Brook couldn't help but chuckle as he watched Stussy struggle with self-doubt. The World Government had sent over a capable agent, and the Hell Pirates were more than happy to accept her.
"Stussy, I don't know what the Celestial Dragons did to you to make you despise them so much, but we're comrades now. From now on, live for freedom. Forget that painful past."
Shakky and the others couldn't help but admire Brook's way with words. He had skillfully turned the conversation into an opportunity to guide Stussy, using persuasion as a tool to win over the spy.
A true mastermind—calculating, always thinking three steps ahead. It was fortunate that this man was their captain and not their enemy.
Watching Brook extend his hand, Stussy finally accepted her fate—betrayed by the Celestial Dragons, escaping from the CP organization, losing her memory, and ultimately becoming a pirate.
Seeing Redfield nod in approval, Brook smiled in satisfaction. At last, Stussy had officially joined the Hell Pirates.
"Welcome to the Hell Pirates, Stussy! From now on, you're one of us!"
Brook announced joyfully, and Shakky, Linlin, and the others cheered as they took Stussy's hand in celebration. Meanwhile, Brook discreetly handed the Den Den Mushi he had confiscated from Stussy to Antonio.
Redfield began eliminating the remnants of the Edward Pirates on the island, while Antonio searched for any communication devices left behind by various factions, ensuring the island was completely cut off from the outside world.
Once the task was complete, Redfield lifted the communication blockade, and Brook made a call to Mortomas, instructing him to send some members of the New World News agency to the island.
Shakky, meanwhile, began training Stussy in advanced Rokushiki techniques, refining her mastery of Life Return and enhancing her assimilation into the Hell Pirates.
...
In Antonio's secret Den Den Mushi surveillance room, under Brook's guidance, he expertly imitated Captain Goth's voice to reassure the Edward Pirates. Then, mimicking Stussy's mannerisms, he contacted the CP organization, reporting that the Hell Pirates had yet to arrive and casting doubt on the intelligence regarding Elan Island possibly being a Sky Island. The CP agents ordered Stussy to remain undercover for another month and to withdraw if no further information surfaced.
With Elan Island now isolated, the Hell Pirates began establishing their influence, subjugating the remaining pirate crews and local inhabitants, laying the groundwork for a news agency branch and a supply hub.
...
While the Hell Pirates quietly expanded their power, the Rocks Pirates were anything but idle. A new wave of attacks had begun.
Previously, the so-called Supernova pirate crews had roamed the seas without a fixed stronghold, making them elusive targets for Rocks. But now, having seized territories, they had unwittingly invited him to crush them.
With his crew in tow, Rocks set sail from Hachinosu, aiming straight for the three allied Supernova captains—just as Kaido had once shattered the alliance of Kidd, Hawkins, and Apoo with overwhelming force.
The Monk fought to the bitter end and was captured. The Karns brothers surrendered, joining the Rocks Pirates. Only Eric Darn of the Royal Pirates was cunning enough to escape, making off with a considerable amount of treasure in the process.
Rocks' brutal offensive forced the three remaining pseudo-emperors to tighten their defenses, wary of the predator now lurking in their midst.
Seeing an opportunity, Rocks personally contacted Vesper, proposing an alliance to eliminate the three rival factions and restore the New World's balance of power to its previous state. However, Vesper had different plans—choosing instead to ally with the very enemies Rocks sought to destroy.
Faced with an ambush by four of the New World's strongest pirate crews, the Rocks Pirates suffered heavy losses. Were it not for the mutual distrust among their adversaries, Rocks himself might have been gravely wounded.
Retreating to Hachinosu, the Rocks Pirates regrouped, fortifying their forces while searching for new allies. Their first choice was the Ice Demon Pirates, but the aging Ice Demon had no interest in conquest, preferring to guard his own domain.
Rocks was left with limited options. Among the remaining crews, only the Hell Pirates had enough potential to assist him in holding off a pseudo-emperor. But even then, he preferred to subjugate them rather than forge an alliance. Unfortunately for him, the entire New World seemed united against his domineering ways, with many factions actively avoiding him or siding with his enemies.
Realizing the impasse, Rocks turned inward, reflecting on his situation. In the end, he saw only one solution—he was not yet strong enough.
Determined to rise above all, he devoted himself to relentless training, aiming to reach a level where he could single-handedly crush Vesper and the three pseudo-emperors.
...
For the next half-month, the New World remained unusually calm, allowing various factions to quietly strengthen their positions.
Meanwhile, the Golden Lion, Shiki, had been tirelessly searching for Elan Island. Without a skilled navigator, he had failed repeatedly.
In the end, it was Brook who lost patience. Using a seagull courier, he sent Shiki a Log Pose, guiding him straight to their location.
As soon as Shiki entered Elan Island's waters, Antonio intercepted his Den Den Mushi signal, and the Hell Pirates made preparations to welcome their latest guest.
The legendary Golden Lion and his Flying Pirate Fleet were well-known to Redfield and Newgate. But for Shakky and Antonio, Brook's manipulation of the situation was nothing short of astonishing.
Both had witnessed the creation of the mobile Den Den Mushi system and knew that Brook's very first transmission had been sent to none other than the infamous Supernova leader of his time—Shiki himself.
Though they had long avoided interfering with the Den Den Mushi network, they never expected Brook to use it to lure Shiki into their ranks.
Their respect for Brook's strategic brilliance and foresight grew immeasurably. They were on the verge of kneeling in admiration.
"Captain Brook, with Shiki's Float-Float Fruit, reaching Sky Island will be far easier!"
Recently, Brook had tasked Redfield with transporting supplies to Sky Island using the Golden Ark, even going so far as to haul soil—an absurd misuse of the ship's capabilities.
"Captain Brook, Shiki has also awakened his Conqueror's Haki. Are you sure he'll willingly join us?"
Redfield now understood firsthand—he had awakened his own Conqueror's Haki under Brook's leadership. As long as Brook lived, betraying him was unthinkable. However, Shiki was already an awakened Conqueror. Would he truly submit?
Only time would tell.
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+122 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg