https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1040-If-the-lord-finds-him-useful-he-must-be-useful-/13540780/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1042-Destruction-of-My-Beautiful-Dining-Space-/13540837/
Chapter 1041: Let the Navy See My Might
Chapter 1041: Let the Navy See My Might
"Faritear·Joshua?"
Kas and Wilbur exchanged glances. Wilbur pondered briefly before replying, "That joke from the newspaper caught Kuromr.'s attention. Since there's confirmed contact, I heard Astartes' Faya Principality is becoming a member state. Kuromr. might’ve gone there for that reason. But now that Klah said this, it means something went wrong there."
Kas nodded grimly: "A major problem—one even trapping Kuromr. in an identity he can’t resolve."
David mused, "Astartes?"
He gazed at the New World map on the table. That region lay on the unexpanded side of their influence. Connecting to Astartes would require piercing through laterally, but it also meant one thing: once linked, the New World's influence beyond the World Government would be encircled by Dressrosa's power.
In other words, they'd become the external force isolating the World Government, controlling all information flow between them.
"There are risks", David said. "But also opportunities. Success means becoming a thin veil separating the New World and World Government. We could consolidate the New World while blocking the World Government's reach. However, failure would weaken our combat strength. What do you think?"
"I'm all for it!" Kas declared fiercely. "Justice demands sacrifice—I’ll be the spearhead!"
"No", Wilbur countered. "Kas, this is something the Navy can’t directly handle. Leave it to David. But even David alone would struggle to confront the New World's pirates without drawing attention."
"Exactly. Perhaps we can leverage the pirates we’ve recruited... Wait, that’s it!"
David suddenly froze, eyes widening with realization. "That’s the solution! Expanding Dressrosa’s influence to cut off the World Government and New World would be too obvious, but pirates can do it. If our 'Justice Corps' recruits and conquers pirates, secretly placing them under us, we could achieve this without alerting the World Government or threatening New World pirates!"
"Brilliant!" Wilbur enthused. "Perfect, David! That’s spot-on!"
"Pirates..."
Kas frowned, his loyalty to the Navy clashing with the idea. Pirates were criminals by nature, anathema to Justice. But this was Dressrosa’s affair, not the Navy’s, and aligned with Kuromr.’s orders—orders that never erred. Perhaps pirates required a more nuanced perspective. At least he didn’t dislike Dragon King or Liu Sheng Shi Hu.
"Let them handle it for now. We’ll assess their results."
David concluded, "This will take time. First, contact Joshua and hear his thoughts."
...
Several days later, on the Grand Line.
Several pirate ships sailed under a Jolly Roger bearing a skull wearing a captain’s hat, head slightly bowed, pierced by crossed swords. Sam William’s crew.
After their clash with Luffy’s crew in Wano Country’s Inland Sea, they’d retreated. William realized he lacked the qualifications to challenge Kaido.
That Luffy was formidable. Their battle ended in a draw, but Luffy’s Haki strikes carried a familiar power—Conqueror’s Haki infused into attacks. Even as a Logia user dodging swiftly, William felt unnerved.
In Luffy’s words, it was "Conqueror’s Haki Infusion." Who knew Conqueror’s Haki could be encased like that?
Beyond their stalemate, his remaining crew couldn’t match Luffy’s forces—too many elites on the other side.
Only three elites stood with William, but Luffy’s crew was stacked with top-tier fighters. Roronoa Zoro and Vinsmoke·Sanji were evenly matched against his subordinates, but Jinbei proved a nightmare—only William himself could handle him.
Though they’d fought to a standstill, prolonging the battle would’ve meant defeat. William withdrew immediately.
He might be arrogant, but not foolish. During combat, he gathered intel: Luffy was allying to topple Kaido and Charlotte·Big Mom. If even Luffy, backed by an elite crew, sought allies, Kaido’s strength—and his subordinates’—must be immense. Not a path William could tread yet.
Thus, after the fight, he left Wano Country. As a Steam-Logia, entering and exiting Wano was effortless.
Still, the battle wasn’t fruitless. Luffy might be reckless, but that power could indeed make him the Fifth Emperor—a title William’s countless battles told him wasn’t entirely exaggerated. Luffy might not yet deserve the name, but he came close.
And if William had matched Luffy, didn’t that elevate him to the second-tier Great Pirates under the Sea Emperor?
Excellent!
This victory bolstered William’s confidence. He could establish himself in the New World as a Great Pirate, expanding his influence.
His officers shared this confidence too. After all, their captain had matched the world’s proclaimed Fifth Emperor. In the New World, they could stand tall.
"Captain!"
A lookout shouted from the crow’s nest, "A Warship ahead!"
"A Warship?" William narrowed his eyes. "In the New World? This isn’t World Government territory. What kind of Warship?"
"Ordinary one. Can’t see the crew. It’s heading our way."
"Hmph", William sneered. "I used to fear the Navy, but here in the New World, they don’t rule. My men—close in! Let them taste our pirate crew’s strength! And remind the Navy—it’s time my Bounty rose!"
After countless battles—even matching the 1.5 billion-Bounty Luffy—his Bounty remained at 100 million. That was the Navy’s incompetence.
He’d show them how to do their job properly!
In the New World, a higher Bounty would only benefit his future ambitions.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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