Chapter 133 War of Emperors

The Next Day, under the guidance of the world newspaper, the world was thrown into turmoil!

The headline alone was enough to shake the seas.

[Unbelievable! "Godslayer" Buggy Shatters the New World—Kaido & Big Mom Fall in a Single Night! The Throne of the Sea Trembles—Is This the Dawn of a New Era?]

New World – Hachinosu (Beehive Island)

"Zehahaha!"

Blackbeard let out his signature laugh, the newspaper crinkling in his massive hand. Though his grin stretched wide, there was no mistaking the sharp glint in his eyes—this was no laughing matter.

"Godslayer, huh? What a terrifying bastard…" He muttered, staring at the article. "Kaido and Big Mom… both dead at his hands?"

Beside him, Shiryu of the Rain exhaled a puff of smoke, his expression dark. "Hmph. Can we even trust this? If it's true… does that mean we're next?"

"Hard to say," Lafitte responded, his usual playfulness absent. He tapped his cane against the floor, eyes fixed on the paper. "That man has been quiet for over a year, yet the moment he resurfaces, he shakes the world to its core."

"Maa~huhuhu!" Catarina Devon chuckled, flashing her fangs. "Killing two Yonko in a single day? Sounds too absurd to be true. If anything, I'd bet the entire Buggy Pirates launched a full-scale assault."

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, her eyes gleamed with interest.

"But there's something even more intriguing. Look at this—" she tapped a section of the newspaper, her grin widening. "The Straw Hat crew had a major battle with the Big Mom Pirates in Totto Land. Remind you of anything?"

A silence fell over the room as the rest of the crew processed her words.

Lafitte, ever the strategist, flipped through the pages and smirked. "The Germa 66 wedding alliance with Big Mom, huh? If I recall correctly, the groom was none other than the Straw Hats' Black-Leg, Sanji. And yet, instead of an alliance, we have a war. How did it come to this?"

His voice lowered, a hint of intrigue creeping into his tone. "And more importantly… why did Buggy get involved?"

The room remained still for a beat before Blackbeard's deep, rumbling laughter erupted once more. "Zehahahaha… things are about to get real interesting!"

Blackbeard's laughter boomed across the room, but in the back of his mind, an old memory surfaced—the brat he had met in Mock Town. His grin widened as he leaned forward, the newspaper crinkling in his grasp.

"That Straw Hat kid… he was never the type to bow to anyone!" he declared, his voice carrying an edge of admiration. "I knew it from the moment we met back in Jaya. But I never expected him to rise this fast in the new world!"

His eyes flickered over the headlines again, and he scoffed.

"So that's what this was about… Big Mom probably wanted to use Germa 66 to strengthen her forces, then ride the momentum of a 'Double Emperor' alliance to boost her standing in the world. But she never expected the Straw Hat Pirates to stir up chaos right in the heart of her own territory!"

He paused, his grin turning sharp.

"And then there's Buggy… he once called Ace and Straw Hat his nephews. Something happens to his 'family'—you think he'd just sit back and watch? Of course, he'd make a move."

Blackbeard's expression darkened slightly, his fingers tightening around the paper.

"But what really gets me… is that Straw Hat actually managed to defeat Katakuri. I didn't see that coming. This brat's growth rate is insane!"

A heavy silence followed his words as the realization settled over the crew.

Burgess sucked in a sharp breath before muttering, "Captain… if you put it that way, doesn't that mean we're in a pretty bad spot?"

Blackbeard shot him a questioning look. "Huh? What the hell are you on about, Burgess?"

Clearing his throat, Burgess straightened up and spoke in a serious tone. "Captain, think about it. Straw Hat Luffy is already strong, and he's rising faster than anyone else among the Supernovas. Now, he's basically allied with the Godslayer Pirates."

His voice dropped lower, the weight of his next words pressing on the crew.

"And then there's Red-Haired Shanks. Buggy and Shanks were both on Roger's crew. They're close. Real close. A year ago in Wano, Mihawk even stepped in to fight alongside Shanks against the Marines and the World Government."

Lafitte folded his arms, his expression grim. "Not to mention, the remnants of Whitebeard's crew are still out there. They hate us, Captain. They haven't made a move yet, but if we were to show any weakness, they'd jump at the chance to settle the score."

The room fell into stunned silence.

Then— A collective gasp rippled through the Blackbeard Pirates as the realization hit them all at once.

"Good grief…" Shriyu muttered.

Why the hell does it feel like the entire New World is our enemy?!

Even Blackbeard's cocky grin twitched slightly, a flicker of unease creeping into his features. For the first time in a long while—he felt a sliver of doubt.

New World – Crimson Empire

The day after Buggy and his crew had conquered every nation in their path, they returned straight to Onigashima. There, they began receiving the first waves of Revolutionary Army members arriving from all corners of the world.

Thanks to the Vivre Card, Blueno could effortlessly lock onto the signatures of high-ranking Revolutionary officers scattered across the globe. One by one, the Doors of Space opened, ushering in a flood of stunned and curious revolutionaries who now found themselves at the heart of the Buggy Pirates' stronghold.

Gasps of awe rippled through the gathered ranks.

"My God! The Pirate Empress! She's even more beautiful in person!"

"Wait—look! That's Princess Shirahoshi from Fishman Island! Unbelievable… she's as breathtaking as the Empress herself!"

"Gekko Moria, Sea Knight Jinbei, Sir Crocodile… these are the monsters standing behind Buggy?!"

"That guy with the long earlobes… that's the so-called 'Thunder God'—Enel! The wielder of the strongest Logia, the Goro Goro no Mi!"

"And over there—that's Scopper Gabban, the right-hand man of the Pirate King himself! The man who possesses the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi!"

"Too strong… this crew is way too strong!"

A wave of excitement and disbelief spread through the Revolutionary Army's ranks as they took in the sight of Buggy's legendary companions.

Suddenly, Zephyr arrived, striding in with his three elite students. Having received an urgent summons, he wasted no time. His disciples, each a formidable warrior in their own right, were already proving to be pillars of the Crimson Empire's Marine Force—a structured and disciplined naval unit under Buggy's rule.

Among them, Binz stood out. After receiving direct guidance from Buggy and drawing inspiration from the Sensen Sensen no Mi, he had managed to push his own abilities to new heights. His Mori Mori no Mi, which allowed him to generate and accelerate plant growth, had become an indispensable asset to Crimson Empire Marine's logistics division.

With Binz's abilities, food supplies were no longer a concern—he could instantly grow fresh produce, ensuring that the Marines had a steady influx of fruits, vegetables, and other essential crops. The sheer efficiency of his powers had even created a surplus, turning the logistics division into a profitable sector of the empire.

This prosperity had not gone unnoticed.

With the Crimson Empire now open to trade, daring merchants from across the New World flocked to its borders, eager to establish commerce. Those who arrived early reaped the greatest rewards, making fortunes overnight as they secured lucrative deals.

Once word spread that the Crimson Empire was not just stable—but a thriving, peaceful, and prosperous nation—it was only a matter of time before even more traders ventured forth, drawn by the promise of untapped riches.

However, despite the influx of people, certain places remained strictly off-limits. Onigashima—the stronghold of the Buggy Pirates—and the ominous island where the feared "Terror Incarnate" resided—remained completely sealed from the outside world.

Even in a growing empire, there were still shadows best left undisturbed.

Onigashima – Base of the Buggy Pirates

After all, this was the stronghold of the Buggy Pirates.

The moment Zephyr and his students arrived at the designated meeting point on Ongiashima, they were stunned.

Before them stood an overwhelming number of warriors.

The sheer presence of the assembled figures was enough to make Zephyr's sharp eyes narrow. He could tell at a glance—these weren't ordinary soldiers. Every single person here had been forged in the crucible of battle, their strength honed through blood and fire.

Where the hell had Buggy found such a terrifyingly capable force?

If this was the caliber of warriors Buggy had gathered, then the Crimson Empire's foundation would soon solidify into something unshakable.

Just as Zephyr was about to question Buggy about it, his gaze caught something—or rather, someone—familiar.

At first, he hesitated. There was a red tribal tattoo planted squarely across the man's face—a mark that hadn't been there before—but even so, there was no mistaking him.

His eyes widened.

"Dragon?"

The figure turned at the sound of his name, his own expression shifting to one of equal surprise.

"Zephyr-sensei?!"

There was a beat of silence before Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army, spoke again, his sharp gaze scanning Zephyr and his group.

"I never expected Neo Marine to fully join the Crimson Empire. At first, I thought you were just negotiating a deal." A knowing smirk curled at his lips. "But now? It seems my decision was absolutely correct."

Zephyr felt shock ripple through him. His brows furrowed deeply, and his voice carried undeniable disbelief. "Wait… you mean to tell me the Revolutionary Army has joined Buggy's crew as well?!"

Dragon chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "Not exactly. We've joined the Crimson Empire."

With a slight gesture, Dragon motioned toward the surrounding warriors, all of whom were scanning their new surroundings with a mix of curiosity and wariness.

"These are my top Revolutionary commanders. We're here today for the first official meeting."

