The New World was a sea that chewed up the weak and spat them out, yet today, the waters were vast and magnificent under the high sun. Cutting through the waves was a formidable fleet. Leading the formation was a massive pirate ship flying the intimidating flag of the Beasts Pirates. Emblazoned clearly on its hull was the character "One," signifying its status as the flagship of the First Division of the Oni Squad. Flanking this lead vessel, and following in its wake, were three smaller but equally aggressive pirate ships, creating a formidable formation that dominated the immediate ocean.
Standing resolutely at the bow of the lead ship was Basil Hawkins, the "Magician" and Captain of the First Division. His expression was as stoic as ever, his eyes scanning the horizon, reading the unseen currents of fate.
Standing beside him was his Vice Captain, a man named Daikoku. Daikoku was an imposing figure, recruited directly from the closed nation of Wano Country. He had thick, light-red hair and a burly, muscular physique that spoke of raw power. Dressed in traditional black samurai attire with a heavy sword strapped to his back, he looked every bit the warrior. Most notably, he sported horns on his head resembling those of a bull, a testament to the power he now wielded.
Daikoku was formerly a member of the Oniwabanshu, the elite ninja squad that had served the previous Shogun, Kurozumi Orochi. However, the political landscape of Wano had shifted violently. Ever since Governor Kaido had executed Orochi, the Oniwabanshu found themselves in a precarious position. They were the trusted retainers of a dead tyrant, and their standing had plummeted. Neither the new Shogun, Kurozumi Tama, nor the high-ranking All-Star, Eneru (Enel), welcomed their presence.
This ostracization led to their gradual marginalization within Wano Country. They were skilled killers without a master, drifting into irrelevance.
It was at this crossroads that Basil Hawkins made his move. As the Captain of the First Division, he was the first to extend an olive branch to the displaced ninjas. Hawkins was a man who calculated probabilities and outcomes, and among the thirteen captains of the Oni Squad, he was undoubtedly the most intelligent and strategic.
Hawkins knew that as an outsider from the North Blue, establishing a firm foothold within the meritocratic hierarchy of the Beasts Pirates and the isolationist culture of Wano would be difficult. He needed loyal subordinates who understood the local terrain and culture. After briefly analyzing the internal situation of Wano, he set his sights on the marginalized Oniwabanshu.
His reasoning was sound. Firstly, the Oniwabanshu were not weak; they had been the personal guard of the Shogun, meaning their combat prowess was elite. Secondly, they were natives who understood the geography, politics, and customs of Wano, making them the ideal candidates for leadership positions within his division.
To seal the deal and demonstrate his sincerity, Hawkins had invested heavily. He gifted Daikoku an Artificial Devil Fruit that he had received from Kaido—the Ushi Ushi no Mi, Model: Black Ox. This gesture completely won Daikoku's allegiance, and with him came a significant portion of the Oniwabanshu.
The results of this calculation were clearly visible on the deck behind them. At least one-third of the crew manning the First Division's ships were samurai and ninjas from the former Oniwabanshu. This influx of trained elites instantly propelled Basil Hawkins' crew to the top, making the First Division the strongest among the thirteen divisions of the Oni Squad.
Observing Hawkins' success, the other foreign captains realized the opportunity they had missed. Their eyes lit up with realization, and they scrambled to extend their own offers to the remaining members of the Oniwabanshu. This recruitment drive completely dismantled Orochi's former spy force, integrating them entirely into the Beasts Pirates' structure. The Oniwabanshu, as an independent entity, had faded into history.
However, the other captains had been too slow to act. The bulk of the elite talent had already been absorbed by Hawkins, leaving a gap in strength between the First Division and the rest.
Because of this superior strength, the First Division had been entrusted with a special mission by the Vice Governor, King the Conflagration. They had received the order just yesterday.
Prior to this new directive, they had been sailing the New World for five days, tasked with patrolling the Beasts Pirates' expanding territory and eliminating any foolish intruders. That phase of the mission had gone smoothly. The flag of the Beasts Pirates alone was enough to terrify most crews, and the few idiots who dared to challenge them were quickly disposed of.
