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"Today, it is rare for everyone to gather... in one hall. Truly, this is a rare... grand occasion in the East Blue."

Captain Moke, draped in a yellow lion-mane cloak, swept out a large hand and looked at Captain Krieg, who had stopped because of his shout.

Then, a serious expression appeared on his face. He clasped his hands in salute and turned in a circle toward the pirates gathered aboard.

Seeing the East Blue Overlord being so polite, the pirates' expressions immediately eased, their grim looks gradually relaxing. Even Captain Krieg, who had originally been stopped mid-stride, looked somewhat less displeased.

Though the fellow spoke haltingly and rather pretentiously, unlike a pirate, the new East Blue Overlord had to be given credit for showing everyone plenty of respect.

"The heavens hold no rising sun, yet our hearts hold crimson courage. The sea is vast, and we indulge ourselves freely. We pirates pursue freedom. Now that all the heroes of the East Blue are gathered here, let us share a drink!"

At last, Moke finished speaking. He discreetly hid the palm covered in writing, while the cold sweat on his forehead lessened considerably.

The boss was a cultured man. Everything he wrote sounded so refined, and he had even made him memorize it.

Of course~

Though he had delivered it haltingly, those words had undeniably intimidated the pirates.

Sure enough, the boss was right. Most pirates were uneducated. He, Moke, was a cultured man; just a few casual words were enough to scare this bunch.

Wasn't even Captain Krieg silent now?

But there was something more important to do.

Moke's expression hardened. He swept his hand out again and roared grandly, "Men! Bring the wine! I shall share a drink here with all the heroes of the East Blue!"

As soon as the words fell.

Seeing that the Captain of the Moke Pirates was giving them such respect, smiles appeared on everyone's faces.

Though the new East Blue Overlord had indeed spoken rather strangely just now, didn't that only prove how highly Captain Moke regarded them?

Meanwhile.

As soon as Moke uttered the words "bring the wine."

At that moment.

Everyone in the lower hold of the Moke pirate ship began to move.

"Hurry, hurry! Carry up the Orange Wine we prepared."

"Remember, one bowl per person. Only the captains and the first mates on their ships may drink. The other lackeys aren't qualified. We didn't prepare that much wine."

"Oh, right, right! Pour in that poison already! We have to make sure they all drink it!" Nami, temporarily in charge of logistics, stood with her hands on her hips, continuously directing people to carry the wine up. "If anything goes wrong later, everyone's pay gets docked!"

"Yes, Boss Nami!"

Everyone immediately answered loudly.

It had to be said that Nami was very suited to managing logistics. Everything proceeded in perfect order under her control.

"By the way, will the poison you prepared work? There are so many pirates. Don't let anything go wrong." After seeing everyone carry out the tasks she had assigned, Nami still turned to Xia Che beside her with some concern. "If it really won't work, then don't go after so many. As long as the Krieg Pirates are there, we won't lose out."

"Don't worry. This poison came from the Grand Line. I specifically commissioned Baroque Works to buy it." Xia Che replied with complete confidence. "It's a colorless, odorless poison. I heard Baroque Works is using this poison to bait pirates on the Grand Line right now, and it works quite well."

"Poison from the Grand Line? Then that's good." Hearing Xia Che's assurance, Nami felt much more at ease. She asked curiously, "What should we do next?"

As soon as the words fell.

"Next..." Xia Che narrowed his eyes. "Tell Robin's side that it's time to close the net."

"It is fortune that you and I have gathered here today!" Moke swept his gaze over the pirates around him, his eyes stern. "In the whole East Blue, the only people worthy of my regard are you heroes! Yet there is only one person I value most..."

His gaze fell upon Captain Krieg, clad in golden armor. "Captain Krieg! The former East Blue Overlord!"

His eyes narrowed.

"The East Blue Overlord can only be you or me. Since we have been fortunate enough to meet here, why not have a contest? We will attack from two sides and see who can break into Marine Branch 16 first and take the head of the commander of Marine Branch 16."

Boss, what the hell did you write?

You even insulted yourself?

Moke stared at the words in his hand, suppressing the cold sweat in his heart as he continued calmly, "Since this grand event was initiated by me, Moke, the front shall be left to the Moke Pirates. Next, we shall lead the Moke Pirates in an assault from the front, while your Krieg Pirates may attack from behind."

As he spoke, he spread his arms wide and let out a distinctive laugh.

"Wahahaha~! And I sincerely invite all the heroes of the East Blue aboard to come with me and see who is the true East Blue Overlord."

As soon as the words fell.

Everyone was stunned.

They had not expected Captain Moke to be so bold as to challenge the Krieg Pirates directly. He was even planning to storm the Marine branch from the front and inviting them to act as judges.

But upon thinking about it...

If he were not so arrogant, so domineering, how could Captain Moke have earned a fifty-million bounty from Marine Headquarters while still in the East Blue? How could he have gathered all the pirates without hesitation and declared war on the Marine branch as he had now?

Was this the boldness of the East Blue Overlord?

Of the attacks from all sides, the Moke Pirates had taken the most difficult route for themselves, leaving the rear to the Krieg Pirates.

As for the other two sides farther from Marine Branch 16... one would be handed to all the pirates of the East Blue's major pirate crews, who would rush into the wealthy areas of the Konomi Islands to plunder, while the slightly poorer villages would be given to the small pirates with no reputation at all.

It could be said that the arrangements were exceptionally thorough; even obscure minor pirates had been taken into consideration.

Worthy of the East Blue Overlord!

As for whether there would be any danger in directly attacking a Marine branch?

What a joke!

Every major East Blue pirate standing aboard the Moke pirate ship wore a faint smile.

With such strength, how could a mere East Blue branch possibly stop them?

They probably would not even be needed. The Krieg Pirates alone could completely wipe it out. Therefore, the outcome of this declaration of war had long since been decided.

They pirates... were guaranteed to win!

Hearing Moke's words, even Krieg gave him a deep look and understood what he meant.

Attack from the rear?

Though taking such an advantage felt like an insult to the Krieg Pirates to someone who considered himself the East Blue Overlord, who could blame them when Moke was now the East Blue Overlord?

Besides, he had invited so many major East Blue pirates.

"In that case, the Krieg Pirates will accept this challenge." Krieg snorted. "Just don't let us take it before you've even made it ashore!"

"Wahahaha~"

A pirate big shot had to have his own distinctive laugh. That was what the boss had said.

Moke once again let out his distinctive laugh. "Then I'll be waiting to see it!"

As he spoke.

"Bring the wine already!"

Moke roared boldly. He accepted the large bowl of wine handed over by one of his underlings, and only after seeing that everyone else had taken theirs did he nod subtly in satisfaction. Raising his bowl again, he said, "This is Cocoyasi Village's specialty, Orange Wine. Its fruity aroma is rich, its flavor mellow, its texture smooth, and its aftertaste long-lasting. The Moke Pirates paid an enormous price to obtain it."

"Today, at this very moment, I shall share this wine with all of you. Please, drink!"

As Moke's words fell, after the appearance of the Krieg Pirates fleet and Moke's own entrance, all the pirates gave this new East Blue Overlord ample respect.

They all raised their golden wine, which gave off the scent of oranges, with solemn expressions.

Though they had never heard of this supposed famous Cocoyasi wine anywhere in the East Blue, since even the East Blue Overlord praised it so highly, they assumed it was simply due to their own ignorance.

Everyone held their bowls with both hands and looked solemnly at Moke.

"Please!"

As they spoke in unison.

That single word rang across the entire sea.

At the same time, a rich, delicate orange fragrance spread through the air.

The uninvited pirates all craned their necks, staring at the fragrant Orange Wine that glimmered with a faint golden sheen beneath the sunlight and over the sea.

"Damn it, why don't we have any? That's fine wine even the East Blue Overlord praised!"

"I want to try it too!"

"What rank are you to think you can drink the same wine as our captain? You should know that only major East Blue pirates get invited by the East Blue Overlord to drink with him."

"What a breathtaking spectacle!"

Cheers, clamor, and jeers rang across the sea.

Crash~

At last, after Moke unhesitatingly smashed his wine bowl, all the pirates fell silent once more, understanding that it was time for the main event.

Massacre Marine Branch 16!

"Set sail!"

As Moke gave the order, every pirate gathered at sea started their ships and slowly sailed toward the Konomi Islands according to Captain Moke's arrangements.

The climax of this grand event... was about to begin!

Meanwhile.

A warship heading toward the waters of the Konomi Islands was sailing steadily onward.

"Colonel Smoker, the interrogation is complete. They're a group of pirates without bounties who had just left the Pirate Gathering organized by the Moke Pirates. They apparently have no intention of taking part in this pirate operation." Tashigi walked over, concern on her face. "But I heard the Moke Pirates gathered nearly ten thousand pirates. Even the former East Blue Overlord, the Krieg Pirates, have set out. They will attack the Konomi Islands from four directions. What should we do now?"

"Nearly ten thousand pirates?" Smoker frowned upon hearing Tashigi's words. He removed the cigar from his mouth, his expression grave. "What the hell is that guy trying to do?"

Even for an ability user like him, dealing with nearly ten thousand pirates would be an enormous hassle.

Did Marine Branch 16 have that many Marines?

Enough to make the Moke Pirates gather so many pirates?

Could it be...

"Playing with fire and getting burned?"

Had the Moke Pirates betrayed them?

At that thought, Smoker's eyes narrowed, turning icy. "Idiots!"

Then.

He turned to Tashigi beside him. "Lead a squad of Marines to the Konomi Islands and provide support. Stop every last pirate. I'll head to Marine Branch 16 to hold back the East Blue Overlord, and while I'm there..." A cold smile curled across his lips. "...I'll thoroughly mock that idiot!"