Next Bonus, 100!!
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Inside the tavern.
Law and Oleg were in the middle of their discussion.
"An oath?" Law scoffed. "You think that means anything?"
"Hoh hoh hoh..." Oleg chuckled. "With you keeping the Donquixote Family occupied, wouldn't things be much easier for me?"
In the end, Law agreed to the partnership.
The outcome was as expected.
Facing the Heart Pirates—a crew that had been forged in the fires of the New World and had only grown stronger—Tatao's crew was swiftly defeated.
Oleg kept his word.
In his report, he simply pinned all the blame on the Heart Pirates, causing Law's bounty to skyrocket past 300 million.
It made him the highest-bounty "Supernova" of the year.
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Dressrosa.
"Dammit—"
Doflamingo crumpled the newspaper in his fist, his teeth grinding in frustration.
These constant problems were driving him to his wit's end.
He was powerless.
Doflamingo didn't dare set foot in Paradise—not when he was liable to get his teeth kicked in. He knew, with a bitter certainty, that the King of Paradise was behind all of this.
"The King of Paradise??" Doflamingo sneered, a vicious glint in his eyes. "You really think you can unite the entire first half of the Grand Line?"
The World Government would never allow such a massive power to consolidate in Paradise. It was their domain.
With the Revolutionary Army lying low, Doflamingo was sure the Five Elders would soon turn their attention to this new threat. They would take action.
Fortunately, there was some good news from Caesar. The "first" successful artificial Devil Fruit had been created.
It was a small comfort, but it was something.
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In the blink of an eye, it was late September.
Amazon Lily.
In the middle of the night, Hancock gave birth to a healthy baby girl, her first cries echoing through the palace.
But accompanying that cry was a powerful wave of Conqueror's Haki that stunned Gloriosa and the other Kuja warriors.
"Hahaha... Crying that loud! She's a lively one!" Jin roared with laughter, taking the swaddled infant in his arms.
At the sound of his voice, the crying baby stopped.
Then, she began to giggle.
Jin doted on the baby for a while, completely captivated, before reluctantly handing her back to Hancock to be fed.
The union of two powerful bloodlines had produced an extraordinary child.
She was born with awakened Conqueror's Haki, was perfectly healthy, and possessed a strength far beyond that of a normal infant.
Jin named her "Aurelia."
Hancock had just given birth, and Jin knew he should stay with her, but his duties were pressing. After some thought, he decided to bring them aboard the Empress for a month-long trip.
Gloriosa could look after Amazon Lily. It wouldn't be a problem.
He had to be involved in his daughter's upbringing. The last thing he wanted was to raise a rebellious brat like Yamato. He thought of Kaido, constantly fighting with his own child...
What a miserable existence.
Having a daughter filled Jin with a profound joy. The feeling of being a father was something one could only understand after becoming one.
It changed him. His actions, his demeanor... they became more grounded, more deliberate.
In between his duties, Jin took Hancock and their daughter on a tour of the world—from Paradise to the Four Blues and even into the New World.
It was a time of pure happiness.
During their travels, Jin also visited the "Underworld" on Elbaf for his sixth duel with Loki, and once again, he emerged victorious.
Loki was growing stronger with each battle.
But Jin always stayed one step ahead.
Now, when Loki spoke to him, there was an unconscious note of respect in his voice.
Once is an accident.
Six times is skill.
His pride wouldn't let him admit it, but his actions spoke louder than words. He was starting to yield.
Jin gave him another chance.
He asked Jarul and the other giants to release Loki, allowing him to move freely within the Underworld, but not to leave.
This would allow Loki to train.
Jin made it clear that if Loki tried to escape, he would personally hunt him down.
Loki, in turn, promised not to leave and to prepare for their seventh duel.
The giants no longer questioned Jin's strength. After some discussion, they granted Loki his freedom.
The year 1521 passed in this state of relative "peace."
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New Year's Eve.
For one night, there was no war in the world.
The third annual New Year's Eve Gala had become a global phenomenon, an event that people all over the world looked forward to.
Jin invited Morgans, Cobra, and other dignitaries, as well as his own ministers and prominent figures from all walks of life, to celebrate with the people.
Aurelia sat on Chopper's head, swaying to the rhythm of the music.
The little girl adored Chopper.
Though Jin and Hancock tried to stop her, the moment their backs were turned, she would launch herself at him.
It was clear she saw him as a pet, a toy.
Fortunately, Chopper enjoyed playing with her, and he was always careful not to hurt her.
As the final notes of "Auld Lang Syne" faded, the world entered the year 1522, and a cascade of fireworks lit up the night sky.
The brilliant explosions painted countless patterns against the darkness, a breathtaking sight.
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Pangaea Castle.
The Five Elders watched the broadcast together.
"Jin..."
"He and his Winter Blossom Kingdom... their influence is growing. This could threaten the balance we have established."
"Indeed. It is a matter of concern."
"He must be restrained."
"We cannot allow them to develop any further..."
The Revolutionary Army had been crushed last year and had been quiet ever since. The Four Emperors were also beginning to show signs of decline.
The Five Elders' attention was naturally shifting back to the nations of the world, and the Winter Blossom Kingdom, which had grown so strong in the past two years, was no longer a darling.
Their darling pet project was quickly becoming a liability.
Before, they had needed Jin to prop up the teetering Warlord system, to balance the power of the Yonko and the Marines.
But now, the Yonko were weakening.
Big Mom's crew had fractured, and Katakuri had left.
Kaido's weapons trade had been disrupted.
Whitebeard had been betrayed by Teach.
Only Shanks remained, and he was a lone wolf, without the vast territories and complex interests of the other three.
The scales had tipped. The situation had changed.
The Five Elders felt that Jin was on the verge of becoming a destabilizing force, and that worried them.
"Have Cipher Pol stir up some trouble in his territories."
"And... leak some dirt on him to the press. His connection to the Bounty Hunters' Guild."
"His arms smuggling, his dealings with the pirates of the Kano Country."
"His scandals with the Pirate Empress and other women."
"The massacre of tens of thousands of Fish-Men..."
"Also, double the Winter Blossom Kingdom's Heavenly Tribute for this year. And demand payment in gold and Berries."
"His new navy... some of its members are former pirates. We will declare it an illegitimate force on that basis. Of course, if he disbands it, the matter can be... discussed."
The World Government had ruled for eight hundred years. They had faced countless crises and had a playbook for every situation.
While they had been propping Jin up, they had also been gathering intelligence, collecting dirt, preparing to tear him down from his pedestal.
"But we mustn't push him too far."
"First, launch a media offensive. Mix truth with lies, sow discord. Erode his public support."
"Then, have Saint Garling test him. See if he's willing to join the God's Knights."
"If he refuses... then we'll discuss the next step."
"And Doflamingo... isn't he on bad terms with Jin? We should support him. He is, after all, of the Donquixote family."
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