Want to read ahead? Join my Patreon for only $7 to get early access to upcoming chapters!
Currently, there are 170 chapters in my PATREON.
> > Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations <<
----------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 49: The News Spreads
"Power that can trouble an Admiral, even defeat him..."
He spun around, slamming his hands onto the giant map behind him!
His gaze landed precisely on one corner of the map.
East Blue!
"Fuffuffuffuffu!"
That unique, owl-like laugh rumbled in his throat again.
"Artificial Devil Fruits..."
"Kaido..."
"The Shichibukai..."
"Compared to this, all of that is just child's play!"
An unprecedented greed shot from Doflamingo's eyes!
What was his life's pursuit?
Destruction!
To personally destroy this world that had created him, and then abandoned him!
To drag those high-and-mighty Celestial Dragons down from their divine pedestals!
For this, he had planned for twenty years!
He stole a country, became a king.
He traded with Kaido, stirring up the New World.
He played both sides of the law as Joker.
He was like a master puppeteer, patiently waiting for the "wave" that would capsize the world!
And now!
He smelled it!
He smelled the scent of a super-tsunami, ten thousand times bigger than he had imagined, a wave big enough to overturn the entire world!
"The Marines want to keep it for themselves?"
"Fuffuffu, that old bastard Sengoku is dreaming!"
Doflamingo's fingers gently brushed over the East Blue on the map, his touch as light as caressing a lover's skin.
"How can 'treasure' of this level be enjoyed only by you partners of 'justice'?"
"This world... needs more chaos!"
"It needs more... fun!"
He slowly pulled his hand back, spreading his five fingers.
It was as if countless invisible strings were extending from his fingertips, crossing the Red Line, crossing the Grand Line, spreading frantically toward that most inconspicuous blue sea!
"Go..."
"Leak the news, just a little... to those who... need it."
"For example, to those old monsters in the New World who are tired of living..."
"For example, to that 'Strongest Creature' who only wants to die..."
A demonic smile spread across Doflamingo's face.
"Let me see."
"When all the demons and monsters of the world flock to the 'weakest sea'..."
"Let's see if you Marines... can still hold it together!"
"Fuffuffuffuffu!"
"This world... is about to get much more interesting!"
New World.
An island shrouded in gray fog all year round, known as "Hachinosu."
This was a pirate's paradise, a breeding ground for sin.
In the center of the island, in a rowdy tavern, the air was thick with the smell of cheap rum and sweat.
A man in a floral shirt and sunglasses was boasting to a few pirates with bounties over 100 million.
"Hey, brothers, heard the latest joke?"
"What joke? Funnier than you running from the Marines with your ass bare last month?" a one-eyed pirate laughed, showing his yellow teeth.
The man in the floral shirt didn't get angry. He lowered his voice mysteriously.
"A Marine Admiral... was defeated in the East Blue!"
Pfft
The one-eyed pirate sprayed his drink everywhere.
"Hahahahaha!"
"What did you say? A Marine Admiral? In the East Blue?"
"Hey! Are you drunk? That's the most ridiculous bullsh*t I've ever heard!"
The whole tavern exploded in laughter.
The East Blue.
The weakest sea.
Forget an Admiral, even a Headquarters Rear Admiral could walk sideways there.
An Admiral... defeated there?
That was crazier than hearing the Celestial Dragons were giving up their privileges!
The man in the floral shirt watched their reaction, a subtle arc on his lips. It was the professional composure of one of Joker's informants.
He spread his hands, feigning helplessness.
"Fine, don't believe me."
"Anyway, I heard Marine Headquarters is in an uproar."
"Admiral Kizaru... has personally gathered an elite fleet... destination... East Blue!"
He finished, raised his glass, and took a slow sip.
The laughter... gradually died.
The atmosphere in the tavern became strange.
If the first piece of news was a ridiculous joke.
Then the second piece... made these outlaws, who lived on the edge, smell something was very, very wrong.
Does a joke... require a Marine Admiral and an elite fleet to go "debunk" it?
What a joke!
"Kizaru... that Glint-Glint Fruit monster?"
