Chapter 80: 80. I Aim for More

The fanfic was banned due to 'copyright issues', so I uploaded it again with the new name One Piece: Marine of the SH Pirates. Do check it Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- It seemed as though the world didn't want to keep Alex in the headlines. Only after he had firmly secured his title as the third Emperor of the Sea did another major event on the opposite side of the New World grab the front page—announcing the outcome of a clash between two legendary forces just two days later. Unlike the large-scale battle between Big Mom and Alex, this time it was the Whitebeard Pirates who actively sought out the Beasts Pirates, leading to a head-to-head confrontation between their respective flagship crews. In this battle, Whitebeard emerged victorious, decisively displaying his might by knocking Kaido into the sea—reaffirming his position as the world's strongest man. However, despite Whitebeard's win, the fight was far from one-sided. Neither crew sustained massive casualties, and the outcome didn't end in a total rout. Instead, the battle highlighted the Beasts Pirates' own formidable strength and resources. The true testament to Kaido's power came in his ability to hold his ground against Whitebeard at his peak, enduring a three-day and three-night fight without falling immediately—a testament to his own strength and resilience. In the end, though Kaido was forced to retreat and the Beasts Pirates left in defeat, the Whitebeard Pirates chose not to pursue them further. This clash with the world's strongest man elevated Kaido's standing, cementing his place among the New World's top contenders. The resulting headline proclaimed the "Rule of Four Emperors," recognizing Kaido's forced entry into the upper echelons of power in the New World. This news, carrying momentous implications for the balance of power in the New World, quickly spread across the globe. Some of the information was even shaped by the World Government itself. Having failed to eliminate Alex, they sought instead to frame him as part of a stable Four Emperors system—hoping to restore some semblance of order to the increasingly volatile seas. --- Back in Wanokuni, Alex was reclining comfortably, thoroughly enjoying a Flower-Flower Fruit massage on his shoulders, arms, and even ankles. "So, Whitebeard got so riled up he actually hunted down Kaido, but it ended like this," Alex said, tossing the newspaper aside with a hint of disappointment. With intel prepared years in advance, he'd known Kaido would eventually leave Wanokuni, but he had wondered if this time things would turn out differently. As it happened, Whitebeard had only managed to defeat Kaido without pressing the advantage. Clearly, he had avoided pushing the battle to the point of no return, wary of the risks of a prolonged war and the potential losses. Yet, judging from the limited crew sent in for the assault, Alex could tell Whitebeard's move was calculated, bringing only his main ship's crew to face a powerful rival like Kaido, while leaving his other allies behind. The Whitebeard Pirates had shown they would risk everything for Ace, even storming Marineford at the cost of countless lives under Whitebeard's command. But now, with Kozuki Oden—once the captain of the second division—avenged in a more tempered manner, Alex couldn't help but reflect on Whitebeard's motives. Was it that fallen comrades held less weight than those still in peril? Or was it the knowledge of Ace's lineage, as Roger's son, that made the difference? In his heart, Alex weighed the outcomes. Like the Marines, he was content to watch Whitebeard's alliance suffer heavy losses. "After all, this is now the real world, and we are enemies." he murmured to himself. Toki, nearby and preoccupied with work, spoke with uncharacteristic calm about Oden's death, as though the pain had long since dulled. "True, people shouldn't cling to the past. What's lost is lost; the present and future matter more." Alex smiled. After this recent conflict, he felt the timing of his emergence couldn't be more advantageous. "What's Wanokuni's stance on outside news these days?" Alex asked, turning to Robin. In the past, Wanokuni had been completely isolated from external information, but since Alex had spoken to Morgans, the news tycoon was all too eager to expand his reach by circulating his World Economic Newspaper to this new territory. "Wanokuni has responded enthusiastically," Robin replied. "They're now open to news from beyond their borders—especially news about you, my lord. The people feel a strong sense of pride about it. As for the recent Four Emperors announcement, the public widely regards you as the top Emperor." While speaking, Robin organized follow-up documents for Toki. Working for Alex meant managing a steady flow of tasks, and occasionally, she even found herself acting as a personal massage tool—something Alex cheerfully deemed an 'essential managerial duty.' Though Robin took his words with a grain of salt, she performed her tasks without objection. After all, she appreciated Alex's commitment to creating a true familial environment in Wanokuni, a place without lies or isolation. "Indeed." Hearing Robin's words, Alex accepted them without much reaction. Every Emperor's followers believed their leader to be the strongest, just as Whitebeard's crew revered Newgate above all others. Yet, to Alex, the title of "First Emperor of the Sea" didn't mean much. When he claimed Wanokuni, his ambition had extended far beyond becoming a ruler of the seas or even one of the New World's top emperors. His true goal was to rise above the World Government, to realize his vision of true power. To reach that, he needed to keep building strength and planning for the future. As he thought about the powers he had yet to fully harness, ideas began to take root in his mind. If Big Mom could hold her extravagant tea parties with desserts and drinks to unite Totto Land, perhaps he could use Wanokuni's grand Fire Festival to stage his own event. He could even employ the Devil Fruits he held as part of a martial arts competition. Not a bad idea. Still, it would require time. At the very least, he wanted Wanokuni's strength and the influence of the Oniwabanshu and the Samurai to increase tenfold before embarking on such an endeavor.