"Can't wait any longer? The transformation on you consumes too much, and considering your current strength, making a weak transformation would be inappropriate."
Arceus thought Kaidou wanted to transform himself. The Cyan Dragon is already a top mythical beast, and average strength wouldn't suit him. Also, transforming mythical beasts is more labor-intensive.
They inherently possess unique abilities, and adding new abilities while retaining the original ones is a technical challenge. Although he hasn't transformed a mythical beast yet, Arceus has estimated it using Kaidou.
If a mythical beast were transformed, it wouldn't be a traditional transformation but an addition of abilities. This transformation appears externally as a special "Double Fruit User."
Currently, King can only transform into an Aerodactyl, unable to become a toothless Pteranodon. If he were a mythical beast, he could transform both into his pre-transformation appearance and his post-transformation appearance.
"No, it's not for me. My current abilities are sufficient, and I can't rely solely on them. The boost from that Sword Dance will last me a long time. I'm just planning to prepare an ability for my future offspring."
"Huh?"
Arceus didn't quite follow Kaidou's train of thought, which had already shifted to his future children.
"Zephyr's child died, but ultimately, it's because his family was too weak. If his child had the power to resist, wouldn't the outcome be different?"
"He was just a three-year-old kid..."
"I wasn't that weak at three. Anyway, my child can't end up like Zephyr's. They must start training early. Help me arrange for a strong ability, like Shaina's."
The strength of abilities varies, and the manner in which they are bestowed does too. Without a doubt, Shaina received the most, and Kaidou knew well that Shaina's abilities weren't countered by Seastone or water, which is already a massive advantage.
Subordinates don't matter, but in terms of offspring, the best must be arranged.
"Let's talk about it once you have children. But with your training methods, can a child endure it? Olga is a special case."
"Don't worry, I know my limits, and besides, my bloodline could never be weak."
"So be it. However, whether the abilities are strong or weak depends on the Plates in the coming years."
"Heh heh heh, relax. Once we conquer that island, we'll arrange for Queen to start research right away. Concurrently, we'll start expanding our military might and recruit more personnel. As long as the item isn't hidden, we'll ultimately find it.
Everyone, speed up; it's time to set sail!"
Zephyr's retirement marked the prologue of a regime change in the Navy, and the pirate world was no different, only more brutal. The weak recede, the strong take the stage, and the New World's powers are constantly reshuffled.
The World Government published the death causes of pirates such as John based on collected intelligence and emphasized that Purilite might have taken all the treasure, hoping to force him out.
However, instead of drawing him out, this caused even more chaos in some sea regions of the New World. Most islands in the New World have owners, and with three Great Pirates gone, three territories are now up for grabs. Everyone wants a piece of this pie.
The Golden Lion didn't partake because the territories of those three were too distant. Ochoku's territory fell into Whitebeard's hands, while Silver Axe's territory was claimed by Charlotte Linlin.
She acted first, choosing to make her move when Silver Axe was missing.
"Ma ma~ Kaidou, you've really done me a big favor." Presently, Charlotte Linlin looked at the newspaper from her new territory, disbelieving that Kaidou's prior contact had no connection with the report from the World Government.
However, there was no conflict of interest between her and Kaidou at the moment, so there was no need to publicize this. Besides, she had recently concocted new childbearing plans.
And John's remaining territory, due to its unique position wedged between several powers, wasn't seized by any major forces, left instead as a buffer zone. Newcomers and pirates without fixed territories began vying for it.
Almost all surrounding islands had claimants, leaving only the main island without conclusive ownership.
The local pirates were now split into two factions. One comprises Super Rookies, unaware of the New World's harshness, even those with bounties exceeding a hundred million.
The other consists of those who have struggled here for a while, comprehending the New World well, but lacking sufficient power, unwilling to join others, forced to drift on the sea without permanent territories.
Among these are people hailing from the New World and others who have come from earlier segments or different seas over the years.
Ability users, swordsmen, artillery—various abilities clash on the island and its seas to determine ownership.
Meanwhile, a third party emerged, formed by local adults to ensure the islanders' safety as a guard unit.
Their power is moderate, but the island is heavily industrialized, with its own munitions factory.
The arms trade isn't rare in the New World, and armaments are hard currency here. Beyond basic guns and artillery, they even fitted the defense with shore-mounted mega-cannons.
This secured them some safe space; no one wants random artillery shells falling on them during pirate fights.
But food on the island was becoming scarce. As a Winter Island, much of its food supply relied on imports, which halted with the onset of pirate battles.
Low profits paired with high risk deterred anyone from venturing into such a business.
Truthfully, they desperately hoped for a swift pause to the pirate conflicts.
And the pirates were doing precisely what they wished for: realizing they couldn't manage each other, they began peace talks, intending to form a larger Pirate Alliance.
To band together for warmth in the harsh New World.
"So from today, our Pirate Alliance is established..."
Before the alliance toast could be raised, a distant explosion rang, followed by continuous blasts drawing ever closer.
The negotiation table grew tense immediately, and the pirates on either side took a confrontational stance.
"Ioilia, aren't you still relentless?"
"Don't spout nonsense, Major. I could kill you without this hassle if I wanted."
However, no one laid down their guns; obviously, no one believed the other's words, and even in an alliance, mutual suspicion prevailed.
Just then, the outer door was pushed open, and someone staggered in.
"B-bad news, Captain! Someone's attacking!"
Before the words were finished, the half-opened door behind them was launched out, embedding itself into the wall behind.
"From today, this island is my territory!"