Demon Emperor Pirates

As one of the three great overlords of Divine Punishment Island, hunting was incredibly easy. Though they were injured, catching prey was still no challenge.

Since most of the prey was enormous, Nangong Yan had to unleash sword aura to prepare it. Ordinary flames would take far too long to roast the meat thoroughly, so Nangong Yan directly summoned a large amount of Solar True Flame.

This single meal nearly used up all the spices and salt stored in Nangong Yan's Kamui Dimension. There was no helping it—none of the three beasts or the one man had small appetites.

As they ate the golden-brown, fragrant roasted meat, the Tyrannosaurus, pterosaur, and giant python let out pleased cries. They usually ate raw food, so when had they ever had the chance to eat cooked meat? Even though the python swallowed its food whole, it still found it much tastier and easier to digest.

This meal of roasted meat, coupled with the earlier beating, finally secured the loyalty of the three great overlords. The strength of his pirate crew had risen by another level.

It was also time for Nangong Yan to leave. After building up his strength here for so long, the island could now offer him almost no further improvement.

If the power levels in the world of One Piece were compared to the ranks in League of Legends, then legendary great pirates, the Four Emperors, Fleet Admirals, supreme military commanders, and the Pirate King would all be at the Challenger level. Their points might differ, but their strength was essentially on the same tier!

Marine Admirals and Army Admirals were at the peak of Master. Though they were no match for Challengers, they could exchange blows with them and would not fear a battle. Emperor commanders and certain veteran great pirates possessed Master-level strength; they might not fall behind against an Admiral for a time, but would inevitably lose in a prolonged fight. Sweet Commanders, Calamities, and elite Marine Vice Admirals were Diamond I; ordinary Vice Admirals were Diamond II. The Shichibukai were more complicated, likely ranging from Diamond II to the peak of Master.

Nangong Yan felt that while his assessment was not perfect, it was broadly correct and held some reference value.

Nangong Yan had improved enormously over the years. Though his swordsmanship had not yet reached the realm of a Great Swordsman, the future was promising. His martial arts, physique, and Haki had likewise improved greatly. His Devil Fruit ability and Mangekyo Sharingan had also yielded tremendous gains. In terms of overall combat strength, Nangong Yan believed he had reached the peak of Master, entirely comparable to a Marine Admiral.

After living like a savage for over a year, Nangong Yan transformed into a Golden Crow and descended upon Orange Island, following the map. He swaggered down the streets, but quickly sensed someone secretly watching him. After making several turns, he soon arrived at a remote alley.

"Come out. You've been sneaking around and following me all this way."

Soon, three young men jumped down from the wall at the edge of the alley. After carefully examining Nangong Yan, they respectfully bowed. "Greetings, Captain. The three of us were sent by Boss Pike to wait on Orange Island for your appearance."

Nangong Yan nodded indifferently and said in a cold tone, "Take me to your base. Also, bring me copies of all the newspapers from the past year and a half."

"Yes, Captain. Please follow us."

Nangong Yan followed the three men to a three-story building with white walls and red tiles. Reclining on a soft sofa, he slowly went through the newspapers from the past year.

Nangong Yan had vanished without a trace for a year and a half. In this turbulent world, where countless major events occurred every day, many people had already forgotten him. Perhaps only upon seeing Nangong Yan's face again would pirates remember the astonishing fortune represented by the bounty on his head.

As he flipped through the papers one by one, Nangong Yan quickly learned about the major events that had taken place in the world. In a year and a half, countless things had happened on the seas. What interested Nangong Yan most was that Roger had already gathered all four red Road Poneglyphs and deciphered the exact location of the final island, Laugh Tale.

According to the news, Golden Lion, the Marines, and some overconfident pirates were doing everything they could to stop Roger from reaching Laugh Tale.

Nangong Yan had never doubted that Roger would reach Laugh Tale. It was not merely because he knew history, but because the forces hastily assembled against him were simply no match for the Roger Pirates.

Golden Lion had suffered a crushing defeat at Roger's hands last time. His momentum and the injury on his head had weakened him somewhat, making him even less of a match for Roger. The Marines had received the news too suddenly and had no time to organize much combat power. As for the other pirates, they were even less worth mentioning.

Whitebeard cared only about his family and guarded his own territory. Red Count Red was a lone wanderer with no interest in Laugh Tale; who knew where he was enjoying himself now? The Beast Pirates led by Kaido and Big Mom's pirate crew had only just gained a foothold in the New World. They did not even have time to consolidate their territories. If they went, they would only be crushed!

Therefore, Roger's arrival at Laugh Tale was already inevitable, and becoming the first Pirate King was a certainty.

After finishing the newspapers, Nangong Yan shouted, "Someone, prepare a meal for me. Immediately send someone to notify Pike and have him bring the pirate ship here."

"Yes, Captain." A reply came from outside the door, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps fading away.

Nangong Yan leaned against the sofa, supporting his head with his left arm while his right hand rested on Eastern Emperor's sheath, his fingers lightly tapping it. He appeared deep in thought.

Three days later, an enormous ship appeared at Orange Island's harbor. The entire vessel was simple and unadorned, yet sturdy and durable. No pirate flag flew from it. Pike stood respectfully on deck with his subordinates, awaiting Nangong Yan's arrival.

Nangong Yan clasped his hands behind his back. He wore a black shirt trimmed with golden threads, black trousers, and a black coat covered in red clouds. He looked noble, cold, and wicked.

"Greetings, Captain!" Pike called respectfully along with his roughly thirty subordinates.

"You've done well. Come to me later and take one million Beli to distribute among the brothers for drinking and meat." Nangong Yan waved his hand. He was fairly satisfied with Pike's work.

"Thank you, Captain. This ship has not yet been named. Please bestow a name upon it." Delight flashed across Pike's face as he gestured for his men to bring over a chair.

Nangong Yan sat down and pondered briefly before saying, "Call it the Great Sun Fusang. Golden Crows naturally like to live upon the sun and Fusang trees."

"Yes, Captain."

"Also, Captain, may I boldly ask what our pirate crew is called? Let the brothers know the crew's name so that they can feel a greater sense of belonging."

Nangong Yan looked at Pike in surprise. This fellow looked unremarkable and usually seemed crude and burly, yet he actually knew the term "sense of belonging."

Nangong Yan thought for a moment. Since the pirate crew's name would have to be made known sooner or later, it made little difference whether it was earlier or later.

"My pirate crew is called the Demon Emperor Pirates, gathering all demons beneath heaven! What is a demon? Regardless of race, regardless of reason, without regard for fame or profit—acting both righteous and wicked, doing as one pleases. All rules and restraints are empty. Roam free between heaven and earth!" Nangong Yan declared solemnly, his expression exceedingly serious.

This was Nangong Yan's way of thinking. Having come to the world of One Piece, he currently had no desire to become the Pirate King, dominate the world, or overthrow the World Government. He only wished to live freely, do what he wanted, accomplish what he wished to accomplish, and protect those he wanted to protect.

Of course, that was only Nangong Yan's current thinking. To act freely, both righteous and wicked. Perhaps he would pursue the position of overlord in the future. Perhaps his thoughts would change. Perhaps after gaining that position, he would abandon it without hesitation. His actions would be unpredictable, guided entirely by his own heart.

"Demon Emperor Pirates? Good, Captain, that name is imposing! Then what style should our pirate flag have? Please describe it." Pike flattered him with a somewhat fawning smile.

Nangong Yan extended his right hand and spread his fingers. A lifelike miniature Golden Crow appeared, dancing amid pale golden flames. Noble, elegant, and mysterious, it exuded the domineering aura of an emperor.

"No skull. Just depict it soaring through the flames."

"Understood, Captain. Hey, you! Quickly bring the camera Den Den Mushi over. Take a picture so we don't waste the Captain's power for nothing," Pike shouted.

Soon, a click sounded as the camera Den Den Mushi captured the Golden Crow bathed in Solar True Flame.

Two days later, the Golden Crow Pirate Flag was hoisted upon the mast. Fluttering in the sea breeze, it looked from afar like a miniature Golden Crow soaring up and down, exceptionally eye-catching.

Nangong Yan lay on the deck, sunning himself alone while engrossedly reading a book titled Basic Forging.

The sun hung directly overhead. The deck was scorching hot, and even the surface seawater was warm. The crew of the Demon Emperor Pirates had all retreated into their rooms to escape the heat.

Yet Nangong Yan felt no scorching heat. The sunlight on his body only made him feel pleasantly warm, and his energy was boundless.

The Great Sun Fusang slowly sailed away from Orange Island. The newly established Demon Emperor Pirates began their first voyage!