Chapter 118: Three Major News!

The pirate flag bearing crossbones, a pair of horns, and feline eyes fluttered freely in the wind!

The sails billowed with the sea breeze as the pirate ship swiftly made its way toward the final destination of the first half of the Grand Line journey—the Chambord Islands.

Although this was Asa's second time landing on the island, he felt no particular emotion. His mind was solely occupied with thoughts of Jessica's delicious food.

…

On the deck stood a long table.

"Lord Asa!"

A pirate approached flatteringly, serving fragrant, steaming plates of food. He then respectfully handed over a newspaper.

Just an hour ago, Asa had knocked out Abaro Pizarro and temporarily taken command of the pirate ship. However, this crew had long been dissatisfied with Pizarro. One of the bolder pirates had even taken it upon himself to pick up Pizarro's unconscious body and throw him directly into the sea.

Asa gave it no more than a passing glance before turning his attention elsewhere. He had no interest in addressing the insubordination of men who were already resentful of their former captain.

You can't always rely on brute force to manage subordinates. If authority must constantly be enforced through violence or threats, loyalty becomes fleeting. Not betraying you on the spot is already considered polite in such a world.

If he intended to build a crew, the first step was to grant them a degree of personal freedom. As long as they fulfilled the basic missions assigned to them, they were free to do as they pleased.

Everyone has their own dreams and ideals. Asa only needed to show support for them. If someone chose betrayal even after that, there was only one option left—elimination.

Pizarro being tossed into the sea by his own men was likely something he never imagined in his lifetime. But in the end, he had only himself to blame. Asa merely gave him a nudge.

This stretch of sea was close to Marineford, and warships frequently patrolled the area. Pizarro's fate was all but sealed.

"Bring me all the Baileys on board, and then you can disembark," Asa said casually as he dined and leafed through the newspaper.

"Yes, sir!" the pirate responded, hurrying below deck to gather the Bailey.

Reading the newspaper was a habit Asa had long cultivated. Aside from the time he spent in Impel Down, he rarely missed a single issue. It helped him stay informed about the world.

This edition reported several major events.

"'Hundred Beasts' Kaido escapes from a Marine prisoner transport ship for the second time—he sank the vessel before disappearing?"

Asa pondered the implications behind the headline.

Kaido now seemed obsessed with seeking out powerful opponents. His nearly indestructible body had become a monstrous force of nature.

Even when hanged, the gallows broke. Even if put on the guillotine, the blade shattered. Spears snapped against him. No one had ever managed to kill him.

The article stated this was the second time he had sunk a prison ship, implying he'd been captured before.

However, the Marines were notorious for exaggerating their achievements and downplaying the abilities of pirates. Kaido must have been subdued and captured by Whitebeard—without the world's strongest forces closing in, there was no way they could've restrained him.

"Pirates clash! The Big Mom Pirates suffer a crushing blow at the hands of Pirate Admiral Golden Lion Shiki. Totland nearly destroyed and currently under reconstruction?"

This piece revealed that the Golden Lion's strength hadn't declined much. He had singlehandedly overwhelmed the Big Mom Pirates and emerged victorious.

Charlotte Linlin's strength may have waned, either because she hadn't reached her peak or was too consumed by her obsession with cakes, children, and matchmaking to maintain her edge. Either way, Asa didn't care.

He didn't look down on people with dreams—but he did look down on those who squandered them.

Among the top-tier pirates, there were two individuals Asa held in contempt, and Charlotte Linlin was one of them.

This woman had two lofty dreams.

The first: to create a utopia—Totland—where all races lived together in peace, free of discrimination.

The second: to become Pirate King.

She genuinely worked toward both, but how did she pursue them? By getting married, having countless children, eating cakes, and marrying off her children to solidify alliances.

What was the difference between that and a pig, other than not being eaten raw?

She had immense power and influence. All of Totland followed her commands. Her authority rivaled even that of the Golden Lion Fleet before it vanished beneath the waves of Ed War.

Asa despised those who had great power but failed to wield it properly.

Look at Golden Lion Shiki—if it hadn't been for the colossal storm and tsunami that wrecked his plans, he might have conquered the New World and even dared to attack the World Government.

Snort.

Asa sneered. Without her strength, Charlotte Linlin would've already been swallowed up by the waves of the new era.

"The Navy Headquarters Launches Its First Major Recruitment Campaign! Instructor: Zephyr!"

The second page boasted this headline in bold, accompanied by images of Zephyr, Garp, and Sengoku.

"Is this a show of military might to the world? Or a warning to pirates?"

Asa furrowed his brows slightly before piecing together the intent behind it.

The Marines had a keen sense for the tides of change. The moment Roger returned, chaos began to ripple through the New World. A storm was brewing, and the higher-ups in the Navy could already feel it.

These incidents were the precursors. In preparation for the incoming tempest, they launched a large-scale recruitment.

But Asa scoffed at the idea.

"No matter how much you prepare, it's all meaningless. The Navy can't stop those with dreams from setting sail."

The era of great pirates had begun. No force could stop it now. This conscription was just one more defensive layer for the Navy.

Among those who set sail chasing Roger's treasure—from the Four Blues to the Grand Line—how many were true pirates with genuine dreams?

Most were just thrill-seekers with no direction. They joined the craze for fun, for fame, or because it was trendy.

How many were like Luffy, chasing the title of Pirate King with unwavering resolve?

Luffy wasn't even a true pirate—more of an adventurer. But because his dream had never wavered from start to finish, even Asa had to respect him.

As for the rest… they were like trash polluting a clear river—an eyesore and a disgrace.

"When I establish my territory in the New World," Asa mused, licking his lips with a cold smile, "I'll give the so-called pirates of this era a new baptism."

…

"Lord Asa, we've gathered all the Baileys on the ship—fifty million in total!" the pirates reported, carrying the loaded chest back on deck.

"Oh? Very good…" Asa nodded in satisfaction, set down the newspaper, picked up the chest, and walked toward the ship's bow. In the distance, the Yarchman Mangroves were emerging on the horizon.

The Chambord Islands were now in sight.

(End Of Chapter)

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