The apocalyptic battle between Kaido and Kozuki Oden, which had escalated so rapidly due to a minor conflict over navigation, eventually subsided as the two powerhouses came to understand each other through the universal language of clashing Haki.
Since Kaido hadn't actually killed anyone at the port, and Kozuki Oden was thrilled to have finally fought a true monster from the outside world, Oden immediately thought of befriending the Oni. He enthusiastically invited Kaido to his territory, Kuri, to be an honored guest at his castle.
Kaido, recognizing a golden opportunity, was more than happy to freeload. At the same time, he could use this political access to meticulously gather intelligence on Wano Country's overall military strength, laying the absolute groundwork for the Empire's future invasion and occupation.
Thus, Kaido smoothly infiltrated Oden Castle and became a highly respected guest of the Daimyo of Kuri.
In the following days, besides drinking massive barrels of sake, eating roasted boar, and sparring with Kozuki Oden every day, Kaido also took full advantage of Oden's connections. Under the guise of friendly competition, he actively challenged various legendary masters across Wano Country.
He fought Boss Hyogoro of the Flower Capital, the undisputed leader of the Yakuza. He challenged the Daimyo of the Udon, Kibi, and Ringo regions: Uzuki Tempura, Fugetsu Omusubi, and Shimotsuki Ushimaru.
Basically, Kaido personally tested and recorded the exact combat data of every prominent samurai master in Wano Country.
However, compared to Kaido's surprisingly easy and pleasant experience, Dragon's covert infiltration and investigation gradually became far less smooth.
After all, Wano Country's political situation was rigidly stable at the time, and its people were fanatically xenophobic. Dragon's direct inquiries into the lives of the civilians made it completely impossible not to attract the intense scrutiny of local officials.
At some point, his revolutionary probing crossed a line. He officially became a wanted criminal within the borders of Wano and was actively hunted by the Shogun's forces...
Let's switch topics.
York was entirely unaware of the dramatic reversal of fortunes for Kaido and Dragon in Wano Country. Even if he knew, he wouldn't care much; at most, he would treat Kaido's drinking and Dragon's evasion as an amusing topic of conversation after dinner.
However, something had recently occurred on his side as well.
"The Pirate Expo?"
York looked at the black-and-gold invitation that had suddenly been delivered to the Royal Palace. He turned to Stussy, who had far more experience regarding the deep workings of the Underworld.
She wore an exquisite, tailored secretary outfit. A tight pencil skirt outlined her perfect curves, her long legs clad in dark stockings. She held the encrypted document in her left hand and gently adjusted her stylish glasses with her right.
"The Pirate Expo, in simple terms, is an exclusive, massive celebration specifically for pirates," Stussy explained professionally.
"On average, every few years, someone in the Underworld takes the absolute lead in organizing it. It serves as the largest geopolitical gathering of pirates outside of a war zone. The content of the gathering consists of various illicit 'Dark Festival' activities."
Stussy stepped closer to the desk. "Of course, in practical terms, it can also simply be understood as a massive, large-scale black market trade hub, with extravagant entertainment activities designed to liven things up and empty the pockets of foolish captains."
York nodded slightly at her assessment, then focused his glowing eyes on the name of the signatory printed at the bottom of the invitation.
"Buena Festa... I remember this guy. He is a warmonger, known as the 'Master of Festivities.' He instigates bloody conflicts all over the world without any apparent personal, material gain. This time, he's the official organizer of the Pirate Expo. Could he be planning to use this massive gathering to instigate an even larger-scale war?"
Stussy was slightly startled by York's insight. "Is he really the primary organizer of this Expo? If it's him, then it is very possible that it's exactly as you suspect."
"According to Underworld rumors, his sole purpose in instigating wars is simply for the sheer, chaotic beauty of the war itself. This Pirate Expo is highly likely to become a massive casualty of his sick schemes."
Stussy frowned. "To trigger an even larger war, he might even anonymously leak the location to the Marines to lure a Buster Call there, making the situation extremely complicated. What should we do, Your Majesty? Should we go or ignore the invitation?"
York pondered the geopolitical board. He raised his hand, smoothly pulling Stussy into his lap and slowly pushing up the hem of her pencil skirt.
