A New Emperor?

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

"It has been confirmed. God Yake's base is the Sky God Kingdom." Sengoku held the documents sent over by the Marine intelligence department. On the table lay the news personally reported by Morgans.

"Hahahaha! Who would've thought that bastard Shanks would actually lose to that kid Yake? What a satisfying sight!" Garp laughed heartily as he read the newspaper. Although the report called it a draw, Garp could tell at a glance that Yake clearly still had the strength to fight, while Shanks looked utterly exhausted. The man who had led his grandson down the path of piracy had gotten beaten senseless—Garp thought he deserved it.

That kid probably wouldn't worship Shanks so much after reading this newspaper.

Luffy: Bet you didn't know—I never read newspapers.

"Shut up, Garp!" Tsuru snapped. The current situation was far from optimistic.

Garp immediately covered his mouth. He wasn't afraid of Sengoku, but he was terrified of Little Tsuru getting angry.

"Yake hid himself away for two years, only to give us such a huge surprise. How terrifying indeed!" Kizaru said in his usual mocking tone, lips pursed.

"It has only been a little over two years since he first appeared, and he is already this terrifyingly strong?"

Aokiji spoke without expression, but in his heart, he was thinking of Ohara's survivor—the child he had watched grow up.

"Without a doubt, if they recruit a few more top-tier fighters to strengthen their foundation, they will have the power to become a new Emperor. The World Government is already discussing countermeasures. Raising his bounty any further would be meaningless; it would only add to his prestige." Sengoku analyzed the situation calmly. Orders from the World Government had yet to arrive. It seemed they intended to bring the Sky God Kingdom into the allied nations, so Yake's bounty would not be raised for the time being.

Skypiea's shellfish had already become highly sought-after resources. Vegapunk was very interested in these miraculous shellfish and had already begun researching them. For now, the Government did not intend to move against the Sky God Kingdom.

"Are we just going to leave him alone? With all due respect, such an evil criminal must be eradicated!" Akainu said coldly.

Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head. It would not be that easy.

"For the Marine fleet to reach Skypiea, it must travel to the Top of the Western Sky. It cannot reach the Sky God Kingdom through Skyward Island. Even if we could destroy Skyward Island, it would inevitably provoke a backlash. Don't forget—we have no way to pursue Yake's Devil Fruit ability." Vice Admiral Tsuru had served in the Marines for many years. The last person this troublesome had been Golden Lion. If he hadn't stupidly marched into Marineford himself, they never could have captured him.

"Hmph!"

Akainu snorted disdainfully and kept his face dark.

Skyward Island.

Ever since today's newspaper came out, the number of pirates arriving on this island had only increased. They all hoped to join the Yake Pirates. After all, it was good to stand beneath a big tree for shade. Skyward Island was already packed to capacity.

Heaven's Ladder scarcely had a moment to rest, making trip after trip to transport tourists and pirates. Yet no one dared cause trouble, because the pirates who had harbored ill intentions had already been hung at Skyward Island's entrance. Some even had bounties in the tens of millions.

"Yake is back!" Hancock spotted the giant dragon Yake had transformed into from far away. Seeing the ship beside him, she was overjoyed and hurriedly went to tell her sisters.

Yake placed the Polar Tang on Angel Beach, returned to human form, and called for them to come down quickly.

"So this is the Sky God Kingdom? It's so beautiful!" Bepo was utterly captivated by the breathtaking scenery.

"Skypiea is real. Big Talker... no, he really wasn't lying." Luo looked around at the surroundings and soon spotted the enormous Golden Bell atop Angel Island.

"Come with me. I'll introduce you to your future companions!" Yake did not stop them from admiring Skypiea's beauty, only calling them along after a while.

"G-God Yake, Lord Yake, please let us join your pirate crew! We are willing to become your strength!"

"Lord Yake, I am Bernard the Great Blade, with a bounty of twenty million Beli! Please let me join you!"

Angel Island was crammed with pirates hoping to join the Yake Pirates. Yake swept his gaze around them. They were all nameless nobodies. How could Yake possibly be interested in such insignificant fodder he had never even heard of? The Ark Pirates followed an elite route.

"We are not recruiting right now. Sightseeing is allowed. Troublemakers die," Yake said flatly, utterly uninterested in them.

"Damn it, he actually looks down on me!"

"Kill him, and we'll become famous!"

"What kind of god are you? I'll chop you down myself!"

Some pirates with ulterior motives had long since been unable to hold themselves back. They charged forward together, intending to kill Yake and make a name for themselves.

"What a bunch of idiots who don't know their place."

"Lightning Torrent!"

The pirates who dared attack Yake were instantly electrocuted into charred humanoid shapes, falling to the ground and crumbling into ash.

"Anyone else who causes trouble will end up just like them."

Yake slowly walked away. The crowd automatically parted to make way for him. The remaining pirates were silent as death, their eyes filled with terror.

Soon, the city defense troops dispersed the crowd. Anyone who dared resist was executed on the spot. The Sky God Kingdom had no prisons.

"Lord Yake, you have arrived. This old man has been waiting for you for quite some time," Gan Fall said respectfully.

"Take them around. They will become the backbone of our nation's medical team." Yake pointed at the Heart Pirates' crew. Only members of the Ark Pirates were permitted to enter the divine residence of the Sky God Kingdom.

"See you, Captain!" "Goodbye, Bepo."

The crew members bid each other farewell. After this parting, they would no longer be members of the same pirate crew.

"Everyone, Captain... sob, sob..." Bepo watched his juniors leave, his heart aching as well. Unable to hold it in, he began to cry.

Though Luo remained expressionless, he silently said in his heart, Goodbye, everyone. I wasn't a good captain.

"Yake-sama, you're finally back! Anna missed you so much, karuchu!" Anna used the Seven-Day Unbreakable Lock of Love to tightly trap Yake, rubbing her face against his with all her strength as though she wanted to rub the skin off his face.

"Lord Yake, do you know? I took care of the Sky God Kingdom... Huh? Big Brother Bepo! Why are you here?!" Anna noticed the big white bear crying beside them. The longer she looked, the more familiar he seemed. Wasn't this Big Brother Bepo from her childhood?

"Ah, Anna! Eh?!!! Why are you here?!" Bepo stared wide-eyed, as though he had seen a monster.

"Karuchu!"

Anna released Yake and hugged Bepo, affectionately rubbing her face against his. Yake smiled as he watched the two adorable creatures greet each other. Although Bepo was even taller than him, that did not change the fact that he was a lovable fool.

"Big Brother Bepo, everyone was so worried after you went out to sea to adventure. Later, I secretly went to sea too, but I was captured." Anna spoke nostalgically. Back then, Bepo had been her idol. He had dared to set sail and adventure when he was barely a teenager, and she had gone to sea under his influence as well.

"Anna, are you a member of the Ark Pirates?"

Only then did Bepo react. The length of his delayed reaction could circle the Red Line once.