One Piece:Becoming the King of the World from the Rocks Era

"Captain, is that the World Government's ancient weapon?"

Barrett hadn't recovered from the shock of the devastating scene. None of them had expected the World Government to possess such a terrifying weapon.

If the World Government uses this weapon against them again and sends someone to hold Li Yuan back, won't they all die under the terrifying power of this weapon? 

It was too frightening. They had never felt such a clear sense of death hanging over their heads before!

If they were sleeping and the World Government launched this weapon, they definitely wouldn't stand a chance!

"Yes, this is the World Government's secret weapon, the ancient weapon that has allowed them to rule the world for the past eight hundred years."

"But don't worry, this weapon has significant limitations. After it is used, it won't be usable for a long time."

Li Yuan nodded in affirmation.

Hearing this, Barrett and the others were reassured.

If it were something they could use at will, the World Government would have deployed it back in God Valley or even during the last battle between pirates and the World Government. They wouldn't have waited until now.

The fact that it was used now probably meant the World Government was enraged by Wald's destruction of Mariejois and had unleashed the Heavenly King to try and wipe them all out.

"Koya, fly around and see if Golden Lion and the others managed to escape!"

After retracting his beast-man form, Li Yuan spoke up.

Earlier, he and Golden Lion had split up, each going in different directions. Now, Li Yuan was eager to know if Golden Lion and his crew had made it out alive.

If they hadn't, Li Yuan would feel a great loss. Without Golden Lion as an ally, the World Government would focus entirely on the Infinity Pirates, which could hinder their growth.

"Yes, Captain!"

Koya swiftly piloted the cloud ship and soon they spotted the floating island and pirate ships, hidden behind the clouds.

"Hahaha, Golden Lion, looks like you didn't die after all!"

Seeing the islands, Li Yuan immediately knew that Golden Lion was still alive.

"Haha, Li Yuan, I'm glad you're alive too!" 

Golden Lion flew out from one of the pirate ships as he heard Li Yuan's voice.

"Have you seen Wald? Is he dead?" Li Yuan asked curiously.

Wald had been the World Government's target, and they were here because of him.

"I haven't seen him. I tried calling him, but the Den Den Mushi didn't connect, so he's probably dead," Golden Lion said with some regret.

He hadn't gotten his hands on the things Wald had, and now that Wald was dead, he was genuinely disappointed.

"Dead? What a pity."

Li Yuan couldn't help but sigh. He had been most interested in Wald's Momo Momo Fruit. Now that Wald was dead, he would have to have Shakky send people to search for the reborn Momo Momo Fruit in this world.

The chances were slim, but there was still a possibility, right? What if one day he got lucky and found it?

"Li Yuan, that terrifying thing earlier must have been the World Government's secret weapon. Do you know how to deal with it?"

Golden Lion asked with a serious expression.

"I don't know, but such a powerful weapon surely has its limitations. Otherwise, the World Government would have used it to deal with Rocks back in God Valley or to deal with us earlier!" 

"The only thing I can think of is to spread out our base. We can't concentrate everything on one island."

"Next time we go to war with the World Government, we'll pick a location where they can't use this weapon."

Li Yuan said.

"Haha, you're right, Li Yuan. Next time, let's make Mariejois the battleground and see if they dare use this weapon," Golden Lion laughed heartily.

"Since there's nothing more to do here, let's leave."

Having confirmed that Wald was dead and Golden Lion was fine, Li Yuan didn't see the need to stay any longer.

With that, Koya began to fly the cloud ship away, heading toward the Infinity Sea.

"Haha, let's go too. Return to the Flying Sky Sea!"

Golden Lion laughed heartily and waved his hand, sending the floating islands and pirate ships soaring toward the Flying Sky Sea.

Holy Land Mariejois:

The Five Elder Stars, who had returned via teleportation, immediately contacted spies within the Flying Sky Pirates and Infinity Pirates to keep an eye on Li Yuan and Golden Lion, as well as the status of their subordinates.

Several days later:

"A spy has reported seeing Golden Lion and three of his subordinates from the Flying Sky Pirates, as well as Li Yuan and four of his subordinates, safely return to their respective seas!"

