March, Sea Era 1504.
"They finally couldn't sit still any longer."
Hades looked at the intelligence report in his hand and chuckled.
The World Government had left Jaya Island alone for only five months.
As order took hold on Jaya Island, the entire island came under the nominal rule of the Sea Emperors of the New World.
To the World Government, which treated Paradise as its own private preserve, this was a thorn in its side.
It could not allow the situation to continue for long. Letting Pirates run so rampant would damage its prestige.
Meanwhile, many Affiliated Nations had lodged complaints with the World Government.
They wanted it to deal with the Pirates on Jaya Island as soon as possible.
These nations had sent people all the way to Jaya Island to seek riches.
Instead, Pirates had wiped them out with ease, and the salvage ships they had bought had fallen into Pirate hands.
They had suffered such heavy losses without gaining a thing. How could they not be furious?
They wanted the World Government to step in.
Behind the scenes, the Pirates had also targeted these Affiliated Nations.
Apart from a handful of powerful nations, most had been driven out or wiped out by Pirates.
The Great Pirates had been ready to confront the World Government from the moment they joined forces.
As Kingdoms that paid Heavenly Tribute to the World Government, the Affiliated Nations were naturally their enemies.
Even offers to hand over part of the salvaged gold failed to interest the Great Pirates.
They treated everyone alike: any group that lacked sufficiently strong members was almost certain to be wiped out.
To earn these Great Pirates' regard, someone needed at least Vice Admiral-level combat strength.
That might not amount to much before a true Monster.
But