**Chapter 541: The Storm's Target**
"Go to the Headquarters? That guy, the Admiral, what is he planning?"
Putting down the Den Den Mushi, Grado felt a bit puzzled.
Just now, Reinhardt had issued an unquestionable order for them to head to the Flying Pirates' Base Camp.
"Looks like something big has happened."
Ike, leaning against the wall with his Tech Blunt Sword on his back, grinned.
"That guy Golden Lion must be making a big move. He doesn't want us to stay this peaceful either."
"If nothing unexpected happens, there's going to be a war."
"Seeing you guys seem quite restless, this is a good opportunity."
Grado wasn't lacking in patience, even though he was a Volcano-Volcano Fruit User.
Normally, Grado was very calm, like a dormant volcano.
But when he truly entered battle condition, he would transform into an Active Volcano capable of destroying everything, exhibiting extreme dominance.
However, for the other Crewmates, it felt a bit stifling.
Under Reinhardt's influence, the Tyrant Fleet didn't have good connections with the nearby Fleets in their Territories.
Many conflicts had occurred over the past year.
But in the end, they were all strongly suppressed by "\"Tyrant\"" Grado.
Now, they didn't dare to have conflicts with the Tyrant Fleet.
Therefore, the Tyrant Fleet led by "\"Tyrant\"" Grado was one of the strongest Fleets currently.
The reason it was "one of" was because other Fleets also had Monsters, including Strongmen famous since the Rocks Era.
But their overall strength couldn't compare to the Tyrant Fleet.
After all, under Grado's command were many Monsters.
They had laid a perfect foundation at the Royal Military Academy and had undergone training in the Military.
Upon arriving on The Great Sea, their strength had rapidly increased as if a bird was flying freely in the vast sky.
Among the Flying Pirates, which one of them didn't have the Potential to become a Fleet Captain?
Ike's words made the other members a little excited.
They might be suppressed by Grado, but that didn't mean they disliked war.
After all, while the intense battles among themselves were fierce, being too familiar was also a problem; there was no novelty.
Outside Pirates didn't dare to provoke them easily either.
Originally, they could still have some fun with the other few Fleets, but Grado had suppressed them, and now they didn't dare to make a peep.
This really made them feel a bit bored.
In the great battle to encircle and annihilate the Roger Pirates before, only Grado among them had participated.
Eyes fell on Grado one by one.
Ultimately, it depended on their boss's decision.
"It's nothing. You guys stay here. Ike and Gragas will come with me to the Headquarters. We couldn't refuse anyway, could we?"
"We'll see when we get there."
Regarding Shiki's order, they really didn't have much to consider.
"However, I'm starting to get a little excited!"
Grado clenched a single fist and grinned, glancing at his companions around him.
He himself craved battle.
What was the point of venturing on the Great Sea if there was no battle?
Taking a ship, Grado departed his Territory with two Cadres, heading for the Flying Pirates' Base Camp.
It wasn't just the Tyrant Fleet; all Fleet Captains who received the order began their operation without hesitation.
The Flying Pirates' movements naturally attracted the attention of various Factions in the New World.
Aside from the annual gathering where the Fleet Captains would go to the Flying Pirates' Base Camp, most of the time they stayed in their own Territories for development.
This method of meeting only a few times a year would greatly affect the Flying Pirates' unity and the full display of their overall strength.
Therefore, Reinhardt already had a plan to have the Fleet Captains stay at the Base Camp.
This would curb the ambition and development of these Fleet Captains.
It would also minimize the chance of these Fleet Captains cultivating their Fleets as their own Factions, leading to a shift in people's hearts.
Reinhardt's decision had already received Shiki's support, but it hadn't been implemented yet.
The Rocks Pirates had developed this way initially.
Although later each Great Pirate had their own Territory and would gather when called upon at crucial times, in the beginning, everyone was on the same ship.
They were all on Honeycomb Island.
Sparring with each other, improving together.
Even though they didn't seem to get along, it was precisely in such an environment that their strength could rapidly increase.
After all, it was a gathering place for Strongmen.
When they all gathered at the Base Camp, their own strength would also increase faster.
Just like how Rocks cultivated them back then, Shiki himself wanted to do the same.
Rocks needed more Monsters, and why wouldn't Shiki?
It was also in that environment that they could understand, become familiar with, and cooperate with each other.
Their relationship might not be good normally, but in battle, they would cast aside all that and be trustworthy companions.
This was how the Rocks Pirates' strength was maximized.
Competition and cooperation – that's what Shiki wanted to see.
Shiki was now fifty years old.
His strength was completely at its peak condition, but he was no longer young.
For the future development of the Flying Pirates, he needed to make those young Monsters grow up faster.
The number of Fleet Captains in the Flying Pirates was considerable, but the Monsters he truly valued, those with great potential, were actually only a few.
Shiki had great expectation for their growth.
To make more Monsters appear, Shiki had also established his own Treasury.
Having plundered vast amounts of treasure over the years, the Flying Pirates had also collected a large number of devil fruits.
Many of them were precious.
Thinking back to his own past, he had only truly risen by relying on the float-float fruit.
If someone had enough potential and performed exceptionally, he wouldn't mind taking out precious devil fruits as rewards.
The Flying Pirates' movement was too significant; they had directly mobilized all Fleet Captains.
Something big must be happening.
Could the Flying Pirates be going to war again?
For a time, the Great Pirates in the South couldn't help but feel a little panicked.
It would be trouble if the Flying Pirates wanted to continue their expansion.
The neighboring Factions like them would definitely be the first targets to be struck.
The Five Peaks Pirates, Silver Axe Pirates, and John Pirates all issued orders, sending people to the border of their North Territory to defend against the possible arrival of the Flying Pirates.
Other Pirate Crews also prepared for a war in the North.
The Demon King Pirates, for example, knew clearly that if the Five Peaks Pirates suffered a loss against the Flying Pirates, they would definitely try to regain their standing by attacking them.
Although the current Demon King Pirates were not afraid of the Five Peaks Pirates and wouldn't be under their suppression, war always incurs losses.
On the other side, the Tyrant Dragon Pirates also prepared to deal with the Silver Axe Pirates or John Pirates moving South.
Shiki hadn't expected his order to cause such a huge stir.
He immediately sent messages to various Factions to appease them.
In the future, he might need the strength and support of these Great Pirates.
And he indeed had no intention of further expansion.
The Flying Pirates' Affiliated Forces in the Underworld were not limited to their own Territory but spread throughout the entire New World.
Upon receiving the news, the various Factions quickly calmed down.
Since the target wasn't them, they could relax.
If it wasn't Pirates, it was very likely the World Government and the Marines.
(end of chapter)