"However, there is still no news of Wald's whereabouts. He wasn't with Li Yuan and Golden Lion, so it's highly likely that he's dead."

Satan Saint said.

"So, despite using the national treasure, we still couldn't wipe out the Flying Sky Pirates and Infinity Pirates. We only managed to kill Wald!" 

"To think we lost three top-tier fighters, and had to use the Heavenly King, meaning this was a failure again!"

Pitter Saint's expression darkened.

"Now the Master is back in his slumber, leaving everything to us to handle."

"Since Wald is dead, we'll announce it and reassure the Celestial Dragon family and the affiliated nations."

"I'm sure the Heavenly King's power has frightened Li Yuan and Golden Lion enough to make them cautious."

"But now that the Heavenly King has been used, it can't be used again for a while. This is the World Government's weakest time, and we absolutely can't let the pirates focus on us."

"We need to create some turmoil in the New World to shift their attention away from us and stop them from focusing on the World Government."

Nasu Shurou Saint said.

"Ever since Roger's death and his final words, the Four Seas have been in turmoil, with countless pirates going out to sea, and the Navy can't suppress them!"

"And now we don't have the funds to expand the Navy, since the World Government is in dire need of money."

"Now is the time to implement our pre-planned Warlord Program to use pirates to suppress pirates."

"It would be best to support pirates who are dissatisfied with those two legendary pirate crews in the New World and use them to exhaust their power. The World Government will just stand behind the scenes."

Wolchuli Saint said.

"That's a good plan. The Warlord Program was already discussed. Since the Navy is ineffective, we'll have to activate it," Maz Saint said.

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

…

"The New World pirate, Wald, has been killed by the World Government!!"

"Shocking, the one who bombed Holy Land Mariejois was none other than the New World pirate, Wald!!"

"My god, the World Government actually went into the New World to kill the great pirate Wald!"

…

As the World Government released the news of Wald's death, the entire world began to stir once again.

The entire world had been speculating about who attacked Holy Land Mariejois, and now the truth was revealed— it was the New World pirate Wald, but now he was dead!

"Shocking! To kill Wald, the World Government sent all Five Elder Stars along with three top-tier fighters!"

"My god, the World Government's eight top-tier fighters killed Wald, but they lost three top-tier fighters in the process. Aside from the Five Elder Stars, the other three top-tier fighters are dead!"

"Did the Flying Sky Pirates and Infinity Pirates team up to surround the Five Elder Stars?"

…

After the World Government's announcement, other reports began to detail the events that had transpired. Of course, the story about the Heavenly King's weapon was not included.

The world was still reeling from the news of Wald's death, but soon after, they were stunned again by the incredible power and determination of the Flying Sky Pirates and Infinity Pirates, who dared to surround and fight the Five Elder Stars. What couldn't they do?

Most importantly, the Five Elder Stars had killed a great pirate, Wald, but lost three top-tier fighters in the process. This was clearly a huge defeat for the World Government, a total failure.

"Hahaha, pirates truly are the strongest. The Flying Sky Pirates and Infinity Pirates are the two most powerful legendary pirate crews of the New World!"

"Ahhh, I'm joining the Infinity Pirates, I want to surround the Five Elder Stars too!"

"The Flying Sky Pirates are the strongest, Captain Shiki is the coolest, I'm going to follow Captain Shiki!"

…

One report after another had the press excited, especially the pirates who saw this as a moment of glory and bragging rights. It fueled their determination and motivation.

Beast Pirates:

When regular people heard the news of Wald's death, they just chuckled. But for the big pirates, Wald's death meant an opening in the New World.

"Hahaha, this is great! With Wald gone, his territory is up for grabs!"

"The Beast Pirates are all going to claim Wald's territory! Anyone who dares stop me will die!"

Kaido roared with excitement.

Kaido had long harbored ambitions of world domination, but the numerous powerful pirates in the New World had always kept him from expanding. Now, with Wald dead, it was his chance to expand his territory!

(End of Chapter)