The Vesper Pirates operated under a far more structured system than most, with an established pirate code that turned Vesper's territory into one of the most stable and developed regions in the New World.
However, this same system deterred many unruly pirates from joining his crew, leading to some gaps in their top-tier combat strength. Even so, the Vesper Pirates remained a dominant force, firmly holding onto their status as one of the sea's greatest powers.
Vesper himself was a master of governance, an empire-builder with an unparalleled ability to generate wealth. He was, without a doubt, the richest pirate in the New World. His influence extended into all industries—even the underworld news network was under his control.
Among the three dominant pirate crews in the New World, the Vesper Pirates boasted the most balanced overall strength. The Ice Demon Pirates and the Rocks Pirates, on the other hand, were nothing more than reckless marauders. They only knew how to pillage, squeezing their territories dry without any long-term strategy. Vesper looked down on them, seeing them as brutes lacking the vision to truly rule.
But what frustrated him the most was his own son, the so-called First of the Nine Kings. Born with immense talent, yet he wasted his days wandering aimlessly, shirking training and responsibility. Vesper feared that once he grew old, his empire would crumble before the ambitions of Rocks, that ravenous wolf.
His son was currently the strongest officer under his command, yet he couldn't even hold his own against the captains of up-and-coming pirate crews. On a recent adventure, he was even pursued and beaten back by them.
It was humiliating.
If Vesper hadn't personally stepped in to wound and chase those captains back to the remote seas, his useless son might not have even dared to leave the Ten Kings Islands again.
And now? Who knew where he had disappeared to on his latest so-called adventure? Had he even received the summons?
...
This year, Vesper had noticed something strange—an abnormal surge of powerful rookies. There were far too many rising stars, many of them possessing extraordinary talents, even wielding top-tier Devil Fruits.
Years ago, an Ohara scholar had once told him that every few decades, the world saw a wave of exceptional figures emerging simultaneously, striving to change the course of history.
Vesper had always dismissed it as nonsense—until he came across the indestructible Poneglyphs. Out of sheer curiosity, he had made a rubbing of one and sent it to that scholar. That was when he first began to glimpse the hidden truths of the world.
As he ascended to power, he became increasingly certain: the World Government was suppressing some great secret. The existence of the "D" Clan was no coincidence. He began to suspect that some unseen force was indeed responsible for these periodic surges in powerful individuals.
And now, he found himself at the heart of such an era. Even as a ruler of the seas, he had to tread carefully, lest he be swept away in this relentless tide of strength.
To survive, he needed to act. Instead of wasting resources clashing with these emerging threats, he planned to consolidate power. Less valuable islands would be abandoned, and the Ten Kings Islands would become his impenetrable stronghold. His officers were forbidden from engaging these rising stars recklessly—any conflict had to be absolute, leaving no survivors or future threats.
Even Vesper himself would need to adapt. Perhaps it was time to take a page from Rocks' book—personally subjugating powerful rookies to expand his crew. If not, he could always let Rocks defeat some of them first and then swoop in, offering salvation in exchange for loyalty. This method could prove even more effective than brute force.
The Rocks Pirates had grown immensely by absorbing countless pirate crews through sheer might. But their strength was fragile—internal strife ran rampant. The moment Rocks showed weakness, his empire would crumble.
Their philosophy of survival through dominance disgusted Vesper. He was the architect of the pirate code; even pirates had to have principles.
Some believed the "D" Clan was the natural enemy of the Celestial Dragons, destined to liberate the world. But watching Rocks' brutality, Vesper couldn't bring himself to believe in such a legend. He trusted only in his own power and the structure he had built.
...
Half a day had passed, and most of the Nine Kings had arrived on Madagascar Island. The only one missing was his son.
"Captain Vesper, why did you summon us? I'm busy dealing with Rocks' expanding influence—he's starting to encroach on my territory! When I get back, I swear I'll take down Ochoku myself!"
Orion, the ruler of Newga Island, rubbed his bald head with frustration. He and Ochoku hailed from the same ancient nation, yet something about the man irritated him to no end.
"That's right, Captain. The Rocks Pirates are becoming increasingly audacious, expanding their forces without restraint. They clearly don't take us seriously anymore," added Salem, the self-proclaimed smartest of the Nine Kings. He absentmindedly stroked the small monkey on his shoulder, eyes gleaming with a sharpness that suggested he was already considering a preemptive strike against Rocks.
The Ice Demon Pirates, on the other hand, were an entirely different kind of threat. Made up of colossal, cold-resistant giants, they had even welcomed members from Elbaf into their ranks. With lifespans three to four times longer than humans, they were the longest-standing of the three great pirate crews.
They had existed for centuries, maintaining their grip over the frigid seas. Fortunately, their obsession with cold climates limited their expansion, keeping their impact on the broader New World in check. Decades ago, Elbaf's legendary Giant Warrior Pirates had mysteriously disbanded, granting the Ice Demon Pirates a rare opportunity to extend their domain.
But in the grand scheme of things, their expansion had been minor. Rocks, however, was a different beast. His meteoric rise had sent ripples of chaos throughout the New World. The explosion of new talent—both rookies and Devil Fruit users—had only made things worse.
"The tides of history are shifting. The New World is entering a period of upheaval, and even the three great pirate crews won't remain untouched."
Vesper's tone was grave. Rocks' power had nearly caught up to their own. Intelligence reports suggested that the leader of the Ice Demon Pirates was nearing his end, and his successor was as much of a failure as Vesper's own son.
But unlike the Ice Demon Pirates, Vesper was not willing to leave the future to chance.
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