Weapons, too, are the main theme of the world.
In many rebellious countries, most people wield wooden sticks and farming tools, lacking high-quality weapons.
Even Pirates come equipped with their own weapons, and if they break, immediate replenishment isn't possible.
This applies to cold weapons; as for firearms, that's even more troublesome.
Not to mention maintenance and repair, just the ammunition alone is enough to cause headaches.
Even for the Revolutionary Army, despite having a great inventor, weapons are seriously lacking.
Among the most mainstream Pirates currently sailing the seas, Dorag is paying close attention to the quickly rising disaster.
Especially since this guy is arguably the biggest arms dealer in the New World; there was no opportunity to contact him before, but now that he's a "Four Emperor," it's no longer an issue.
"You are the legacy of O'hara, the spark of revolution..."
Dorag said to Robin, "You should go and make contact, it should be feasible."
"I understand..."
Robin thought for a moment and nodded, "I'll go."
...
"Hey! Mihawk!"
Inside the eerie abandoned castle, Perona floated in carrying a newspaper, shaking it towards Mihawk who was savoring red wine.
"Look quickly! Look quickly!"
Mihawk's eagle-like eyes glanced sideways, responding indifferently, "I've already seen it."
On that table, there was already a newspaper laid out.
A full frontal photo of Sage and a variety of headlines filled the pages.
Headlines like "[The birth of the New Four Emperors], [The Arrival of the Greatest Disaster], [The Youngest Four Emperor], [An Extremely Oppressive Ruler]," among others.
"That's not him!"
Perona brought the back of the newspaper closer to Mihawk's face, saying joyfully:
"It's Lord Moriah! Lord Moriah was here originally!"
Since the Straw Hat crew barged into Thriller Bark, Perona encountered Kuma and was sent here by him.
After the Summit War, there was no news of Moriah; only his Wanted Order was seen later, indicating that Lord Moriah had returned to the Pirate life.
She was despondent for a while, wondering if Moriah had abandoned her...
But now it appears Moriah has joined that disaster!
"He must have been forced to! Lord Moriah is so powerful, how could he possibly submit to that brat disaster?! It's more likely that disaster submitted to Lord Moriah!"
Perona, puffed up with anger, declared, "I'm going to find Lord Moriah and help him reclaim his rightful position."
With that, she turned around to leave, floating very slowly.
"I'm leaving now, by the way, if you try to persuade me to stay, I might consider it because I've lodged here for so long."
Perona looked back at Mihawk's impassive face, blinked expectantly but waited a while without a reply, snorted:
"I'm really leaving you know? Really? I won't look after that foolish apprentice of yours either; you can plant crops with him and the gorilla."
Mihawk took a sip of red wine, seemingly lost in appreciation.
"Hey! Too much, you're not even answering, I'm really leaving!" Perona's eyes turned white with anger as she shouted, ready to rush out.
"Wait..."
At this moment, Mihawk spoke, causing Perona to pause in surprise, turning back with a mix of emotion and pride:
"Hmph! I knew I was still useful; considering you sheltered me, I'll stay a while longer!"
"I meant, take your umbrella with you."
Mihawk said calmly, "Also, you moved in when I wasn't home, I didn't actually shelter you."
"Hey! No sentiment at all? I've even cooked for you!" Perona's temple throbbed with anger.
"But I don't recommend leaving now; things are chaotic at sea now. I originally thought Blackbeard should become a Four Emperor first... the New World now has a new disaster, and with Moriah, who had grudges with Kaido, conflicts are bound to increase."
He completely ignored Perona's words, analyzing independently, flipping open the newspaper to reveal a photo of a blonde with large waves, a smile forming:
"A swordsman with great eyes; I'm looking forward to seeing who surpasses me first."
"Hmph! Fine, I'll write to Lord Moriah, sending it to Storm City should suffice! I'll continue to look after you guys for a while, I'm not one to abandon a favor without repaying it!"
Perona huffed lightly and floated outside, looking at the Green Algae Head who had already dispatched a bunch of gorillas, calling out, "Hey! Cut some watermelon for me!"
"Cut it yourself!"
Zoro, biting three swords, grumbled loudly upwards.
...
"Fufufufufu!"
Dressrosa.
Doflamingo put down the newspaper, laughing sinisterly:
"A Four Emperor, a Four Emperor indeed! With this, I hold two reins; those fools in the World Government want to bypass me and trade directly with Sage? They don't understand; my existence is convenient for Sage, but to you, it means being constrained!"
The nature of channels is reciprocal between him and Sage.
Sage needs him, and he needs Sage's assurance.
If cooperating with the World Government, it would be different entirely; the Government would oppressively control Sage through channels. If that guy were truly foolish, he wouldn't gather such a large force.
Moreover, he's helping Sage distribute Rainbow Gems.
No matter whether it's trading with Kaido or Sage, it benefits Doflamingo!
Holding onto these two strings maximizes his status and security.
"It's soon, soon..."
Doflamingo gazed at the sky, his mouth curling into a grim smile, "Whether it's Kaido or Sage, they're preparing... just wait, soon, you'll all be pulled down! Fufufufufu, hahaha!"
"Thief Hahaha!"
New World, inside Hive Island.
"Sage really is something, becoming a Four Emperor before me!"
Teach one-handedly held a wooden goblet, the newspaper in the other, and a few attractive ladies lounging in his huge arms, laughing at the newspaper.
"Wehahaha, what to do Captain, should we go to war with disaster? Reclaim your position?"
Bashas drained the goblet, his arms bulging, laughing loudly.
"It should be Fleet Commodore."
Shiryu, wiping his sword and smoking a cigar, glanced at him, exhaling smoke, "That sort of thing is impossible; we're allies with disaster."
"Exactly, until we carve up the world, we're allies, Thief Hahaha!"
Teach extended a hand, revealed darkness, his toothless grin filled with confidence:
"Pirate Emperor isn't a dubbed title but earned through battle! What I seek isn't just a title, we'll take our time; there's no rush now!"
Bang!
Inside Ghost Island.
Kaido punched a subordinate who took too long serving wine out of fear, holding a wine cup and sobbing:
"Whitebeard, you bastard, why did you die so soon! Boring, too boring! If anyone could come and kill me!"
He gulped down wine, smashed the cup, then stroked the massive scar on his chest, his grief-stricken face turning savage.
"You couldn't either! But you are worthy of standing with me as equals! Orooloolooloo!"
Cake Island, palace.
"Another repulsive brat!"
Big Mom tossed the newspaper, and Prometheus beside her blew a ball of fire, incinerating the newspaper.
"Just as detestable as Red Hair, and he even snatched my Homiez! Odious brat, odious!!"
Meanwhile, on a sunny island in the New World.
A red-haired man, with the wind blowing his cloak and lifting the newspaper in his hand.
"Four Emperors, huh..."
Shanks lifted his head, facing the sea under the sunlight, "The tides of the era are continuously surging in, but the time isn't ripe yet..."
He held his broken arm, murmuring: "Luffy..."