Chapter 16: Turbulence In The New World
The fleet led by Elus rested on Whale Tail Island for two days, handling a bunch of troublesome matters, such as over 20,000 corpses, many of which were pirates with bounties who could be exchanged for a lot of money at the Navy’s G1 branch, as well as those fifty-plus warships in perfect condition, which were all aid from Umit to the Amento Kingdom, and selling them all off would also fetch a large sum of money!
Handling a pile of miscellaneous matters like this is quite time-consuming.
Even with the assistance of the aides-de-camp, it was ultimately impossible to completely wash his hands of it.
This made Elus once again firm in his resolve to not take over for the time being; as crown prince, there were already so many troublesome matters to handle, and if he really became king, wouldn’t he just be stuck in the royal palace every day? Thinking about how his father always boasted about his adventurous youth but never mentioned his years after becoming king.
Indeed,
it was better to ascend the throne a bit later.
Finally, after tying up the loose ends on Whale Tail Island, Elus led the fleet north, with the goal of recapturing the fallen Whale Belly Island and Whale Head Island,
————
Meanwhile,
the news of the great battle between the Eckmond Kingdom and the Amento Kingdom on Whale Tail Island also spread out, mainly because the president of a certain newspaper company had special attention on a certain prince, thus gathering the latest firsthand intelligence, and immediately dedicating a section in his own newspaper to report on this war that wouldn’t even rank in the New World.
Of course, this statement was a bit too absolute.
Umit’s actions were indeed top secret, but he ultimately couldn’t deceive everyone; the Queen of the Red Light District, who controlled all the entertainment businesses in the New World and was also a super information broker, sold Umit’s actions at a sky-high price to the Eckmond Kingdom, after which this news was deliberately leaked by the Eckmond Kingdom.
Basically all the strong persons who ranked in the New World knew about Umit’s little scheme.
Because of this, many people were paying attention to the battle between the Eckmond Kingdom and the Amento Kingdom, and even some magnates in the gambling business secretly opened high-end gambling games on whether Umit could really take down the Eckmond Kingdom, with reportedly many big shots placing bets.
Thus,
when they saw the latest report in the newspaper, it immediately stirred up quite a storm in the New World.
Especially the big shots who had bet on Umit succeeding, as they lost a huge sum of money, many were cursing Umit’s incompetence and the Eckmond Kingdom’s evil nature.
To actually thwart Umit’s outstretched claws without borrowing the power of the Whitebeard Pirates, and this was when neither the renowned Beautiful Sword nor Fighting Dog in the New World had made a move—what was that if not evil?
The New World seemed full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, but in reality, the hierarchy of strength and weakness was clearest.
The King of Maritime Transport Umit was a big shot who ranked in the New World, and the Eckmond Kingdom was also considered a powerhouse in the New World, but compared to a Dark World magnate like Umit, the victory or defeat was clear in many people’s eyes; the reason the gambling game could form was because of the variable of the Whitebeard Pirates.
But unexpectedly, the Whitebeard Pirates hadn’t even made a move yet!
Sokachio Elus popped up and already beat Umit’s subordinates black and blue, and in one battle he killed 20,000 people······ This ruthlessness and brutality first earned praise from many big bosses in the New World; to make a name in the New World, how could one succeed without thousands upon thousands of corpses underfoot?
Look at the big bosses in the New World—who didn’t have mountains of corpses and seas of blood under them?
Even the Red-Haired, the least combative among the Four Emperors, ascended to the throne of Pirate Emperor by stepping on the bones of countless enemies as his ladder.
————
“Over 20,000 dead······ not a lot, but not a few either; looks like a ruthless guy, even Ghost Sword was defeated······ Is the New World about to stir up a new storm? How exciting! Fufufufufu!!!”
This was the view of a certain king who was also a Seven Warlord.
“I never expected Ghost Sword to be Umit’s subordinate; I even thought about recruiting him back then, nearly falling for that bastard Umit’s scheme; Eckmond Kingdom······ hmm, I can give you guys a 10% discount from now on.”
This was the statement from a certain magnate in the New World’s warehousing business.
“Sokachio Family, I remember that old thing Worlek; this Elus······ is that shameless old man’s grandson or great-grandson? Speaking of which, that old thing Worlek once said he wanted to arrange a marriage with me! This young fellow makes a pretty good match!”
The one saying this was the big boss of a certain large multinational chain hotel in the New World.
“Ah la ah la! From the photo, he’s really a handsome Your Highness! Ahh! So······ it’s making me all wet!”
This fujoshi-like woman was actually the controller of the New World’s black market medicine business.
Leaving aside these big bosses who were just watching the fun.
Whitebeard Pirates.
Just a few days ago, Second Division Commander ‘Blue Horn’ Gyo died of an incurable illness, and with Whitebeard’s body not being very healthy either, the IV needle had been in his arm for several days without removal, making the atmosphere throughout the Whitebeard Pirates extremely gloomy.
Over 1,600 people up and down the crew, and during this time not a single one dared to speak loudly; everyone was worried about the old man’s body and grieving the brother’s passing, including a certain lurking traitor who perfectly performed his own sorrow.
This atmosphere lasted for quite a while,
and even the return of First Division Commander ‘Immortal Bird’ Marco failed to break this oppressive environment.
Until—
On the deck of the Moby Dick,
“Elus······ that arrogant little brat?” Whitebeard, with his IV drip, was flipping through today’s newspaper and noticed the report in a not-very-prominent position; seeing that somewhat familiar name, he voiced his doubt.
“Old Man, if you’re referring to that little guy who rejected you five years ago, I think there isn’t a second Sokachio Elus.” Marco was also reading the newspaper, and as the second-in-command of the Whitebeard Pirates, he knew very well what was going on with the war between the Eckmond Kingdom and the Amento Kingdom.
Big shots in the Dark World had even opened betting odds; he couldn’t not know, after all, that magnate had to pay taxes to the Whitebeard Pirates regularly.
“That arrogant little brat has grown up now too! Guralala!!!”
Recalling being rejected five years ago, Whitebeard wasn’t angry; instead, he found it amusing and let out his first laugh in a month.
Hearing the old man’s long-missed familiar laughter, Marco’s suspended heart finally settled; as long as the old man’s mood recovered, there was no need to worry too much about his physical condition worsening further for the time being.
“Old Man.”
Marco told Whitebeard about the matter between Umit and the Eckmond Kingdom.
At the end, he asked: “Should we help the Eckmond Kingdom? Teach Umit a lesson?” Seeing how Elus’s matter made the old man laugh heartily, Marco thought to give the Eckmond Kingdom a little aid, and also give that audacious bastard Umit a proper lesson.
The Whitebeard Pirates’ territory wasn’t a place where just anyone could run wild.
“No need.”
Whitebeard rejected Marco’s proposal.
“Young people’s matters should be left to young people; Umit······ leave him to the young ones for now! It’s not too late to step in later.”
“I understand, Old Man.”
Marco was somewhat surprised at the old man’s favor toward Elus, that unlikable arrogant brat, but this didn’t stop him from following the old man’s orders; fine then, let that bastard Umit enjoy himself a bit longer for now, and settle accounts slowly later.
