The battle had raged for five days and five nights. In the end, it concluded in a temporary ceasefire—Vesper and Saracha were injured, and the Rocks Pirates had suffered heavy casualties among their mid- and lower-ranking members.
Jevalle had managed to wound the martial monk Skal, while Ochoku, despite being seriously injured, actually killed Harvey, the Butcher Pirates' top officer. That alone was enough to make Rocks agree to a pause in hostilities.
On the other side, the mood among the Overlord Alliance was grim—especially for Saracha. Not only was he personally injured, but he'd also lost his strongest officer and longtime partner, Harvey. It was a blow he couldn't accept.
As one of the newest of the Three Overlords, Saracha had barely begun his rise before suffering such losses. How was he supposed to maintain his status now? Was he expected to cling to his alliance with Vesper forever?
Wilank wasn't gloating either. His giant unit had lost more than a dozen warriors—and giants weren't easily replaced. The Ice Kingdom had shut itself off from the world, and Elbaf wasn't far behind.
Since Dorry and Brogy disbanded the Giant Warrior Pirates, it would take another 60 to 100 years before a second crew could be reformed and set sail from Elbaf.
Giants lived three times longer than humans. A 60-year-old giant was the equivalent of a 17-year-old human just starting out at sea. A healthy elder giant could live to around 350.
Though the alliance had wiped out most of the Rocks Pirates' mid- and lower-level fighters, Wilank couldn't help but feel it wasn't worth it. Why had he jumped headfirst into this endless war? Maybe he should've just gone back to ruling his own island like a mountain king.
At this rate, the Ice Demon Pirates wouldn't just lose their "quasi-overlord" status—they might not even be able to defend their own territory. Maybe he should take a page out of the Supernovas' book and watch from the sidelines instead of throwing himself into the meat grinder.
Wilank had become a full-blown racial supremacist. He only cared about the Ice Giants and Elbaf Giants now. His reason for joining the Overlord Alliance in the first place had been revenge against Dawei.
But now it was the Hell Pirates who were plundering Dawei's territory, while he and the Rocks Pirates were tearing each other apart. What did any of this have to do with him?
It would make more sense to join the Hell Pirates and help raze Dawei's lands. Once vengeance was satisfied, he could return and live like a king.
He needed to order his crew to stop throwing themselves into battle so recklessly. The Ice Demon Pirates had to preserve their strength and prepare to withdraw.
...
"Captain Vesper! The Hell Pirates have taken over the Sea Siren Pirates' base—Puso Island! Dawei's gone all out to reclaim his stronghold and is locked in fierce combat with Brook's crew!"
For once, the informant brought news that wasn't terrible. Though they'd taken a hit on the main front, the Hell Pirates had thoroughly humiliated Dawei, tearing his territory to pieces and salvaging a bit of face for the alliance.
Still, this development could make the Hell Pirates even stronger. If they kept gaining momentum, they might become the next overlord faction. Ideally, Dawei would manage to take out one or two of Brook's officers—or better yet, both sides would suffer massive losses.
"Vesper, I'm heading to Puso Island. I'm teaming up with the Hell Pirates to take out Dawei first!"
Wilank saw a golden opportunity. He could avenge himself on Dawei and use the mission as an excuse to exit this warzone. Two birds with one stone.
But he wasn't fooling anyone—least of all the cunning old Vesper. A pawn should at least act like a loyal one.
"Wilank, can you really walk away after losing so many giants? With nothing to show for it? You think you can survive Rocks's wrath alone? Your giant unit killed a lot of his men—he's thirsting for revenge!"
Vesper's words weren't just advice—they were a veiled threat. If the Overlord Alliance lost, Rocks wouldn't spare Wilank.
"Hah... I just figured it'd be better to help Brook take care of Dawei first. Then we can regroup and finish off Rocks together."
Wilank laughed awkwardly and sat back down. He could feel the menace in Vesper's tone. And Vesper wasn't wrong—until Rocks was dead, no one could rise. The old man didn't have many years left anyway. If Rocks fell, it would be the younger generation's time to shine.
"Captain Vesper, do you think the Hell Pirates can really hold off Dawei's assault?"
"Hah! Even if they can't, they'll run. Brook's a clever one—too clever for his own good. That's how he's been running Dawei in circles all this time."
"If they can take him down, the Hell Pirates will immediately become the new overlords!"
Vesper chuckled meaningfully, casting glances at both Saracha and Wilank. If the Hell Pirates defeated Dawei, they'd leapfrog both of them instantly.
This was also his way of stirring up some rivalry—he couldn't let the Hell Pirates grow too strong or form alliances too easily. Keeping everyone in check was the only way to maintain balance.
Still, Vesper doubted that a crew that had been in the New World for barely a year could truly take down Dawei. That man was even stronger than Saracha.
If not for being forced into submission by Rocks, Dawei might already have claimed a seat among the Overlords. He had the strength—and the presence—for it.
Saracha and Wilank didn't believe the Hell Pirates could win either. Maybe they could wreak some havoc on the turf, but they were still too green.
Plenty of potential, sure—but they still needed time. Even so, it was impressive how they'd managed to keep Dawei tied up for so long. The Float-Float Fruit really was shamelessly overpowered.
...
New World — Puso Island.
Dawei had only managed to scrape together a few ordinary pirate ships to retake his territory. His main ship was still missing.
That alone made his blood boil. His ambush had turned him into a joke, and now he'd lost the ship that symbolized his bond with Calypso. It was unbearable.
"Captain Dawei! Another tsunami incoming!!"
His underling stared in horror at the towering 50-meter wave. Despair crashed down again and again—but thankfully, they still had Captain Dawei's sea monster.
A massive sea king, a kraken nearly 400 meters long, held their ship aloft, riding the crest of the wave without sinking.
Then came the next barrage—huge boulders hurled from a distance, crashing down like falling hills.
His Mythical Zoan Octopus Siren form enhanced him greatly—taming special Sea Kings, regenerating lost limbs, and recovering rapidly.
He had even unlocked Awakening. Were it not for Rocks' Dark-Dark Fruit and overwhelming Haki suppressing him, Dawei wouldn't have bowed to Rocks.
Still, facing Rocks shattered his spirit every time. His fighting strength and will plummeted under that terrifying Conqueror's Haki.
But for Calypso, for the Siren Pirates, he continued fighting for independence—refusing to become just another subordinate crew.
He absolutely couldn't let the Hell Pirates ruin everything!
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+188 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg