Inherited will, the surge of the era, the dreams of the people... these are things that cannot be stopped.
As long as people seek the answer to "Freedom," they will never truly be stilled.
Gold Roger, the King of the Pirates, left behind a legacy.
Whether it truly exists or not, the "One Piece" became a dream that drove everyone toward the Grand Line.
The world had truly entered the Great Pirate Era.
+++
The execution of Gol D. Roger was intended to be the Navy's ultimate victory—a move to break the spirit of pirates across the globe. Instead, their calculations missed the mark entirely. Now, they were spread thin, desperately trying to manage a tidal wave of new outlaws surging into every corner of the sea.
The news that the legendary treasure was out there somewhere transformed the world overnight. Countless souls turned to piracy, and the established powers were forced to adapt just as quickly.
The impact of Shiki the Golden Lion's solo raid on Marine Headquarters was also immense. Though he had been defeated by Garp and Sengoku and locked away in the depths of the Great Underwater Prison, Impel Down, his massive pirate fleet and vast territories remained.
To rival powers, a Golden Lion fleet without Shiki was nothing more than a feast waiting to be devoured. The Big Mom Pirates and the Twilight Pirates moved in like sharks, competing to seize Shiki's former territories and grinding any resistance into the sea.
While the Whitebeard Pirates stood as an immovable mountain over their own islands, avoiding the chaos, the Beast Pirates used their raw military might to scavenge what they could. Kanata's relationship with everyone except Whitebeard was toxic at best; there was no room for diplomacy, only the cold clash of steel.
"Mmm... the results are looking good. Not a bad haul today."
"As long as we avoid clashing with Newgate, we're golden. Kanata's usually hesitant about territory expansion, though..."
Scotch "The Storm" (Bounty: 135,000,000 Berries) and George "Evening Calm" (Bounty: 120,000,000 Berries) had just finished crushing a fleet of Shiki's remnants. For the inhabitants of the islands, the transition was almost seamless; as long as they were under a new flag, other pirates stayed away, and their daily lives remained largely the same.
In the New World, where the Navy's reach was short, this was the natural order. David and Samuel were currently scouting for survivors, while George mulled over Kanata's reluctance to grow their domain.
"If our territory grows, our influence grows, right? Why is she so picky about it?" Scotch asked.
"You idiot. Territory expansion comes with maintenance costs," George replied, rubbing his temples. "Especially for us, since our core is commerce."
For most pirates, territory was a status symbol. For Kanata, it was a logistical headache. Maintaining an island required "cost"—not just money, but manpower. To protect a trade route from meddling pirates, you needed capable fighters. Kanata didn't want to see her people spread so thin that they couldn't focus on the business.
"Manpower... yeah, that's always been the bottleneck," Scotch admitted.
Recruiting pirates was easy; finding pirates who could actually handle a trade negotiation was nearly impossible. Even if they absorbed Shiki's subordinates, most were useless for anything but fighting. Kanata's current territory was already vast, and her current operations were essentially a cleanup of the Golden Lion's mess.
"I doubt it'll happen, but just in case Shiki ever crawls out of Impel Down... we need to make sure there's nothing left for him to come home to," George added.
Given Shiki's power and his fruit's ability, the chance of him escaping wasn't zero. It was better to pull the weeds out by the roots now.
+++
A massive galleon was crushed underfoot like a child's toy. The Golden Lion's Jolly Roger on the sail was dragged into the depths, a tattered remnant of a fallen empire. Resistance was futile; any weapons thrust at the attacker were batted away with ease.
"Who's next? I can crush all of you at once if you'd prefer."
Feyyun "The Giant Shadow" (Bounty: 780,000,000 Berries) loomed over the wreckage. Capable of growing ten times the size of a normal giant, the rabble before her didn't even qualify as a threat.
"Feyyun, that's the last of them! Lunch is ready once you finish the cleanup!"
