[The Royal Shichibukai? Who Are They?]

  [The Birth of the Grand Line's Freat Power: The Royal Shichibukai!]

  [Shog News!]

  jao the Drill, a pirate with a bounty of over 500 million Berries and the 12th Leader of the Happo Navy, has accepted the invitation to bee the first Royal Shichibukai!

  [Another Pirate Joins]

  Hammer “Naguri,” a pirate with a bounty of 468 million Berries, officially announced his acceptance of the Wover’s invitation and has joihe Royal Shichibukai.

  [Official Statement from the Fleet Admiral]

  “The Royal Shichibukai is a direct subsidiary of the Wover. The Navy will cease all bounties and manhunts against them!”

  …

  The day, this earth-shaking news spread across the world, carried by the news crows. The Wover officially annouhe formation of the Royal Shichibukai program. Not only would their bounties be revoked, but they would also be granted legal plundering rights—although half of their spoils would have to be handed over if they were caught i.

  The annou sent shockwaves throughout the seas. Few could have predicted that, in respoo the current precarious situation, the Wover would lower its pride and recruit notorious pirates into its ranks. Even more astonishing was its cession to legalize their plundering activities.

  “The Royal Shichibukai?”

  “Isn't this just recruiting pirates uhe guise of legitimacy?”

  “Allowing them to plunder legally? That's eous!”

  “How could they appease those criminals?”

  “Do they really think such ruthless scum be trusted?”

  “What is the Woverhinking?”

  For many, this decision was inprehensible. Although the Wover crified that legal plundering would only apply to non-member states, most still found the policy absurd. Among lower-ranking Navy officers, especially those inspired by ideals of justice, the decision was a bitter pill to swallow. When some attempted to protest and sought crification from their superiors, they were met with stern reprimands:

  “The orders of the Wover are absolute and not to be questioned!”

  Disillusio and frustration ran deep within the ranks.

  Meanwhile, reas among pirates were divided:

  “Ha! Is the Wover out of ideas?”

  “Throwing scraps of legitimacy to these dogs in hopes they’ll heel.”

  “Anyone ts this deal is nothing but a disgrace to all pirates!”

  “They’re nothing more than the Gover’s pdogs now!”

  The recruitment of jao the Drill and Naguri the Hammer into the Shichibukai was met with derision and mockery from many promi pirates. Yet not everyone shared this disdain. Among weaker pirate crews—who stantly lived uhe threat of Navy pursuit—jealousy burned brightly. The ability to plunder legally while esg the Navy’s notice seemed like an unattainable dream.

  “Mamamama! So this is the power of the Paramecia-Type Castle-Castle Fruit?”

  The se shifted to El. He stood within one of the fortified outposts of the Hell Trading pany, watg a demonstration of the newly acquired Castle-Castle Fruit. A satisfied smile crept across his face as he pted the potential applications of this rare spatial-type ability.

  Totto Land Kingdom

  After returning from the West Blue, El spent time pying with Thor, Sif, and the other children. Nearby, Linlin curiously examihe Castle-Castle Fruit that El had retly brought back.

  “Hehe, Mama Linlin, Mama Linlin, I already copied its power!”

  Eden ran over, hugging Linliedly.

  “Oh? Is that so? Wonderful…”

  Linlin cupped the little girl’s face with a warm smile and asked, “Good girl, do you know how to use it?”

  “Of course!” Eden nodded repeatedly. Then she lightly touched Linlin. In an instant, Linlin disappeared. Her vision blurred, and when it cleared, she found herself in a spacious, well-lit hall.

  “Hmm?”

  Linlin raised her eyebrows, surveying the rge, undecorated space—vast enough to aodate several adult giant warriors. A grin spread across her face.

  “Mama-mama-mama! I see now—this is a copy of the castle on Atntis!”

  “Hehe, that’s right, Mama Linlin!”

  Eden emerged from the castle floor, pointing to the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows.

  “You see outside from here!”

  Linlin walked over and peered through the windows. The view was crystal clear, as though she were in a real castle. Outside, the children ran around, pying happily. Meanwhile, Eden’s body remained outside, darting around and toug others one by one.

  “Swish… Swish…”

  Oer another—since El, Gerd, and the others weren’t actively resisting with Haki—they were all transported into the colossal hall.

  “This is really impressive,” Gerd remarked, looking around with raised eyebrows. The ability was remarkably ve: it essentially created a massive, portable castle. With some modifications, it could be turned into a mobile war fortress.

  “Am I amazing or what?” Eden puffed out her chest, her face full of pride.

  “You’re amazing, alright,” Helen replied with a smile. She picked up the little girl and kissed her cheek. “We get it. You’re incredible!”

  “This ability is so much fun…”

  Sed-born Sif was filled with curiosity, while first-born Thor ran arouedly.

  “It’s huge! It’s just like the castle outside!”

  “Eden, does this mean y hide-and-seek here forever?”

  Seventh-born Frey scratched his head with i excitement.

  “Exactly!”

  Hearing this, the children’s eyes lit up with glee.

  Meanwhile, Sally, the “Shapeshifting Witch,” arrived at Dreamnd atop a giant owl. She touched down to find the area surprisingly empty, except for Eden standing idly nearby.

  “Eden, where is everyone else?” Sally asked curiously.

  “Aunt Sally, they’re right here!” Eden poio her own eyes, her face beaming with mischief.

  “Huh?”

  Sally quickly noticed something unusual about Eden’s eyes. Inside her rge pupils, numerous tiny figures waved back at her, all smiling.

  “Wait a minute…” Sally began, smiling as realization dawned. “Is this the Castle-Castle Fruit’s ability?”

  “That’s right, Aunt Sally! You’re so smart!”

  The doll-like Eden gave a big thumbs-up. With a swift gesture, she pulled Sally into the castle’s internal space.

  “Swish…”

  Sally’s vision blurred as the se ged. She found herself in aremely spacious hall. The desig somewhat familiar, though less vish than the inal castle.

  “This is unbelievable,” she muttered, marveling at the surroundings. Notig El nearby, she scooped up fifth-born Willie, who ran into her arms, and turo El with a smile, recalling her reason for ing.

  “El, I have news.”

  “I just received word that the Rocks Pirates have raided the North Blue,” Sally reported, her grin widening. “They seized a shipment of Heavenly Tribute ships. And not just from one try—these were tributes from multiple Wover member states. The scale of the loot is staggering!”

  She paused, her smile growing broader.

  “This is bound to drive the Wover insane.”

  For the Fallen Angel Pirates, this news was undoubtedly a boon. Sally had already heard rumors that the Wover inteo have the Navy colborate with the Rocks Pirates to suppress their crew. However, with the Rocks Pirates pulling such a daring move, any potential alliaweewo forces seemed ever more unlikely.

  “Oh?”

  El’s i was clearly piqued.

  Bleam