Saga

Two months have passed since the wedding between the Night Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates.

During this period, the marriage alliance between the Big Mom Pirates and the Elbaf Giant race attracted much attention.

A month ago, the wedding was officially held in Elbaf. Unlike the Night Pirates, they didn't invite as many guests; they only invited the Night Pirates as witnesses.

But the news also caused a stir at sea.

This marriage has brought the three parties into closer ties.

Some even envied Big Mom, who significantly boosted her power through two marriage alliances.

After acquiring the Growth Potion, Big Mom became less concerned about having Giant race bloodlines.

However, it is a fact that the Whole Cake Island lacks Giant race. After the marriage alliance, Big Mom successfully obtained an important piece of the puzzle to realize her dream.

The Giant race arranged for four Giant race warriors to join the Big Mom Pirates, allowing Big Mom to successfully gain the power of the Giant race.

Thanks to their marriage ties, the Big Mom Pirates may be able to continue acquiring Elbaf's power, but there's a limit; they won't become too strong.

Giant race aren't stupid. Even with blood-related marriages, Giant race still closer to the Night Pirates, given their long-standing friendship.

The Big Mom Pirates still need to put in a lot of effort to truly gain the recognition of the Giant race.

Their original plan remained unchanged. The situation on the sea was relatively stable. After some time, Big Mom would send her children, who had taken the Growth Potion, to Elbaf for training.

Previously, members of the Big Mom Pirates were forbidden from entering or approaching Elbaf, but this ban has now been lifted.

After all, they had nothing better to do than strengthen their relationship with the Giant race and improve their own strength.

As for defending their territory, most of the Big Mom Pirates' fighting force is still there, including Cracker, Perospero, Katakuri, Smoker, and others. Katakuri alone is enough to sweep away most of the forces on the sea.

In addition, a significant event also occurred in the New World: Wano Country.

Wano Country hung the three bodies on a pole, and although Wano Country did not reveal their identities, the information was still there.

These three are agents of the World Government. They are wearing the distinctive hairstyles and kimonos of Wano Country, indicating that the World Government's influence in Wano Country is well-hidden.

The anger of Wano Country is unimaginable; there are countless forces lurking in the shadows, plotting against them. Everyone feels like they are being watched closely by a venomous snake.

The shogun's mansion in Wano Country has become much more heavily guarded regarding the Road Sign Stone.

But the exposure of the World Government's intelligence personnel was truly surprising.

After all, the World Government's intelligence network is virtually all-pervasive, and even after suffering a major blow, it remains the World's Strongest intelligence force.

Because Wano Country not only has samurai, but also another profession, ninja, who have a very long history in Wano Country.

In Wano Country, not everyone has the talent to become a samurai. Samurai hold a high status and are a symbol of martial prowess.

Ninjas mostly operate in the shadows, gathering intelligence and carrying out assassinations.

After Wano Country opened its borders, Oden realized that Wano Country needed covert forces and intelligence from the outside world. It was at this time that Wano Country began to value ninjas, who became an important force under Oden.

The training of ninjas has its own unique aspects, and even some methods that World Government agents do not have.

These three World Government agents were identified by the ninjas of Wano Country.

This behavior is undoubtedly a provocation to World Government.

Wano Country was now fully aware that the World Government harbored treacherous intentions and continued to spy on them. The power of the ninjas began to be displayed, and they secretly searched for the traces of World Government agents throughout Wano Country, centered on the Capital of Flowers, the capital of Wano Country.

Next year, the Shogun's Office will also be conducting a screening of Wano Country personnel.

Such a task is too difficult for those samurai; it should be handled by specialists.

While Wano Country may not be able to match the World Government in terms of foreign intelligence capabilities, they hold a significant advantage within the Wano Country.

Two forces operating in the shadows have begun a fierce battle of covert warfare in Wano Country, involving capture and hiding.

CP0 is facing not just the ninjas of Wano Country, but the entire Wano Country.

Teach, who considers himself a third party, is also intensifying his investigation into the interior of Wano Country.

They not only used technological means, but also intelligence personnel.

We strive to be able to learn about what's happening within Wano Country as soon as possible.

On this ordinary day, the Night Palace, the Hall of Domination, welcomed a unique little guest.

A young child took a deep breath to calm his nervous heart, stood in front of the Hall of Domination, and walked in under the curious gazes of the elite warriors of the Night Pirates.

The main hall was dimly lit, giving it a solemn and dignified feel.

At first glance, he saw that familiar yet unfamiliar figure atop the high throne, radiating a unique aura that instilled a sense of pressure.

What did the World Wide Web say? "A kingly aura."

Immediately afterwards, a barrage of gazes fell upon him—curiosity, scrutiny, amusement—these were the kinds of feelings he could sense.

He was nervous, but he managed to control himself and told himself to stay calm.

Today, a supreme order from the Sovereign Palace summoned all the officers of the Night Pirates to the Sovereign Palace. They were curious about what important matter had prompted their Sovereign to call them here.

This was the second time the Night Pirates had gathered at the Palace of Domination since the Sequence Battle—no, it should be the first time, as the previous gathering was merely a celebratory banquet.

The current Hall of Rulers is fully equipped just as Teach envisioned many years ago: Seventy-two Demon Pillars, Thirteen Demon Generals, Seven Demon Kings, and members of the Night Pirates who are qualified to sit here, including the three rulers: Teach, Rediat, Ares.

Some core members were initially unaware, but the moment they saw the newcomer, they realized who it was: their captain, who had successfully kept his promise and brought his child.

That happened a year ago; they would have almost forgotten about it if it weren't mentioned.

"Boss, this must be your son. What's his name?" Mobius looked at the child below and asked Teach with a smile.

"Nani!"

These words, unlike those of the members who learned of Teach's son at the meeting a year ago, brought many new faces to the scene. This was their first time attending a meeting at the Hall of Domination.

I never expected to hear such explosive news as soon as I arrived.

They stared wide-eyed at the children, who looked to be about seven or eight years old, and then at their own ruler.

It's hard to believe that our master has had such a big child without us even realizing it.

Upon closer inspection, the child bears a striking resemblance to Teach, with naturally curly hair and a similar gaze.

This is indeed incredible news.

As pirates, they mostly find it difficult to hide their true nature, and the entire Dominion Palace was somewhat agitated by this news.

"Tap tap." Teach the armrest lightly, and the entire Sovereign's Hall fell silent instantly, displaying Teach's supreme authority.

After a silence of about three seconds, Teach looked down at his son, a smile in his eyes, and said, "Please tell them your name, my son."

Hearing his father's voice, Saga calmed down, raised his head slightly, and looked at the powerful figures who had made a name for themselves in the New World; they were all his father's subordinates.

He wasn't nervous; he was more nervous about meeting his biological father. But now, Teach's voice seemed to give him strength.

"Marshall D. Saga greets you all!" Saga said earnestly.

Saga's voice echoed throughout the Hall of Domination.

"He's so cute! Much more handsome than Teach. His mother must be very beautiful." Baccarat touched her face and smiled at the child.

At this moment, many crew members, such as Lafitte and Shiryu, looked at Saga with approval in their eyes.

They didn't really care about Saga's identity, because they submitted to Teach, not Saga.

Saga, the captain's child, undoubtedly earned their approval with his performance.

Even though they didn't intentionally release their aura, the pressure on Saga was constant, and Saga endured it without feeling a trace of fear.

Such courage is rare even at sea; their captain's children are no ordinary people.

Because of their abilities, Lafitte and Shiryu were able to "see" Saga's vitality, and at such a young age, Saga already possessed considerable strength.

Although this strength is insignificant in their eyes, it represents the terrifying potential that Saga possesses.

"No wonder he's the captain's son," Lafitte thought to himself.

"He inherited the captain's bloodline."

"Come on up, Saga," Teach gestured slightly.

Hearing his father say his name, Saga was deeply moved; it was something he had longed for.

Gazing at the figure on the throne, Saga strode up the steps, approaching his father.

Sitting to the side, Rediat sensed Saga's feelings and couldn't help but smile with amusement.

However, he is similar; he has a son named Ingenius, who was sent back to the West Blue at a young age and is now about five years old. When he has free time, he will go back to the West Blue to visit him.

So he was surprised when he learned that Teach had a child. He thought he was fast enough, but he didn't expect Teach to be two years ahead of him.

As for his wife, Princess Chris of the Christie Kingdom, she gave birth to this child after a beautiful encounter, and he has now been sent to the Tiresfa Kingdom to stay with his mother.

Moreover, his brother, being the king, now has even more children—four—over the years.

Thinking back to when Teach invited him, he felt a pang of emotion; ten years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Soon, Saga arrived in front of Teach.

"Are you ready, Saga?" Teach's voice, imbued with authority, penetrated Saga's heart, seemingly interrogating him to determine if he was truly prepared.

When he embarked on this path, he bore Teach's mark, the identity of the son of the Dark Emperor, enjoying the privileges it brought, and also bearing the pressures it imposed.

"I am ready, Father," Saga said earnestly.

He had said this to himself countless times, but never with such conviction.

Hearing this, Teach couldn't help but smile, very satisfied with Saga's words, or rather, he would be satisfied no matter what Saga chose.

Even if one were to conceal the Marshall surname and venture out to sea under a different identity, either choice would be difficult.

"As your father, I will provide you with the best of everything, but to prove yourself and gain recognition from others, you will need to rely on your own efforts."

Teach spoke, he raised his hand, which instantly turned black, appearing incredibly eerie, with dark power flowing within it.

The Dark-Dark Fruit is Logia, so it can naturally be elementalized. However, due to the dark gravity, it cannot disperse and recombine like other Logia, and therefore cannot be immune to physical attacks from others.

Otherwise, Teach could simply transform into a human Black Hole, making him invincible.

Immediately afterward, the black energy shifted, and a table appeared in front of Saga, on which were placed some exquisitely decorated boxes, each with small characters engraved on it, visible only to the main members who were nearby.

Upon seeing the inscription, not only Saga but also the other members were taken aback. They hadn't expected their captain to possess so many Devil Fruits with terrifying abilities.

There were eight Devil Fruits in total, some familiar and some unfamiliar, which made others' scalps tingle just by looking at them.

Logia -type Rumble- Smash Fruit Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Paramecia - Paramecia Crush- Control-Control Fruit, Paramecia Manipulation Float-Float Fruit, Mythical Zoan -type Titan Fruit, Logia Paramecia - Shadow-Shadow Fruit, Paramecia-type Wood-Wood Fruit, Paramecia Death-Death Fruit.

They all have their own origins. The first three were in Teach's possession a long time ago, while the Float-Float Fruit and Titan Fruit were stolen from Shiki and Chronos.

The next three were the fruits acquired during the Mary Geoise Incident, the three most powerful Devil Fruit in the Celestial Dragons' collection.

Upon seeing this, Saga did not hesitate and directly chose the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, which is hailed as the strongest Devil Fruit.

Saga was well aware of his body's unique characteristics, making Logia the best choice. Besides their immense potential, Logia require a longer Awakening period.

Saga endured the nauseating taste and ate the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. After a while, feeling the power within his body, he instinctively reached out, and a blue lightning bolt appeared, swirling around his fingertips.

Enel was the most sensitive to lightning, and he immediately recognized what Devil Fruit Saga had eaten.

The difference between the Plasma-Plasma Fruit and the Rumble-Rumble Fruit isn't that significant; each has its advantages. The Plasma-Plasma Fruit offers greater control, but it lacks the near-limitless lightning power and the ability to harness the power of lightning from nature found in the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.

