The news that Peach Blossom Spring had all but annihilated the Bloodsail Fleet and captured "Blood Butcher" Bark alive swept across the entire West Blue like a super hurricane, spreading with unprecedented speed and force toward the wider world. The shock it caused far surpassed that of any previous incident.
If defeating the Six Treasures Navy had brought Peach Blossom Spring to the attention of Flower Country's upper ranks, then destroying the Bloodsail Fleet had truly placed it on the stage of power struggles across the West Blue and even the entire first half of the Grand Line. This time, Peach Blossom Spring had displayed not merely strength on land or a capacity for surprise attacks, but the formidable power to crush a large pirate fleet in a head-on naval battle, along with... those unbelievable abilities belonging to the legendary Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits!
Flower Country's court fell utterly silent.
A deathly hush filled the palace hall. The Chancellor of the Pro-Cleansing Faction looked livid. Having previously insisted on joining forces with Blood Sail to "set one predator against another," he now felt as though he had received a resounding slap in public. The Blood Sail Fleet's destruction had not only ruined his scheme, but further highlighted how terrifying Peach Blossom Spring was. The foreign minister of the Pro-Pacification Faction suppressed his excitement and seized the opportunity to speak passionately. "Your Majesty! Facts speak louder than words! Peach Blossom Spring defeated overwhelming numbers and annihilated such formidable pirates as Blood Sail. Its strength is unfathomable! What is more, its generals actually possess Mythical Zoan powers! This is aid bestowed upon our country by heaven. How can we continue to turn our blades against them? Our most urgent task is to set aside our pride and sincerely seek their allegiance. If we secure their loyalty, Flower Country's domination of the West Blue will be within reach!"
This time, no one dared casually argue back. Mythical Zoans! Those were legendary Devil Fruit abilities! The appearance of every Mythical Zoan user meant a force capable of reshaping the balance of power in a region. And Peach Blossom Spring actually had more than one! Guan Yu's azure dragon might, Zhang Fei's molten fury, Zhao Yun's blue-flame speed, Huang Zhong's uncanny time arrows, and the unfathomable presence of their mysterious leader, Chen Yu... Reports of these reached Flower Country's upper ranks through various channels, leaving them deeply shaken and wary.
Under immense pressure and the impact of these reports, the king finally made his decision. All military operations would be suspended, and the foreign minister would have full authority to conduct peace talks with Peach Blossom Spring at the highest level. He was to ascertain their true intentions and win them over at any cost! The Pro-Cleansing Faction suffered a heavy blow and lay low for the time being.
Within the Happo Navy, the balance of power quietly shifted.
As the news arrived, the Pillars of the various Treasures Navies reacted differently, but without exception, all were shocked and grave.
For the first time, the Pillar of the First Treasures Navy-the Imperial Forest Navy-took the initiative to advise the king to handle relations with Peach Blossom Spring cautiously, hinting that the Mythical Zoan users might have far-reaching connections behind them.
Qi Ming, Pillar of the Two Treasures Navy, remained silent for a long time during a secret family meeting before finally ordering, "Withdraw everyone assigned to monitor Peach Blossom Spring. Prepare lavish gifts and secretly send them to Peach Blossom Spring in my name. Congratulate them on their great victory and express... goodwill." He keenly realized that the balance had changed. Perhaps... this was an opportunity to break the existing order. When Qili learned of the "Mythical Pokémon" forms Guan Yu and the others had displayed, her eyes flashed repeatedly with wonder.
The attitudes of the Third Treasures Navy and the Fourth Treasures Navy changed abruptly. Rather than wait and watch, they actively sought to establish contact with Peach Blossom Spring. At the very least, they could not become enemies.
The Pillar of the Five Treasures Navy developed an intense interest in studying Peach Blossom Spring's tactics and individual fighting strength.
The remnants of the Six Treasures Navy were even more silent, relieved that their earlier defeat had been no disgrace.
Within the Happo Navy-the Chinjao family-the old Pillar, Chinjao, rubbed his bald head, an astonishing gleam bursting from his cloudy eyes. "Mythical Zoans... and several of them at that! Heh heh, the West Blue is in for an upheaval! Sai, Abu, perhaps our chance to restore Hasshoken's prestige has come!" Young Sai and Abu were even more eager to get going, brimming with curiosity about Peach Blossom Spring and a desire to fight.
Gan Ning's standing in the military rose accordingly. His colleagues considered him farsighted for having established "good" relations with Peach Blossom Spring "early on." He even received a private letter from the Pillar of the Two Treasures Navy, asking for details about Peach Blossom Spring.
The reactions across the West Blue and even farther afield were more turbulent still.
Peach Blossom Spring's reputation spread like wildfire, accompanied by exaggerated rumors of a "Mythical Zoan army." The underworld, News Coos, merchant caravans, adventurers... every channel was spreading word of this mysterious power's rise.
The Marines: the commanders of several Marine Branches in the West Blue received urgent reports. Intelligence concerning "a mysterious force gathering multiple Mythical Zoan users in the West Blue" was rushed to Marine Headquarters at Marineford. Although the World Government generally did not interfere in the internal affairs of its affiliated nations, the appearance of multiple Mythical Zoans had already touched a nerve with the Marines. An investigation team led by officers from headquarters had secretly been dispatched to the West Blue.
The underworld: underworld giants such as the King of Shipping, the King of Loan Sharks, and the Pleasure District began reassessing the distribution of interests in the West Blue and attempting to send people to contact Peach Blossom Spring.
The news media: reporters from the World Economy News Paper rubbed their hands in anticipation, trying to dig up firsthand information. "Mythical Pokémon army" and "Peach Blossom Spring" became hot topics.
Other forces: neighboring kingdoms, large pirate crews, and even covert Revolutionary Army operatives began turning their attention toward this previously unremarkable stretch of sea.
Within Peach Blossom Spring, although everyone was immersed in the joy of their tremendous victory, the core leadership remained exceptionally clearheaded.
Inside the council hall, Guo Jia examined the intelligence gathered from all sides, his gaze sharp beneath his languid smile. "My lord, everyone, our name now resounds across the Four Blues, but we have also become a target for all. The true test begins now."
Liu Bei looked worried. "The tallest tree in the forest is the first to face the wind. Peach Blossom Spring has shown too much of its strength. I fear it will draw covetous eyes from every side, especially the World Government and the Marines..."
Guan Yu narrowed his Phoenix Eyes slightly. "We will meet soldiers with generals and floods with earth. Our army has just won a victory, and morale is soaring. Why should we fear a challenge?"
Zhang Fei bellowed, "Who gives a damn! If one comes, we'll beat one. If two come, we'll beat the pair!"
Zhao Yun said steadily, "Nevertheless, the situation is now complex, far beyond anything we faced before. We must respond cautiously and avoid making enemies on every side."
Huang Zhong stroked his beard. "Our most urgent task is to consolidate the gains of victory, strengthen our position, and use these peace talks to reach a favorable agreement with Flower Country, securing breathing room and space to develop."
Chen Yu swept his gaze over everyone and said gravely, "All of you make sound points, brothers. There is opportunity amid the danger we now face. Peach Blossom Spring has no path of retreat. We can only ride the wind and waves and press boldly forward." He turned to Guo Jia. "Fengxiao, what should our next move be?"
Guo Jia smiled faintly, a plan already in mind. "There are three urgent matters:
"First, strike while the iron is hot and finalize the peace talks. Since Flower Country has yielded, we can raise our demands. We want not only autonomy and trading rights, but formal recognition of Peach Blossom Spring's status, as well as a certain amount of material support. We can even... demand an offshore island as a base, resolving our navy's lack of a good harbor once and for all.
"Second, recruit talent widely and strengthen our foundations. Our army has made a name for itself and will surely attract more capable and exceptional people. We must establish a recruitment hall, with Lord Liu Bei in charge, to select talent and reinforce every department.
"Third, take the initiative and secure intelligence. We must establish a more comprehensive intelligence network, actively contact the various powers in the West Blue, learn their movements, and win allies-or at least avoid being isolated. General Zhao Yun's navy could perhaps begin limited patrols to demonstrate our presence."
"Furthermore," a deep gleam flashed through Guo Jia's eyes, "we must prepare early for a possible Marine investigation. We could proactively send some signals of 'goodwill,' indicating that our loyalty lies with 'justice' and 'the people,' rather than opposing the World Government, to keep them at bay for now."
Chen Yu nodded. "Good! We will follow Fengxiao's plan. Fengxiao will have full authority over the peace talks. Liu Bei will oversee recruitment. Fengxiao will coordinate intelligence and external relations, with Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong assisting. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, step up preparations for the army in case of unforeseen trouble."
He rose, his gaze blazing as he surveyed the room. "Everyone! The storm has begun. We must ride its momentum and turn this West Blue upside down! Let the name of Peach Blossom Spring resound through the heavens!"
"We will follow you, Big Brother-my lord-and accomplish great things together!" Their spirits soared, their voices shaking the roof tiles.
Amid towering waves and raging seas, the vessel that was Peach Blossom Spring had not sunk. Instead, it raised its sails even higher and sailed unwaveringly toward a vaster-and inevitably more dangerous-open sea. The dragon's might had been revealed, and hidden currents surged. Only now had the true struggle for supremacy truly reached its climax. With Peach Blossom Spring's rise, the skies over the West Blue were destined never to be peaceful again.
Before you continue