The Whitebeard Pirates departed, vanishing over the horizon.

This was their territory, yet they left it to the defeated Black and White Pirates, led by Ace.

Sabo was equally bewildered.

“What’s going on here? Why does the Grand Line feel so strange? All these powerful figures act so mysteriously—it’s just not normal.”

The Black and White Pirates’ strategist couldn’t wrap his head around it.

“That old man probably didn’t want to ruin my dream,” Ace said, brushing himself off as he stood.

He didn’t dwell on it.

He was alive.

He was free. That was enough.

“Fair point,” Sabo said. Despite being more analytical, he too had a carefree side. If he couldn’t figure it out, he wouldn’t waste time thinking about it.

“But Ace, the gap between us and the Four Emperors is massive. What do we do next?” Sabo asked, now fully aware of the overwhelming disparity in power.

Today’s experience had made it abundantly clear: the Four Emperors were out of reach for rookies like them.

“We keep training and getting stronger. One day, I’ll challenge the Four Emperors again. Next time, I’ll target Kaido, beat him, and then go after Whitebeard,” Ace declared, his spirit undaunted by failure.

With renewed determination, Ace roared his intentions, and the Black and White Pirates pressed on.

In the New World, their exploits grew in notoriety.

No longer merely supernovas, they rose to become one of the New World’s formidable forces, just a step below the Four Emperors.

Their journey was nothing short of spectacular.

Until one day, a rumor spread across the New World.

A Devil Fruit had surfaced, shaking the seas.

“The Mythical Zoan: Human-Human Fruit, Model: Buddha?” In a tavern on a New World island, Ace overheard pirates murmuring about it. With his Observation Haki, he caught every word.

“Sabo, what kind of power is that?” Ace asked. Having no interest in gathering intelligence, he turned to Sabo for an explanation.

“It’s one of the Mythical Zoan fruits, even rarer than Logia types. Every Mythical Zoan is said to grant extraordinary abilities,” Sabo explained.

“Extraordinary abilities?” Ace’s eyes sparkled.

He and Sabo were already Devil Fruit users, but this fruit could be perfect for a subordinate.

Just then, Ace caught more hushed voices from nearby pirates.

“That’s a Mythical Zoan. The former Fleet Admiral, Sengoku the Buddha, had that fruit. If I get my hands on it, I’ll become a monster of the New World.”

“Where is it? Let’s go after it. Even if it’s dangerous, it’s worth the risk for a fruit like that!”

“Exactly!”

The group of pirates left in a hurry.

Ace followed them and intercepted them outside the tavern.

Minutes later, in a nearby alley, the pirates lay on the ground, covered in bruises, their faces full of grievance.

Ace, satisfied, had the information he needed.

“Ace, are we going to chase after it?” Sabo asked, noticing Ace’s eagerness.

“Why wouldn’t we?” Ace replied, his eyes gleaming. “This is a Mythical Zoan, and it was once the power of Fleet Admiral Sengoku the Buddha.

“I remember hearing that Sengoku was defeated by Mr. Kuke. Naturally, Sengoku’s abilities should belong to him.

“The fruit has reappeared close to us. I’m going to claim it as Mr. Kuke’s rightful spoils of war.

“It’ll be the perfect gift for when I meet the Sun and Moon Pirates—this Mythical Zoan: Buddha form.”

The Black and White Pirates set off with determination toward the island where the fruit had appeared.

Across the New World

The news spread like wildfire, drawing the attention of many pirate crews.

It was rumored that a member of the underworld had acquired the fruit and was planning to auction it to the highest bidder.

The fruit had not yet been consumed.

“An auction? Forget it. I’ll take it by force. A Mythical Zoan is worth the risk.”

“This is my chance to change my fate. I’ve been stuck at my current strength because I lack a good Devil Fruit.”

“With this fruit, I could become an Emperor of the Seas.”

Countless pirates with bounties exceeding hundreds of millions set their sights on the fruit, their greed driving them to madness.

Even Kaido of the Beasts reacted to the news.

“The Mythical Zoan: Buddha form has finally resurfaced?”

For years, Kaido had been quiet.

But now, his interest was piqued.

When Sengoku died eight years ago, many influential figures had their eyes on the fruit. Yet, for years, it never reappeared.

Without a way to seize it, their ambitions had been left unfulfilled.

“This fruit belongs to me,” Kaido declared, transforming into his dragon form and soaring into the skies.

Whitebeard Pirates

“Sengoku’s ability?”

Whitebeard thought of his old rival and sighed.

“Marco, go and see if you can retrieve it. If it’s not possible, let it go. But if the Sun and Moon Pirates show up, retreat immediately,” Whitebeard instructed.

“Understood, Pops.”

Marco transformed into his phoenix form and took off into the skies.

Red-Haired Pirates

“The calm seas are about to erupt in chaos again,” Shanks muttered, rubbing his temples in frustration.

What a headache.

The Red-Haired Pirates, being non-Devil Fruit users, had no interest in the fruit.

None of Shanks’ crew made a move.

“Beckman, do you think the Sun and Moon Pirates will show up?” Shanks asked.

Ben Beckman considered it for a moment. “Hard to say. The Sun and Moon Pirates have been quiet for the past seven years. If it weren’t for occasional sightings of their ship, the Radiant Eclipse, people might have thought they’d been wiped out by the World Government.

“If they’re coming out of hiding, it’s impossible to predict. But if Kuke reemerges, the seas will once again belong to him alone.”

Shanks took a sip of his drink, uncertain whether he looked forward to Kuke’s return or dreaded it.

Navy Headquarters

“Sengoku’s ability has resurfaced?”

The Navy’s top officers gathered in urgent discussion.

“That was the ability of the former Fleet Admiral Sengoku. It must not fall into pirate hands. If it does, it will be a disgrace to the Navy,” Akainu roared, slamming the table.

“But the fruit is in the New World,” Fleet Admiral Kong said helplessly.

The room fell silent.

“We have an agreement with the Sun and Moon Pirates, not the entire New World. What are you afraid of?” Akainu snapped, glaring at Kong and the others.

How long were they going to keep cowering?

Kong reminded Akainu, “Sakazuki, stay calm. Three more years.

“After three years, you can do whatever you want. By then, you’ll be the Fleet Admiral.”

The three elders of the World Government had long planned for Akainu to succeed Kong. However, they feared that Akainu’s temperament might provoke conflict with the Sun and Moon Pirates during the agreement’s duration.

Once the agreement expired, the leash on the “mad dog” would be removed.

The Sun and Moon Pirates

Near Totto Land, the Radiant Eclipse sailed peacefully through the seas.

For seven years, the Sun and Moon Pirates had roamed leisurely. Recently, they approached Totto Land, allowing Charlotte Linlin, Smoothie, and others to visit their homeland.

Onboard, Shakky brought news to Kuke.

“A Mythical Zoan: Buddha form has appeared,” she reported.

“Now?” Kuke, lounging on Robin’s lap and nibbling on grapes, sat up with interest.

After waiting all these years, it had finally surfaced.

Elsewhere, another massive ship resembling an island sailed toward Totto Land.

Bearing the emblem of the Germa Kingdom, it carried the North Blue’s overlord—its king and his four children—on a visit to Big Mom’s new crew.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep