Brook wrapped Mortomas in a hearty embrace before letting go. The guy’s knack for scheming was sothing else—with just a bit of Brook’s behind-the-scenes help, he’d built ties with both the Navy and pirates, forging deals that made him a force to be reckoned with.
Now, Mortomas was a true underworld kingpin, his influence dwarfing even the World Governnt’s Peace Dove Agency!
In a few years, once they toppled World Peace Dove, Mortomas could beco the undisputed emperor of the intelligence trade, ruling the shadows!
But he’d need Brook’s muscle to pull it off. Economic News Agency alone couldn’t take down a World Governnt-backed giant like World Peace Dove—not without decades of grind.
"Economic News has done a ton for us. Together, we’ll climb to the top!"
Brook valued Mortomas imnsely. He was a critical piece of Brook’s empire, one he couldn’t afford to lose. With a grin, Brook scooped up Morgans, his adopted son.
The kid had a sly, rchant-like glint in his eye even as a toddler, but you couldn’t deny his brains. He picked up everything lightning-fast—a real prodigy!
Brook signaled Golden Lion Shiki to float Golden Island above the palace atop the massive vines, planning to place the Golden Bell on the island and ld piles of gold into its structure.
Golden Island would live up to its na—a glittering treasure sure to draw every greedy pirate in the seas.
Shiki, Newgate, and Linlin were visiting a Grand Line Sky Island for the first ti. Compared to the barren New World sky islands, this place was a paradise, thanks to half of Jaya Island being blasted up here. No shortage of plants or soil!
At Brook’s suggestion, Charlotte Linlin eagerly crafted a new floating cloud nad Hera from the island’s clouds. Unlike Zeus’s thunderous power, Hera was all about buoyancy and carrying passengers.
Brook dubbed it Cloud Hera, his second mount. His first, Qilin Lion, was often "borrowed" by Shakky to flaunt her flashy, gold-loving style!
Linlin even went all out, turning the Golden Ark into a Homie with the ability to fly on its own. Poor Tom, the helmsman, lost one of his side gigs. Linlin was already hollering about teaming up with Brook to harvest so soul lifespans!
"Mortomas, you planning to stick around on this Grand Line Sky Island, or you coming with us to the New World’s sky islands later?"
Brook wanted Mortomas’s take. The Grand Line’s sky islands were bustling, but the New World’s, though less developed, were where the heavy hitters gathered.
Most top pirate crews and underworld players operated in the New World—the epicenter of power outside the World Governnt and Navy!
"Hahaha, Brook, my man! I’m headed to the New World, no question! That’s been my plan from the start. With World Dark News out of the picture, I need to be there to lock down the intel ga!"
A glint of ambition flashed in Mortomas’s eyes. He’d already made up his mind—New World was his stage, even if Brook hadn’t shown up!
"Nice. I’m making a quick trip to the West Blue first. You tagging along for the adventure, or waiting till we swing back to head to the New World together?"
"Boss, our partnership’s still under wraps. We gotta learn from World Dark News’ mistakes. If the World Governnt or New World big shots catch wind of our connection, our plans’ll be a ss!"
Mortomas’s strategy was clear: wait for Brook to return from the West Blue, then ride Golden Island to the New World together. In the anti, he’d tie up loose ends on the Sky Island, getting everything squared away.
...
Brook led his new crew mbers down to Jaya Island to et Laboon, the island whale. He planned to bring Laboon to Elan Island after the West Blue trip, letting him grow into a guardian beast for the island.
At two years old, Laboon was already over 20 ters long—a far cry from the 6 or 7 ters he’d been a year ago. In 20-odd years, he’d stretch to a massive 400 ters!
In the original tiline, 28 years before Luffy set out again after training, when Roger invited Crocus, Laboon was nearly full-grown at 400 ters.
That ant Laboon grew about 10 ters a year until adulthood. At 20 ters, Golden Island could easily carry him now.
"Brook, is this the only pal you had left from the Rumbar Pirates?"
Shiki sighed, recalling how he’d fled with just Scarlet as his loyal officer, the rest of his crew being dispensable riffraff.
Brook was stunned by Laboon’s growth. No surprise there—island whales were a league of their own!
"Yeah, Laboon’s one of us! Just hold tight, buddy. I’ll take you to the New World soon. Be good, okay?"
At Laboon’s custom-built harbor, Brook patted the gentle, wide-eyed whale, shouting over the waves. Laboon responded with a joyful bellow.
Brook introduced his new crew to Laboon, and Fishman Tom and Tiger dove into the sea to chat with him, bonding instantly.
"When Laboon hits a few hundred ters, he’s gonna be a beast of a partner!"
Newgate envied Brook’s bond with Laboon—a promise kept with unshakable trust.
"You bet! Laboon’s got a mission to hunt down a lanternfish. That thing’s tied to all our fates!"
Brook wasn’t waiting for the plot to kick off or for so pure gold ring girl like Olga to show up. Once he claid Fishman Island, he’d have Laboon and the fishn track that lanternfish!
Pure gold was non-negotiable—Brook wouldn’t watch his crew age and fade while he stayed eternal.
After half a day with Laboon, Brook and the crew returned to the Sky Island, prepping for their departure the next day. They loaded Mortomas’s stash of Eternal Pose onto the Golden Ark—pointers they didn’t already have.
Thanks to Economic News and the Umi Family’s joint efforts, the Hell Pirates’ world map was growing. Eternal Pose for countless islands were being collected.
Wherever the Worldcom Shipping Syndicate delivered or Umi Family’s seagull newsbirds sold papers—even uninhabited islands—specialists were dispatched to craft and catalog Eternal Pose.
With the Sky Island’s deep pockets, this costly endeavor doubled as paid exploration, even if it burned ti and cash.
Following Shakky’s lead, Brook set their next stop: Little Garden, ho to the Giant Warrior Pirates’ captains, Dorry and Brogy. Pri targets—perfect additions to their crew!
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240 Chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
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