Gloriosa "The Canopy" (Bounty: 188,000,000 Berries) stood near several stone statues—lifelike and exquisite, as if they had been caught in a moment of pure terror. She glanced at the sinking ships with indifference.
"They weren't as strong as I expected," added Kaie "The Magic Eye" (Bounty: 66,000,000 Berries), tying back her long purple hair.
The trio had neutralized nearly ten pirate ships and secured an entire island formerly under Shiki's protection. Without the presence of Shiki's Three Great Commanders, it was simple work.
"I'm starving..." Feyyun grumbled.
"A rampage like that will do it. Don't worry, the stores are full," Gloriosa reassured her.
"Still, I wonder where the Golden Lion's Commanders went," Kaie mused. "This island wasn't a major base, but it's strange that they didn't even send a representative."
"They're likely moving with a purpose," Gloriosa replied. "Either they're hiding the remnants to wait for Shiki's escape, or they're gathering strength to raid the prison. Either way, our job stays the same."
"Are we heading to another island after this?"
"Yes... it's going to be busy for a while yet."
Feyyun pumped a fist. "I'll do my best!"
The total eradication of the Golden Lion Pirates would take time. The organization was gargantuan, and with Big Mom and Kaido also moving in, the situation was becoming a chaotic web of interests. Gloriosa suspected this instability would continue for years.
+++
A Haki-clad fist tore through the air, delivering a thunderous impact. With a single blow, an enemy was silenced; then another, and another. No second strike was required.
Since Roger's death, the number of rookies who thought they could raid Fullalead had increased exponentially. Most were "dreamers" who became pirates just to find the treasure, lacking any real combat experience.
"Boring. Is this truly the best you can offer?"
Junshi "The Hexad Grand Spear" (Bounty: 880,000,000 Berries) stood amidst the fallen. Beside him was Zen "The Red Mane" (Bounty: 800,000,000 Berries).
"If you wish to challenge us, please put in at least a few years of training first. He-he-he!" Zen laughed.
The New World was a sea that filtered out the weak. Those who arrived with half-baked resolve were destined to become fish food.
"That Crocodile brat from the other day at least had some backbone," Junshi noted. "These ones are worthless."
Crocodile had recently tried his luck at their gates. He hadn't been a match for Junshi or Zen yet, but as a Logia user, he had potential. Junshi was actually looking forward to seeing if the boy would return with more "bite" later. It was clear Crocodile had been testing their strength.
"They've reached the New World, so they aren't total trash... but there are thousands of them now," Zen sighed. "Did we even need to come out here for this?"
"Everyone else is busy on the front lines, so we're short-handed. It can't be helped."
The subordinates were handling the survivors. Anyone with a bounty would be turned over to brokers for cash. Since the bounty hunter market had also expanded, turning in mid-level pirates through intermediaries was an easy way to make pocket change without alerting the Navy.
"I should have joined the hunt for the Golden Lion remnants instead," Junshi grumbled.
"I feel the same, but we can't leave the base undefended."
Junshi still felt he had unfinished business with Shiki's commanders, Aps and Lellampago. Their previous battle had been a stalemate, and he had been hoping for a rematch during this purge. However, the Three Great Commanders—including the strategist Lucian—had vanished.
"We need to increase the escorts for the merchant ships," Zen noted. "It'll be a while before the seas settle down."
"Which means more work for us training the new recruits," Junshi added. "The era changed, but it didn't get any easier."
+++
While clashing sporadically with the Big Mom and Beast Pirates, Kanata finally caught the scent of the Three Great Commanders. The Golden Lion's flame was flickering out, and she intended to be the one to snuff it.
Realizing the Commanders might be too much for Junshi and the others to handle simultaneously, Kanata had moved to intercept them herself.
"Black Binding" Aps.
"White Beast" Lellampago.
"Red Cannon" Lucian.
All three were high-ranking outlaws whose strength rivaled the executives of any Yonko crew.
"It's been a while since our clash in the Merveille seas," Kanata said, standing on the frozen ocean. "You look well."
"Nonsense," Aps spat. "You've hunted us to the edge of the world and you have the nerve to play at pleasantries?"
"I'm not here to kill you," Kanata replied, maintaining a relaxed posture despite the five Golden Lion ships facing her. "I have a proposal."
"A proposal?" Aps narrowed his eyes.
"Shiki is in Impel Down. His empire is a ruin. For men of your talent, there's no reason to drown with a sinking ship. Why not join me?"
It was a bold move. In a world of pirates where "honor" was often tied to one's captain, such an offer could be seen as an insult. But Kanata's voice held no malice—only a cold, pragmatic sincerity.
"You want us to serve you?" Aps asked.
"I refuse," Lucian cut in immediately. "We knew the winning streak wouldn't last forever. That's life. But we crawl, we survive, and we rise again. I've lived that way since my homeland was burned in a never-ending war. I'm not about to start serving the woman who tore down my current home."
"I see... that's a shame."
As Kanata leveled her spear, Lellampago moved before she could. He was a Zoan user—likely a Mythical type. His physical boost was immense, and his Haki was honed to a razor's edge. He was one of the few who could actually buy time against Kanata.
"Lell and I will hold her," Aps said to Lucian. "Go. As planned."
"My apologies," Lucian whispered.
"Don't be. We do what we must."
They shattered the ice surrounding their flagship. As long as the path was clear, Lucian could use his powers to propel the ship away. They knew they couldn't defeat Kanata, but they had to ensure Dr. Indigo, Shiki's right hand, escaped to preserve their future.
Aps and Lellampago lunged at Kanata. Lellampago swung his twin battleaxes with a ferocity that could cleave the sea, but no matter how he read her movements, he couldn't land a single blow. Kanata slipped into his guard and delivered a series of Haki-infused punches to his torso.
The shockwaves bypassed his external defense, vibrating through his organs. It was a technique derived from the Eight-Impact Fist used by Chinjao. Lellampago collapsed, his breathing hitching as his body failed him.
"One down."
Kanata turned her cold gaze toward Aps. He immediately backed away, unleashing his Awakened ability. Massive chains erupted from the ice, the sea, and the air itself, swarming toward her like vipers.
"An Awakened user, hm?"
Such a level of mastery was rare. Kanata dodged the incoming chains with fluid, almost casual movements, closing the distance to Aps in an instant.
"You... you monster...!"
"That's unkind," Kanata replied. "You're just weak."
To Kanata, her spear was an extension of her own body. Even without the weapon, her basic strength was overwhelming. She struck the chains Aps had raised for defense; the impact bypassed the metal entirely, slamming into Aps's chest and sending him skidding across the ice.
Aps spat out a mouthful of blood and lunged again, desperate. Lellampago forced himself up and swung his axes from behind.
Kanata didn't move. She simply released a burst of cold so intense the atmosphere crystallized. In a heartbeat, both men were frozen solid.
"Amateurs."
Kanata "The Dragon-Killer Witch" (Bounty: 2,890,000,000 Berries).
"Even Shiki's best are only worth this much?"
She stood between the two frozen statues and watched the single ship disappearing into the distance. Her own fleet was already seizing the other four. She considered chasing Lucian and Dr. Indigo... but decided to let them go.
They were broken. She had already planted the seeds for her own future schemes; if they survived, they might serve a purpose later.
"That just leaves Linlin, Kaido, and Newgate," she whispered.
Clashes with Big Mom were frequent, and she wanted to end it, but a full-scale war between two Emperors would have global consequences. Whitebeard would likely stay out of it, but the Navy would pounce the moment one side showed weakness.
For now, her priority was stabilizing the economy within her own territory and cleaning up the millions of "rookie" pirates littering the sea. The next year or two would be chaos.
It was a bad time for a gamble.
***
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