With Brook's return to Ballon Island, the Hell Pirates entered a rare period of dormancy. Much like Rocks before him, Brook seed to vanish from the New World’s headlines, opting instead for quiet developnt behind the scenes.
A fragile peace settled over the seas.
Various factions took the opportunity to rebuild and grow. But while the world grew calr, Brook’s empire only expanded. The underground world—the shady rchants, the bounty brokers, the dark arms dealers—had gradually shifted their allegiance, moving closer to the Hell Pirates.
Even Brook had to admit: this was partially thanks to Rocks D. Xebec.
Rocks’ oppressive rule and rciless plundering had alienated nearly every underground faction. His scorched-earth policy left his own territories depleted, their black-market economy strangled. And so, the scum and opportunists of the underworld fled—to Brook's open-handed governance and glittering prosperity.
It was ironic.
Rocks had gained total control of his lands—no bribes, no middlen, no leeches.
But the cost? Starving cities. Stagnant trade. Isolated ports.
anwhile, with so many forces pouring into Brook’s banner, even the most remote islands under his domain were thriving. Small towns had grown into bustling markets. Forgotten ports now teed with ships. The influence of the Hell Pirates stretched like a web across the New World.
In terms of total power, Brook’s crew had quietly surpassed Rocks’.
If not for Rocks’ sheer individual might, and the fear he still inspired, so rookies or rogue crews might’ve already tried to challenge him.
---
Recently, Brook had been spending much of his ti at Vegapunk’s secret lab. Not only was he offering “creative input” for the scientist’s latest inventions, he was also personally guiding Tianmulan in unlocking the potential of her Scroll Fruit.
With Brook’s wealth of ideas and boundless imagination, even Vegapunk—arguably the world’s smartest man—was impressed.
Together, they started laying the foundation for a massive project: the Adam Wood version of the Pluton Battleship—an enormous warship fortress fused with the golden ship’s aerial technology.
A flying Pluton.
Sothing that could, maybe one day… stand up to Uranus, the Celestial Dragon’s divine weapon.
Vegapunk even began developing a series of robotic assistants to aid in construction.
Each one, oddly enough, had the appearance of a loli. Brook imdiately saw through him.
“He’s definitely got the LSP gene,” Brook muttered, half-amused.
“No matter how brilliant a man is… the love of cuteness never fades.”
---
In the blink of an eye, nearly a year passed.
December 12, 1474 of the Sea Calendar.
Forty-eight years before the main story.
Brook’s three children were turning one.
With the seas relatively calm and no large-scale wars erupting, even Admiral Kong temporarily returned to Navy Headquarters at Marineford—a clear sign of how much trust the World Governnt and the Five Elders placed in him.
If nothing unexpected occurred, Kong would likely be the next Fleet Admiral.
---
To celebrate the children’s first birthday, Charlotte Linlin hosted another extravagant tea party. She delighted in these chaotic, multicultural gatherings—where giants dined with dwarves, fishn drank with long-limbs, and warriors from across the world toasted to the future.
Aside from the major underground players, many elite fighters from various races also joined the feast.
In the past year, Golden Lion Shiki and Whitebeard Newgate had risen as the most active powerhouses, swiftly bringing their respective territories under control. anwhile, Redfield had kept a low profile, staying mostly by Brook’s side.
But despite his limited exposure, no one dared underestimate the Red Count. His re presence—calm, refined, yet thunderously deadly—was enough to silence a room.
“Brother Brook! Urgent news!”
Antonio rushed in, clearly excited.
“Prince Neptune of Fishman Island just contacted us. He said they’ve located the legendary Island-Swallowing Lantern Fish! It could be the one that devoured Elka Island back in 152!”
Brook’s eyes lit up.
This was a mission he had personally marked as high priority—even above hunting rare Devil Fruits.
“News always cos in waves,” Brook murmured, setting down his Den Den Mushi. He had just finished a conversation with Rocks.
Rocks had called to offer congratulations… and a reminder.
It was ti to honor their alliance.
They would soon launch a joint operation: a full-scale assault on the Navy’s New World base…
And then invade God Valley.
---
Brook’s expression grew serious.
“Is the God Valley Incident happening ten years early?”
In the original tiline, Rocks hadn’t yet unified the New World at this point. He would’ve needed another three to four years to consolidate power, and another five to prepare for the assault on the Celestial Dragons.
But now?
Brook’s rise had split the New World in half.
Rocks had been forced to abandon his goal of total unification… and instead focus on outmaneuvering Brook. He had shifted gears, choosing a more cunning route—planning a sudden strike against the Navy and God Valley, years ahead of schedule.
The idea was simple: wait for the Navy to weaken by withdrawing forces to Marineford. Then launch a surprise attack while they were spread thin.
Brook could sense it—Rocks was desperate.
But Brook wasn’t buying it.
He knew Rocks wasn’t just trying to share victory.
He was baiting him—planning to use Brook to crush the Navy and steal the best Devil Fruits from God Valley before Brook could react.
If Rocks could bolster his core team with mythical powers, he might regain dominance. Maybe even enough to finally defeat Brook.
“He wants to use … then surpass .”
Brook smirked.
“Typical.”
---
Still… attacking the Valley of the Gods too early could be suicide.
That island was the beating heart of the Celestial Dragons’ secrets. If they launched a full-scale invasion, Uranus—the weapon of the heavens—might be deployed.
If the potential rewards—ancient weapons, mythical fruits, forbidden knowledge—didn’t outweigh the risks, Brook wouldn’t bite.
“We’ll deal with the Island-Swallowing Lantern Fish first. Prioritize that.”
Brook stood, eyes sharp.
“Tell King Mars and Prince Neptune to continue tracking it. Once confird, we’ll strike personally.”
“Understood!” Antonio saluted and rushed off.
Brook returned to his Den Den Mushi.
Rocks was still yapping on the other end.
“Rocks, we have to take the long view,” Brook said with a smile. “Let’s stabilize the New World first. Then strike when the Navy’s least prepared.”
He also tossed Rocks a suggestion—send a suicidal rogue or fake defector to Sabaody Archipelago, stir up chaos, and force Admiral Kong to stay stationed in Marineford.
Brook wouldn’t waste his own people on distractions.
Let Rocks do the heavy lifting.
When the ti ca, Brook would join the raid.
But like Rocks, he had one primary goal:
Plunder God Valley’s Devil Fruits.
--------------
On this day, Doragonzo Island was overflowing with guests. From giants to dwarfs, fishn to long-limbs, all races gathered in celebration.
Above the island floated the Sky Island of O’Hara, now renad O’Hara Arran, where a revolutionary new sea train terminal had recently been constructed—an engineering marvel that drew scientists and inventors from every corner of the world.
Even Jerry, apprentice of the legendary Fishman shipwright Tom, had been dispatched by the mayor of Water 7 to study the technology and hopefully bring it ho. Tom, proud of his apprentices, had already sent one of them back to Water 7 to help restore the city's shipbuilding prestige.
Of course, Brook wasn’t the type to lose out on such an exchange. He imdiately commissioned the World Economic News Agency to announce a new public-private collaboration: a major investnt into Water 7’s sea train system—in the na of the Ryugu Kingdom.
The move not only expanded Fishman influence but also began recouping capital through a clever economic front. The World Governnt, recognizing the economic value of the sea train, turned a blind eye. After all, openly opposing it would have made them look like villains in the eyes of the public.
In fact, CP9 agents had already been secretly dispatched to study the sea train's tech, with plans to replicate it in other nations to stimulate prosperity and pacify rebellion.
---
Under Brook’s direction, the World Economic News Agency began publishing a flood of new content: ranked lists, technology features, bounty analysis, beauty polls—you na it. Overnight, It beca the world’s premier publication.
The most hotly debated list?
The World Famous Sword Rankings—a visually stunning catalog that exposed commoners to the legendary blades of the world for the first ti.
Soon followed rankings for pirates, pirate crews, bounties, ships, even beauties...
Everyone wanted a copy. So bought it for the articles. Others… for the pin-up centerfolds of pirate queens.
Rival publishers like the Dark News Agency and Peace Dove Press tried to imitate the formula but only dug themselves deeper into financial ruin. Their viewership crumbled, their losses mounted, and their relevance faded.
---
In the core area of the tea party, the true elite had arrived.
The underworld emperors were seated first—Moore Thomas, Shipping King Umid, the infamous Du Family, and the mysterious Draco Syndicate. Each was placed according to their standing, ensuring no egos were bruised.
Representatives from the Pirate Guild mingled with the top-tier captains of the Hell Pirates’ affiliated fleets.
Even secret delegations from nations across the four seas ca to pay their respects:
The Flower Kingdom of the West Blue
Germa 66 of the North Blue
The Oikot Kingdom of the East Blue
The Bliss Kingdom of the South Blue
These nations coveted the weapons, dicine, and technology mass-produced across the Eighteen Islands of Hell—especially the small-scale air shell weapons and seastone gear, which had beco high-demand commodities.
---
“Did you hear? The 18th Island released recovery potions and enhancent elixirs this quarter. Costly, yes—but I’m stocking up regardless!”
“There’s also a new batch of wind-jet shoes. They let you fly, like, actually fly! I heard the nobles are lining up to bid on them.”
“Forget that—I'm headed to Carnival Island. They say the entertainnt’s wild. Supposedly, you can even see illusions of Navy beauties! I swear, if I don’t get to et Vice Admiral Marilyn Moelu, even a fake, I’ll die unsatisfied!”
Sailing into the waters of the Hell Pirates, one captain bolted toward Carnival Island, a territory operated jointly by Stussy’s Pleasure Street and the Flower of Life and Death, Lily Carnation. The island had beco the epicenter of indulgence and fantasy.
From emotional illusions like “Relive Family Bonds: Be Loved Once Again”, to “The Secret the Goddess and I Must Share”, Carnival Island offered Ye Ziren-style services for high-spending clientele.
But any pirate who dared to ask about joining the Hell Pirates?
They’d be devoured by Lily Carnation. Literally.
The dainty-looking flower spirit took great joy in cleansing the ranks. The more fools who stepped out of line, the more als she enjoyed.
---
anwhile, the dwarfs had done the impossible.
They’d successfully transplanted the culinary plants of the Boeing Islands to Carnival Island. These exotic, semi-sentient plants had a symbiotic relationship with the island’s sentient stomach spirit, Baron Stomach.
Without the dwarfs’ unique cultivation abilities and Lily Carnation’s nutrient magic, the plants would’ve never survived the move.
Thanks to them, Carnival Island now boasted a second flourishing ecosystem of gourt monsters and dicinal greens.
---
Due to the countless secrets hidden on Ballon Island, the tea party was held on Doragonzo Island.
Though only a year old, Brook’s three children had already learned to walk. Each one was as adorable as a porcelain doll.
“Lord Brook has arrived!!”
A trumpet-shaped Homie shouted with glee. Guests imdiately turned toward the entrance with respectful gazes.
At the center was Brook, walking with the poise of a king.
On his shoulders sat his silver-haired daughter Kanna, big-eyed and fearless, curiously scanning the crowd from her high vantage point.
In each arm, Brook carried his two sons—strong little boys with black hair and calm, observant eyes. They showed no signs of nervousness, only quiet curiosity.
Charlotte Linlin and Stussy followed behind, ascending the platform to join him on the high seat.
Brook handed the boys over to their mothers and kept Kanna nestled in his arm.
“Yohoho~! Welco, everyone! Eat, drink, dance—no need to be stiff today!”
He skipped the formalities and launched straight into the banquet. This wasn’t so stiff, five-hour political summit. It was a platform for allies to et, talk shop, and size up their neighbors.
And of course… it was also gift day.
---
Brook had seen enough dramas and novels in his past life to know how this worked.
Small factions would offer gifts to curry favor.
Adventurers would present rare treasures, hoping to be noticed.
n and won would sneak in offerings in hopes of joining a legacy.
Now, for the first ti, he was the one receiving them.
From the hundreds of islands under his rule…
From pirates, nobles, and underworld bosses alike…
Ca mountains of rare treasures, Devil Fruits, ancient texts, exotic beasts, and custom weapons.
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