Chapter 577: 5.295 Billion Belly! (6k)

Chapter 577: 5.295 Billion Belly! (6k)



The sun bathed the streets of Wano in a warm glow, reflecting off the cobblestones.

After the smoke of battle had cleared, Wano was adorned in festive attire. Lanterns hung high, swaying gently in the breeze, creating a rustling sound.

Along the streets, everyone donned their finest attire, their faces radiating joy and peace after the victory.

Not only had they been well-fed these past few days, but now there was a grand feast!

An array of delectable foods, unseen before, were laid out on long tables and temporary stalls manned by chefs. People gathered around, holding dishes they had acquired from the chefs, laughing and enjoying the entertainment. Geishas performed alongside foreign musicians with guitars, creating a harmonious blend of diverse music and dance.

On the first floor of the Dead Star, a grand banquet hall was also in full swing, though it couldn't compare in scale to the massive celebration in Wano with its countless attendees.

Marika had arranged for the chefs from the Ohara Royal Palace to personally prepare the feast, using the finest ingredients once reserved for the exclusive consumption of Sage. The finest wines were also served to those privileged enough to be invited to the banquet hall.

In the lavishly decorated hall, guests were seated at round tables, each laden with exquisite dishes. However, no one touched the food; instead, they gazed expectantly at the empty, velvet-covered lion-head throne at the front.

From the side, a plump man approached.

Link strolled to the center, his eyes meeting the crowd's gaze and the live Den Den Mushi broadcasting to all the territories controlled by the Calamity Pirates. With a smile, he introduced himself, "Many of you may know me, but allow me to reintroduce myself. I am the loyal subordinate of Norton Sag, the merchant of Ohara, and one of the most devoted followers of 'Calamity' Norton Sag."

"Currently, I serve as the Minister of Finance for Calamity and the Chief of Staff under Lady Lily's command."

He surveyed the room and continued with a smile, "Let me kick things off by introducing our current organization. First of all..."

He extended his hand and pointed towards a large group of people at the back, raising his voice, "From our territories in Ohara, we have the station commanders of the forty-three discovered islands and representatives of our subordinate battle fleets!"

"Ohhhh!!!"

A cheer erupted from that group, and at a rough count, there were nearly two hundred people.

...

Bang! At the same moment, in the Navy Headquarters, a meeting room, Admiral Brannew slammed his gavel on the whiteboard behind him. Projected onto the board by a Den Den Mushi was the bounty poster of Kaido and Big Mom.

"It can now be confirmed that Calamity has killed Kaido, which also means that the territories of Big Mom and Kaido have been completely taken over by the Calamity Pirates. I will reorganize the intelligence and introduce to you our Navy's greatest enemy, the Calamity Pirates!"

The attendees of this meeting were all renowned Vice Admirals within the Navy.

Vice Admiral Doberman, Vice Admiral Onigumo, Vice Admiral Strawberry, Vice Admiral Smoker, Vice Admiral Fukuro, and Vice Admiral Dal were all present at the headquarters. With the World Meeting coming to a close, they had returned to the headquarters to participate in this solemn gathering.

In addition to the Vice Admirals, there were also some senior officers.

Chief of Staff Tsuru, along with her aides, Tina and Kongming, were in attendance.

The Navy hero and new recruit instructor, Monkey D. Garp, was there with Coby and Helmeppo.

The former Navy Admiral and current Inspector General, Sengoku, was also present.

At the head of the room, Akainu wore a military cap, obscuring his eyes, while Kizaru stood by his side, hands in his pockets, looking on with a surprised expression.

The meeting room was also equipped with a live Den Den Mushi, connecting to the various Navy branches and bases, allowing them to participate in the conference.

"First of all, the Calamity Pirates' headquarters, since Calamity transformed the Garess Kingdom into Ohara, has become an even stronger nation than Totto Land. It is a formidable country that rivals other great nations worldwide!"

"According to our intelligence, they are also the world's largest weapons manufacturer, as well as a powerful shipbuilder, gemstone producer, food manufacturer, clothing manufacturer, and drug manufacturer. They also have underground operations, loan businesses in the West and North Seas, and many important citizens have reported this to us."

"In terms of territory, within the Ohara Kingdom, they control six 'nodes,' and their total number of islands has reached a staggering fifty-two. Each island possesses specific resources, providing food and materials for the Calamity Pirates."

"This is just their headquarters' strength. After defeating the Big Mom Pirates, they absorbed the entire Totto Land, including thirty-four islands and all of Big Mom's crew members!"

"And now, after defeating Kaido, they have done the same, absorbing the entire Beast Pirates crew. Following their usual pattern, it's estimated that the twenty-two islands under the Beast Pirates' control will also be taken over by Calamity."

...

"Now, let's continue with the introductions."

Link pointed to the right front, "From the Totland Territory, the only two subordinate pirate crews under the Calamity Pirates that retain their flags, and also representing Totland, the Big Mom Pirates, the Charlotte Family!"

"Oh!!!"

The crowd erupted in cheers once more.

At one table sat Katakuri, his mouth covered with a scarf, his arms crossed, Owen, looking somewhat uncomfortable, Daifuku, looking indifferent, and Cracker, with a face full of excitement, along with several other siblings.

In this area, all those seated were members of the Charlotte Family, as the thirty-four islands were all under their family's management. They were the family's representatives, and after receiving the invitation, Katakuri waved his hand, deciding to bring everyone along.

"And over here!"

Link pointed to the table in the left front, "The newly surrendered pirate crew, also retaining their flag under the Calamity Pirates, and representing Wano Country, the Beast Pirates. No family."

"Oh!!!"

Another round of cheers erupted.

Seated at the Beast Pirates' table, apart from the Three Disasters and the Six Wings, were also various 'Shinji' members. Due to the banquet, they had called back the pirate leaders stationed in their territories.

Blaze turned his head to look at Katakuri, and the two exchanged glances, nodding slightly.

"So it's true."

Quine, biting on a cigar, exclaimed in surprise, "I thought it was just a rumor, but I never expected the Big Mom Pirates to actually join the Boss. Hey, this reminds me of an ancient pirate crew."

...

"The Rocks Pirates!"

Brannew shouted, "With the Beast Pirates and Big Mom Pirates united, the Calamity Pirates of this generation can be compared to the Rocks Pirates! Although they have disappeared into the annals of history, we all know how dangerous that pirate crew once was!"

"However, the difference is that the members of the Rocks Pirates were extremely divided, each with their own goals. The Calamity Pirates, on the other hand, were created by Norton Sag himself as a powerful ruling pirate crew and a powerful ruling nation!"

"Compared to Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, Sag stands above them all!!"

The two old bounty posters on the whiteboard faded, revealing a row of new bounty posters.

They were all bounty posters of key members of the Big Mom Pirates and the Beast Pirates, and the high bounties on their heads made the admirals at the meeting solemn.

As these bounty posters disappeared, a new one appeared.

"Now, let's focus on the key members of the Calamity Pirates and their new bounties!"

Brannew called out, "First, this person, one of the Seven Stars of the Calamity Pirates, is also known as the 'Gatekeeper' according to intelligence. Before the battle against Kaido, they held a grand competition on an island, and Aokiji played a crucial role in the selection process."

"In the fight against the Beast Pirates, he easily defeated Black Maria, one of the Six Wings. He also fought against Sanji, the 'Black Leg,' who had defeated Quine, and although he lost, his strength is still not to be underestimated. He is proficient in the Six Styles and holds the important position of the new recruit instructor in the Calamity Pirates."

"Based on our assessment, his bounty has increased by one hundred million Belly, reaching seven hundred and fifty million Belly, the Ghost Man..."

...

"Now that the introductions are over, let's welcome our main member for today, responsible for coaching many of us, one of the Seven Stars of the Calamity Pirates, the one we dearly love and respect..."

Link called out to the brown-skinned man sitting at the front table with Perona, "Aokiji!"

Aokiji stood up and bowed to the crowd, eliciting another round of cheers.

...

