The sudden arrival of the Golden Ark immediately drew the attention of everyone on the island!
Most islands in the New World had a rough and battle-hardened populace, where pirates and native residents had long since blended together. The result was a chaotic mix of communities—some large, some small—but all steeped in the pirate way of life.
Every island carried the scent of piracy. This was the ultimate haven for outlaws across the world, a lawless paradise where strength dictated authority. There were no rules, no government, and no order—only power. The strong made the rules, and the weak followed them or perished.
But the New World was also a pirate's graveyard. No matter how powerful one became, there was always someone stronger lurking beyond. The ultimate goal for any pirate crew was to rise above the rest—to join a dominant force or overthrow it and take the throne for themselves.
Even the World Government and the Marines had failed to purge the countless criminals and pirates infesting the New World. Instead, they treated it as a lost cause, a region where crime thrived unchecked.
Thanks to Devil Fruits, the world was filled with lucky individuals who, overnight, gained supernatural abilities. Most of them grew ambitious, seeking to carve out their own territories, and quickly became ruthless criminals, disrupting the established order.
However, the World Government—the supreme rulers of the seas—could never allow such chaos to spread unchecked. Those who threatened stability were relentlessly hunted down by the Marines and forced into the ocean, eventually becoming pirates.
As these ambitious criminals gathered in the treacherous waters of the latter half of the Grand Line, the New World became the ultimate pirate haven. Over time, it was even given the name "New World," symbolizing a place of unbridled freedom and rebellion.
Ruthless individuals from across the world flocked here, waving the banner of freedom, seeking to escape the tyranny of the World Government. With each passing year, the number of powerful pirates grew, eventually driving the Marines out of the region entirely. Only a handful of Marine bases remained near Red Line and a few allied nations.
Currently, the only World Government-aligned territories in the New World were Dressrosa, Prodence Kingdom, and a few other islands near Fish-Man Island's exit. However, these were scarce compared to the lawless regions that dominated the seas.
The losses the Marines suffered in their battles against New World pirates were staggering. Eventually, the World Government shifted its focus back to the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line, gradually withdrawing from the New World.
After all, there were simply too many Devil Fruit users—far outnumbering the Marines. If these pirates ever united under a single banner, even the World Government would struggle to contain them.
The only reason the World Government remained dominant was because of their strict discipline, vast resources, advanced technology, and centuries-old legacy. This allowed them to maintain control over the rest of the world, even as the New World slipped further into chaos.
...
"A flying pirate ship? Could it be the Sky Pirates mentioned in the News? Those guys still dare to show themselves? Aren't they afraid of the Overlords capturing them?"
"No... I heard the Sky Pirates lost their ships. But this airship—it looks so luxurious... Could it belong to the Hell Pirates, the ones who killed a Celestial Dragon? Their ship is said to be made of pure gold!"
Pirates and locals on the island whispered amongst themselves. Some pirates, eyes glinting with greed, were already itching to take action.
"Go down and gather information on Sky Islands in the New World. Find a way to connect with the underground intelligence network—it's time to establish some ties with those Underworld Emperors."
"Once we've secured our foothold, Mortomas can set up a World Economy News branch in the New World and take over the intelligence market here."
"Antonio, make sure to monitor the News' Den Den Mushi transmissions. Find their leader and gather intelligence on the underground networks. That information is crucial."
Brook issued a series of commands, knowing that even in a world dominated by raw strength, information was still power.
Meanwhile, Mortomas' operation of "distributing Den Den Mushi" was already underway, slowly weaving a massive intelligence network. Some would consider themselves lucky to receive these mysterious gifts—but little did they know what kind of trap they had stepped into.
"Zahahaha! So it really is the Golden Ark! And it actually landed! Men, fire! Open fire! I'm taking that ship for myself!"
A pirate captain, eyes bloodshot with greed, shouted at the top of his lungs. The sheer sight of the Golden Ark had ensnared his heart.
"Redfield! Leave him alive—I'll take his soul myself."
Brook, seeing Redfield engulfed in lightning, reminded him not to incinerate their targets completely. After all, only those killed directly by the captain could be added to his Ghost Army.
Redfield understood and responded with a single word: "Understood."
A massive net of lightning burst forth, engulfing the reckless pirates below.
From the Golden Ark, sniper Silva raised his rifle, locking onto the enemy captain. One shot blew off his trigger finger, and before he could scream, a second bullet shattered his knee. If Brook hadn't ordered captives, the pirate captain would have already been shot through the head.
On deck, Shakky picked up one of Silva's custom-made pistols and began practicing her marksmanship.
"I'm joining in."
Charlotte Linlin summoned Zeus and Prometheus, sending a storm of lightning and flames upon the enemy fleet. The port burned as ships exploded under her onslaught.
"What the hell?! Even that iron balloon has joined the Hell Pirates? This is insane! Are they forming a new Overlord crew?!"
The onlookers paled as they pulled out wanted posters of Brook and Charlotte Linlin. The bounty totals were staggering.
Even if Brook's bounty had skyrocketed due to killing a Celestial Dragon, the fact that Charlotte Linlin had willingly joined them was proof of their overwhelming power. Otherwise, why would she submit to another crew?
"Gurararara~! Redfield! Linlin! Let me have some fun! Your bounties are already way higher than mine—I need to catch up!"
Edward Newgate leaped from the Golden Ark, his massive figure encased in a glowing sphere of energy. When he landed, the entire port sank several meters, and the ground fractured beneath him.
A shockwave erupted outward, hurling countless pirates into the air. The sheer force of his arrival was enough to strike terror into the hearts of the weak.
"Edward Newgate?! Another terrifying rookie?!"
Wherever Newgate stepped, pirates fell before him—none lasting more than a single punch.
"Newgate is so cool! Captain, I want to learn that!"
From the deck of the Golden Ark, Fisher Tiger watched in awe, eyes filled with excitement and admiration.
...
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+122 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg