New World, Carson Island.
Located in the southern part of the territory now dominated by the new generation of pirates, it was the largest island in the area.
Years ago, during the Battle of Edd War, Knox was caught in a trap orchestrated by Sakazuki and ended up provoking both Big Mom and Shiki. Pressured on both sides, he was forced to retreat.
With no other choice, he gave up part of his territory in exchange for reinforcements from many powerful young pirates. After paying a heavy price, he barely managed to fend off the two giants. But that territory was lost.
Carson Island was now the base of the Swamp Pirate Alliance.
The alliance was formed by the Swamp Pirates. As the name suggests, their leader possessed the powers of the Swamp-Swamp Fruit. The group had attracted a large number of rookie pirates who had just entered the New World.
At present, thirteen pirate crews of various sizes were under their command.
In the palace at the heart of the island, a grand golden hall flaunted their wealth. Although it looked luxurious, the decorations were completely mismatched. It was obvious everything had been looted.
Inside, fourteen captains each sat at their own table.
At the main seat, the captain of the Swamp Pirates and the alliance leader, Benson Lowell, looked at his gathered subordinates.
"Everyone's here. Let's begin, Albert."
A swordsman with a long blade at his waist stepped out from beside Lowell.
He motioned, and two pirates carried out a large board covered by a cloth, setting it up at the entrance of the hall. The cloth displayed a detailed map of the New World, showing current territorial divisions, including the islands under their control.
Albert walked up to it and pulled out a marker. "Last week, Captain Woolley led his crew and captured Daito island."
As he spoke, he drew over a part of the map, shifting an island from Knox's territory into the domain of the Swamp Pirate Alliance.
"Daito Island's port was one of the Steam Pirates' most critical supply hubs. It handled a huge volume of weapons and goods every day. A key war resource. So, Boss Lowell has decided to hand over Daito Island, along with the nearby islands, to Captain Woolley and his Hyena Pirates."
He drew an oval around the cluster of islands. The captains around the hall instantly looked envious. Some even seemed resentful.
Sitting at the third table, Woolley simply gave a cruel smile. "Thanks, Boss Lowell. Knox? He's just been overhyped. Next time, I'll bring you his head."
Lowell let out a slight chuckle and nodded for Albert to continue.
Albert moved his marker slightly north of the middle of the map.
"Recently—"
Whoosh!
A sharp screech echoed through the hall.
Everyone jumped to their feet as danger slammed into their senses like a tidal wave, and a cold chill ran down their spines.
Lowell's eyes flashed sharply. "Above us!"
With a wave of his hand, layers of mud barriers covered the ceiling of the hall.
A moment later, something crashed into the barrier, trying to force its way through.
Ssshhh!
A piercing hiss followed and a white pillar of steam shot through the mud. Behind it, a white five-pointed star rocketed downward with steam blasting from its back.
Albert leapt into the air with a stomp, stabbing his sword straight through the five-pointed star. A human-like face formed on the star's surface, sneering at the attacking pirate with a twisted grin.
Lowell's sense of crisis intensified as his pupils shrank.
"Throw it away! Now!!!"
He unleashed his power without hesitation. The entire floor of the palace turned to swampy mud, pulling everybody down in an attempt to protect them.
BOOM!!!
The five-pointed star exploded.
Those who hadn't sunk deep enough into the swamp were hit first. Under the extreme heat of the blast, they were cooked alive in an instant.
The violent explosion then burst out from within the palace, sweeping across the entire island.
A white mushroom cloud nearly a thousand meters tall rose into the sky as the scorching steam that surged over the land ignited massive fires, burning everything in its path.
Within mere moments, there was no sign of life left on the island; only scorched remains.
At the center, where the palace had once stood, a huge crater yawned open. From inside it, Lowell shook his head and pushed his way out of the ground. The violent tremors and the deafening explosion had left him dizzy and dazed.
Just as he surfaced, the blistering heatwave, hundreds of degrees in temperature, seemed to choke the air from his lungs.
"How could..."
Crack!
A force struck his back abruptly, breaking his spine. A big hand then clutched his head and lifted him into the air.
Standing before him was Knox, his expression utterly blank.
Smack!
A heavy slap landed on Lowell's face.
"Weren't you after my head? Hmm?"
Smack!
"You? Not even close."
Smack!
Lowell's teeth flew from his mouth, his cheekbones shattered on both sides.
This was the sheer difference in power within the world of pirates. Though Benson Lowell had a bounty of over 200 million, compared to Knox, it was like a junkie challenging a warlord; he was completely crushed.
Knox gave a scornful glance at the fool who had dared to jump around the most, then gripped him tightly and launched into the sky.
* * *
Aboard the Steam Pirates' ship.
Screeeee!
A sharp hiss of steam shrieked through the air as the ship shuddered.
Landing with Lowell in hand, Knox casually tossed him to the deck and looked at his crew. "Everything ready?"
One of the crewmembers grinned with excitement. "All set, captain! A worldwide broadcast!"
Knox gave a nod. "Wake him up."
The crewmember immediately understood. He pulled out a syringe and plunged it into Lowell's body.
The pirate twitched violently, then let out a pained growl.
Watching him writhe in pain, Knox frowned. He crouched down and clamped his hand over Lowell's mouth.
Crunch!
A sharp crack rang out and the man's eyes bulged as his jaw was crushed, rendering him speechless.
When Lowell finally quieted down, Knox took the towel offered by a subordinate and wiped his hands. "Start it."
The surrounding pirates grinned viciously and activated the broadcast.
"This is the price of going against Captain Knox."
"It's just the first."
Holding up Benson Lowell's wanted poster, they drew a big red X over it. At the same time, a few crew members rolled in a large tank filled with small piranhas, densely packed and swimming frantically.
They hoisted Lowell up and slowly lowered him in, starting from his feet. The piranhas swarmed at once, devouring his lower legs in seconds, leaving not even bones behind. The ones that didn't get a bite jumped wildly, but being small, they couldn't reach higher.
As Lowell struggled in agony, a crew member pulled out another syringe, this one filled with a blood-stopping agent.
After all, the broadcast was meant to last three whole hours...
Meanwhile, a portion of the Steam Pirates' fleet was dispatched to sweep up the battlefield at Carson Island. The rest followed Knox to the next target.
* * *
New World, Delsen Island.
One of the largest islands in the northern region under the new generation pirates' control.
It was home base to another rising pirate crew, the Blast Pirates.
Boom!
A massive explosion sounded.
"Mamamamamama~"
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