“Your Majesty, we have successfully occupied Moasi and Ordo as well.”
When Nagato returned to the warship, Kyros immediately reported the latest good news.
“Hmm.” Nagato nodded and then said, “Ensure all the visual Den Den Mushi are in place.”
“I’ve already confirmed with the captains of each ship,” Kyros replied. “Fukurou, Kaku, Owl, Cray, Jabra, and Blueno have all completed their setups. The only areas left are the gold mine, which you just visited, and Anderson, who is moving a bit slower. But these two will be completed soon.”
Nagato was aware of Kalifa’s situation, and although Anderson might be a bit rough around the edges, both were minor issues.
The setup of the visual Den Den Mushi was intended to win over the hearts of the residents on these islands.
And right on cue, their targets for making a statement arrived.
“Your Majesty,” Viola, who had been monitoring the surroundings from the ship’s bow, spoke up, her eyes focusing on a distant point thousands of miles away. “Pirate ships are approaching from the east, northeast, and southeast.”
Nagato nodded but remained silent. Kyros immediately asked, “Can you identify them by their Jolly Rogers? And how far are they?”
Viola replied, “The pirates to the east are the Brownbeard Pirates, about 2,000 miles away. To the northwest is the One-Armed Jack Pirates, just 400 miles away! To the southwest, there are 17 pirate ships from the Battle Axe Fleet, around 1,200 miles away.”
From the scale, the Battle Axe Fleet was undoubtedly the largest force, but the One-Armed Jack Pirates were alarmingly close at just 400 miles.
“One-Armed Jack… Have they been lying in wait in Whitebeard’s territory, like us?” Kyros mused.
Kyros didn’t mention the Brownbeard Pirates or the Battle Axe Fleet because Whitebeard’s territory centered on the three islands of Ando, Moasi, and Ordo within a thousand-mile radius. The other two pirate crews were just outside Whitebeard’s territory and were known to patrol near it. Their swift appearance upon hearing the news was reasonable.
“No,” Viola corrected Kyros’s assumption. “The Brownbeard Pirates and the Battle Axe Fleet are indeed coming from outside the territory, but the One-Armed Jack Pirates have been openly stationed on Cocolia Island, just 400 miles away, and are now heading here.”
Kyros was taken aback. “Boldly staying in Whitebeard’s territory and moving at the first sign of trouble?”
The strategy of the One-Armed Jack Pirates was simple and direct but also effective.
Unlike the Yonko or Nagato, who were high-profile targets, the One-Armed Jack Pirates could remain without causing a declaration of war. Even if Whitebeard returned later, he wouldn’t see them as a threat; his pride wouldn’t allow it.
Clearly, the One-Armed Jack Pirates banked on this, feeling emboldened. Their strength in the New World and the core islands’ activities prompted them to act swiftly.
Before giving orders, Kyros needed more details. “Are all three pirate crews heading towards these three islands?”
Kyros’s reference to the three islands together, echoing Nagato’s simultaneous operations, underscored their significance as Whitebeard’s core territory, all located within 300 miles of each other.
Ando, Moasi, and Ordo’s development history tied them closely, making them Whitebeard’s core. This proximity allowed Nagato’s three fleets to quickly complete their occupation.
Thus, Kyros directly asked Viola if the pirates’ course was towards them, since the core islands were adjacent.
Viola nodded and then shook her head. “The One-Armed Jack Pirates and the Battle Axe Fleet are heading this way, but the Brownbeard Pirates seem to be moving towards Xilo Island on the outer perimeter.”
Having received the information, Kyros turned to the Den Den Mushi and asked, “Kalifa, please confirm their intel again.”
The Den Den Mushi near the three of them had been linked to the fleet captains. Hearing Kyros’s request, Kalifa’s voice came through, “Brownbeard, with an 80 million bounty, targeting outer islands indicates he’s not lost his mind.”
Kalifa continued, “The One-Armed Jack Pirates, a large crew with over a hundred members, led by One-Armed Jack with a 390 million bounty. The Battle Axe Fleet, 17 pirate ships and over 2,000 pirates, unified by their use of flying axes. Their admiral is Great Axe Rex with a 280 million bounty.”
“Alright,” Kyros issued his command after confirming all the intel, “Cray, Anderson, and Kaku, leave the necessary personnel to handle the visual Den Den Mushi and take your teams to intercept the One-Armed Jack Pirates!”
Kyros commanded sternly, “The three of you, along with the forces of three warships, must thoroughly crush the invading pirates!”
“No problem, Captain Kyros,” Kaku’s voice came through. “Though the outer islands couldn’t satisfy these two, they still lack the wisdom to seize the core islands of Whitebeard’s territory.”
“Hehehe,” Cray sneered. “Even without Whitebeard, his territory can only be taken by the strongest. Beasts, Big Mom, Red-Haired, a few billion-bounty pirates in this storm aren’t enough to survive!”
“And now, we’ve taken it!” Cray’s voice grew excited. “Whitebeard is outdated! From today, the one sitting in his Yonko position is our Lord!”
“Wahaha! That’s right!” Anderson’s rough voice chimed in, adding an offhand report to Nagato, “My visual Den Den Mushi setup is also done, Benefactor!”
After responding, the three quickly reorganized their teams and moved into action, cutting off their transmissions.
With the responses handled, Kyros continued addressing the Den Den Mushi, “Lucci, Joe! Open your channels, resume communication.”
Kyros reconnected with the Black Blade Fleet, which had been operating independently.
“We’re busy here,” Lucci’s voice returned, along with continuous sounds of battle. “We’ve only taken seven of 41 islands.”
“That makes ten with our islands,” Kyros noted, then in a slightly accusatory tone asked Lucci, “Why is it so noisy over there? Our orders are to avoid unnecessary killing!”
Joe’s calm voice reassured, “Rest assured, Captain Kyros, we haven’t used cannons, guns, or any weapons. These are Black Blade Fleet pirates, and we’ve managed to control them, though some noise is inevitable.”
“I hope so, Joe,” Kyros’s tone softened but remained firm. “Do not disobey orders. I will inspect each island and report the situation to His Majesty.”
“Of course. These will be Dressrosa’s lands and people, I fully understand,” Joe replied calmly, then asked, “So, Captain Kyros, any new orders?”
Joe’s understanding of the future territories of Dressrosa calmed Kyros, who then addressed the Den Den Mushi, “You should have heard, the Brownbeard Pirates are heading to Xilo. No matter their intent, send someone to Xilo and retaliate against the Brownbeard Pirates if necessary!”
“Xilo is 600 miles from our current location,” Joe seemed a bit troubled but maintained his polite tone, “Diverting forces might slow our rapid takeover.”
“I’ll go!”
A raspy, unfamiliar voice suddenly interjected.
Kyros was puzzled, but Joe’s explanation clarified, “Admiral Abrams?”
“Tired of occupying territories without resistance or combat. Let me take Brownbeard’s head as a gift of allegiance, for Lord Nagato!” Admiral Abrams’s raspy voice declared.
“Looks like you’ve been following orders,” Kyros remarked.
“As you heard,” Joe acknowledged, aware that Abrams’s words indirectly confirmed their compliance with orders.
“Then go,” Nagato, who had entrusted command to Kyros, finally spoke, responding to Abrams’s declaration. “Invading Xilo, kill without mercy.”
“Yes!” Abrams responded.
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