"Next, the newly promoted two of the Seven Stars, the Fate Warrior and the Wind Chaser. Formerly the patrol captain of the Ohara Kingdom, he was also a renowned figure in the Great Sea. Although he doesn't have any dangerous feats, considering his victories over Runti and Peggy Wan of the Six Wings, and defeating the Ghost Man to earn the Seven Star position, we can foresee the danger he will bring after joining the Calamity Pirates. His bounty is uniformly set at seven hundred million Belly!"

...

"Xif! Misty!"

Link shouted, "Our newly promoted two of the Seven Stars, also two highly respected figures in Ohara!"

"Thank you, thank you."

Xif stood up and bowed to the crowd, while Misty remained expressionless, sitting still. Perona, sitting next to her, grew impatient and said,

"When will it start? I'm getting hungry. What's Sag doing?"

"In a nationwide banquet like this, he's naturally the last to appear." Misty replied calmly, "This is also a rare opportunity for everyone in the nation to see Sag. Don't worry, just wait patiently."

"Then, also a Seven Star, and two important ministers of the Ohara Kingdom."

Link smiled and waved to the back, looking at the two figures, one large and one small, one robust and one elegant, who had appeared from the side, and shouted, "Our beloved and respected..."

...

"The Magician Hawkins! The Monk Ulki!"

Brannew called out, "The two of them easily defeated the Six Wings in Wano Country, and according to intelligence, the Magician effortlessly took on three of them. His strength far surpasses the limits of the Six Wings, and he already has an extremely high bounty. He is also an old member who follows Sag and holds an important position in his territory."

The bounties of the two were once again raised by a hundred million."

"The 'Monk' Ulki, with a bounty of nine hundred and sixty-six million Belly!" 'Magician' Basil Hawkins, with a bounty of nine hundred and seventy million Belly!"

...

"What are you guys doing?"

Perona, seeing Hawkins and Ulki sitting at their table, couldn't help but ask, "Are you putting on a show?"

"Indeed."

Hawkins replied, "Sage said that from now on, at every grand banquet for the entire nation, we should make an entrance like this to showcase our strength to everyone and reassure them. In his words, the banquet must go on."

"Next, let's welcome our two heaviest-weight Seven Stars, the Three Female Heroes of the Great Sea, who are idolized by women and girls alike!"

Link made a bowing gesture and extended his hand, saying, "The Calamity Pirates' Head Chef and Shipwright!"

...

"The Wet Crow, Marika! The Explosive Hammer, Renetia!"

Brannew pointed to the two bounty posters that were once again displayed by the Den Den Mushi, "As the original crew who followed Calamity, one in charge of logistics for the territory, and the other possessing extremely powerful scientific abilities, Calamity's weapons and ship manufacturing all rely on this girl! Even one of the Three Phases, Wyper, listens to her intently!"

"Although they didn't demonstrate their danger in the Wano Country battle, their status as Seven Stars is already sufficiently perilous. With Calamity's expansion, their importance will increase, and they will also bring greater disasters to the world!"

"The Wet Crow, Marika, with an original bounty of one billion, three hundred and eighty million! Her current bounty is eleven billion, four hundred million Belly!"

"The Explosive Hammer, Renetia, with an original bounty of one billion, one hundred and fifty million Belly! Her current bounty is twelve billion Belly!"

...

"Wow, it's so lively today. Everyone, eat your fill!"

Marika waved at the crowd and the live Den Den Mushi with a smile.

Renetia flashed her small fangs and waved at the crowd as well, joining the others at the long table below the throne.

"Finally, Lei Xiang, our Grand Minister, the indispensable right-hand man to Governor Sage, and the idol of all women across the great seas! In my personal opinion, I find her even more beautiful than the Empress!"

"Lady Bien Detta Lily!"

From the entrance at the side, a girl in a white battle skirt armor, with one hand resting on her sword hilt and a hint of heroism in her eyes, slowly emerged.

The moment she appeared, an inexplicable breath-taking aura filled the air, causing everyone to gasp and the noisy atmosphere to quiet down instantly.

