Sengoku’s World-Shaking Move — Kaido and Linlin’s Talk

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A few days later — Amazon Lily.

High atop the island, inside the grand Kuja Palace, where the new Empress now resided...

"Snake Princess! Something terrible's happened!"

Elder Gloriosa came running in a panic, clutching several newspapers, and burst into the room where Hancock sat in regal silence.

Having passed the trials with overwhelming strength and won the unanimous approval of the people, Boa Hancock had officially ascended the throne.

"Something's seriously wrong—the Navy's gone mad! No—scratch that, the World Government's completely lost it!"

"Oh?" Hancock raised a hand, signaling the attendants to leave. Only her two sisters, Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold, remained by her side.

"I'm not exaggerating!" Gloriosa shoved the newspapers into Hancock's hands.

"There was no warning at all. Out of nowhere, they announced that former Fleet Admiral Kong has been promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the entire World Government military."

"Sengoku's taken over as the new Fleet Admiral, and Kizaru, Aokiji, and Akainu have all been promoted to Admirals."

"But that's not even the craziest part—look at Sengoku's first public speech after taking the position!"

Hancock glanced through the front page.

The content was short, but the message was clear.

The Navy was about to completely redefine what it meant to be a "pirate." Sengoku urged anyone already sailing—or planning to set out to sea in the future—to think carefully before making any decisions.

" "If you're searching for treasure—then search. If you're seeking adventure—then explore. If you're just out to travel—enjoy the journey. If you're a merchant—do honest business.""

" "But don't hide behind the phrase 'freedom of the seas' as an excuse to pillage and murder while claiming to be an explorer or treasure hunter. Don't blur the line between pirates and adventurers.""

Sengoku then stated that pirates who weren't violent by nature and hadn't harmed civilians—especially those who'd been forced into piracy—might have their bounties revoked after review.

Anyone who believed they no longer qualified as a pirate under the new definition could contact Marine HQ or a nearby base. If deemed reasonable, and after paying a certain price, their bounty could be cleared.

But as for the true pirates—the scum of the world like human traffickers and slavers—the Navy would go all-out under the full backing of the World Government.

Sengoku promised that they would face relentless justice, with the government showing a level of seriousness not seen in its 700-year history.

"I don't see anything wrong with that," Hancock said sweetly, already smiling. She'd heard the gist of it through the chat group before the papers arrived.

"This doesn't concern you?!"

Gloriosa's eyes widened in disbelief. "Do you realize how much chaos just revoking bounties is going to cause inside the Navy? It's not an exaggeration to say this could shake the entire institution to its core!"

"Then what, Granny Gloriosa?" Hancock leaned forward slightly. "You think the so-called 'strategist' Sengoku, and the higher-ups at the World Government who let the newspapers spread his words all over the world—even to our calm belt island—don't understand that?"

"That's exactly what I don't get!" Gloriosa frowned. "I know Sengoku isn't the type to do something reckless, especially not right after becoming Fleet Admiral."

"Then don't overthink it," Hancock said coolly. "Let's just watch what they do next. Thanks to the calm belt, even if the Navy needs a 'test case' for their new policy, they're not about to use us."

"…Sigh. Guess we'll wait and see."

Gloriosa sighed deeply, feeling like she could no longer make sense of the world's shifting tides.

Of course, Gloriosa wasn't the only one confused by the sudden madness of the Navy and the World Government.

— — —

Wano Country

Kaido stood there, having just knocked out his unruly daughter with a single swing. He wasn't in the mood to deal with her nonsense today, so he casually tossed her into a corner using his kanabo, Hassaikai, just to get her out of the way.

After hesitating a bit, he pulled a Den Den Mushi from his pocket.

Purururu… purururu…

A few seconds passed—and then the Den Den Mushi morphed into a familiar but long-forgotten face.

"Linlin… What the hell happened to you?! How'd you get so fat?!"

He had originally planned to catch up a little first, maybe warm things up with some small talk. But the instant Kaido saw the face staring back at him from the snail, he couldn't help but gasp sharply.

"You rude little brat. You called just to insult me? You wanna get smacked around again?"

On the other end of the line, Big Mom's face darkened. "And don't forget — you should be calling me Big Sis Linlin! Who do you think gave you that Devil Fruit of yours?"

"…No way. You're not Linlin. Who the hell are you?"

"Who else would I be if not Big Mom?!" she snapped.

"Nah, not buying it. I might not have seen her in years, but I know Linlin. And you ain't her."

"Mamamama! Well, at least you've got some brains in that thick skull of yours."

Instead of being angry, Big Mom actually burst out laughing. "Truth is, ever since I was little, some damn old hag messed with my soul. The Linlin you knew? That was only half me."

"…Well then, congrats on finally breaking free from her control."

Kaido's expression turned serious. "Let's talk business. What do you make of that announcement Sengoku made after becoming Fleet Admiral? He never struck me as the reckless type."

"What do I think?" Big Mom chuckled. "I think it's hilarious."

"Hilarious?" Kaido blinked. "You realize he basically declared war on pirates, right?"

"Kaido, dear," she said, voice dripping with amusement, "I'm not a pirate anymore."

"The hell you're not"! Kaido nearly choked.

"Look at the bounty on your wanted poster! You and Whitebeard are the only ones officially recognized as Emperors of the Sea! Even I'm not quite at that level yet — I still need one more good fight to prove it…"

"Wait a damn minute—"

"…Don't tell me—you cut a deal with the Navy?!"

Kaido crushed the armrest of his chair in one hand.

"No need to make it sound so dirty," Big Mom said with a shrug. "Like I said, I was never really a pirate. I'm the queen of Totto Land now."

She scoffed. "And honestly, if you were in my shoes that day, I bet you would've folded even faster."

"…What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means—" she said slowly, "—if he came to see you like he did with me, you'd get it."

Big Mom took a deep breath, remembering the terrifying young man who had effortlessly lifted over thirty islands — her entire Totto Land territory — along with the surrounding sea, just by raising a hand.

A single look from him had shattered her Haki like it was nothing.

If not for one of his companions sensing something strange in her soul and forcefully dragging out the spirit of Mother Carmel — the nun whose Soul-Soul Fruit powers and essence had been fused with her own since she was six — things would've ended very differently.

Without that intervention, she had no doubt the entire Charlotte family would've been wiped out that day.

Instead, she ended up signing a contract: as long as her children continued using their powers to supply a constant flow of sweets, cream, jam, nuts, and ingredients, she'd be recognized as the sovereign of Totto Land.

The World Government wouldn't allow her a seat at the Reverie, but they wouldn't deny her legitimacy either.

"If that guy didn't visit you, maybe they don't think you're worth the trouble. Doesn't matter."

She paused, then added casually, "Remember Wang Zhi? The guy who used to hang out with Silver Axe back when you were just a punk on Rocks's ship?"

Kaido nodded grimly.

"Well, after Rocks died, he took over Hachinosu — the Pirate Island."

"Word is, in about two weeks, the Navy—or should I say, the World Government—is planning a full-scale operation to wipe him and the scum holed up there off the map. You'll want to catch the broadcast."

And with that, Charlotte Linlin hung up, not giving Kaido a chance to respond.

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