It had only been ten days since the hellish month-long training on the island had concluded. They had been at sea for five days. Yet, even in that short time, the massive movements of the Beasts Pirates had sent shockwaves through the New World. The deployment of thirteen large fleets patrolling the territory frightened passing nations half to death and ensured that other pirates steered well clear of their waters.
Observing this dominance, Hawkins felt reassured in his calculations. The influence of the Marines in the New World was waning; it was likely no longer comparable to the hegemony of the Beasts Pirates. He had bet on the right horse.
Suddenly, a shout from the lookout broke his concentration.
"Captain Hawkins! We've arrived! It's the Woka Kingdom!"
Hawkins didn't need the reminder; he had already spotted the landmass on the distant horizon. This was the objective of their special mission: to protect the island nation of Woka.
"Get ready," Hawkins ordered calmly, his voice carrying over the wind. "We are landing!"
As the First Division's ship drew closer, the doubts that had been lingering in Hawkins' mind began to dissolve. When he first received the order from King, he had been curious why the strongest division was needed for a protection detail. Now, looking at the island, he understood.
The landmass before them was immense, easily four or five times larger than the entirety of Wano Country. Even by the standards of the Grand Line, this was a significantly large island.
The island was a hive of activity. Everywhere Hawkins looked, there was bustling construction and industry. What caught his eye, however, were the workers. It was a bizarre and unique combination.
On one side, there were soldiers in uniform—the clone soldiers of the Vinsmoke Family's Germa 66, whom Hawkins had seen previously in Wano. Working alongside them were strange, short, dwarf-like individuals that resembled walking Chess pieces.
"What are those things?" Hawkins mused aloud.
Beside him, Daikoku gasped, his eyes widening as he pointed toward the harbor. "That... That's Charlotte Cracker! One of the Sweet Commanders of the Big Mom Pirates!"
As a former member of the Oniwabanshu, Daikoku was well-informed compared to the average isolated citizen of Wano. He had access to newspapers from the outside world while serving at the Shogun's residence, allowing him to instantly recognize the figure standing at the bow of the docked ship.
"What?" Hawkins' eyes narrowed slightly, a rare show of surprise.
He followed Daikoku's pointing finger and saw it. Docked at the pier was a massive pirate ship with a whimsical, fairytale design that resembled a giant cake. It was unmistakably a vessel of the Big Mom Pirates.
Standing on the deck of the cake ship was a rugged man. He had a long, purple-ish black beard and wore a suit of armor that looked like it was made of biscuits. A massive sword, Pretzel, was strapped to his back.
It was Charlotte Cracker, the "Biscuit Knight."
As Hawkins observed him, Cracker seemed to sense the scrutiny. The Sweet Commander turned his head, locking eyes with Hawkins across the water. A heavy pressure radiated from the man, an aura of haki and intimidation.
Hawkins remained unmoved. The training with Kaido had fortified him. His cards told him he had nothing to fear.
"Let's dock first," Hawkins commanded, breaking the staring contest.
As the crew maneuvered the ship into the harbor, questions swirled in Hawkins' mind. What was happening here? Why was a Sweet Commander of the Big Mom Pirates present in Beasts Pirates territory? Was this an invasion, or an alliance?
Fortunately, the answer arrived from the sky before they even tied off the ropes.
As the pirate ships of the Beasts and Big Mom fleets sat docked side-by-side, two distinct whooshing sounds tore through the air above them. Hawkins looked up, his stoic mask cracking slightly in astonishment.
Descending from the clouds were two majestic dragons—one pink and one golden. They circled the harbor gracefully before landing near the docks.
As the dust settled, the dragons didn't transform. Instead, two figures dismounted from the dragons' backs.
They were two beautiful young women. One was Reiju of the Vinsmoke family, and the other was Charlotte Pudding. The alliance between the monsters of the New World was evidently far deeper than the world realized.
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