Stussy rolled her eyes in mild annoyance at his timing, but soon she relaxed, silently enjoying the warmth of his touch.
York spoke calmly, his eyes reflecting absolute confidence. "We still have to go. For a man with my power, besides the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, there is absolutely nowhere in this world I cannot go."
"What's more, while Buena Festa's Pirate Expo will most likely end up in a chaotic bloodbath, it's also an undeniable fact that before the trap springs, it will gather most of the world's most infamous pirates and Underworld factions in one place."
York smiled. "We might be able to use this exact opportunity to recruit some top-tier talent, or form alliances with some special forces to expand the Empire. Additionally, the grand prize for this specific Expo is supposedly a massive batch of Devil Fruits. Some of the kids in our Vanguard still don't have abilities, so this is a perfect chance to pluck suitable ones for them."
Stussy let out a soft, pleased hum, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Okay. As you command. I'll go draw up a tactical security plan."
"No need to rush," York murmured, leaning in and whispering softly against her ear. "We have plenty of time right now."
Outside the heavy oak doors of the office, Gloriosa, who happened to be walking past with a stack of treasury reports, heard the rustling inside and let out a soft sigh of exasperation.
'Skipping work again...' Gloriosa thought.
With that, she wasn't angry in the slightest. She simply smiled, silently opened the office door, stepped inside, and then securely locked the heavy deadbolt behind her...
A few days later.
York personally selected a highly capable group of cadres to accompany him to the Pirate Expo.
First, his own presence was unquestionable. Second, he decided to bring Gunko.
As Imu's physically compatible vessel, with both Kaido and Dragon absent on their Wano mission, leaving her alone at the main base while he went out to sea was truly unsettling. Furthermore, Gunko had officially become his woman. York had never harbored the malicious, pathetic thought of simply using his women as discardable tools for lust; taking her to this Pirate Expo was a deliberate move to deepen their psychological relationship and tether her further to the Empire.
After selecting Gunko, he systematically chose Emporio Ivankov, Ginny, Bartholomew Kuma, Myscina Olga, Douglas Bullet, and King to accompany him.
Originally, he had also thought of bringing little Teach and Eneru along, but the two kids were simply too young. Even if they had successfully obtained the invincible powers of the Yami Yami no Mi and the Goro Goro no Mi, they actually possessed zero physical self-preservation ability or Haki mastery at their age.
New World pirates skilled in Advanced Armament and Observation Haki could easily subdue the boys with a ruthless sneak attack once they understood their Devil Fruit mechanisms. So, it was far more tactically appropriate to only bring those with high-tier combat experience.
For this specific trip, York actively chose not to ride his massive, apocalyptic flagship. The Crimson Harvest was far too large, too militaristic, and too eye-catching.
He was going to a festival for entertainment and leisure. Although it would most likely turn into a massive brawl due to Buena Festa's schemes, at least before the shooting started, York wanted to enjoy himself thoroughly without immediately triggering a mass panic.
So, for this trip, he requisitioned the bizarre ship customized specifically for Ivankov over the past few years.
It was a garish ship appropriately named the Emporio Ivankov, featuring Ivankov's massive, grinning face directly carved as its imposing figurehead.
(And no, this specific design wasn't part of York's twisted sense of humor; it was Ivankov's own, passionate request... The commander truly, deeply loved his own big face).
After several days of smooth sailing through the New World, the Emporio Ivankov finally arrived at the coordinates of the Pirate Expo.
An island named Firedrop Island.
From afar, even before reaching the inner port, dense, overlapping armadas of Pirate Crew ships could be seen docked across the entire coastline. It looked like a sea of black sails.
The Emporio Ivankov was a medium-sized pirate ship with an overall length of fifty meters. After sailing into this massive, chaotic port where countless legendary galleons were docked, its size seemed relatively inconspicuous.
Only the heavy, blood-red pirate flag flying proudly from the highest mast made the more knowledgeable, veteran pirates on the docks freeze in absolute terror.
"Is that... no, it can't be... is that the flag of the Crimson Empire?!"
"Hey, hey, hey! You've got to be kidding me! The Flame Emperor is actually here too?!"
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