The New World, a sea area ruled by violent currents and even more violent pirates, had long since become a lawless land.
The presence of the Marines here was as thin as morning mist; the life and death of civilians depended entirely on the whims of passing pirates, either paying heavy taxes for protection or living in constant fear and uncertainty.
The Rocks Pirates were the terrifying existence currently perched at the apex of this sea, their prestige enough to intimidate all directions.
However, Rocks D. Xebec himself had little interest in managing territory; aside from their base on Hachinosu Island, the number of islands actually flying the Rocks flag could be counted on one hand.
Instead, it was the many subordinate fleets under his command that used this grand banner to carve out significant spheres of influence in the New World.
The Totto Land Sea Area, located at the front of the New World, was like a giant whirlpool, constantly attracting ambitious people pouring in from "Paradise," and thus became one of the regions with the most frequent conflicts.
The collision of new and old forces played out here every day.
Currently, the pirates entrenched here were roughly divided into two factions: one consisted of rookies who had just broken into the New World, had yet to fully experience its cruelty, and still harbored dreams and arrogance, including many "Supernovas" with bounties exceeding 100 million;
The other faction consisted of veteran pirates who had spent years in this dog-eat-dog ocean, knowing the rules well but lacking the strength to establish their own power and unwilling to serve others, drifting like duckweed without a fixed territory.
Among them were native pirates of the New World as well as "predecessors" who had flooded in from the first half of the Grand Line or other seas years ago.
Devil Fruit users, swordsmen, artillery experts... all sorts of powers clashed fiercely on the various islands of Totto Land, all for the ultimate say in this sea area.
Today, however, these two groups of pirates, who usually disliked each other and had frequent friction, rarely gathered on a single island.
Swords remained in their scabbards, and the smell of gunpowder was temporarily masked by the scent of alcohol.
The leaders of six large Pirate Crews sat around a huge wooden table, the atmosphere heavy.
The initiator, nicknamed "Bone Cracker" Samuel (bounty: 180 million Berries), an old pirate with a scar on his face, spoke in a deep voice:
"Everyone, 'that woman' is about to return to the New World! This time, her return marks the expiration of the ultimatum she gave us. Have you thought of how to respond?"
As soon as he finished speaking, an unruly voice rang out from this year's pirate Supernova, "Mad Dog" Kelvin (bounty: 120 million Berries), who slammed the table:
"Hahaha! Samuel, if we hadn't thought of a countermeasure, would we still be sitting here? Want me to surrender to a woman? In your dreams!
Even if her Captain, Rocks himself, came, I would never bow my head! I'm going to be the man with the most freedom on this sea!"
"Well said!" Beside him, another rookie, "Heavy Cannon" Bazel (bounty: 98 million Berries), grinned with a lewd light in his eyes,
"That woman only has her current influence because she fawned over Rocks, doesn't she?
Once she arrives, I'll definitely take down her Pirate Crew full of beauties! Then we brothers can each have one, wouldn't that be grand!"
"Exactly!" The fifth Captain, "Iron Wall" Ron (bounty: 110 million Berries), echoed in a muffled voice,
"Women should stay home and raise kids! The sea is, after all, a battlefield for us men!"
"Ghostly Strategist" Herbert (bounty: 155 million Berries), known for his caution, shook his head with a grave expression:
"Don't be too optimistic. The Rocks Pirates are by no means as simple as we imagine. 'That woman' herself is definitely not to be underestimated."
"Giant Arm" Gore (bounty: 160 million Berries) patted Herbert's shoulder, his voice booming like a bell:
"Old Herb, what are you worried about? Don't you know our strength? As long as we brothers work together and form an alliance, even if the Marines come, they'll have to think twice!"
At that moment, bowls of strong liquor symbolizing the alliance were brought out.
The six Captains stood up simultaneously, and Samuel raised his bowl, shouting:
"From today on, our 'Xiami Alliance' is officially established! To defeat that woman! To repel the Heavenly Calamity Pirates! To drive Rocks' influence out of Totto Land!"
"Defeat Rocks!!"
All the pirates present, from Captains to underlings, raised their bowls in excitement and shouted in unison, then tilted their heads back to drain the liquor.
However, before the echoes of their oath could fade, a sacred and grand, yet coldly majestic female voice suddenly exploded above their heads like a thunderclap from the heavens:
"You little shrimp, you've finally deigned to gather together. It wasn't in vain that I specifically set aside time to let you play freely."
The pirates looked up in horror to see a massive White Dragon with azure wings soaring high in the sky, blotting out the sun and casting a shadow that covered the entire coast.
Its cold gaze was like a god looking down on ants.
Behind the White Dragon, atop a thundercloud, countless valiant Female Warriors watched the scene below with high battle intent.
Boom! Boom!
Two massive figures, twenty meters tall, crashed to the ground like meteors. They were the giants Gölz and Ripley; just standing there, they brought an unparalleled sense of pressure.
"This is bad! Captain!" A pirate lackey, covered in frost and crawling over, shouted in terror,
"Our ships! All the ships anchored at sea have been frozen by a Cyan Octopus-man! We can't move at all!"
"Damn it! Who?! Who leaked the news!" "Bone Cracker" Samuel roared in frustration, his eyes scanning the people around him fiercely.
At this moment, a figure leaped lightly from the head of the White Dragon—it was Gloriosa.
She landed gracefully, brushed off non-existent dust, and sneered in a matter-of-fact tone:
"You made such a big scene in broad daylight; did anyone really need to snitch?"
Several seabirds made of Homies circled in the air.
Gloriosa glanced disdainfully at the six Captains who looked like they were facing a great enemy, then turned to Charlotte Linlin in her White Dragon form in the sky:
"Linlin, leave these nonsensical fellows to us. It's been a while since the sisters had some exercise, although... these opponents are indeed pitifully weak."
"Fine, I'll go check the surrounding area for any other situations that need 'cleaning up'."
The giant dragon in the sky spoke in human tongue—it was Charlotte Linlin's voice. With a movement of her massive body, she flapped her wings and flew away.
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