Chapter 271: The Dark Tides of the Era!
Time quietly slipped by. In the year 1518 of the Sea Circle Calendar, the landscape of the sea was undergoing an earth-shattering shift in silence.
Following the annihilation of the Whitebeard Pirates' remnants, Ochoku completely let loose, beginning a mad annexation of the territories left behind by Whitebeard.
In a bloody expansion lasting half a year, countless former Whitebeard subordinates were either wiped out or forced to surrender.
Hachinosu (Pirate Island), the new center of darkness, became the most rampant gathering place for pirates in the New World.
At a banquet, Ochoku, wearing a bloodstained cape, laughed loud enough to shake the heavens:
"Whitebeard's era is over! From today onward, the New World belongs to my era! I will become the new Yonko!!!"
Countless great pirates raised their glasses in agreement. The sound of war drums intertwined with the crashing waves, heralding the imminent arrival of a new wave of chaos.
Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Army, led by Dragon, secretly infiltrated several nations affiliated with the World Government, successfully inciting civilian uprisings.
The World Government was furious. CP0 was deployed in full force, yet they repeatedly came up empty-handed, left only with burned-down noble manors and the proudly flying flags of the revolution.
...
Several months ago, Kamabakka Kingdom (Momoiro Island)
Sanji, wrapped head-to-toe in bandages, sat on the training ground. Opposite him was the "Okama King" Emporio Ivankov, wearing an exaggerated smile.
"Attack Cuisine: The 99 Vitality Recipes!"
Ivankov fluttered his massive fake eyelashes and spun around exaggeratedly.
"By using special ingredients and cooking methods to stimulate the body's potential, combined with Newkama Kenpo special training—it can completely transform you, Sanji-boy. Are you sure you want to accept?"
Sanji bit down on his cigarette, his expression incomparably resolute. "As long as I can get stronger... I'll accept anything!"
Ivankov grinned widely. "Hee-haw~ Then let the hell begin!"
Over the next three months, Sanji experienced the most agonizing training of his life. Every day, he was forced to eat the specially-made "Vitality Cuisine." The ingredients included Exploding Chili Peppers, Iron Kelp, and Volcanic Lizard Eggs...
Every time he swallowed, it felt like his stomach was breathing fire: "This stuff... isn't meant for human consumption at all!"
He had to continuously challenge 99 masters of Newkama Kenpo. Every time he lost, he had to wear a dress and dance in the Okama Plaza.
Sanji screamed in a complete breakdown: "I WOULD RATHER DIE THAN DANCE!!!"
But the reality was...
Not only did he dance, he was forced to do multiple encores.
Buffed by the "Vitality Recipes," the power of Sanji's kicking techniques skyrocketed, breaking past his physical limits.
Finally, he kicked the 99th opponent flying with a single strike, causing the entire training ground floor to cave in!
Ivankov raised his arms high, his heavily made-up face beaming with a brilliant smile. "Sanji-boy, you've passed! You are now a true warrior of Attack Cuisine!"
...
When Sanji finally set foot on the port of Marine Headquarters, Marineford, having lost a significant amount of weight, tears welled up in his eyes.
"Finally... back in the civilized world..."
However, before he could even walk off the pier, a hot female Marine walked past him.
"..."
"PFFT—!!!"
A nosebleed erupted like a volcano. Sanji's eyes rolled to the back of his head, and he fell stiffly to the ground.
"Medic! Quickly! Someone passed out from severe blood loss!!!"
Inside a hospital room, Ace and Luffy were pressing their faces against the window, peering inside.
Ace stared at Sanji in surprise. "Whoa, Sanji, how did you get as skinny as a bamboo pole?! Did they not have any food on Momoiro Island?!"
Luffy looked full of expectation. "Sanji! You're finally back! Did you bring meat? I want to eat your cooking!!!"
Sanji weakly raised a hand, his voice softer than a mosquito: "Screw off..."
A nurse nearby had veins popping on her forehead from anger. "The patient needs rest! You two, get out right now!!!"
Less than half an hour after being dragged out, the two sneaked back in through the back door and carried Sanji straight out of the hospital.
Ace laughed loudly. "Let's go! We're taking you out for a massive feast to celebrate you coming back alive!!!"
Luffy shouted from the side, "Time for meat!!!"
Being carried like a sack, Sanji was at his last breath. "I beg you... just give me some normal... food..."
...
The results of Jewelry Bonney's medical treatment had been delayed until recently, when they were officially reported to the World Government. The report showed that her illness had been completely cured.
The World Government originally intended to take this opportunity to arrange for CP8's Alpha Squad to secretly monitor her, thereby gaining control over the actions of the Royal Shichibukai, Bartholomew Kuma.
Kuma sternly refused.
The World Government then wanted to rely on military force to make Kuma compromise. But before the plan could even unfold, CP8's Alpha Squad was wiped out by Kuma personally, leaving no survivors.
Once this news was relayed upwards, the entirety of the Holy Land Mary Geoise fell into a temporary silence.
Holy Land Mary Geoise · Chamber of Authority
The Five Elders sat around the long table, pinching that shocking report in their hands.
St. Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro tapped his finger lightly against the tabletop, his voice cold. "Bartholomew Kuma... actually dared to openly resist the World Government's surveillance?"
St. Jaygarcia Saturn narrowed his eyes. "His daughter has fully recovered. Since he has no weaknesses left, he has no reason to compromise anymore. The current Kuma, relying on the immense power of the Paw-Paw Fruit... I'm afraid even we would find it difficult to forcibly control him."
St. Marcus Mars slowly set down his teacup, his tone steady. "But he is still a Royal Shichibukai. As long as he fulfills his duties and maintains a deterrent effect against pirates, we do not need to make a move against him."
Ultimately, St. Topman Warcury finalized the decision. "Ignore him for now. The movements of the Revolutionary Army are more important at the moment."
The meeting room fell into a brief silence, with only the ticking of the clock on the wall echoing.
...
Marineford · Roy's Office
The sea breeze swept past the window lattice. The stacks of intelligence documents on the desk gave off the scent of ink.
Roy sat at his desk, tapping his fingertips lightly as his gaze swept over the latest intel page by page.
"Ochoku wants to be a Yonko?" A mocking smirk curled on Roy's lips as he muttered to himself. "He dares to dream with that bunch of misfits? Perhaps I can send Ace and Luffy to 'visit' Hachinosu. Those two brothers have been too idle lately..."
Flipping a few pages, he frowned slightly. "Dragon has been making frequent moves recently. The Revolutionary Army's infiltration is faster than expected... The World Government is probably going to have a headache."
The next page of intelligence made him pause, followed by a peculiar smile. "The Pirate Empress Hancock has been playing it a little too safe lately, as if she's hiding something... And Crocodile actually hasn't been messing with Dance Powder? The sun really is rising from the west."
Roy took a deep breath, looking out the window at the vast sea horizon.
"The so-called era of destiny... is getting closer and closer..."
Just then, the office door was pushed open. Law walked in, his expression as aloof as ever. "Big Brother Roy, those two idiots are causing trouble again."
Roy didn't look up. "What is it this time?"
"Luffy and Ace carried the recently returned Sanji to a restaurant to feast. As a result, Sanji saw a beautiful waitress, sprayed blood while eating, and finally passed out from excessive blood loss."
Roy slowly looked up, his eyes filled with resignation. "And then?"
"Now they are being held and lectured by the hospital's Head Nurse... The Head Nurse has already declared: if they don't accept ideological re-education, they can forget about leaving the hospital."
Roy rubbed his forehead gently, sighing. "Those two guys... they can't stay out of trouble for a single day. Looks like I need to find something for them to do ASAP."
He stood up, donning his coat emblazoned with the word Justice. "Let's go. Time to bail them out."
Just as Roy walked out the door, a light breeze blew through the office, flipping the intelligence reports on the desk to the very last page:
[Report on Emerging Pirate Crew in the East Blue]
Crew Name: The Effort Pirates
Captain: Suspected Gum-Gum Fruit User
Current Status: Crossed Reverse Mountain, entered the Grand Line.
Law caught a glimpse of this intel and raised an eyebrow. "Effort Pirates? What kind of stupid name is that..."
"Big Brother Roy probably finished reading this..."
He skillfully organized the documents for Roy, filing the intel into the "Read" folder, before leaving the office.
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