148. The Era Of Four Emperors!

If you want to artificially make the Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Phoenix, you need to get Marco's bloodline factor.

Of course.

It's not just Marco's Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Phoenix that Rob wants; even Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability is on his list.

Although Rob has no intention of eating the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, if he gets it, he could give it to Makino, so she can also have the Paramecia class Devil Fruit, or use its power to create an ability weapon.

The power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit is unparalleled!

So--

Rob wants to go to the Whitebeard Pirates, make a deal with Whitebeard and Marco, and get the bloodline factors of both peacefully!

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Robin sat down on the lawn on the deck, looking worried:

"It's just that neither Whitebeard nor Marco would easily hand over something like that to us, right?"

Rob had a confident smile on his face.

He opened his mouth and said:

"That's because the benefits aren't enough, so they won't agree!"

"Next - from the blood of Kaido, King, and Jack, I will once again extract the power of the three Zoans, the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon, Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Model: Pteranodon, Elephant-Elephant Fruit, Ancient Zoan Model: Mammoth, and create artificial Devil Fruits from them!"

"Trade Whitebeard for his and Marco's bloodline factors with these three artificial Devil Fruits we don't need!"

After hearing what Rob said, Robin nodded thoughtfully:

"One Mythical Zoan, two Ancient Zoans... at this price, it's indeed worth exchanging for one Mythical Zoan and one of the strongest Paramecia! But would Whitebeard believe in artificial Devil Fruits?"

Touching his chin, Rob said:

"Indeed! This is a problem! I don't know how to convince Whitebeard... well! We'll cross that bridge when we get there! Let's focus on making these three Devil Fruits first!"

Hearing Rob's words without a solid plan, Robin smiled helplessly:

"Alright!"

The three Devil Fruits haven't been created yet, so there's no need to think too much for now.

Quickly, the four simply forgot about the Whitebeard deal.

Five days later.

On a small winter island in the New World!

In the temporary small camp, Rob was wearing a cloak, sitting by the campfire, waiting for Makino to prepare today's dinner while reading the latest newspaper that just arrived!

The headlines on the front page were interesting:

[One of the three major overlords of the New World, the Beasts Pirates suffered a disastrous defeat for the first time! A large number of elites were killed, leaving only "Conflagration"-King and "Drought"-Jack surviving!]

[After defeating "The Strongest Man in the World," Rob once again claimed the title of "Strongest creature"!]

[The Red-Haired Pirates have once again expanded their power and have the potential to become the fourth overlord of the New World! Perhaps in the near future, the New World will witness the reign of the "Four Great Pirate Emperors"!]

The news these days was explosive!

About five days ago, the fight between Rob's group and the Beasts Pirates was widely reported by Morgans. Not only did Rob's reputation grow, but Robin, Makino, and even the youngest, Uta, became famous!

After all, with only four people, they destroyed the elite Beasts Pirates led by Kaido himself, leaving Kaido defeated and returning to Wano Country's base camp with King and Jack severely injured!

In addition to Robin, who was already quite powerful, the fighting prowess of Makino and Uta impressed many on the sea, making people think twice before underestimating them.

Even though there were only four of them, this battle showed that they had the same power as the overlords of the sea, almost equal in strength.

Compared with the other sea overlords, the only difference with Rob's group was that they didn't have any bounties, territory, or a large fleet under their command.

They were not official overlords, but a special existence like one!

Of course, much was written about Rob's group, but another headline focused on the rise of Shanks and his Red-Haired Pirates, drawing significant attention from all the forces on the sea.

Even though Rob's group had not shown any intention to rule a territory, the strong rise of the Red-Haired Pirates made many realize that Shanks wanted a piece of the New World.

For those with established power and interests, it was clear who posed the bigger threat.

"If there are no accidents, within this year——"

After reading the newspaper, Rob said with a smile on his face:

"The Red-Haired Pirates will climb to the top of the New World's sea, and then this sea area will enter the era of the Emperor! When the 'Four Emperors' pattern is formed, the rest with influence in the New World will see their power diminish quickly!"

"Even the Marines, who still have a presence in the New World, are very likely to lose control over this sea area significantly! By then, the New World will be a sea area like a nightmare."

Hearing these words, Robin, who was making soup over the campfire, was taken aback.

She turned to look at Rob:

"Then do we have to leave the New World again, Oni-chan?"

Rob shook his head casually:

"No need! Whether the 'Four Emperors' pattern appears or not, whatever happens in the New World, it won't impact what we want to do! Few among the 'Four Emperors' would want to be our enemies!"

The four of them had no need to leave the New World because of the upcoming chaos.

Hearing Rob's assurance, Robin didn't ask any more questions.

Since future changes won't affect their voyage, there's no problem. She trusted that her Oni-chan would handle everything, so she didn't need to worry.

Everything—

Just leave it to Oni-chan to decide.

Time flew by.

In the meantime, the Red-Haired Pirates took large-scale actions, claiming islands as their own territories, and forming subordinate pirate groups. The New World, which had just stabilized for a short time, became chaotic once again.

Under such circumstances, three months passed.

Unaffected, Rob's group continued sailing in the New World. During these three months, Rob successfully created the first perfect artificial Devil Fruits:

- Mythical Zoan Artificial Fish-Fish Fruit Model: Azure Dragon

- Ancient Zoan Artificial Dragon-Dragon Fruit Model: Pteranodon

- Ancient Zoan Artificial Elephant-Elephant Fruit Model: Mammoth 

These Devil Fruits were perfect not only in their abilities but also in replicating the colors of the ability users.

Of course, the side effects that Devil Fruits typically have remained the same!

"Let's find another Zoan user!"

Looking at the three perfectly crafted artificial Devil Fruits in a small box, Rob stroked his chin:

"If I want Whitebeard to believe that my artificial Devil Fruits are no different from the originals, the best way is to let him witness someone eating one and using its abilities perfectly!"

After hearing what Rob said, Robin, who was helping him, thought for a while and said:

"This method works!"

Quickly, after deciding on the next voyage plan, Rob contacted his intelligence source, Ms. Stussy, bought the information on the potential Devil Fruit user from her, and set his plan into motion.

Two months later, the rise of the Red-Haired Pirates in the New World created larger waves.

After the Red-Haired Pirates planted flags on numerous islands, they began targeting some islands under Marine protection, though not strongly guarded.

The clash between the Red-Haired Pirates and the Marines began!

As the Red-Haired Pirates advanced, the Beasts Pirates, still recovering from heavy losses, seized the opportunity to act, quickly annexing islands managed by the Marines.

Soon after, the Big Mom Pirates made their move towards Marine-controlled islands.

Following them, the Whitebeard Pirates also targeted Marine territories!

The four sea overlords, without prior cooperation, seemed to agree on reducing the Marine's influence in the New World, aiming to turn the entire sea area into one ruled by them.

During this period, the collective term "Four Emperors" began to be associated with the Whitebeard Pirates, Beasts Pirates, Big Mom Pirates, and the rising Red-Haired Pirates.

As the term "Four Emperors" gained traction, the Marines gradually lost their control over the New World. This shift was constantly highlighted by the world's largest economic newspaper, cementing the "Four Emperors" in the global consciousness.

Meanwhile, Rob's group didn't attract as much attention for a while, which was expected.

After all, the tides of the times were advancing rapidly, and Rob wasn't someone who sought attention frequently. So, it was natural for him to be out of the spotlight temporarily.

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