New World • Loan Shark Archipelago
On the Usury Islands of the New World, a young member of the Yamikin family named Dai Gurandai lived his life as a disregarded orphan from a minor branch of the clan. A few months ago, by sheer coincidence, he met several wandering powerhouses who shared similar interests.
Through what he liked to call his "personal charm," he managed to recruit these formidable drifters as his "companions" and "subordinates."
Now, backed by these powerful allies, Gurandai had begun a bold challenge for the position of Yamikin King, the supreme controller of the clan.
With so many strong fighters under his banner, his once idle ambitions had swollen far beyond their proper limits. Desires he had never dared to entertain before now burned in his mind day and night.
He had just received newly delivered intel from his "subordinates." His legendary uncle, the infamous King of Loan Sharks, Dai Ferudo, had apparently been killed on Big Mom's territory, Whole Cake Island.
Spurred on by the nudges and coaxing of these "subordinates" and "advisors," this sidelined branch member, who otherwise would never have inherited anything, made a decisive move. He launched a clan-wide struggle to seize the title of Yamikin King.
Even if it plunged the entire Yamikin family into chaos, he was determined to climb to that coveted throne and take control of the family's vast fortunes.
Main Island of the Usury Islands • Yamikin Island
"Kill them!! If you kill them, I'll become the Yamikin King!"
Dai Gurandai screamed himself hoarse, eyes bloodshot, ordering the powerful fighters under his command to slaughter his direct-line cousins, especially Ferudo's children.
"Gurandai! You disgrace! How dare you rebel against your own kin?!"
Dai Porogedi, face twisted with fury, hurled curses at his worthless cousin. Dozens of Yamikin clansmen and elite guards surrounded him protectively.
As the primary heir candidate of the Yamikin family, Porogedi was not only Ferudo's eldest son but also a top-tier talent, trained thoroughly in both leadership and combat.
"Kira hihihi! My dear cousin, Uncle Ferudo has already fallen on Whole Cake Island. Only someone with greater ability deserves to be the new Yamikin King!"
Gurandai's eyes gleamed with greedy ambition, as if he could already see the future where everything bowed before him.
"What?!"
"It can't be!"
"Patriarch Ferudo went to Whole Cake Island with other underworld emperors! There's no way he died!"
Several elders and clansmen absolutely refused to believe Gurandai's claims. All they knew was that this clown must have colluded with some outside force and was trying to forcefully seize power.
Shortly after the fierce battle began, Porogedi, still surrounded on all sides by protective guards, received a special call.
When he heard the voice on the other end, his expression collapsed. The devastating news confirmed it: his father, Ferudo, had truly been killed on Whole Cake Island. The call even included possible suspects.
"Aaargh!"
"Gurandai!! You trash! Your subordinates really are CP0 agents from the World Government!!"
Porogedi roared with rage. He had already sensed something familiar in the martial techniques displayed by Gurandai's mysterious helpers.
Of course. They were none other than those infamous government assassins.
"??!!"
Even the ambitious good-for-nothing Gurandai stared at his "brothers-in-arms" and "strategists," shocked beyond belief.
"Ahh, so we're exposed already."
"Gurandai-dono, you don't have a way out anymore, remember?"
Gernica, tearing off the human-skin mask on his face, calmly placed a white mask over it. The black-and-white eyes painted on the mask stared playfully at his so-called "boss."
"You're seriously CP agents…?"
Gurandai's voice trembled. He wanted the Yamikin throne, sure, but he never intended to mix with the World Government.
Underworld powers and the Government were natural enemies. Aligning with CP agents would offend every other dark organization. Even if he won today, life afterward would be a nightmare.
Were all these "brothers," carefully recruited over months, actually government operatives?
"Since we're exposed, no need to hold back. Use your real power," Gernica said as he straightened his white hat and draped a white cloak over his shoulders. He glanced at the other CP0 members.
"Understood!"
The CP0 operatives unleashed the full extent of their Rokushiki mastery, ruthlessly butchering Yamikin guards.
The green-haired fighter Maha fired relentless Finger Pistol shots, blood spraying everywhere. His strength rivaled that of a pirate worth 500 million.
In the original timeline, Maha had killed three of the Onis in a single strike and died alongside Izou, commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Sixteenth Division, bounty 510 million.
Josefu, mask returned to his face, launched a storm of Rankyaku blades with terrifying speed. Screams echoed wherever the flying slashes passed.
Josefu specialized in leg-based techniques. Rankyaku, Geppo, and Soru were his strongest moves. His Geppo could carry him from Onigashima all the way to a warship out at sea.
In the original timeline's Onigashima War, he witnessed the death of two comrades, the awakening of the Sun God Nika, and the defeat of two Yonko. He became the only CP0 agent to escape the island alive, reporting everything to the Gorosei.
As for team captain Gernica, he was strong enough to easily defeat two-years-later Drake and Apoo. He nearly killed both. He even assassinated Straw Hat Luffy before being smashed into oblivion by Kaido's club.
The last agent, Gismonda, put his scarlet rage mask back on. His sunflower-shaped lion's mane marked him as a brutal berserker. A long-arm tribesman, he excelled at advanced Finger Pistol forms.
These four CP0 agents had approached Gurandai, a frustrated Yamikin branch member, under direct orders from the World Government. They had seduced him into launching a coup for the Yamikin throne, leading a huge contingent of CP agents to plunge the clan into self-destruction.
Even if they couldn't crown Gurandai, they would weaken the family enough for the Government to seize their wealth.
Gurandai, watching his "brothers" reveal themselves one after another, felt his mind go numb. The throne of the Yamikin King now seemed further away than ever.
"Gurandai, you shame of the Yamikin family. As of this moment, I strip you of the family name. I'll carve you into pieces!"
Porogedi shot him a venomous glare before immediately withdrawing, leaving his warriors behind to hold off the CP agents.
Now that his father Ferudo had fallen, and Gurandai had brought CP0 straight into their home, he had to prioritize survival and the succession.
He had to become the next Yamikin King, inherit the family business, and quell the chaos.
If Yamikin Island fell, so be it. The family had countless branch bases. They could rebuild another headquarters whenever they wished.