Setting Sail

"Woohoo~"

On a large ship sailing the sea, Oshi ran back and forth along the edge of the deck like a husky returning to its rural hometown for the New Year.

This was her first time sailing out to sea in two lifetimes; before, she had only ever rowed a paddle boat on a small park lake.

The boundless sea made Oshi feel refreshed. Although the ocean she had seen from Kaido's Flame Cloud before was also spectacular, it was only from a normal perspective that she could truly feel the waves and the vastness of the ocean.

"Oshi, stop running around like a child. So many people are watching, can you be more dignified?" Obe, leaning casually against the railing nearby, held a glass of juice and was quietly admiring the sea view.

She had already changed her clothes. Gone was the plain long dress, replaced by a loose, deep blue children's shirt, a pair of jet-black trousers, and a sleeveless white trench coat, the same style as the president's.

A pair of slightly oversized gold-rimmed sunglasses hung from her collar, looking casual yet stylish.

The sea breeze, carrying a faint blue scent, blew from behind, causing her hair to dance along with the standing collar of her white coat.

The slightly mature attire, combined with her still childish and delicate face, created a peculiar beauty amidst the incongruity... a cinematic scene, no doubt.

"I'm a child right now, why should I care about dignity... Besides, what are you posing over there for?" Oshi had also changed into new clothes: a red T-shirt, white shorts, and a long white coat, making her look neat and tidy.

"I'm savoring this voyage," Obe said, gently swirling her juice, her posture becoming even more leisurely.

"Oh, come on, stop pretending. You were more excited than me when we first boarded, and you ran off without a trace the moment I wasn't looking. And now you have the nerve to talk about me."

"I, I was just curious about the ship's structure at the time, conducting an investigation purely from a researcher's perspective."

"Heh~"

"Hahahaha, alright, alright! Stop bickering." Burufatt appeared at the opportune moment, interrupting their daily squabble.

"Check out my ride – the 'Taurus'! This ship has more cannons than a typical Marine warship! And their power is no less than theirs."

Burufatt's ride, the 'Taurus', was one of the five large ships currently owned by the Beasts Pirates.

The other four were Kaido's and King's rides, along with two large supply ships, managed by Burufatt and two battle squad captains under King.

It had to be said that as the ride of an executive, the 'Taurus' had a very distinctive appearance.

A lifelike bull was carved at the bow. The bull's two long horns served as the pirate ship's ram, and they appeared to be made of metal. The sides of the ship had scale-like decorations, and the stern was shaped like a mermaid's tail.

A massive main mast stood in the center of the ship. The sail on it bore the distinctive skull emblem of the Beasts Pirates. At the top of the crow's nest, there was a small pirate flag.

"Can you let me fire a few shots too, Uncle Burufatt?" Oshi's eyes sparkled as she looked at the cannons on the ship.

"You little brat! Now you remember my name? Call me a few more times, and if Uncle is pleased, I'll let you have your fill!"

"Really? Uncle!"

"Of course! Bomb, take this girl below deck later and teach her how to aim and fire," Burufatt said to the captain of the cannon squad, pointing at Oshi.

"Leave it to me, boss."

"Yay~ Thanks, Uncle Burufatt."

"Hahahaha, go on now," Burufatt said, laughing as he ruffled Oshi's hair. Then he thought of Obe.

"Oh right, blue-haired kid, do you want to fire a few shots too?"

"No, I'm not very interested in these old-fashioned cannons."

Obe shook her head. For her, smoothbore cannons, these antiques, held little appeal. She was more interested in the laser guns she had seen at Zayn's place.

"Is that so? Then do as you please," Burufatt said, not pressing further when he saw her lack of interest.

"By the way, where is our destination this time?" Obe asked.

"It's Fenrir Island, not far from here. We're going to seize that island and some surrounding islands while Kaido and the others attack Hachinosu Island."

"I noticed our speed isn't very fast. Are we not in a hurry?" Obe noticed that the ship had only unfurled one main sail.

"That's right. Kaido needs to rendezvous with Golden Lion in the Totland Sea first, and then they'll land on Hachinosu Island together. It should take about two days.

We just need to reach the vicinity of Fenrir Island within two days. Arriving too early makes us vulnerable to enemy attacks.

It will be much easier for us to make our move after the reinforcements have left. You two will be joining us this time. It's a rare opportunity, let you two get your hands dirty."

Burufatt explained in detail, informing Obe that she and Oshi would also be participating in the fight, and that they should be mentally prepared.

"Get our hands dirty?"

Obe lowered her head and looked at her hands. They were small and fair, without a single blemish.

After all, they were hands she had personally sculpted and then brought to life with the power of a god, so every part of them was naturally flawless.

"Has the day finally come? It arrived faster than I imagined. I wonder if Oshi can adapt."

During meals in the mess hall these past few days, Obe often overheard the members of the pirate crew talking about their past battles, treating the taking of lives as commonplace.

She had listened silently, imagining herself participating in such scenes.

Obe understood that if she wanted to continue staying in this world, her hands would sooner or later be stained with blood. She had already made her resolve.

Without dwelling on the matter for long, Obe was soon drawn by Oshi's excited shouts.

"Obe, Obe! Look, it's a cannonball! A real, round cannonball! I've only ever seen them in cartoons."

Oshi, with her childlike nature, had forgotten their earlier bickering and came onto the deck carrying a cannonball larger than her head.

"Uncle Burufatt, are these cannonballs solid shot?"

"Of course not. Solid cannonballs don't pack much of a punch. These are filled with gunpowder. They'll explode the moment they hit an enemy ship."

"Oh? They're not solid lead balls?"

Hearing that the construction was different from what he imagined, Obe became slightly interested. He took the cannonball from Oshi's arms and began to examine it.

"Hmm~ It's true that only the outer layer is metal, and the inside is completely filled with gunpowder... Relying on impact to cause an explosion?

But how would they solve the problem of the barrel bursting? Or is there some other special structure..."

Obe tapped the cannonball in his arms and started muttering to himself.

"Uh... What's wrong with the blue-haired kid? Why is she chanting like she's reciting scriptures while holding a cannonball?"

"Don't mind her. She does this when she encounters something she can't figure out. She'll be fine once she figures it out later.

Speaking of which, I'm a bit hungry. Uncle Burufatt, what are we having for lunch? Let's not have steak again; I'm getting tired of it~"

"You brat, it's good enough to have something to eat at sea, and you're being picky.

Do you know that even among the World Government's affiliated nations, many citizens can't afford to eat wild vegetables and roots? Especially after paying the annual 'Tenryubito's Gold'."

"Uh... What's Tenryubito's Gold?"

"It's protection money extorted from affiliated nations by those Celestial Dragons. Forget it, let's not talk about those pigs that ruin my appetite. We're not eating sea beast meat for lunch today; we're having fish."

"Yay! Ah, but not raw," Oshi immediately requested.

"Alright, I'll have them make fish balls."

"Woohoo~ Thanks, Uncle Burufatt!"

Meanwhile, the main force of the Beasts Pirates, a fleet consisting of two large ships filled with combat personnel and several smaller boats, was heading towards the Totland Sea.

This time, except for the two large supply ships accompanying Burufatt, which were carrying materials for construction, almost all the other ships were filled with combat personnel and cannonballs.

Kaido didn't bring too many supplies, planning to attack Hachinosu Island in one go and then have his subordinates load the treasure onto ships.

Of course, he himself would probably enjoy the battle for a while, as opportunities like this were rare.

However, he wouldn't need ships to meet him; he could just fly back after the fight.

"Bururururu~"

Kaido's Den Den Mushi rang at that moment.

"Mamma~ Mamma~ Kaido, have you departed?"

The face on the Den Den Mushi in his hand had transformed into a distinctly feminine appearance, with long eyelashes, purple eyeshadow, and bright red lipstick.

