One Piece: Lightning's Heir

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The West Blue: known throughout the world as the strongest of the Four Blues!

This claim wasn't without basis, nor was it mere idle talk.

On the surface, various countries in the West Blue more or less sponsored obscure Pirate groups, using them to plunder resources and wealth.

Among them, the Kano Country's famed Happo Navy was in reality, a Pirate crew. Its current leader was Don Chinjao, with a bounty exceeding 500 million, and has the "Conqueror's Haki," a power found in only one in several million!

However, five or six years ago, he was defeated by the Marine Hero, "Iron Fist" Garp, in a single punch. Garp flattened Chinjao's prized, drill-shaped head. From then on, Chinjao had faded into obscurity, dedicating himself to training the next generation.

These were just the things on the surface.

In the shadows, various Mafia families operated with impunity.

The most famous among them were the Four Families of the West!

Capone Bege was still young and hadn't yet unified his forces. He couldn't yet claim the title of Leader of the Fifth Mafia family.

Such a chaotic landscape naturally gave rise to lawless individuals.

Therefore, the West Blue was called the strongest sea, and no one disputed it.

Although the Marines were incredibly powerful, the New World was in turmoil, with legendary Pirates carving out territories, leaving them with no time to spare and their reach limited. They couldn't control the chaos in the West Blue, thus fostering its fierce character.

As a result, merchant ships at sea were rare. Those that did sail were either designated trade ships between countries, protected by warships, or those confident in the strength of their own escorts, or those risking their lives for profit.

...

On the route to Capone Bege's headquarters, a merchant fleet, flying the flag of a certain family, was surrounded by Pirates.

The merchant fleet's highly-paid guards had already drawn their swords, facing off against the Pirates. A bloody clash was imminent if negotiations failed.

Inside the merchant ship, the corpulent merchant wiped away his greasy sweat with a white handkerchief, anxiously awaiting the outcome of the negotiations between the guards and the Pirates.

After all, to do business in the relatively chaotic West Blue, one needed connections. He naturally knew that most of these Pirates were sent by other countries or Mafia families to plunder wealth.

If a peaceful passage could be secured at a minimal cost, it would benefit both sides. If negotiations failed and a fight broke out, no one wanted to see that.

Training loyal guards was very difficult!

"Ola Fursten—Why has the 'toll' increased so much? Last time it was only 500,000 Belly. Now it's increased tenfold, to 5 million? Are you trying to break the rules?"

The leader of the merchant fleet's guards was a burly man, standing three meters tall, with a full beard. He was furious, rebuking the Pirate leader blocking their way.

If he wasn't afraid of casualties among his men, the guard leader would have ordered a boarding action to teach them a lesson. They were all making a living at sea. Why make things so difficult?

"Hahahahaha! Today, you'll pay, whether you want to or not!" The Pirate leader surrounding the merchant ship was of average height, his face reddened from years of exposure to the sea wind. His bare torso was covered in various scars, a frightening sight.

"The owner of this sea lane has just changed. It's now under the leadership of Boss Capone Bege. If you're not happy, come and fight!"

"Fight!!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The Pirates on the Pirate ship, or those swimming in the sea, immediately roared in unison. Their eyes shone with bloodlust.

"Capone Bege? That young upstart who hopes to become the fifth Mafia family in the West Blue?" The guard leader's heart sank. He immediately felt that things were going to get messy.

Usually, the leaders of these underworld forces, in order to quickly spread their name, needed to be ruthless. This was an unwritten rule, known to almost everyone who operated in the West Blue.

In short, it was to establish their dominance, to let people know they were not to be trifled with.

"Haha, it turns out that Capone Bege's forces have taken over this sea lane. Congratulations!" The obese merchant ship owner emerged from behind the guard leader, a forced smile on his face. "This small sum will be my gift to Boss Bege for his ascension!"

With that, a guard immediately brought over a box. When it was opened, it revealed stacks of Belly, fresh from the press, totaling exactly five million!

The guard leader took the box, closed it forcefully, and with a burst of strength, threw it towards the Pirate ship a hundred yards away.

"Oh? fat pig, you're pretty sensible, aren't you?" The Pirate leader, Ola Fursten, said in surprise, catching the box and quickly opening it, counting the money to confirm it was all there.

"Alright! Seeing as you're cooperative, we'll let you pass!!"

He waved his hand, and the Pirate ships made way for a passage just wide enough for the merchant fleet to pass through.

Just as the merchant fleet was about to set sail, a small boat approached, propelled by the wind. The Pirate on board shouted loudly.

"Captain, another ship is coming from behind!"

"Oh??"

The Pirate leader, Ola Fursten, looked towards the distant sea. He indeed saw a ship advancing rapidly with the wind. It would likely reach them in less than two minutes.

...

The approaching ship wasn't large, but its speed was incredibly fast, clearly not an ordinary vessel.

Ola Fursten had good eyesight. He instantly recognized it as a decommissioned Marine warship that had been modified. Because of its heavy weight, it sat low in the water, but that didn't affect its sailing at all.

At the bow of this ship stood two figures, a man and a woman, both young, seemingly not even adults.

Suddenly...

Ola Fursten shuddered, his eyes bulging. His hands and feet trembled slightly, as if a gentle sea breeze could knock him over.

He recognized who it was!

The woman was the former princess of the Mafia before Capone Bege took over, Aurora, the precious daughter of his former boss.

The one who made him shudder wasn't Aurora, but the other figure, the one standing beside Aurora, standing tall and proud in the sea breeze.

Three hours ago, a rumor had spread from Elbak Island.

Aurora had appeared with a Logia-type Rumble-Rumble Fruit user. He had killed Capone Bege's trusted subordinate, Gotti, with a single strike.

Den Den Mushi were incredibly convenient for communication. And for people like them, who lived on the edge, information was as vital as their lives!

Logia-type Devil Fruits were symbols of invincibility in the Four Blues! What could be used to fight against that?

Ola Fursten, though a Pirate leader, was not very strong. He could only play games in a corner of the West Blue. But his keen eye and intuition had allowed him to escape death countless times, so he trusted his instincts implicitly...

Staying here would put his life in danger!

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