"Good choice." Saga's choice was not unexpected by Teach; if it were him, he would also have chosen the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.

"As your father, I haven't given you any gifts all these years." Looking at Saga, who had already eaten the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Teach smiled, and stretched out his hand, with small black balls appearing in his palm.

The small black sphere slowly grew larger, quickly transforming into a terrifying Black Hole three meters high. It had seemed to be asleep, unconsciously emitting a terrifying dark gravitational pull, but it immediately contracted its power, otherwise it would have certainly caused a terrible disaster.

"Lord Teach, is there anything I can do for you?" Hades shrunk his body to the size of one meter in diameter and asked Teach respectfully.

Hades was somewhat excited that Teach had finally released it. However, due to Teach's power, it was of no use and almost thought that it had been forgotten by Teach.

For the past year, it has been sleeping in the Darkness Space, or absorbing the endless dark power within Darkness Space.

The Homie can grow stronger. After absorbing a large amount of dark power, Hades' energy and strength were further enhanced.

Most of the cadres present felt immense pressure when Hades appeared.

"Hades, this is my son Saga. From now on, you will follow him. Don't reveal yourself unless absolutely necessary." Hades was completely useless to Teach; Hades wasn't originally intended for him.

"Oh, I understand, Lord Saga. Please take care of me from now on," Hades said with a smile as he flew to Saga's side.

Saga stared at Hades, slightly taken aback. He knew about the Homie, but this was the first time he had ever seen such a strange creature in person.

Before he could react, Hades flew directly into his body.

"We'll talk about things we're familiar with later. Hades has many functions, like a miniature Dark-Dark Fruit. It releases gravity training and helps you absorb damage. You can test the others yourself. The only drawback is that you can't become an elemental unless it leaves your body." Teach smiled as he said this.

Hades is Homie, and as Black Hole, entering Saga's body still has some effects, namely the dark gravity he emits. While Hades is inside Saga, he cannot become elemental, just like Teach.

"Saga, I have only one request for you: if you fulfill it, you will be able to act freely according to your own will and possess sufficient power."

"As for how to demonstrate it, I require you to reach the top of the Combat Pyramid by your own strength before you turn seventeen, without using any abilities. In other words, you only have ten years."

"Back then, I wouldn't stop you from doing anything," Teach said, smiling at Saga.

"Hiss." Someone took a deep breath. He had reached the top of the Combat Pyramid at the age of seventeen, but he never expected the captain to be so ruthless to his son.

Everyone present knew just how strong those who could reach the top of the Combat Pyramid were, and Hersi, who had emerged from the top of the Combat Pyramid, was even more so.

Two years have passed, and thanks to the stimulation from the Temperature Fruit, the average strength of the upper levels of the Combat Pyramid has improved considerably.

This is a difficult task, but Teach won't let Saga do what he can't do.

Teach believed in Saga's potential, had high expectations of him, and thought he could achieve it.

At the same time, this also contains Teach's love for Saga, only expressed in another way. Teach is considering Saga's safety, so he hopes that Saga will have enough strength before he goes out to explore.

At the Combat Pyramid, under the protection of the Night Pirates, Saga would have no chance of getting into trouble.

Some members had already figured out Teach's intentions.

This is a very difficult task: to reach the top of the Combat Pyramid, not just the very top, but the strongest.

But Saga, who inherited Teach's bloodline, could easily do it.

Compared to Teach, Saga's conditions were much better; at least, Teach at the same time couldn't compare to Saga today.

The lightning-based body tempering from the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, the gravity training, the Night Pirates' powerful medical abilities, and the best mentorship—these were all Teach had never experienced before.

"I will do it." Saga nodded firmly. Even if he deliberately hid his identity as the son of the Dark Emperor, he couldn't hide it for long. He knew how dangerous it was, and he wouldn't run around recklessly before he had enough strength.

Ultimately, strength is everything.