“El-sama…”

  On November 12th, 1472 of the Sea dar, the Navy mobilized its forces across the first half of the Grand Line and the New World, assembling an expeditio of no fewer than 50,000 elite marines aboard over 120 ships of various sizes.

  The fleet is led by Admiral Steel-Bone Kong, supported by the other two Admirals, and includes more than ten Vice Admirals. Among them are “Iron Fist” Garp and “Buddha” Sengoku, both sidered Admiral didates. The fleet is now advang toward the Pirate Isnd Haosu—also known as “The Beehive”—the stronghold of the Rocks Pirates.

  Additionally, the Wover has retly iwo more notorious pirates to join the ranks of the Shichibukai, bringing the total number of Warlords participating in this operation to four.

  …

  In the grand pa Cake Isnd within Totto Land, in a massive office desigo aodate giants, Sally, the “Shapeshifting Witch” and intelligence chief, solemnly reported to El, who sat fidently before her.

  “The newly added Shichibukai… aside from Redfield, who is the other one?” El asked with mild surprise.

  Five years ago, the Hell Trading pany discovered a reclusive noble youth in the West Blue with exceptional Observation Haki. His name atrick Redfield. El had personally approached him, won him over, and trained him secretly for six months he Red Line.

  Sihen, Redfield had roamed the seas indepely, building a fearsome reputation as “The Red t” and “The Aloof Red.” Rocks had oried to recruit him, but Redfield deed. More retly, when the Wover extended an invitation to Redfield to join the Shichibukai, he initially inteo refuse. However, under El’s instrus, he accepted.

  This move wasn’t about trolling the entire Warlord institution—doing so might risk exposing Totto Land’s influence. Instead, El aimed to infiltrate and promise the group by pg trusted individuals within it.

  “In addition to ‘The Aloof Red,’ whom you personally recruited years ago...” Sally replied, “the other new Warlord is Byrnndi World, known as the ‘World Breaker,’ who retly gaihe powers of the Paramecia-css More-More Fruit.”

  “The More-More Fruit?” El raised an eyebrow, then chuckled softly.

  “Indeed, a remarkable ability.”

  The Hell Trading pany had spent years tirelessly searg for rare Devil Fruits, occasionally seg impressive finds but sistently missing out on the most exceptional ones—much to El’s disappoi.

  “Should we aow and recover World’s abilities?” Sally suggested, interpreting El’s i as a desire to seize the More-More Fruit. Given the fruit’s extraordinary potential, it seemed like an ideal didate for future members of the Kukulkan family.

  “No rush. Let him hold onto it for now,” El replied casually, showing nency t the fruit under his trol.

  The Angel Pirates already had several top-tier Devil Fruit users. Laung a targeted campaign to hunt ability users prematurely could arm the broader seafaring world and potentially unite wary fruit users against Totto Land. Worse, it might provoke the Wover or the Rocks Pirates to exploit such fears.

  For now, El sidered Byrnndi World insignifit. Taking the More-More Fruit from him, if and when necessary, would be a trivial task.

  “What’s the test from the Rocks Pirates?” El asked directly.

  “They’re actively solidating their forces and preparing for a full frontation,” Sally replied. “It seems they genuinely io csh with the Navy head-on, showing no signs of retreat.”

  “By the way, El-sama…” Sally leaned forward slightly, tinuing her report.

  “Rocks has sent envoys expressing a desire to form an alliah the Fallen Angel Pirates, aiming to crush the Navy’s expeditioogether. However, the Wover is closely monit us, scrutinizing Totto Land’s every move. Should we sider cooperating with them?”

  “Just as expected…” El sneered.

  “If Rocks backs down now and loses his o front the Navy, the opportunistid ambitious sdrels under his and won’t respect him. And after our earlier csh with the Wover, if Rocks doesn’t dare face the Navy head-on, he’ll look utterly disgraceful.”

  “As for cooperation? That won’t be necessary.” El waved dismissively a on:

  “If we get involved, it’ll escate into an all-out war. If the Wover is pushed to the brink, they might activate that national treasure of theirs. Even if the Rocks Pirates are at a disadvahey likely won’t be defeated so easily. For now, keep a close watch.”

  “Uood!”

  For El, the Wover’s a on remained a looming threat. Even he, with his ability to foresee the future, could scarcely guarantee he could dodge such a catastrophic strike. Most of his crew, no matter how skilled, would not survive unscathed.

  The destructive potential of a ons was something El dared not uimate. Although he could devastate isnds on his own, he khese a ons operated on airely different scale—capable of obliterating isnds to their very foundations, creating deep-sea chasms, and altering sea levels globally.

  “Any other updates?” Leaning ba his chair, El crossed his arms and smiled at the “Shapeshifting Witch.”

  “Just one more…” Sally’s smile turned mischievous. Her form shifted visibly, and in the blink of an eye, she had seated herself on El’s p. Like a seductive serpent, she ed her arms around his ned whispered:

  “Word from the Navy indicates that Rear Admiral Bck Arm Zephyr has acquired the powers of the Logia-type Ice-Ice Fruit.”

  “Oh? Bck Arm Zephyr?” El raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise.

  “It seems my as have signifitly altered the trajectory of his life.”

  Bleam