The New World.
The affairs of the Hoenn Government had little impact on the Pirates of the New World, who remained engrossed in their endless battles and power struggles.
One after another, the silver medalists emerged.
"Thousand-Li Clown" Buggy, who founded the war mercenary organization "Buggy's Delivery," quickly made a name for himself.
"Crocodile" Crocodile, formerly one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, also drew significant attention due to his performance in the Summit War.
"Five Peaks Sovereign" Wang Zhi, one of the remnants of the Rocks Pirates, though aged, refused to fade into obscurity and returned to the fray.
"Golden Lion" Shiki, the man who once sought to destroy the East Blue, saw an opportunity in the upheaval of the New World and made his comeback.
Then there were the escaped prisoners of Impel Down and the remnants of the Blackbeard Pirates—all formidable figures not to be underestimated.
And finally, the brats of the Worst Generation!
A free-for-all among Pirates.
One noteworthy detail: most of these silver medalists had purchased properties in the Fortuna Communities within their respective territories.
With the Beasts at the height of their power, the silver medalists dared not provoke them lightly. Instead, the other Emperor Crew, Totto Land, bore the brunt of their aggression.
Totto Land, Cake Island.
"Our ships have been sunk again!"
"It was Captain Kid!"
"A month ago, Crocodile also hijacked our cargo!"
The ministers seethed with rage.
Ever since the end of the Summit War, Totto Land had faced relentless troubles, with everyone eager to take a bite out of them.
Meanwhile, the Beasts enjoyed peace and stability. Even when someone foolishly provoked them, they were swiftly dealt with—mere fools who didn't know their place.
It was clear: these silver medalists sought to rise by stepping on Totto Land. Even if they couldn't defeat Big Mom, a stalemate would be enough to claim the title of Emperor.
All they needed was a grand battle to prove their strength!
Yet, despite being fellow Emperors, the difference in treatment was like night and day.
How could they not be furious?
But there was worse news.
Brulee rushed into the hall in a panic.
"Bad news! Brother Katakuri has run away from home!"
"What?!"
His siblings stood frozen in shock.
Ran away from home?!
Brulee produced a note.
["Gone to train. Don't worry about me!"]
Below it was a smaller line:
["—Your brother, Katakuri!"]
The siblings erupted in chaos.
"Why would Brother Katakuri leave at a time like this?!"
"Wait… could it be that he plans to deal with those bastards alone?"
"That must be it!"
"He's trying to protect us!"
Touched by their brother's sacrifice, the younger siblings couldn't hold back their tears.
Brulee stood speechless.
In truth, she had been observing Katakuri's training through her mirrors. He was so absorbed in his practice that he remained oblivious to the outside turmoil.
His "running away" was likely just him seeking strong opponents to test his progress or pushing himself through life-and-death battles.
It wasn't at all what the others imagined.
But she didn't dare say it out loud.
Meanwhile, near Reverse Mountain.
The Groudon Ship sailed downstream, entering the Grand Line.
A massive whale appeared in the distance.
"Whoosh!"
A towering water spout shot over a hundred meters into the air.
"That's one big whale!"
Gurd eyed Laboon, considering whether to strike it down with a Cliff Sword—after all, such a creature could obstruct their path.
But in the end, he decided against it.
A carcass that size would take ages for the sea creatures to devour, leaving Reverse Mountain reeking of decay.
As long as it didn't block their way, it could live.
"It's my first time coming here."
Gurd smiled, but his expression soon changed as he hurried to the ship's railing and vomited a rainbow below.
"Blegh~~"
Seems like this problem can't be cured.
Chikara handed him a fragrant towel.
"Lord Gurd, please use this."
"Thanks."
Gurd wiped his mouth and perked up.
He'd long wanted to visit, but never found the time until this business trip brought him here.
Destination: Alabasta!
As one of the top superpowers, Alabasta boasted a population exceeding ten million, with a standing army of 600,000.
