Chapter 112 - Shanks' Road to Becoming Emperor

Sea Circle Calendar, July 1513 - New World

This has been anything but a quiet year.

Starting in March, the Red Hair Pirates once again set sail, taking on Ochoku. This clash marked a new chapter since the skirmishes in 1511. Both sides met again on the high seas.

Over the past two years, the Red Hair Pirates have honed their skills, boosting their strength to a new level—enough to make even Captain John wary. Still, Shanks didn't wish for unnecessary bloodshed, so he avoided all-out war. Instead, he opted for a series of hit-and-run attacks, each leaving its mark while keeping his crew safe. These calculated strikes weakened John's forces bit by bit.

The reason for this approach was clear: though Shanks' crew had trained and grown stronger, they were still outnumbered. Direct confrontation, even if successful, would likely end in heavy losses. John, after all, was a former top member of the Rocks Pirates, notorious and backed by a crew of seasoned warriors.

John's forces had taken control of Pirate Paradise, Hachinosu Island, drawing nearly 3,000 followers. For Shanks, picking off John's forces in small doses seemed the only way to level the playing field against one of the Four Emperors.

Shanks' guerrilla tactics were proving effective, and even Luffy and his crew would later adopt similar methods, exploiting gaps to wear down powerful foes.

By May, Captain John took matters into his own hands, attempting a full assault to crush the Red Hair Pirates—but to no avail. After a string of failed attacks, he retreated to Hachinosu Island and refused to budge, taking up a defensive stance that invited Shanks to face him on his home turf.

For many, Captain John's age and tactics were becoming apparent. The older pirate preferred to let his wealth speak for him, inspiring loyalty through treasure. Unlike the others—Kaido, BIG MOM, and Whitebeard—he didn't rely on sheer might and a fighting spirit.

While Shanks waited patiently, New World was buzzing with activity. The threat wasn't just from Captain John, the other overlords—Kaido, BIG MOM, and Whitebeard—had also once been members of the Rocks Pirates. Any of them could turn against Shanks in a heartbeat. And lurking in the background was the ever-watchful Marine and the World Government.

Just as Shanks anticipated, his stirring of the waters drew attention from another formidable figure.

"Leno, president of the Hunter's Guild, has entered New World!"

Beckman grinned, a cigarette hanging from his lips. "I knew it. Leno and the Hunter's Guild wouldn't stay put in East Blue forever—they'd make their way to New World."

To Shanks and Beckman, this move was no surprise. Over their time together, they had honed their strategic skills, training relentlessly on a remote island, preparing themselves for any scenario.

"After his fight with Kaido, Leno took control of Fish-Men Island and expanded into Paradise and South Blue," Beckman continued.

"The next step was always going to be New World, then perhaps West Blue or North Blue."

Yasopp laughed. "With Whitebeard tied up thanks to Leno, and Kaido and BIG MOM reluctant to leave their territories, things are about to get interesting."

"That's right," Shanks chuckled, scratching his head. "With Leno creating chaos in the New World, we're one step closer to facing off with Captain John."

The crew's spirits lifted. They knew Leno's involvement was shifting the balance, easing the pressure on them.

"Next time we see him, we owe him a drink!" one crewmate cheered.

"Just don't end up fighting him—that guy's a beast!" another joked.

As his crew laughed, Shanks' expression turned serious. The grudge he held against Captain John was deep and personal. His fallen comrades, those lost at the Valley of the Gods, weighed heavily on him. And in that same battle, his own parents had perished.

Meanwhile, on the distant deck of Kaido's ship, the Beasts Pirates' flag billowed in the sea breeze. The formidable Kaido sat atop his throne, a large scar in the shape of "米" on his chest, earned in a brutal battle. His left leg, replaced by a triple-bladed prosthetic, gleamed in the sun, adding to his imposing presence.

Kaido took a swig of his drink, laughing thunderously.

"Worororo! So, Leno's finally made his way to New World!"

Despite the isolation of Wanokuni, Kaido kept an ear to the outside world through alliances, particularly with Doflamingo. Kaido valued Doflamingo's influence in the underworld, and the two found common ground.

With a wry smile, Kaido's thoughts drifted toward his plans in New World. The old order was shifting, and he wasn't about to sit idle. In New World, only the strong survived.

Thinking of the Doflamingo Pirates—Kaido looked over at his daughter.

A pounding headache!

If she weren't his own flesh and blood, he'd have slapped her down by now! He blamed Oden for this…and Leno, too!

It was too late to scold her now.

With a twinge of pain, Kaido picked up his flask and downed several hearty gulps, feeling a bit of the edge wear off. Despite everything, he'd always been more indulgent with her, even if she idolized his enemy, Oden, and claimed to be a man. Time and again, he'd tried to talk sense into her, but he ended up giving in, accepting her choice and calling her "son." That's what fathers do, he supposed. If she had actually been his son, he might have knocked some sense into her by now.

Kaido put down his jug and glanced at Yamato, eyebrows raised. "Hey, you fool, why are you tagging along this time?"

To keep her from mingling with the Wanokuni samurai, he'd confined her to Onigashima, yet here she was, asking to set sail with him.

With her mace resting on her shoulder, Yamato's eyes gleamed with excitement.

"I want to meet the guy who beat you!" she said eagerly. "I'm going to ask him to train me so I can finally take you down myself!"

Kaido: ???

You've got to be kidding! Couldn't she just stay back?

He regretted bringing her along.

Meanwhile, in Totto Land, on Cake Island…

"Katakuri, my dear son, bring the tea party invitation for our guest!" Charlotte Linlin's voice rang out, and a finely crafted invitation floated gracefully into Katakuri's hand.

"Yes, Mama," Katakuri replied, heading for the palace.

The ship was ready, docked at the port, with Katakuri joined by Smoothie, Daifuku, and others. Shanks' sudden strike on Hachinosu sent shockwaves through the New World, rattling the crews of BIG MOM, Kaido, and Whitebeard.

In the chaos, ambitious pirates smelled blood and moved in, eager to seize any foothold they could. Not just the Four Emperors, but kingdoms and factions across the New World felt the quake. While rulers despaired over the flames of war creeping into their lands, others, those hungry for power, grinned as they sensed an opening.

"If Shanks can do it, why can't we? Come on, lads, we're going after the Four Emperors!"

"Hold on! Once Shanks and the old captain clash, we'll sweep in and take the territory. Hahaha!"

These dreamers weren't just aiming for a place among the Four Emperors. Many sought the title of Pirate King itself. But others—Doflamingo, and the like—simply watched from the shadows, secure in their own plans.

Across the New World, West Blue's massive shipyards were bustling. Known for producing titanic vessels, they were revered by sea lords. Here, two years of intense labor had yielded a gleaming "city" of gold. With arms wide, Tesoro beamed at his creation, the Gran Tesoro, his golden fruit power woven into every inch of the colossal vessel.

For the past two years, Tezolo hadn't been idle. Through Doflamingo's connections, he had built casinos worldwide, making him the elite's entertainment king. Tesoro worked with royals, tycoons, and even dealt with the Celestial Dragons, though they saw him only as a tool for profit. Once enslaved, he now seethed with ambition.

"I'll be the god of this world! With money, there's nothing I can't do!" he declared, eyeing the world he intended to dominate with his wealth.

Back at sea, Edward Newgate, the legendary Whitebeard, stood on the deck of the Moby Dick, his weapon in hand. Only six division commanders, including Marco and Vista, accompanied him, as the rest stayed behind to defend their territories.

To Whitebeard, the bond with his "sons" kept his pirate family united. Years ago, the infamous Rocks Pirates disbanded after Roger and Garp crushed them in the Valley of Gods. Whitebeard had then formed the Whitebeard Pirates to create his own family at sea.

So, when the Bagley Pirates were wiped out, Whitebeard took action, determined to protect his crew and defend the honor of their fallen allies. Age had weakened him, yet he thirsted for one more great fight.

Leno was his chosen challenger.

On a deserted island in the Grand Line, Leno, Kuina, Hancock, Luwell, Lucci, Van Augur, and Fukaboshi waited in tense anticipation.

They were here to settle the score, pirate-style.

With Whitebeard's ship docked, his crew stepped out onto the beach opposite Leno's group. Marco, Vista, and others flanked their captain, the Whitebeard Pirates flag flying above their heads—a bone cross adorned with Whitebeard's iconic crescent-shaped mustache.

Grinning, Whitebeard addressed his opponent. "Gu ra ra ra! Leno, you brat! You're making quite a name for yourself!"

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