A sudden hush fell over Zephyr's group.

And then—

Zephyr, Ain, Shuzo, and Binz all audibly sucked in a breath.

What… the hell… was going on?!

First, Buggy had taken down two of the Four Emperors in a single day. Now, the Revolutionary Army itself had allied with the Crimson Empire.

This wasn't just ambition anymore. This was madness.

A sudden, electrifying realization coursed through Zephyr's veins—a mixture of confusion, awe… and the faint stirrings of exhilaration. Just what in the world was Buggy planning next?!

And then—

Clap. Clap. Clap.

A slow, deliberate applause echoed through the air. At that moment, Buggy raised his hands and clapped, drawing everyone's attention as he let out a hearty laugh.

"Everyone, let's first welcome our new comrades from the Revolutionary Army!"

A murmur spread through the gathered crowd before it erupted into enthusiastic applause, following Buggy's lead. Excitement filled the air as the Crimson Empire's officers and crew clapped along, their curiosity piqued.

One by one, under Buggy's flamboyant introductions, the key members of the Crimson Empire familiarized themselves with the Revolutionary Army's representatives and their cause.

Once the introductions were complete, Buggy spread his arms wide, grinning.

"And with that, the first court meeting of the Crimson Empire officially begins!"

Meanwhile, far away on the Red Continent, a fleet had just been deployed.

Each ship in this fleet bore the unmistakable insignia of the Celestial Dragons—their sacred hoof symbol emblazoned upon the sails. No one in the world did not recognize that flag.

At the bow of the foremost vessel, a massive sofa had been placed like a throne. Seated upon it was an imposing man—his jet-black hair was streaked with short, white braids, and a thick, white beard framed his stern face. A cane rested in both of his hands as he gazed forward with an icy expression. His voice was cold and indifferent as he asked:

"Has the Marine Admiral arrived yet?"

At that moment, a short-haired man clad in ornate armor, a knight's sword strapped to his waist, stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Lord Saturn, the Marines are currently holding an internal meeting. It seems they are adjusting their strategy for the New World. However, Admiral Kizaru has been assigned to the operation. We can proceed first—Kizaru will catch up with us swiftly when the time comes."

"Hmph!" Saturn scoffed, his expression darkening.

"The Marines have been holding far too many meetings lately. Do they dare to delay my orders? How impudent. But no matter." His fingers tightened around the cane. "With me and the Holy Knights here, a single Marine Admiral is insignificant."

His cold gaze swept across the horizon.

"Let's move. It's time to remind these pirates of their place. The Red-Haired Pirates…" Saturn's voice dripped with disdain. "I spared that man out of consideration for his… special status. But for them to go as far as laying a hand on Vegapunk? Unacceptable."

His grip on his cane tightened.

"Teach them a lesson. Otherwise, these so-called Four Emperors might start believing that the World Government has no means to deal with them."

"Yes, my lord!" The knight bowed deeply before turning to relay the command.

Just as the fleet prepared to set sail, the knight suddenly rushed back, urgency in his steps. Clutching a freshly printed newspaper, he held it out to Saturn with a serious expression.

"Lord Saturn, you need to see this!"

Saint Saturn Saturn, usually composed and unreadable, was utterly shaken as his eyes scanned the newspaper in his hands. His grip tightened, and for the first time in a long while, disbelief flashed across his face.

"How!?" His voice carried a rare edge of shock. "Kaido and Big Mom… killed by the Buggy Pirates!?"

His expression darkened as he reread the headline, almost as if expecting the words to change. His fingers dug into the paper.

"Is that damn bird Morgans spreading fake news again!? This is absurd! Taking down two Emperors in a single day? Impossible! Have we confirmed this information!?"

A knight standing beside him straightened, his face equally grim.

"I'll contact Morgans right away and verify the report!" With a curt bow, the knight turned and left swiftly.

Saturn remained frozen for a moment, staring at the printed words as if they carried a weight beyond mere ink. His heart pounded with a mixture of rage and unease.

Just what the hell is that clown trying to do?

The Buggy Pirates… how could they have become this strong? Even if they had joined forces, this level of power was beyond reason! It was becoming more apparent—these pirates were growing at an uncontrollable rate. They didn't need noble bloodlines or deep-rooted influence. They simply absorbed strong fighters from the new era and strengthened themselves with every passing day.

If this continues…

Saturn's gaze darkened. The World Government's control over the seas would become even more unstable. No… it couldn't be allowed.

First, they would deal with the Red-Haired Pirates. Then, Blackbeard.

They had to remind the world who truly ruled these seas. Let the fools who had grown restless after the Eight Kingdoms Rebellion see the full might of the World Government.

