Chapter 114 : Big Mom and Ace??

A month later, in an unknown sea of the New World, the Thousand Sunny sped forward, cutting through the waves.

On the deck, Buggy was half-lying on a beach chair, reading the latest newspaper. Boa Hancock stood behind him, massaging his shoulders, while Domino stood beside them, her face expressionless as she held a Den Den Mushi that was currently in the middle of a conversation.

"Fuhahaha, the New World has been in utter chaos lately!"

"Ever since Red-Haired Shanks became the Marine Fleet Admiral, the whereabouts of the Red-Haired Pirates have been unknown. The pirate crews that once operated under his banner have become like a snake without its head, scattered and hunted down like rats in the streets!"

"After the news of Whitebeard's death spread, his territories became unclaimed and turned into a free-for-all!"

"At first, it was just some insignificant small fry hopping around on Whitebeard's land, but as various powers started joining in, the situation shifted, and now a four-way stalemate has formed!"

"Former Second Division Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, Fire Fist Ace, has gathered the remnants of Whitebeard's crew and taken control of a small portion of Whitebeard's territories!"

"Big Mom of the Four Emperors sent two of her Sweet Commanders, Charlotte Katakuri and Charlotte Cracker, along with a number of siblings to seize a large portion of Whitebeard's former territories!"

"Meanwhile, the old-timers of the past era couldn't sit still either. Ochoku of Pirate Paradise Hive Island took advantage of the situation and occupied part of Whitebeard's territories as well!"

"Lastly, there's our Cross Guild's colleagues, who have been actively expanding and have taken territories almost as vast as those under the Big Mom Pirates!"

"These four powers are interlocked in a continuous struggle, each one trying to devour the other's territory!"

"Right now, that bastard Blackbeard is consolidating his forces and plans to make Ochoku his first target. He not only wants Ochoku to give up the territories he took but also aims to swallow up Ochoku's entire force and turn Hive Island into his main base!"

"And the Big Mom Pirates are fully committed to taking down Fire Fist Ace's territories, tracking down his whereabouts."

"Moreover, Big Mom herself has made it known—she wants Fire Fist Ace captured alive so she can personally birth a dozen or twenty sons with the Pirate King's bloodline, fuhahaha."

At this point, Doflamingo couldn't help but burst into laughter!

Hearing this, Buggy's mind involuntarily conjured up a horrifying image of Ace being tormented by Big Mom until he was unrecognizable. He couldn't help but twitch at the thought!

Buggy let out a light sigh, mourning Ace in his heart for three seconds, hoping Ace wouldn't get captured by Big Mom's crew!

"By the way," at that moment, Doflamingo seemed to have thought of something and said, "Big Mom has also put out word for you!"

Buggy's face instantly contorted, and he asked in a serious tone, "What? Does she want my bloodline too?"

Doflamingo nodded and chuckled, "Hehehe, that's exactly it! But she won't come herself; she wants to pick one of her daughters for a marriage alliance with you!"

"Oh, did she say who it is?"

Upon hearing this, Buggy's expression relaxed immediately. Well, this was a conversation worth having! A few of Big Mom's daughters were actually quite impressive!

For instance, he could consider Charlotte Smoothie, Charlotte Galette, Charlotte Pudding, and some others!

Doflamingo shook his head. "She didn't specify, though. What? Are you really considering this?"

Buggy replied nonchalantly, "Let's see how it goes. You continue!"

Doflamingo didn't pry further and continued discussing the latest developments in the New World. "The situation with the Red-Haired Pirates' territory has become much clearer!"

"At first, those pirate crews who had grievances with the Red-Haired Pirates began seeking revenge on the smaller crews affiliated with them, leading to battles everywhere!"

"Then the Beasts Pirates made their move and swept through the territories of the Red-Haired Pirates like a tornado. Those smaller pirate crews either submitted or were wiped out!"

"Now, the entire territory of the Red-Haired Pirates is on the verge of being completely occupied by the Beasts Pirates!"

"However, because Shanks was never particularly keen on seizing territories, the Red-Haired Pirates' lands were already the smallest among the Four Emperors, almost equal to the territory currently held by Big Mom's crew!"

Buggy pondered for a moment and asked, "What about this year's Supernovas? They should have all entered the New World by now. Have they made any moves?"

Doflamingo disdainfully replied, "They're just a bunch of reckless youngsters! If it were any other year, they might already be on their way to challenge the Emperors. But this year… with the New World in such chaos, they probably can't even find their bearings!"

"Anyway, they haven't made a single move these days!"

Buggy pondered for a moment and said, "We need more information about them; some among them have quite a bit of potential! What about the situation with the Navy? How is their large-scale recruitment going?"

Hearing this, Donquixote Doflamingo chuckled, "Heh heh heh, what Navy are you talking about? So far, their recruitment has only gathered a bunch of useless drifters!"

"According to my insider information, some important positions at Navy Headquarters have already been taken over by the World Government!"

"I reckon it won't be long before the Navy becomes just as loyal to the World Government as CP does!"

Buggy frowned and asked, "Aren't the remaining high-ranking officials in the Navy putting up any resistance?"

Doflamingo laughed, "Heh heh heh, they'd love to, but they don't have a chance at all!"

"Since a month ago, all officers at the rank of rear admiral and above, including the three Admirals of the Navy, have been sent by Red-Haired Shanks to the first half of the Grand Line and the four seas to suppress pirates. There are no high-ranking officials left at Navy Headquarters!"

"So Shanks, no, the orders from the World Government have been flowing smoothly, easily taking over all the important positions!"

"What a clever strategy, cutting off the source! The World Government really knows how to play their cards!" Buggy sneered but then looked puzzled, "Wait, how did they send all three Admirals away? Doesn't Navy Headquarters need protection? Doesn't Mariejois need guarding?"

"Just Shanks alone probably can't hold off those restless pirates!"

Doflamingo replied, "You're right. That's why a piece of unverified news is circulating across the seas!"

"That is, the missing Red-Haired Pirates are currently stationed at Navy Headquarters!"

"Though this news hasn't been confirmed, according to my insider information, it's almost a sure thing!"

"The Red-Haired Pirates are known for their small but elite troops! With them around, they wouldn't even fear another Emperor crew!"