In the New World, a piece of news was spreading like wildfire, causing a massive sensation across the seas.
"Is it true? Did 'Fire Fist' Ace actually join the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"I heard he was seen in Red Hair's territory not too long ago. I guess nothing came of that meeting."
"With a powerhouse like him joining Whitebeard's ranks, their crew's strength has reached a terrifying new level!"
Back on Onigashima, Yamato sat in her quarters, scanning the latest newspaper. "He joined the Whitebeard Pirates already? I suppose it was bound to happen. Whitebeard is a man of immense power and charisma. As the ancestors might say, he is the embodiment of righteousness and loyalty."
The Whitebeard Pirates were unique—a crew held together not by blood, but by a bond of family that was purer and more unified than any ordinary pirate group. This achievement was a testament to Edward Newgate's personal magnetism.
"He was a peak powerhouse of the previous era, someone strong enough to rival the Pirate King, Roger. Yet, he has absolutely no interest in the Great Treasure. He isn't the type to reach his goals through underhanded means; he lives by his own principles and a strict moral code."
Yamato let out a long sigh as she set the paper down. "A great pirate like that is a rarity in any era. Honestly, he might be one of a kind."
In her mind, she felt that Whitebeard's eventual fate in the original timeline was fitting for a man of his stature—perhaps not a perfect ending, but certainly the best possible curtain call for a legend. "I really want to meet him one day—Whitebeard, the man who became a legend among pirates."
Just then, Maria and Haruko walked into the room. "Young Master, a new member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea has been appointed."
"Oh? The replacement for Hana Fuda? Who is it?" Yamato's curiosity was piqued.
"A man named Bartholomew Kuma," Haruko reported. "We've heard he's quite formidable. In certain kingdoms, they call him the 'Tyrant.'"
"The Tyrant, Bartholomew Kuma... so it's him," Yamato muttered, rubbing her chin as her thoughts raced. "Is he only taking office now? It seems Vegapunk's research is moving along right on schedule."
She paused for a moment before shifting the subject. "The Expedition has been going on for nearly a year now, hasn't it? What's the status? Have King and the others checked in?"
"They contacted us about two weeks ago," Maria answered with a nod. "The campaign has been progressing very smoothly. They estimate the fleet will return in about a month."
"This should be the final stage," Haruko added, looking over the compiled reports. "The Beasts Pirates' territory has expanded massively. We now control roughly a quarter of the New World."
By this point, the New World had essentially been carved up by the Four Emperors. Aside from the nations affiliated with the World Government, nearly every inhabited island flew the flag of a Yonko.
"Things should be quiet for a while then," Yamato remarked.
Maria shook her head. "I doubt that. Now that our territory has grown, the scale of the crew will have to keep pace. The recruitment won't stop."
Yamato understood the implication immediately. "Knowing my Idiot Old Man's style, he'll definitely keep expanding the Beasts Pirates, and he'll probably try to cram every single recruit into Wano Country."
"That sounds exactly like something Lord Kaido would do," both Maria and Haruko agreed.
Wano was the heart of their operations. While the current headquarters was on the offshore island of Onigashima, Kaido's ultimate plan was clearly to transform the entire mainland of Wano into a fortified 'Pirate Nation.'
"Do you honestly think, with my Idiot Old Man's brains, he can actually pull off something that complex?" Yamato asked skeptically.
The two women exchanged a look but remained silent. The answer was a silent 'no.' Kaido was a classic hands-off boss; he provided the grand, often chaotic ideas, while his subordinates were left to handle the grueling logistics and management.
"My Idiot Old Man has no refinement. He's just a brute who insists on trying to manage complex systems. It's a perfect example of someone being too weak, yet loving to play the game. If it weren't for King and the others holding everything together, he would have ruined this place long ago," Yamato said, shaking her head.
"But you're still here, aren't you?" Maria said with a playful smile.
Yamato made a face of pure disgust. "Don't drag me into his mess. I don't enjoy cleaning up after him. If I decide to do something, I do it perfectly; I don't leave things half-finished like he does."
She leaned back in her chair, venting her frustration. "Wano is truly unlucky to have been targeted by him. If it were me, I wouldn't bother with all this. If you want to be a pirate, be a pirate. Why go through all this nation-building nonsense? Only a crazy person would want that kind of headache."
Maria and Haruko listened patiently, choosing not to interrupt her tirade.
"Look at the Whitebeard Pirates, or Big Mom, or even Shanks," Yamato continued. "Every one of them lives a more enjoyable life than we do in the Beasts Pirates. We're cooped up in this isolated, stagnant country every day. We never even step outside! How are we even pirates? We're more like a bunch of usurpers."
"Yamato, if you're so unhappy, why don't you just break away and start your own crew?" Maria suggested. "With your strength, you'd be successful in no time."
"I could," Yamato admitted, "but I know my Idiot Old Man. If I left, he'd hunt me down and drive me insane. Besides, I don't like the whole 'captain' routine. Managing a crew is a huge hassle. Forget it."
She shrugged dismissively. "I'm happy enough with how things are now. I'm relatively free, I can go wherever I want, and I don't have to manage a single soul."
"Young Master, isn't that just a fancy way of saying you're lazy?" Haruko interjected.
Yamato nodded without a hint of shame. "Exactly. I am lazy. What's wrong with that? What's the point of working yourself to death? My Idiot Old Man clearly has something wrong with his head, otherwise, he wouldn't be obsessed with establishing a 'Pirate Nation.'" She pointed to her own temple for emphasis.
Maria and Haruko looked at each other. Their Young Master had the intelligence, the power, and the vision to lead, but she simply lacked the desire to work. If she ever took management seriously, she would be an expert, but her disdain for Kaido's methods made it impossible for her to view the Beasts Pirates' affairs as her own.
In the blink of an eye, a month passed. The Third Expedition finally concluded, and the massive fleet of the Beasts Pirates successfully returned to the shores of Wano. The high-ranking officers and All-Stars gathered at the headquarters to report their findings.
"Maria, Haruko, thank you both for your hard work during the campaign," King said, acknowledging the two women.
"We only did what was required," Maria replied with a respectful nod.
The conversation quickly turned to more pressing matters—specifically, the void left by one of their fallen comrades.
"The man who defeated Hana Fuda is Portgas D. Ace," King reported. "He's a rookie who recently made a name for himself, and the latest reports confirm he has officially joined Whitebeard's banner."
"That damned stinky brat killed Hana Fuda!" Kaido snorted, his voice booming through the hall. "If he hadn't gone and hidden under Whitebeard's protection, I would personally settle the score with him."
Without Hana Fuda's specific connections and abilities, the Beasts Pirates' goal of amassing an army of Ancient Zoan dinosaur users had hit a significant roadblock.
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