Chapter 137 Shaping the Tide

Satoru gathered his troops, addressing them with a mix of encouragement and realism.

"You all know the risks of being here," he stated, his tone firm. "But if any of you wish to leave now, no one will stop you."

Bosla, Herac, and Chris, his trusted comrades, stood defiant. "We've come too far to turn back," Bosla said, his voice carrying an aura of determination that surprised even his peers.

Their conversation shifted as Satoru lightened the mood with an invitation to the base's natural hot springs. As they relaxed, the scars on their bodies told the stories of battles fought. Herac laughed, brushing off his wounds. "These are medals of honor," he declared. Satoru, whose body bore no visible scars thanks to his healing abilities, felt a twinge of guilt.

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In the following days, training intensified. Satoru ensured the new recruits understood that *Navy Six Styles* and two-color Haki were the baseline for anyone stationed at G8. Chris, Herac, and Bosla, now instructors, helped push the recruits to their limits.

The reputation of the G8 base grew. It became a symbol of strength and excellence, surpassing even the naval headquarters in prestige. This drew the ire of pirates across the New World, but few dared to act, knowing Satoru's growing dominance.

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Meanwhile, the pirates of the New World adjusted to the new reality. The territories of the Four Emperors remained untouched by Satoru's forces, but independent pirate crews faced relentless assaults.

Satoru's strategy was clear:

- Avoid provoking the Four Emperors directly.

- Eradicate weaker pirate crews and those using the flags of Big Mom or Kaido without proper affiliation.

This approach sent shockwaves through the pirate world. Independent crews either fled to the protection of the Four Emperors or faced extinction. Even those under Big Mom and Kaido found no mercy if caught outside their home territories.

"We'll drive out the scum," Satoru declared to his troops. "But if the Four Emperors make a move, they'll face our wrath."

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The New World entered an uneasy stalemate. Big Mom and Kaido, licking their wounds from prior defeats, avoided direct conflict. Satoru, now a looming figure in the New World, held the balance of power.

The G8 base became a hive of activity and growth, but the relentless training and battles also hardened its soldiers. Their hatred for pirates, born from past losses, fueled their fierce resolve.

For Satoru and his troops, peace was not an option—it was merely the calm before the next storm.

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