The Awakening of Okuchi no Makami

Time passed, day by day.

Lily Carnation grew more popular in Elbaf.

Two to three million Fish-Men and merfolk gradually left Fish-Man Island for the nations of the New World Alliance.

Most settled in Totto Land, the Mercury Kingdom, and the Titan Kingdom.

The relocation was still underway...

The Tontatta had fully adapted to life in the Sacred Ancient Moon Empire and begun growing special plants for Houka.

The Artificial Devil Fruit plantation was up and running!

The aerial routes Golden Lion Shiki had opened across the East Blue, South Blue, and Grand Line came under relentless attack from the World Government.

Golden Lion Shiki repeatedly called on the Rocks Pirates for help. He wanted to teach the World Government and Marine Headquarters a harsh lesson.

Whitebeard Newgate and Red Count Redfield joined the local war over the aerial routes in turn.

Silver Axe Xiong, Gier Buster, Bolo Gram, and the others continued expanding their territory in the North Blue and searching for Devil Fruits. They also kept an eye out for promising youngsters for Houka.

Youngsters like North Blue natives Borsalino and Ben Beckman...

As for Sakazuki, he came from a Marine family. Who knew whether pirates had already killed his parents?

In the original timeline, Sakazuki had been orphaned young. Wearing a cap emblazoned with "Justice," he fought pirates with a burning hatred for them.

Sakazuki was the same age as Dragon, so he should be a little over ten now.

Kuzan and Aramaki were both from the South Blue, which was World Government territory. They were younger still, so Houka had not sent anyone to look for them yet.

After all, the main fronts were in the West Blue and North Blue. He had far fewer people stationed in the East Blue and South Blue.

Recently, a