The story unfolds two days prior. Lemon Island had been developing quite well in recent years, especially with its clandestine arms dealing, which made the island even more bustling.
However, there are no truly impenetrable walls in this world. Lemon Island's arms sales eventually attracted the attention of the World Government's Cipher Pol organization.
Ordinarily, selling weapons wouldn't be enough to draw CP's notice. What truly caught their attention was that Lemon Island was selling Bege's weapons – all high-quality armaments.
In recent years, the Revolutionary Army had been expanding rapidly, alarming the World Government. Their investigations revealed that the weapons used by the Revolutionaries were identical to those sold on Lemon Island. This was why Cipher Pol focused on Lemon Island, intending to trace the origin of these weapons.
An elite team of CP agents secretly infiltrated Lemon Island and began a covert investigation into the arms intelligence.
During their investigation, they unexpectedly stumbled upon information about Bege. They captured an executive of the Black Knight Pirates and, under harsh interrogation, finally learned that Lemon Island had long been Bege's hidden territory and that the Black Knight Pirates had already sworn allegiance to him.
Cipher Pol immediately reported this to the World Government and the Marines. Both had been wanting to eliminate Bege for a long time, and this was the perfect opportunity. CP secretly leaked this intelligence to the Fear Pirates.
The Fear Pirates, without much hesitation and regardless of the intelligence's authenticity, directly dispatched two of their Demon Generals to attack Lemon Island.
Under the pincer attack of the two Demon Generals, the Black Knight Pirates were almost entirely wiped out, and Lemon Island was completely overthrown. The captain of the Black Knight Pirates, Treade, was captured and taken back to the Fear Pirates' stronghold.
That was the truth behind the destruction of Lemon Island and the Black Knight Pirates.
Moria and the others, who were on missions in the New World, swiftly returned to Sky Island. By the next day, all mid-to-high-ranking executives had gathered.
Bege clutched a newspaper, his face terrifyingly grim.
This was the following day's paper, and its front-page headline was all about Treade. It detailed Treade's status as a fleet captain under the Fire Tank Pirates and reported the Demon Lord of Fear's proclamation:
The Fear Pirates would publicly execute Treade on Fear Island in three days.
This was a direct provocation aimed at Bege.
It was also a blatant political maneuver. Treade was one of Bege's fleet captains. If Bege did nothing and allowed him to die, he would undoubtedly become a laughingstock worldwide, and it would severely damage his ability to recruit subordinates in the future.
This was forcing Bege into open war with the Fear Pirates.
Nearly every major power in the world saw this globally distributed newspaper.
On an island in the New World, the Donquixote Family's headquarters.
Doflamingo held the newspaper, his expression wildly arrogant and gloating, laughing incessantly.
"Doffy, do you think the 'Demon Dragon' will make a move?" Trebol, one of the Donquixote Family's top executives, asked.
"He will, he will! He's a king, after all! He'll definitely go save Treade," Doflamingo cackled sinisterly. "Fuffuffuffu! Let's go watch! The war between the old and new hegemons. Will the 'Demon Dragon' cut down the Fear Pirates and ascend to the throne, or will the Fear Pirates prove superior?" Doflamingo tore the newspaper to shreds, stuffed his hands in his pockets, and swaggered off with his signature arrogant gait, laughing maniacally.
His eyes glinted sharply. Deep down, he hoped Bege would be the one eliminated.
In a certain sea region of the New World, the Moby Dick sailed slowly. On deck, Whitebeard also held a copy of the newspaper.
"Turn the ship around! We're going to see if that brat has what it takes to challenge that old geezer Andrew."
Meanwhile, in a forest on an island in the East Blue, Shanks was also looking at the same paper.
"Bege will definitely make a move this time. No matter what, we have to go lend him a hand," Shanks said, looking at Benn Beckman.
"I'm afraid it won't just be those two pirate crews clashing this time," Benn Beckman said, frowning as he took a drag from his cigarette. "I estimate quite a few people in the New World are hoping to profit from the chaos. The Marines are highly likely to intervene. Do we really want to get involved?"
"All the more reason to go and see. Maybe we can help Bege out. I did promise him before, after all," Shanks said with a smile, standing up and heading straight for their pirate ship.
Benn Beckman sighed, stood up, and followed him.
Many of the great pirates of the New World were stirred into action, all beginning to sail towards Fear Island. Some were going to watch the show, others had ulterior motives; everyone had their own hidden agenda.
And the instigators, the Marines, had dispatched a massive force led by Marine Hero Garp, two Admirals, and several Vice Admirals, all secretly heading towards Fear Island.
The "Dragon Extermination Plan," formulated by the previous Fleet Admiral, Kong, could finally be implemented. For this, Commander-in-Chief Kong had even mobilized Cipher Pol to join the plan. They were determined to wipe out both the Fire Tank Pirates and the Fear Pirates in one fell swoop.
The entire world was in an uproar. Even daredevil reporters rushed to Fear Island, wanting to cover the event. To put pressure on Bege, the Demon Lord of Fear actually invited these reporters, preparing to do a live broadcast, just as the Marines had done with the Pirate King Gol D. Roger's execution.
Bege was thoroughly being roasted over an open fire.
On Sky Island, in the Shandian shrine of Upper Yard, the atmosphere was heavy. Fury burned in the eyes of every executive.
"Bege! We've been patient for so long! We finally have the strength to fight the Fear Pirates! It's time to make our move!" Moria declared, his voice grave.
"Of course, we're making a move!" Bege's eyes blazed with intense killing intent. An invisible wave of Conqueror's Haki swept through the shrine, a testament to his overwhelming confidence. "Since that old bastard Andrew is so eager to die, I'll grant him his wish! In front of the whole world, I will step on his corpse and ascend to the position of a New World hegemon!"
"I will now announce the combat division assignments for the Fire Tank Pirates!" Bege stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present as he spoke with solemnity.
In an instant, all the executives rose to their feet, their eyes filled with fierce excitement and anticipation.
"Fire Tank Pirates Vice-Captain: Modi." Modi, cradling his longsword, showed a faint smile.
"Fire Tank Pirates First Division Commander: Gecko Moria." The position of First Division Commander ultimately went to Moria. While not the strongest in terms of raw power, Moria was one of the earliest members to follow Bege, and Bege still entrusted him with this role. Moria let out his signature cackling laugh, extremely pleased.
"Second Division Commander: Little Oars Jr."
"Third Division Commander: Riki."
"Fourth Division Commander: Enel."
"Fifth Division Commander: Wiper."
"Sixth Division Commander: Edward Weevil."
"Seventh Division Commander: 'Bone Demon' Marklode."
"Eighth Division Commander: Sam."
"Ninth Division Commander: Hank."
"Tenth Division Commander: Calsedon."
"Eleventh Division Commander: Longbill."
"Twelfth Division Commander: Ingram." The Twelfth Division was the "Freak Squad," composed of fusion freaks, possessing immense overall strength. Ingram's personal combat prowess was also formidable, easily placing him among the top five.
"Thirteenth Division Commander: Zodd." This Zodd was an old, loyal follower of Bege. The division he commanded was the Monster Corps, a powerful legion made up of fusion monsters. Zodd himself was a user of the Whisper-Whisper Fruit, allowing him to communicate with animals, making him an excellent commander for the Monster Corps.
These were the thirteen combat divisions of the Fire Tank Pirates.
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