The Germa clone army advanced at astonishing speed.
In just over ten days, they had already conquered more than half of the North Blue.
The strongest kingdoms fell first—
Their corrupt royal families wiped out entirely.
The Marines and World Government forces stationed across the North Blue were uprooted.
Even several Revolutionary Army bases were destroyed.
The entire world trembled.
At this point, even the slowest minds could see it clearly—
The Beasts Pirates, led by the mysterious Fifth Emperor Luo Xing and the "Strongest Creature" Kaido, were openly challenging the World Government for control of the seas.
This was unprecedented.
Even Rocks D. Xebec had only attacked God Valley—he never truly ruled a sea.
As for Gol D. Roger—
Though legendary, he never posed a direct territorial threat to the Government.
His greatest achievements were reaching Laugh Tale and uncovering the Void Century—
And igniting the Great Pirate Era.
But he never revealed the truth.
Because he knew—
It wasn't time yet.
That truth alone wouldn't topple the Government.
He left everything to the next generation.
In contrast—
The Beasts Pirates were seizing land, waging war, and challenging authority head-on.
Their dominance was far more aggressive.
Naturally, the Marines and Government did not remain idle.
A worldwide military draft was launched.
Despite their prestige hitting rock bottom—
After the fall of Impel Down and the occupation of Sabaody Archipelago—
The Marines were still the largest force on the seas.
Under Fleet Admiral Sakazuki and his banner of Absolute Justice, many still joined.
Among them—
Were monsters.
One was a blind man with a cane.
A user of the Gravity Fruit.
In testing, he effortlessly crushed a Marine HQ Vice Admiral.
Even the retired former Fleet Admiral Sengoku was alarmed.
Another—
A wild man with green hair who arrived at Marine HQ literally flying… with a plant growing from his back.
His ability?
Absorbing nutrients from others to sustain himself.
He claimed he hadn't eaten in years.
These two quickly became famous within the Marines.
Sengoku sighed:
"Fujitora… and Ryokugyu…"
"Both possess Admiral-level strength."
The statement electrified the new Marine forces.
After all—
Kuzan had left.
Akainu had become Fleet Admiral.
Two Admiral seats were vacant.
Fujitora and Ryokugyu were perfect candidates.
But someone else had his eyes on one of those seats.
Vergo.
The G-5 base commander.
A spy planted by Luo Xing.
Vergo had once defeated the former Admiral Zephyr, earning praise from Sengoku as someone with Admiral potential.
But potential was not enough.
Compared to Fujitora and Ryokugyu—
His strength might still fall short.
For the first time—
Vergo felt anxious.
Then—
A Den Den Mushi rang.
It was Luo Xing.
"Vergo," Luo Xing said calmly.
"This is your chance. Use this global draft to rise to Admiral."
Vergo lowered his head.
"Those two… Fujitora and Ryokugyu…"
"They're monsters."
"I'm afraid… I may not be able to defeat them."
Luo Xing had already anticipated this.
"Don't worry."
"I have a way to boost your strength quickly."
Vergo's eyes lit up.
"Go to Sleepy Ancient Town."
"There's a Devil Fruit there."
"The Bat Fruit — Mythical Zoan, Vampire Model."
"It suits you perfectly… 'Demon Bamboo' Vergo."
This plan had been decided long ago—
Ever since Luo Xing saw Redfield in Impel Down.
That fruit could restore youth.
Its power was undeniable.
If Vergo consumed it—
His strength would surge instantly to Admiral level.
After the call ended—
Vergo wasted no time.
He immediately led a G-5 fleet toward Sleepy Ancient Town.
Meanwhile—
The world continued to shake violently.
Chaos bred opportunity.
A stage for rising legends.
But one man—
Who should have thrived in this chaos—
Was instead on the brink of ruin.
Marshall D. Teach.
Blackbeard lay inside a broken wooden hut, coughing up seawater.
"Damn Shiryu…"
"Damn Luo Xing…"
"Damn Beasts Pirates!!"
"One day—I'll make you pay!!"
His fury burned.
His humiliation was unbearable.
At the entrance to the New World, he had captured Jewelry Bonney, intending to trade her for a Marine warship.
But then—
Luo Xing appeared again via his Anywhere Door.
And the Marines sent Aokiji.
Blackbeard had no choice—
He fled.
But things worsened.
Shiryu and others—who should have joined him—turned against him instead.
Shiryu had consumed a Dragon-level Monster Cell.
Others had taken Demon-level ones.
The Blackbeard Pirates, with only five members—
Stood no chance.
Their ship was destroyed.
All of them plunged into the sea.
Blackbeard—
A Devil Fruit user—
Drank seawater and lost consciousness.
He nearly died.
Fortunately—
Jesus Burgess searched the ocean for days and found him.
Miraculously alive.
But then—
A storm hit.
Burgess was swept away.
Still missing.
Thinking of this—
Blackbeard's anger surged again.
He had never been so humiliated.
"Captain… what now?"
Lafitte sighed.
"The Whitebeard territories we planned to take…"
"They've all been seized by the Beasts Pirates and Big Mom."
"We have nowhere to go."
Blackbeard forced a grin.
"As long as we live… there's hope."
"The New World isn't just Whitebeard's land."
"We'll take something else."
And just as he said that—
The Den Den Mushi rang.
It was Burgess.
Blackbeard lit up.
"Burgess! You're alive?!"
Burgess spoke in a hushed, excited tone:
"Captain…"
"After the storm carried me away…"
"I clung to the bottom of a ship…"
"And now—"
"I've arrived at the Revolutionary Army's headquarters…"
Baltigo.
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