Saturn clenched his cane, his decision made.

New World – Red-Haired Pirates' Territory

"Bad news, Captain! Something huge just happened!"

The loud cry echoed through the Red-Haired Pirates' base.

Shanks, who had just returned from a banquet at Lu Yuyingyan's invitation, groaned as the noise yanked him from his drunken stupor. His eyes cracked open sluggishly, barely processing the urgency in his crewmate's voice.

Across the room, Benn Beckman reacted instantly. Unlike Shanks, he was wide awake in an instant. His sharp eyes narrowed as he turned toward the panicked subordinate.

For his men to be this reckless… something serious must have happened.

"Let me see," Beckman said, appearing before the crew member in a blink. He took the newspaper from his hands and scanned the front page.

The moment his eyes landed on the headline, his pupils contracted. His usually unreadable face twisted into something rare—shock. Disbelief.

"Shanks…" Beckman's voice was low but heavy. "The balance of the New World is about to break."

Shanks, still groggy, blinked. But at those words, his drowsiness faded instantly. Across the room, Mihawk—who had been leaning idly against a post—turned his head, intrigued by the sudden shift in the atmosphere.

A long silence followed.

After reading the article, Shanks and Mihawk locked eyes. In each other's gaze, they saw the same unspoken thought.

A dangerous one.

"…Buggy." Shanks exhaled, shaking his head. "That damn clown always finds a way to increase my headache."

Mihawk's grip on his sword tightened slightly. His gaze sharpened. "How did he pull this off? A full-scale attack from his entire crew on two Emperors? Impossible."

"Yeah… Buggy isn't the type to lead an all-out war like that," Shanks muttered. His fingers tapped against the wooden table absentmindedly before he frowned. "No… the way this is written, it sounds like he did it alone."

A heavy silence fell over the room. His strength has reached that level? The thought sent a ripple through the gathered pirates.

Limejuice, who had been quietly absorbing the conversation, suddenly spoke up.

"Captain, if we're this skeptical, why not just call him and ask?" He crossed his arms. "Because honestly… this sounds way too crazy to believe."

Shanks blinked.

Then the realization hit him like a wave.

"Lime… you're right!" He grinned, his mood shifting in an instant. "Let's just call the guy!"

New World – Crimson Empire

The Crimson Empire was now firmly under Buggy's control. Any attempt at rebellion or treachery was doomed to fail before it even began. His power stretched across the entire nation, unseen but ever-present.

The key to his dominion? The Mori Mori no Mi—the power of the Forest Fruit. Buggy had seeded the entire empire with trees of his creation, their roots sprawling deep beneath the earth, their branches stretching toward the sky. Even the waters of Fish-Man Island, hidden beneath the ocean's depths, were not beyond his reach.

With his fruit's ability, Buggy could sense any malice directed toward him, no matter how faint. The very land itself whispered to him, reporting the ill intentions of any would-be conspirators. Over a year, he had reshaped not only the land but also the minds of its people.

The name Kozuki Oden—once revered—had been reduced to nothing more than a mark of shame. The Kozuki clan, once celebrated, was now reviled. The people of the Crimson Empire loathed them, and the contrast between the past and their present only deepened that hatred.

Looking back, many of the former citizens of Wano Country still found it hard to believe. The war-torn, famine-ridden land they once called home had transformed into something beyond their wildest dreams.

No more starvation. No more tyranny. No more pointless bloodshed.

Was this real? Or had they died and found themselves in some paradise beyond the wano?

At first, many doubted. They would wake in the dead of night, convinced they were still trapped in a nightmare, clinging to the ghost of their suffering. But when they opened their eyes to warm meals, thriving streets, and peaceful skies, the realization struck them all over again.

This was real. And with that realization came something else—tears.

Men, women, and children alike wept in gratitude. But those same tears also carried an overwhelming resentment toward the past. Toward Kozuki Oden.

They hated him. They despised him.

Because deep down, they knew—if Oden had lived, this peace would never have been possible.

At this point, the most devoted retainers of the Kozuki clan had all but sworn their loyalty to Buggy. They had abandoned their former masters, embracing the rule of the Crimson Emperor.

Yet, despite this, whispers of rebellion still lingered.

On this day, throughout the streets of the empire, remnants of the Kozuki clan moved in secret, reaching out to their former allies, searching for those who still held faith in the old ways.

Some turned a blind eye. Some pretended not to see. But there were others—those who still clung to the past—who followed the call.

And soon, these desperate remnants of the Kozuki clan found themselves face to face with something they never expected.

The old Wano. A land that no longer existed. A memory that had long since withered and died.

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