"What's he going to the East Blue for? A vacation?"
"Something's wrong..."
"Something is very wrong..."
Some of the sharper pirates had already put down their mugs, their eyes flashing, as they began to ponder the deeper meaning.
For Marine Headquarters to react so strongly.
There was only one explanation.
That rumor about an "Admiral's crushing defeat"... even if it wasn't 100% true, it absolutely didn't come from nowhere!
The East Blue...
What the hell happened?
Meanwhile.
New World, on the flagship of the Whitebeard Pirates, the "Moby Dick."
The sun was bright, the sea breeze gentle.
On deck, the commanders were either sparring or drinking. It was a lively scene.
"Marco the Phoenix" was leaning against the rail, listlessly flipping through a new intelligence report.
"Ha. These guys will make up anything for a big story."
He casually crumpled the paper, about to toss it into the sea.
"What is it, Marco?"
The burly figure of the 3rd Division Commander, "Diamond" Jozu, came over, asking curiously.
"Nothing. A stupid joke."
Marco uncrumpled the paper and showed it to Jozu.
"Says a Marine Admiral was beaten in the East Blue, and now Kizaru is leading a fleet over."
Jozu glanced at it and laughed.
"A Marine trick, right? Trying to lure someone into that little pond?"
"Who knows. Maybe that old man Sengoku is just bored."
Marco shrugged, treating it as a funny story.
He turned and walked toward the man sitting on the giant throne, hooked up to IV drips, but still as imposing as a mountain.
"Pops."
Marco, smiling, reported this "funny story" to Whitebeard, who was drinking heavily.
"Gurarararara..."
Whitebeard, after listening, let out his signature, earth-shaking laugh.
"Those brats of Sengoku's... aren't so easy to beat!"
He lifted his wine bowl, which was bigger than a man's head, and took a deep drink.
The pirates on deck, hearing their Pops' laugh, all joined in.
However.
Whitebeard's laughter... slowly stopped.
His hand, holding the giant bowl, paused in mid-air.
The noise on the deck also died down, following his pause.
Everyone felt it.
Pops' aura... had changed.
"Which Admiral?"
Whitebeard's voice was not loud, but it held an unquestionable authority.
Marco's smile faded. He paused, then shook his head.
"The report doesn't say, Pops."
"..."
Whitebeard was silent.
His deep eyes gazed at the endless horizon. No one knew what he was thinking.
After a long time.
"Gurarara..."
He laughed again, but this time, there was a hint of amusement in it.
"Interesting."
He drained his bowl. A nurse took it away.
"To make that guy Sengoku nervous enough... to send another Admiral..."
Whitebeard's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his chair.
This small movement... made the hearts of Marco, Jozu, and the other veteran commanders jump.
They knew their Pops too well.
He only had this habit when he was truly, deeply interested in something.
"Go and check."
Whitebeard's voice, calm and clear, reached every commander's ear.
"Find out... what it is."
"That could trip up my old rival... in that calmest of seas."
"Yes, Pops!"
Marco's expression turned serious. He nodded grimly.
He knew... this matter had just been upgraded from a "funny story" to something worthy of the Whitebeard Pirates' attention.
Another part of the sea.
The sky was thick with thunderclouds, dark and oppressive.
A giant skull-shaped fortress stood at the island's peak, exuding an aura of malice and violence.
Onigashima.
The den of the Beasts Pirates.
Inside the main hall.
The strongest of the All-Stars, "King the Conflagration," was kneeling.
He was covered in black leather, an eternal flame burning on his back. His face was hidden by a mask, showing no expression.
Before him, on a throne of bones, sat a terrifyingly large shadow.
King recited the intelligence he had just received, which was almost identical to Marco's, in his flat, emotionless voice.
"...That is all. The latest movements from Marine Headquarters, via the Joker channel."
The hall was silent.
Only the heavy, suppressed breathing from the throne could be heard.
After a long, long time.
The giant shadow moved.
A thunderous, deep voice, filled with a destructive aura, boomed in the hall.
"Where?"
.....
Support this book by leaving a Review, Comments, and Power Stone.
For Advance Chapters:
> Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations