral reserves near The Fish-Man Island were limited, untapped deposits existed in the vast ocean floor. However, these were difficult and expensive to develop, with only The Fish-Man Island possessing the means to do so.
Claudius, wary of any single faction monopolizing these resources, began leveraging the Calm Belt for further development. By working with Marine and CP-X, he ensured that control of the ocean's hidden wealth remained balanced.