Though lacking true elites—nearly destroyed by Crocodile, the three-year drought had severely damaged the country.
Now was the perfect time for aid!
"Full speed ahead!"
"Aye!"
The Groudon Ship sailed straight forward.
With multiple Eternal Poses prepared—including one for Alabasta—there was no need for mid-voyage stops.
Gurd put on sunglasses and lounged on a deck chair while Chikara sat nearby, feeding him juice and fruit snacks.
"Lord Gurd, news just came from the New World—Katakuri killed the Crescent Moon Hunter, Catarina Devon."
"Who's Devon?"
"A remnant of Blackbeard's Pirate Crew, user of the Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit."
"Oh, her."
Gurd remembered now.
A washed-up pirate, not worth attention.
But that Devil Fruit ability was intriguing—perfect mimicry of appearance and voice. If one of his own ate it, could they...?
Huh?
Wait a minute—!
Gurd sat up straight, expression serious.
"Summon the Chief Priest!"
"Right away."
Soon, the Chief Priest arrived on deck, yawning lazily.
"Lord Gurd, today's fortunes say... great luck!"
"..."
Gurd's face darkened.
That was way too half-hearted!
He was certain she hadn't actually divined anything today.
Gurd grabbed the Chief Priest's tail.
"Eep!"
She froze stiff until a sharp pain struck—another patch of fur gone.
"Ow!"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she glared at Gurd.
"Pay up! Plucking my fur costs extra!"
"At least 500—no, 1,000 Berries !"
How pathetic!
Gurd glanced at Chikara, and the girl promptly handed over 1,000 Berries to the Chief Priest.
Clutching the money, the priest immediately brightened, all grievances forgotten.
"What shall I divine?"
"The Nine-Tailed Fox Fruit!"
Gurd handed her the fur clump.
"Nine-Tails?!"
Her eyes sparkled.
Wano Country's myths spoke of the legendary nine-tailed fox—an immensely powerful yokai.
As a fox-blooded Chief Priest of the Inari Shrine, she revered the nine-tails, even fantasizing about eating a Devil Fruit to become one.
Like the carp leaping over the dragon gate to become a true dragon, becoming a nine-tailed fox was every fox's dream!
No wonder he'd plucked her fur as an offering.
"I'll take this seriously!"
Kicking off her wooden sandals, she grabbed a gohei and began a ritual dance on deck, seemingly amplifying her spiritual power.
Quite the sight.
Gurd's gaze drifted downward to her thick white socks—odd choice in this heat. Must get sweaty.
The ritual concluded.
Shaking the divination sticks violently, she chanted:
"Clatter!"
"Stormy seas, endless changes, overcoming all trials, gains shadowed by loss."
The omen was dire!
The Chief Priest's expression changed slightly as he picked up the divination stick tube, muttering mysteriously, "I must have made a mistake earlier. Let's try again!"
Clatter!
Still ominous!
Clatter!
Ominous! Ominous! Ominous!
After a long while, the Chief Priest's disheveled hair flailed wildly like an aggrieved ghost as he slammed the stick tube to the ground and stomped away angrily with an irritated gait.
"Pah! Superstitious nonsense!"
"..."
Gurd ( _ )
What kind of fraudster gets emotionally wrecked by their own fortune-telling?!
Meanwhile, at the Alabasta Royal Palace.
Captain of the Guard Igaram reported.
"Your Majesty Cobra, we no longer have sufficient funds to purchase food supplies."
"I'll think of something."
Cobra massaged his temples in frustration.
Three years of severe drought had dealt devastating blows to the kingdom, especially to food production—farmlands across all regions were practically yielding no harvest at all.
The national treasury was running dry.
If this continued, he would have no choice but to borrow from the World Government, but the exorbitant interest rates posed another major problem.
Yet no matter what, they had to endure.
Having survived the darkest night, they couldn't collapse at the break of dawn—this nation wasn't so fragile!
(End of Chapter)