AN : Good News the Book is completed and fully published on my patreon!!!!
There are limited time discounts running on my Patreon page. Check it out and enjoy the story further!!
There is also an Early bird offer for first 5 buyers of the whole story!!!
-----------------------------
Marco quickly relayed everything that had happened to Kaido and the Big Mom Pirates through a transponder snail. On the other end, both emperors were stunned into silence.
It had only been a month since the Egghead Island War. Not long ago, they'd agreed to a truce so they could lick their wounds, rebuild their forces, and have Vegapunk develop new technological weapons to bolster their strength. So why were they gearing up to clash with the World Government and Marineford again already?
Ever since the Three Emperors Alliance had been formed, it felt like they'd been fighting nonstop. Their names now shook the Grand Line more than ever, but in truth, the Beasts Pirates, the Big Mom Pirates, and the Phoenix Pirates were all weaker than before.
Big Mom burst out in irritation. "Oi, oi, oi, Marco! That Straw Hat brat ain't even one of your Phoenix Pirates! Why're you sticking your nose into his business?!"
Kaido barked right after her. "Yeah! My Beasts Pirates took massive losses on Egghead Island. I ain't interested in jumping straight into another all-out war with the Marines and the World Government!"
In the Egghead Island War, neither side could really be called the winner. The Three Emperors Alliance hadn't truly claimed victory, but the World Government hadn't either. Both sides had only managed to drag each other into mutual devastation.
In terms of sheer casualties, the alliance had definitely lost more people. But the World Government had paid a terrible price as well: a Gorosei had fallen, several of the Holy Knights had died, and they'd lost the ancient weapon Uranus.
At Marco's current level, though, headcount didn't matter much. The true battlefield was in the realm of top-tier fighters. Ordinary soldiers existed mostly to hold territory and keep basic control.
Marco spoke calmly but firmly. "Relax. I'm not asking you to bring a lot of people. I only need the two of you. Almost every member of the God's Knights has Conqueror's Haki, and the Gorosei are the same. Numbers are useless against opponents like that. What I need most is high-end combat power."
Kaido and Big Mom fell silent for a moment at that. Marco went on, "Besides, I'm just informing you in advance. If our Phoenix Pirates can handle it alone, we'll do everything we can to settle it ourselves. But if we really can't… then we'll need your support."
Kaido clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed. "Tch… what a damn nuisance. Fine, I get it. When the time comes, I'll back you up through the mirror.":
Big Mom clicked her tongue in irritation. "Same goes for me. But after this is over, you're having Vegapunk make an artificial giant race for me."
Marco's expression darkened at her last‑minute condition. He answered coldly, "Don't start making demands at a crucial moment. I've already told you—if you want that, negotiate with Vegapunk yourself."
Big Mom snorted, clearly displeased. She knew her voice carried the least weight within the Three Emperors Alliance, which only made her more desperate to use Vegapunk's technology to boost her own power. "Hmph, fine then! But there's one more thing you have to promise me. The first batch of battle suits Vegapunk makes has to go to the Big Mom Pirates first. Both the Cake Island War and the Egghead Island War cost me dearly."
Marco didn't refuse. "That can be arranged."
After the Egghead Island War, the Vinsmoke family and the Big Mom Pirates began to move together, both sides clearly considering a political marriage—more than a year earlier than in the original timeline.
In truth, the Vinsmokes were placing a bet. The Three Emperors Alliance had not fallen behind in either of their clashes with the Marines and the World Government, and that was enough for the Vinsmokes to decide to stake their future on the alliance.
They chose to approach the Big Mom Pirates first because Judge only knew Big Mom and had some prior dealings with her. He had no personal connections with Kaido or Marco.
After hanging up the transponder snail, Marco turned to Ace. "Ace, do you have Luffy's vivre card?"
"Yeah. After the Marineford War, I specifically collected Luffy's hair and nails to make one." As he spoke, Ace pulled out Luffy's vivre card. A portion of the paper was already starting to burn away.
Marco took the vivre card, tore it in half, and handed one piece to Yamato. "When the time comes, just follow where the vivre card leads."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
…Meanwhile, on Amazon Lily.
Rayleigh was no match for Saint Garling, who now wielded the power of Itzumnade. After only a brief clash, the tide had clearly turned against him. If he were alone, Rayleigh would have already dived into the sea and vanished, but he couldn't do that now. With Hancock and Luffy behind him, fleeing wasn't an option.
Garling watched the heavily panting Rayleigh and sneered. "Dark King Rayleigh, I heard you were Roger's first mate, yet you're already out of breath after not even half an hour of fighting. Time truly spares no one."
Rayleigh managed a bitter smile. "You're right. Still… I didn't expect your stamina to be this good."
Garling snorted. A month ago, his endurance hadn't been much better than Rayleigh's; he had also been just an old man in his seventies. But things were different now. After becoming one of the Gorosei and receiving Imu-sama's blessing, his body had been reborn. Though he still looked like a man in his seventies, his strength and vitality had returned to their prime. On top of that, his aging had ceased—like the other four Gorosei, he would now live forever.
"If you're willing to walk away now," Garling said coldly, "I can let you go. You're no longer qualified to be killed."
Rayleigh remained silent. He was torn, wavering between escaping alone or stubbornly staying.
Their battle so far had shown him Garling's true power. Even at his peak, Rayleigh doubted he could have beaten this man.
The situation was already on the verge of hopeless. If this weren't the Calm Belt—if this weren't Amazon Lily—Rayleigh would have grabbed Hancock and Luffy and escaped long ago. But this was the Calm Belt. This was Amazon Lily.
As the Empress of Amazon Lily, Hancock would never run so easily. And because they were in the Calm Belt, even if they tried to escape by ship, they'd never outrun a Marine warship.
Most pirate ships were simple sailing vessels, relying on the wind to move. But in the windless Calm Belt, there was only one way to leave: using trained poisonous sea kings—giant sea snakes—to drag the ship through the still waters.
Marine warships, however, are hybrid-powered vessels, using sails when the wind is favorable and burning oil when it's not. Thanks to Vegapunk's research, they can even cross the Calm Belt safely.
Realizing this, Rayleigh understood that escaping by sea was almost impossible. Their only choice was to use Amazon Lily's terrain for guerrilla warfare against the Marines and hold out until the Phoenix Pirates could arrive.
It was a last resort. They couldn't win in a direct fight, and they couldn't run. Rayleigh knew it would take at least several days for anyone to reach Amazon Lily from the New World, and by the time Ace arrived with the Phoenix Pirates, they might already be dead—but it was the only hope they had.
------------------
AN: Check out my P@treon For the FULL STORY!!
Thank You For your Support!!
[email protected]/noviceauthor777
-----------------------
To keep the chapters coming - Support with POWER STONES.
For Every 100 power stones - 1 BONUS chapter.