One Piece: The user of the Nen-Nen Fruit, who overturned the sea.

The revelry on Beehive Island lasted for two days.

The barrels were empty, the roast meat was reduced to bones, and even the usually composed genetic soldiers made a ruckus all night.

Yamato got drunk and danced in the square while holding a spiked club, smashing several holes in the ground.

Barrett and Savi drank until dawn, and in the end, the two put their arms around each other's shoulders and became sworn brothers. When they woke up the next day, neither of them remembered anything about it.

On the morning of the third day, the sun rose as usual.

The excitement of the revelry finally began to subside.

The port returned to its former order, with ships coming and going and soldiers performing their duties.

Barrett's roar echoed across the training field again, and vendors set up their stalls on the commercial street; everything was back on track.

However, everyone's energy and spirit were clearly different.

Those soldiers who heard about the battle at the "Eye of the Abyss" walked with a swagger.

He would tell everyone he met how the three emperors were completely outmaneuvered by the captain and how the navy suffered heavy casualties, speaking with great enthusiasm, like a storyteller.

Roy stood by the palace window, watching the lively scene on the island, a smile playing on his lips.

almost.

It's time to get down to business.

Nine o'clock in the morning, in the conference room.

The core members arrived one after another. Barrett was the last to enter, yawning and still smelling of alcohol. He plopped down and started rubbing his temples.

"Barrett, drunk?" Tezzolo teased.

"Get lost." Barrett glared at him irritably. "I can hold my liquor pretty well."

"Then why do you look like you're about to die?"

"That bastard Savina insisted on having a drinking contest with me..."

Sitting opposite him, Savi chuckled, looking energetic and as if nothing had happened.

Barrett was even more frustrated.

Roy tapped the table, and the room fell silent.

"Alright, let's get down to business."

He stood up, walked to the wall, and pulled back the curtain—a huge map of the New World seas appeared before everyone.

The map is marked with densely packed territories of power: Whitebeard, Big Mom, the Golden Lion, and Beehive Island, the four factions intertwined.

"The pure gold issue has already caused quite a stir."

Roy pointed to the map,

"The Whitebeard, the Golden Lion, and Big Mom—all three have suffered heavy losses."

The situation was even worse on the naval side, with nearly 10,000 dead and wounded, including several vice admirals.

Barrett grinned: "Serves you right."

Roy glanced at him and continued, "They're badly injured and won't be making any major moves anytime soon. So—"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"This is the perfect time for us to expand."

Everyone's eyes lit up.

"Expansion?" Barrett perked up. "Who are we going to attack?"

Roy pointed to the islands on the map marked with the flags of Whitebeard, the Golden Lion, and Big Mom.

"These places are nominally the territory of the three major powers, but their actual control is very weak."

We usually rely on displaying flags to intimidate them, but now that they're preoccupied with their own problems, it's the perfect time for us to intervene.

Roy explained the plan in detail:

They divided their forces into three groups and, taking advantage of the weakened state of the three major powers, swiftly annexed the islands and kingdoms located at the border.

"Barrett led his team north, advancing towards Whitebeard's territory."

"Hawkeye leads the team eastward, targeting the Golden Lion's sphere of influence."

"Tezzolo leads the team south to take the island near Big Mom."

"I'm based on Beehive Island, coordinating everything from the center."

Barrett jumped to his feet: "I've been waiting for this for ages!"

Hawkeye nodded slightly without saying a word, but his hand was already on the black knife.

Tesoro grinned: "Don't worry, boss, I guarantee I'll complete the mission."

Crocodile, cigar in mouth, exhaled a smoke ring: "And me?"

"You're in charge of intelligence. Report any unusual activity over there immediately."

Crocodile nodded.

Count Red, leaning on his cane, asked with a smile, "Roy, aren't you afraid that the three emperors will personally intervene?"

Roy smiled and pointed to the newspaper on the table.

"Afraid? Afraid of what?"

"Do you think they'd actually come and fight me over a few border islands?"

Count Red thought for a moment and shook his head.

On Whitebeard's side, Marco and Jozu were both seriously injured, and Whitebeard himself had also had his stamina depleted by Akainu and Aokiji.

Although Shiki was fast, his Flying Pirates suffered considerable losses.

Big Mom suffered the most; Katakuri was seriously injured, and Smoothie and Cracker are still bedridden.

Should we start a full-scale war with the Roy Pirates at this point?

Those three old guys are shrewd; they wouldn't do something so stupid.

"Then it's settled."

Roy waved his hand,

"We're leaving tomorrow."

The next morning, the three fleets set off simultaneously from the port.

Barrett, along with Savi, Yamato, Pea, Charon, and others, sailed north in a grand procession of more than a dozen warships.

Hawkeye's fleet was the quietest, with Black Blade Night hanging from the bow, its cold gleam deterring anyone from approaching.

The most lively scene was on Tesoro's side. This guy stood at the bow of his ship, lightning crackling around him, waving towards the shore: "Wait for my triumphant return!"

The three fleets disappeared into the morning mist.

The next three months brought about a complete upheaval in the new world.

Barrett led his team northwards, and wherever they went, the islands that had previously flown the Whitebeard flag changed their flags.

When the island's inhabitants saw the fleet from Beehive Island, some welcomed it, some watched from the sidelines, and some considered resisting.

Anyone who tried to resist was silenced by a single punch from Barrett.

It wasn't that he was cruel—most of the troops stationed on those islands were small pirate crews who were just using the Whitebeard banner to intimidate others.

The Whitebeard Pirates suffered heavy losses in the battle against Pure Gold. Without their backing, these smaller pirate crews were already in a state of panic.

When Barrett's fleet arrived, some people fled immediately, while others put up a token resistance and then ran away.

Occasionally, there would be a few tough opponents, and Barrett would personally take them down, one punch at a time, clean and efficient.

In just one month, all seven islands and two kingdoms north of Whitebeard's territory came under the control of Beehive Island.

Whitebeard wasn't unresponsive.

Marco led a group to intercept them once, but they were beaten badly by Barrett and Savi, and escaped with injuries.

After receiving the news, Whitebeard remained silent for a long time before finally saying only, "Let him be."

It's not that we don't want to fight, it's that we can't afford to.

Hawkeye's side is doing better.

The Golden Lion's Flying Pirates had a loosely defined territory to begin with. Those floating islands drifted around, and their control was far less than Whitebeard's.

Hawkeye's fleet sailed eastward, and before they even drew their swords, the islands had already voluntarily hoisted the Beehive Island flag.

It's not that they want to change; it's that nobody on the Golden Lion side cares at all.

After the battle of pure gold, the Golden Lion returned to his lair with the fragments, ignoring the fate of his subordinates.

The troops stationed on those islands can't even get paid, and they're barely making ends meet.

As soon as the fleet arrived at Beehive Island, someone asked directly, "Is food and lodging included?"

Hawkeye nodded expressionlessly.

"Then we'll follow you!"

In just half a month, all five islands and three kingdoms to the east of the Golden Lion surrendered.

When the Golden Lion found out, he sneered dismissively and didn't take it seriously.

He's busy studying pure gold.