On the other end of the Den Den Mushi was none other than BIG MOM—Charlotte Linlin.

"Ah, we've departed. We should arrive in about two days. Can't wait, old hag?"

"You brat, I've always treated you like a younger brother, so show some respect!"

"If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

"Mmm~ Don't be so hasty." The angry expression on the Den Den Mushi's face subsided, and its tone became calm. "What do you think of this alliance?"

"What do I think? We'll disband once we take the island, and then everyone will be enemies again," Kaido said impatiently.

"You bastard! I'm talking to you seriously.

Shiki is stronger than us. If we fight separately, he'll definitely get the biggest share, and we'll only get scraps."

"So, what are you suggesting?"

"Let's join forces, Kaido. Let's team up and snatch the meat from this lion's mouth!"

BIG MOM on the other end of the Den Den Mushi proposed an alliance, but Kaido didn't immediately agree.

"Are you really concerned about that treasure? Your goal should be those territories in the Totland Sea that still belong to John, right?"

That's right, just like Kaido, BIG MOM's target was John's territory.

Besides the main island of Cake Island, the Totland Sea she occupied had thirty-four other islands scattered around.

Over the years, BIG MOM had been continuously expanding outwards, attempting to claim all thirty-four of these islands as her own territory to establish a "Whole Cake Island" that could accommodate all races.

Although John's influence was mainly around Hachinosu Island, Hachinosu Island was not far from Totland. Therefore, nine of the eastern islands within the Totland Sea were actually occupied by John.

Several others were also in the hands of people like Silver Axe King Straight.

BIG MOM was taking this opportunity to seize all these islands at once and then begin establishing the "Whole Cake Island" she envisioned.

"Mamma~ Mamma, while I do want those territories, I'm equally unwilling to let go of Rocks' Treasure. Isn't greed the essence of a pirate?"

Seeing that her main objective had been exposed, BIG MOM didn't care. After all, she was genuinely interested in Rocks' Treasure, or rather, "certain" treasures of Rocks.

"Well, have you thought about it? Do you want to join forces with me?"

"Greedy old hag! I get it!" Faced with a proposal that also benefited him, Kaido naturally had no reason to refuse.

"But I'll tell you this, Linlin! This isn't like before. Anyone who dares to scheme against me, I'll twist their head off!"

"Mamma~ Mamma~ Then, happy cooperation!"

Without the slightest regard for Kaido's threat, BIG MOM burst into laughter and hung up the Den Den Mushi.

"Mr. Kaido, isn't it a bit suspicious that woman is being so proactive?" King was already certain BIG MOM had ulterior motives.

"I don't know. She's probably after something in Rocks' treasure. But it doesn't matter, we'll proceed with our plan. Raise all the sails, let's pick up the pace."

Two days later, Totoland Sea.

On the slightly misty sea, over a dozen ships of the BIG MOM Pirates were already waiting.

"MAMA~ MAMA~ Long time no see, Kaido."

Standing on the BIG MOM Pirates' flagship, the Queen's Anthem Mama, Charlotte Linlin, who stood nearly nine meters tall, greeted Kaido.

Compared to the Rocks Pirates era, her figure had changed slightly, likely due to frequent childbirth. However, she still exuded considerable charm.

Behind BIG MOM stood the eldest son of the Charlotte Family, Charlotte Perospero, and the second son, Charlotte Katakuri.

Both were nearing adulthood and had become significant forces within the pirate crew.

Katakuri, in particular, possessed Executive-level strength and was indeed a 'Minister' managing one of the islands within the BIG MOM Pirates.

"Oh?! That one over there, could it be..." After greeting Kaido, BIG MOM's gaze immediately fixed on King.

Ever since she saw King's distinctive wings at Shiki's banquet last time, she had been reminded of a nearly extinct race.

After meticulously gathering all available information about that race upon her return, BIG MOM became convinced of King's identity and was subsequently overjoyed.

"Hey! Kaido, give this kid to me! My 'Whole Cake Island' can't do without him!"

BIG MOM stared at King with fanatic eyes. If Kaido hadn't been present, she likely would have already tried to forcibly snatch him.

"Do you want me to kill you right here, Linlin?" Kaido met her gaze directly, refusing without hesitation.

"Maa~ You've become so unlovable!"

The fervor in BIG MOM's eyes slightly subsided, but she continued to stare intently at King.

"Hey! Kid, if you ever want to come over, I'll welcome you anytime."

"I will never betray Captain Kaido, so you can give up." King, uncharacteristically, referred to Kaido as 'Captain'.

"Tsk..."

"Enough with the idle chat. Where is that Shiki fellow? Hasn't he arrived yet?"

"Maa~ Perhaps soon. After all, our agreed meeting time is noon, and there's still some time until then."

But just as she finished speaking, BIG MOM looked up at the sky, and Kaido followed suit.

Above the clouds, dozens of pirate ships were slicing through the clouds and descending.

The once pristine white cloud mass looked as if it had been torn apart by a beast, becoming fragmented.

At the very front of this massive fleet was a colossal pirate ship with a golden lion carved into its prow. The lion's mouth was agape, as if letting out the roar of a king, and its sails bore the striking emblem of the Flying Pirates.

This was none other than the flagship of the Flying Pirates, Golden Lion Shiki's vessel!

Although the pirates below had been fighting in the New World for years and were considered seasoned veterans, the scene before them still filled them with profound shock.

It was the natural suppression of the sky over the ground.

The dozens of pirate ships flying in the sky were far beyond the range of cannonballs, creating an insurmountable chasm between them, like a beast perched atop a mountain leisurely observing its prey below.

"Is this... is this the legendary Flying Pirates?" Some pirates' legs began to tremble uncontrollably.

"So, so strong! An entire fleet of this scale is flying in the sky."

"This is Golden Lion Shiki, one of the most powerful forces in the New World!"

"Just how strong must the Whitebeard Pirates, who are spoken of in the same breath, be?!"

Looking at the fleet flying overhead, the pirates couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.

"Hahahaha! I'm not late, am I?"

A wild laugh echoed from the heavens, and then a figure slowly descended.

With twin swords slung at his sides, a cigar in his mouth, and a head of flamboyant golden hair, he was none other than the Admiral of the Flying Pirates—Golden Lion Shiki!

"Hey, Shiki! Bring your ships down, I don't like looking up at people!"

Although BIG MOM's voice wasn't exactly commanding, it calmed some of the agitated pirates below.

"Don't rush, Linlin." Shiki landed on the sea and casually touched the ships floating on the water. The ships of the BIG MOM Pirates and the Beasts Pirates then rose into the sky.

"We'll fly directly from above this time and give John a surprise! Hahahaha!"

"Don't touch my ship casually, Shiki!" Kaido was clearly displeased with Shiki's overbearing actions.

"Shiki, do you want to start a fight now?!" BIG MOM's expression also turned grim.

"Don't mind these trivial matters, let's set off! I can't wait any longer!"

Shiki clearly paid no mind to their anger and continued to pilot the fleet upwards. In fact, controlling the two crews' ships was intentional, aimed at suppressing them and gaining the upper hand.

With a wave of Shiki's hand, the fleet, composed of dozens of ships of various sizes, broke through to an altitude of ten thousand meters, reaching above the clouds.

Thus, the largest fleet since Rocks' death, the most powerful pirate alliance in the New World, set off from the unreachable heights of the sky, heading directly towards the former territory of the Rocks Pirates—Hachinosu Island.

The New World, which had not been truly peaceful since the God Valley Incident, was about to be shaken by another great storm.

At this moment, no one knew what impact this unprecedented pirate conflict would have on the future landscape of the seas, but it was undeniable that a new order was about to be born in the New World.

And a terrifying beast, which had been lying dormant for over a year, would officially bare its greedy fangs at its 'seniors' for the first time.