The Island of Coins.
A vast trade port, broad beyond imagination.
One massive vessel after another slowly sailed into the harbor, instantly drawing the attention of countless onlookers.
"They're here! That's… the pirate flag with the pink waving skull!! It's the Big Mom Pirates' banner!!"
It was a uniquely shaped pirate ship adorned with dazzling candy decorations.
"Never thought the More-More Fruit would end up in the hands of that fat bastard Lu Feld…"
Aboard the ship, beneath the fluttering pink skull flag, two towering and oddly dressed figures stood side by side.
The speaker was a tall, slender young man with a sharp face and heavy makeup. His deep blue hair, flecked with pale blue spots, fell long past his shoulders. A lollipop-studded top hat perched on his head.
In his hand, he held a candy cane-like staff. A mocking, icy smirk curled on his lips as he extended his long tongue to slowly lick the corner of his mouth.
Beside him stood a stoic-faced youth with dead, lifeless eyes, radiating cold indifference. He wore a blue cotton coat with shoulder ornaments shaped like two mochi balls and a yellow cape draped across his back.
Around his waist was a belt bearing the symbol of a magic lamp.
A wave of murmurs and gasps spread through the crowd.
"...Those are the top officers of the Big Mom Pirates!"
"Charlotte Perospero! Big Mom's eldest son! Bounty—210 million berries!"
"And next to him… that's Charlotte Daifuku! Her third son! Bounty—180 million berries!"
"Looks like Big Mom is dead set on getting the More-More Fruit this time!"
The dead-eyed youth gave the crowd a chilling scan. Not a single soul on shore dared meet his gaze.
He broke into a satisfied grin.
"I hear a lot of powerful players showed up for this one, huh, Brother Perospero?"
"But it doesn't matter. Mama already gave the order—the More-More Fruit must be ours! A Devil Fruit that powerful belongs with the Big Mom Pirates!"
Hearing his younger brother's words, Charlotte Perospero gave a low, amused chuckle.
"Don't get too cocky. A few familiar faces showed up too."
He glanced toward another section of the harbor.
Charlotte Daifuku followed his gaze—and his expression darkened instantly.
"Troublesome bastards showed up too…"
There, a rough-hewn pirate ship crashed into the harbor like a sea beast, violently smashing several neighboring merchant ships to pieces, causing a surge of panic.
Some roared in fury—but upon spotting the flag waving from the pirate ship, their anger froze, their voices vanished.
"That's… the flag of the Beasts Pirates!!"
"The Beasts Pirates are here too!"
"What are you scared of? Didn't the Marines already destroy their base?"
"If you're not afraid to die, go try saying that to them…"
"…"
A dark, menacing figure appeared slowly at the prow of the Beasts Pirates' ship, clad head to toe in murderous black.
Massive black wings unfolded from his back, releasing an oppressive pressure that swept across the port, silencing everyone.
Top officer of the Beasts Pirates—King the Wildfire, bounty: 270 million berries!
As though sensing a hostile gaze, King turned his head and locked eyes with Charlotte Perospero and Charlotte Daifuku.
Daifuku's eyes narrowed. Without a word, he slowly reached for his belt.
"Don't rush it."
Perospero pressed his hand down, coldly sneering.
"There's no point fighting that guy now. If we fight, it should be after the More-More Fruit appears."
As he spoke, he offered King a refined, courteous nod.
King's face was hidden behind a black mask, expression unreadable.
He glanced once at Perospero, said nothing, and leapt straight onto solid ground.
"Tch. Arrogant bastard."
Daifuku cursed under his breath, though he quietly withdrew his trembling hand, a light sweat on his palm.
"This guy's presence gets more terrifying every time… I heard his race is something rare—even Mama wants him on our side."
Perospero watched King walk away and chuckled darkly.
Daifuku frowned as if remembering something.
"Brother Perospero… even the Beasts Pirates showed up. Do you think the Whitebeard Pirates will come?"
Perospero shook his head.
"No. The Whitebeard Pirates never bother with this kind of circus."
"That man's too proud to fight over a Devil Fruit."
Daifuku nodded, then asked:
"What about the Roger Pirates? I heard someone called 'Devil's Heir' recently joined their crew."
Perospero shook his head again.
"The Roger Pirates aren't interested in Devil Fruits… Come on, the auction's probably about to start."
With that, the two descended from the ship.
As they stepped into a city built almost entirely from metal coins, a wicked smile played across Perospero's lips.
"Lu Feld has been living far too comfortably these past few years…"
…
"Even the Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates showed up… This is turning into a real mess."
Near the Island of Coins' harbor, inside a tavern built into the cliffs—
Hidden beneath a large hood, Admiral Sengoku leaned against the window, his gaze heavy as he muttered while watching the unfolding scene.
"Admiral Sengoku, sir—guest list confirmed."
A disguised Marine officer approached quietly, lowering his voice.
"Over a hundred pirate and underworld groups from across the New World received invitations to the auction. More than eighty confirmed they'll attend. Based on estimates, at least two hundred pirates with bounties over fifty million berries will be there. Over eighty with bounties above one hundred million."
"Among them—King the Wildfire of the Beasts Pirates, and Charlotte Perospero and Charlotte Daifuku of the Big Mom Pirates."
Sengoku's heart sank further with each word.
"They're all gathering here… Darren, are you sure your plan will work?"
He couldn't help but glance toward the man sitting behind him—relaxed, sipping wine and smoking—Darren.
Darren simply smiled, pouring Borsalino another drink before replying calmly:
"Don't worry, Admiral Sengoku. If this were anywhere else, I wouldn't make guarantees."
A glint of cold mischief flashed in his eyes.
"But here…"
Darren raised his glass, taking a small sip. His eyes narrowed.
On the surface of the swirling liquor, the reflection of a city built entirely from metallic coins shimmered in the glass.
"…this is my turf."
Sengoku slowly exhaled.
He glanced at Darren and Borsalino, still drinking and smoking without a care, and couldn't shake the feeling that something felt off.
These two were far too calm!!
His lips twitched slightly.
Still, there was one small comfort—so far, no sign of the Roger Pirates or Whitebeard Pirates.
But reinforcements were out of the question now.
Even at full speed, it would take at least three days for a Marine ship to reach the Island of Coins from Marineford.
And the auction… was about to begin.
That meant the entire Marine force they could count on—
Was just the three of them.
Plus a few dozen elite troops.
Against…
Dozens of pirate crews.
Nearly a hundred pirates with bounties over a hundred million.
And countless members of the underworld.
The disparity in numbers… was staggering.
---
To be continued…