Current Situation of the New World

Carlo pulled out his notebook and began.

"Everything's been gathered. Right now, the powers in the New World are steadily consolidating. The Big Mom Pirates, the Steam Pirates, and the Golden Lion Pirates under Shiki have carved the sea into three major territories. Most islands fall under their control..

"Among them, the Big Mom Pirates are the strongest. Because Big Mom rarely clashed with the Marines in recent years, her crew has grown in power and holds the largest territory.

"Next is Shiki's domain. After most of his fleet was wiped out last time, he lost many islands to other forces. But not long ago, he reappeared and slaughtered the entire Galipen Archipelago. With overwhelming force, he reclaimed a significant portion of his lands. Oddly enough, he doesn't seem interested in expanding further. Instead, he's been searching for scientists across the seas. Many have been kidnapped and dragged back to his territory, their fate unknown.

"Last are the Steam Pirates. Their original territory was at the junction between Whitebeard, Shiki, and Big Mom's spheres of influence. They were suppressed by all three. But after the Battle of Sgri, where Whitebeard died and most of Shiki's fleet was destroyed, they took the chance to invade the former's territory.

"They took over most of it and expanded their underground influence. They now control arms trafficking, sea transport, loans, and other dark industries in the New World. Through various methods and sacrificing profit, they formed quick alliances with other powers and secured their foothold.

"These three now dominate the New World. The rest are scattered territories claimed by the newer generation of pirates.

"Figures like 'Azure Dragon' Kaido and Gecko Moria, as well as lone powerhouses such as 'Red the Aloof,' Patrick Redfield. And of course, the Roger Pirates, strong but wandering. They don't get involved in the turf wars.

"Overall, the major factions have stabilized. The chaos caused by Rocks' death is finally calming down. It's time to consider redeploying forces back into the New World."

Sakazuki remained silent for a moment, then asked, "No need to rush. What's the status of the West Blue investigation?"

Carlo answered, "There's definitely someone in Ohara organizing an expedition. But at the current pace, they won't set out for at least a year or two. They don't have the funding or manpower. That group of scholars alone won't cut it."

Sakazuki nodded. "How's the aging process on that book?"

Carlo pulled out the booklet he always carried and handed it over.

The vice admiral gave it a quick read. Nothing stood out. He handed it back.

"Let's hold off on using it for now. There may not be any obvious flaws, but those Ohara scholars specialize in this kind of thing. They won't be easy to fool. Keep monitoring them, and wait for the right opportunity."

Carlo gave a quiet nod. "Understood."

Sakazuki suddenly asked, "The soldiers on the ship… they've matured quite a bit by now, haven't they?"

Carlo responded, "More or less. Most can now use Haki proficiently. They're more than capable of suppressing pirates in the Four Blues."

Sakazuki gave a slight nod. "Then let's begin. Send out these soldiers, along with others who've been training at headquarters, to the branches across the Four Blues. Let them build strength and wait for the right time. Make sure every branch gets people. If needed, arrange for the removal of certain parasites so our men can take over."

He paused and added, "Control the number though. No more than five base commanders can 'die unexpectedly' each year. The world hasn't gone completely mad yet. If too many die, it won't make sense."

* * *

New World, Kodomo Island.

The port had long been cleared out.

Only the crew of the Black Mist Pirates stood by the shore, waiting. Their captain, Dean Longfellow, a natural-type Smog-Smoke Fruit user, stood with his arms crossed.

Thick smoke swirled around him, slowly compressing in his hands. His eyes narrowed as he looked toward the sea where a massive ship approached.

"They're here."

The vessel was covered in fiery red, with a grotesque skull flag painted with lines like rising steam.

It was none other than the Steam Pirates, one of the three dominant forces in the New World.

Suddenly, a figure launched from the ship like a missile.

Whoosh!

The sharp hiss of steam cut through the air.

Boom!

It slammed into the ground, throwing up a cloud of dust. From within the plume came an arrogant voice.

"Longfellow, have you made up your mind? If you swear loyalty to me, I'll let you keep your territory. But you only get one chance. Don't think too highly of yourself. Kahahahaha..."

Longfellow's gaze sharpened.

"How generous of you," he said dryly. "The great and mighty 'Steam' Knox himself."

From the crater, waves of heat surged upward, dispersing the lingering dust.

Knox seemed oblivious to the sarcasm in Longfellow's tone.

"So, what's your decision?"

Langfellow smirked in disdain. The dense smoke swirling around him compressed more violently into his hand.

Knox grinned. "Ungrateful."

Boom!

A massive eruption of steam and pressure burst from his body. In seconds, he transformed into a towering steam titan, easily over two hundred meters tall. The giant lumbered forward, aiming to crush the Black Mist Pirates.

Longfellow snorted coldly. "Dust of Oblivion."

He hurled the compressed smoke orb toward the steam giant.

BOOM!

It exploded at the giant's chest. Countless microscopic particles gnawed and corroded through the steam body, rapidly tearing it apart. In seconds, half the titan had dissolved.

Then, thick smoke surged upward, forming a giant just as large. Armed in Haki, it lunged toward the pirate captain with a devastating punch.

Knox's grin twisted. "Good... very good."

The ruined steam body abruptly ballooned to over three hundred meters, slamming down on the smoke giant and pinning it to the ground.

As cracks spread across the steam titan's body, Longfellow, fused with the mist, felt an overwhelming sense of danger. His giant form shrank rapidly.

"Dust—!"

But before he could counter, Knox's icy voice sounded.

"Pressure Kill: Steam Burst."

Shhhhhhhhhh—

A shrill, pressure-cooker hiss sliced through the sky.

BOOM!!!!!!

A mushroom cloud of scalding white vapor, half the size of the island, erupted skyward and spread in all directions,

Back on the not-yet-docked ship, the crew of the Steam Pirates let out awestruck whistles.

"Whoa."

"Captain used that move again."

"Those poor bastards."

"Wonder how many are gonna die on this island this time."

"Still gives me chills every time I see it."

"Hey hey, hold up! Island's not safe to land on yet!"

"Back inside! The heat's coming!"

"Move it!"

The world knew the Steam Pirates for their ruthlessness, brutal tactics, and meteoric rise in the New World. But at the same time, overlooked their true strength.

Few knew their captain, Knox, was a man who had pushed his Devil Fruit to the absolute limit.

One attack—Pressure Kill: Steam Burst—could vaporize an entire island's population in seconds.

Massacres with no survivors.

That was the Steam Pirates' signature. And because there were no survivors... most pirate crews never realized how terrifying Knox truly was.

So when he invited them to join, many simply scoffed at him.

And that, too, was part of his twisted amusement: pretend to be weak, then obliterate with absolute force.

On the now-scorched beach, Longfellow lay in a pool of blood, his crew's corpses scattered behind him. His eyes trembled with fear as he stared at Knox.

"You… how… how is this even... possible..."

Cough!

Blood spurted from his lips.

Knox strolled forward and crouched in front of him, grabbing his hair and yanking him up to eye level.

Then he started laughing—manic, unhinged laughter.

"Kahahahahaha! That's the look! Absolutely beautiful~"

His hand, coated in Haki, pulsed with heat as steam surged forth, forming a dome around Longfellow's head.

Watching him writhe, Knox's cruel voice rang out.

"Yes, yes, that's it! Struggle! struggle harder! Kahahahahah!"

Langfellow's head gradually turned red... then stopped moving altogether.

Knox tossed him aside like garbage and gave the lifeless body a lazy kick.

Then he spread his arms wide and took in a deep breath—steam, blood, and the heavy scent of death filling his lungs.

Exhaling slowly, he whispered to himself:

"Fuuuuuh… Just perfect."

**

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