She strode slowly to the side of the throne, without taking a seat, and with a chilling gaze, she addressed the crowd, "Silence, for the Governor's arrival."

Huh!

Everyone who had been sitting stood up, their expressions turning solemn.

...

"'Wind Sage' Wyble! His bounty has increased from 1 billion to 1.2 billion Belly! 'Rain Sage' Moria, intelligence suggests he may have defeated Jinbei, and whether as a Shichibukai or a member of the Calamity Pirates, he poses a significant threat. His bounty has risen from 1.12 billion to 1.32 billion Belly!"

Brannew exhaled, then turned to the whiteboard. The two bounty posters faded, leaving only one.

On this poster, a woman with flowing golden hair and exquisite features stared back at them, with a bounty amount that left them speechless.

"The last of the Three Sages, and the most crucial among them, is the sharpest sword in the Calamity Pirates, the main executioner behind numerous massacres, and a woman whose name alone strikes fear into kings and prominent citizens!"

"'Swordswoman' Bien Detta Lily, according to intelligence, has single-handedly defeated 'Flame Calamity' Blaze and 'Pirate Hunter' Roronoa Zoro. Her original bounty of 1.5 billion Belly has now increased to..."

Brannew slapped the whiteboard, "2 billion Belly!"

"Lastly!"

The bounty poster was removed, and multiple posters appeared in its place.

All of them were infamous pirates with bounties exceeding 4 billion Belly, including the Pirate King, Roger!

Shanks, with a bounty of 4,489,000,000 Belly!

Charlotte Linlin, with a bounty of 4,388,000,000 Belly!

Kaido, with a bounty of 4,611,010,000 Belly!

Rocks, with a bounty of 4,989,000,000 Belly!

Edward Newgate, with a bounty of 5,460,000,000 Belly!

Roger, with a bounty of 5,564,800,000 Belly!

Then, these posters faded, revealing a man with white hair like flames, grinning maniacally in the midst of a dark storm.

Even Brannew, accustomed to grand occasions and numerous meetings, couldn't help but break into a sweat.

The navy members who witnessed this poster also wore grave expressions.

Yellow Ape, usually with a puckered mouth, now lowered his head slightly, his glasses emitting an odd light.

Sengoku paused from eating his rice cracker, staring intently at the poster, then glanced at Garp.

Garp grinned, but his smile held a hint of solemnity.

Tsuru sighed, shaking her head with a sense of helplessness for the sea.

At the top, Akainu clenched his fist, a ball of fire erupting from it.

...

"Hahahaha!"

Lily's voice was followed by a boisterous laugh from the side.

Sage, dressed in a pirate shirt with leaf-shaped edges, a pair of martial arts pants, a golden jewelry-encrusted belt, and his hands adorned with various jewels, strode out with a black jade necklace around his neck.

...

"The man who has reached the pinnacle of power, currently the strongest in the world, holds numerous titles, possesses countless treasures, is the largest commercial entity in the world, the greatest ruler, and the mastermind behind a series of tragic events in the first half of the Grand Line. He is the butcher behind countless slaughters, a tyrant in the eyes of many kings."

...

Sage sat on the throne, reaching for the gem-encrusted wine glass on the long table before him, while Lily picked up a bottle of wine and poured for him.

"Excellent! I love this scene. My plan has succeeded, and everyone has a bright future ahead. From now on, after every major plan, we will hold a banquet like this."

He raised his glass, smiling at the crowd, "Now..."

...

"The Governor of the Calamity Pirates, the King of Ohara, and the great criminal!"

"'Calamity' Norton Sage! His original bounty of 4.5 billion Belly has now increased to..."

"5,295,000,000 Belly!!"

...

Sage extended his cup forward and laughed, "Let the banquet begin!"

"Oh!!!"

The citizens of Ohara, Totto Land, and even the recently conquered Wano, who had been swayed by Sage's silver bullet offensive, all watched the white-haired man on the screen raise his glass, cheering.

Everyone watching the live broadcast raised their glasses, toasting the lord they adored.

They also toasted to the hope and the bright future they could now envision.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end