Cannon fodder!!

As time passed, all parties actively prepared for war.

Meanwhile, almost every day, countless people worldwide eagerly awaited the arrival of the news bird.

With the emergence of sea kings around the world, effectively blocking communication between islands, many islands became isolated. The only way to get the latest world news was through newspapers delivered daily by the news bird.

As the president of the world's largest news agency, Morgans, known for big news, couldn't help but treat Nicholas like his own father.

His news agency felt like it was celebrating the New Year every day.

Almost every day's news was enough to occupy the front page headline in the past!

Today was no exception, as several breaking news items were published in the newspaper.

Commander-in-Chief Kong was dismissed from his position by the World Government and imprisoned for dereliction of duty.

Simultaneously, the World Government issued a war mobilization order to its allied member states, demanding they all dispatch troops to suppress the rebellion.

Another piece of news also involved the World Government: thirteen member states, including Lulusia, announced their secession from the World Government.

Meanwhile, the Navy began actively sweeping the seas to eliminate pirates.

As for why the sea kings surrounding the islands didn't attack the Navy ships, many believed it was because the Navy used seastone technology on the bottom of their ships.

...

The most sought-after news by the world's press was anything related to Nicholas and his pirate crew.

After all, everyone following the LodeStar Island incident knew the significant role Nicholas played in this global revolutionary war.

The media was desperate to obtain any information about the Nicholas Pirates.

Of course, this desperation was more figurative; no one actually took action.

It's not that they didn't want to act, but they didn't have the strength.

Similarly, many well-known pirates in the New World were beginning to head to the Land of Wano.

They weren't coming to defeat Nicholas to prove anything; they wanted to join him.

With the deaths of Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, Whitebeard's retirement, and Red-Haired Shanks forming an alliance with Nicholas, the original Four Emperors' balance in the New World had been completely disrupted.

If they didn't hurry up and join, they might be in trouble if Nicholas set his sights on them.

Joining instead of fighting is quite normal among pirates.

After all, the pirate world often respects strength and follows the law of the jungle. This is especially true in the New World.

So, instead of saying they want to join Nicholas, it's better to say they don't want to attract his hostility.

Moreover, the situation at sea was becoming increasingly dire.

With the World Government and the Navy at war, even the most fearless pirates were losing their sense of security.

Having a powerful person leading the charge could provide them some safety.

...

"Knock knock."

The door was knocked on.

Nicholas looked towards the door.

"Come in."

Creak—

Brook pushed the door open, took off his hat, and bowed to Nicholas, saying, "Captain, over two thousand pirates have already arrived in Wano, and more are coming..."

"Oh, so many already?"

Nicholas was slightly surprised to hear Brook's report.

"Yes, among them, some want to use your name, some have ambitions they wish to realize, and others have different intentions."

Brook's words were simple, but he hinted that the pirates who had come to pledge allegiance had their own hidden agendas and were not genuinely loyal.

"How are things going on June's side?"

"Miss June said that even if the number increases tenfold, the ferocious medicine supply will still be sufficient."

Brook replied seriously.

"Then there's no problem. No matter what their hidden agendas are, they are destined to be cannon fodder. And isn't it better to have more cannon fodder in this battle? After all, someone has to wear down the World Government's resources."

Nicholas said with a smile, looking out the window.

...

As more and more pirates flocked to Nicholas, when Kizaru arrived in Wano, he sensed thousands of pirates with his Observation Haki as soon as he set foot on the land.

At a glance, there were at least three to four thousand of them.

Kizaru's appearance immediately shocked a group of pirates. After all, his reputation preceded him; as one of the three Admirals of the Navy, his strength was terrifying, and even imagining it could scare them.

"Why did a Navy Admiral dare to come here?!"

"Is Kizaru's appearance here because the Navy fleet has arrived in Wano?"

"Damn it, the Navy dares to come here! Are they planning to attack Wano?"

"You idiots, don't you read the news? The Navy has already formed an alliance with the Revolutionary Army and Lord Nicholas! Strictly speaking, Kizaru is our ally!"

"What the heck! What kind of bizarre alliance is this? Pirates and the Navy?"

"The Navy is going to fight the World Government and the Celestial Dragons! If you don't read the news, why be a pirate? You won't even know how you die!"

"Hey, say that again, I dare you!"

"Try me, and we'll see who's scared!"

A chaotic chatter broke out among the pirates.

"Hmm, there's quite a lot of cannon fodder..."

Kizaru glanced at the pirates and then transformed into light, flying towards Nicholas's location.

As Kizaru arrived in Wano, a pirate ship approached the country's coast.

"Katakuri, are you really going alone?"

On the ship's deck, Brûlée looked worriedly at the man at the front, gazing at the giant elephant's skeleton near Wano and the torn stone walls.

The man was tall, with red hair, a stitched scar on his cheek, and a ferocious mouth. Despite a somewhat handsome upper face, his menacing lower half stood out. Dressed in a punk metal outfit, Katakuri held his trident, Mogura, and stared intently at the breached stone walls of Wano.

Hearing Brûlée's question, Katakuri shook his head, "Lower the small boat, Brûlée."

Though reluctant, Brûlée ordered the small boat to be lowered.

"Don't worry, Brûlée, I'll be fine."

Katakuri nodded, jumped onto the small boat with his trident, and headed toward Wano.

"Katakuri..."

Soon, Katakuri's small boat reached Wano's port.

Looking at the old site of Wano, submerged for over 800 years, Katakuri seemed lost in thought.

"Katakuri?"

As he surveyed the old Wano site, a voice called out. Looking towards the source, Katakuri saw a skeleton in formal attire, leaning on a cane sword, seemingly waiting for him.

This skeleton was someone Katakuri knew.

Soul King, Herald of the Underworld, Manipulator of Souls, Undead, Brook.

Seeing Katakuri look over, Brook laughed, "Yohohoho! Since you've come, follow me; the Captain is waiting for you."

Following Brook, Katakuri quickly entered a hidden staircase leading upward. After passing through stairs and steps, Brook soon led Katakuri into the Flower Capital.