OP: My Aircraft Carrier Evolves#186+187: The King's Legacy—and His Secrets. Onward to the New World!

Hannabal.

The Music Hall.

As Uta's song came to an end, a new announcement rang out.

"And now, Soul King Brook will perform a classic—'Binks's Brew'!"

Brook, a walking, talking skeleton, took the stage with his guitar.

"Binks's Brew" was the quintessential pirate shanty. It had originated in the West Blue, and hearing it here in Hannabal felt perfectly natural.

"A skeleton?"

In the VIP box, Hina watched the stage. She was there at Jin's invitation, taking a much-needed vacation in Hannabal.

She wasn't alone.

Reiju, Nami, Carina, and Kaya were with her. Their six months of basic special training had just concluded.

Tonight was a farewell.

Reiju would be staying with Hina to study administration and gain more experience.

Nami was heading back to the East Blue. Her heart was set on rebuilding Cocoyasi Village, and Jin had appointed her treasurer of his East Blue Trading Company—a role she was all too familiar with.

Kaya was bound for Drum Island to study under the legendary Dr. Kureha. As a "gift" to smooth her apprenticeship, Jin had given her Hogback's medical notes and a collection of rare medical texts he had acquired—all to be presented to the doctor.

The old witch had a notoriously fiery temper—even Jin couldn't manage her. Kaya would have her work cut out for her. But Dr. Kureha's skill was undeniable. Doctors like Law, the 20-Doctors, and even Crocus would have to stand and listen when she spoke. She was a national treasure.

And finally, Carina would be joining the musical troupe, studying under Gordon and the other masters.

It was a time for learning and growth. As long as they applied themselves, the experience would benefit them for the rest of their lives, regardless of the paths they ultimately chose.

—————————

Over the past three months, Jin had ordered a systematic survey of all the islands under his command.

Reports were compiled on each village's economy, population, and current state of development.

As it stood, the Winter Blossom Kingdom's official territories now included:

Drum Island

Hannabal

Asuka Island

Melcyse Island

Port Raven

The Conomi Islands in the East Blue

Skypiea, being a world away, wasn't counted.

He also had administrative assistance agreements with 3 more Islands.

But as they were also member nations of the World Government, his authority was limited to protecting their waters from pirates.

In reality, however, Jin had already "bought" those three islands from their kings.

Yes, bought!

These were not large nations like Alabasta. They were small islands, much like Drum Island, with a dozen or so villages and a population of twenty to thirty thousand. Their entire annual GDP was less than 100 million Berries.

It wasn't surprising. The wealth gap between the nations of this world was staggering. Drum Island had only held some sway at the World Council because of its medical prowess—a status that had been shattered by Wapol's "Doctor Hunt."

The World Government claimed over 170 member nations, but more than half of them were just like this. The kings of these nations held less real power than a neighborhood busybody back on Earth. A nation like Alabasta, with a population in the tens of millions, was a world power. These were not.

For Jin, with his current wealth and status—bolstered by his position as a Warlord—"buying" three small countries was a simple matter. Through financial control and the leverage of the Heavenly Tribute, their kings had no choice but to submit.

Of course, he hadn't—and couldn't—strip them of their titles. A certain level of decorum had to be maintained. If he went too far, the World Government would not stand idly by.

With the initial survey complete, all the data was fed to Ai for large-scale analysis and management, allowing for the creation of tailored development plans for each island.

The survey had also identified a number of promising young individuals, recommended by their villages. They were brought to Jin to participate in a "King's Training Program" for further observation and special training.

Next, Jin ordered a unified household registration.

Nobles, landowners, slaves, merchants, farmers—everyone was to be registered as a citizen of the Winter Blossom Kingdom.

This was not just for administrative convenience. It was a subtle way to dismantle the old systems of nobility and slavery that still lingered on these islands, unlocking the population's productive potential. It was the groundwork for future reforms in taxation, military service, law, and education.

But he had to take it one step at a time. He planned to roll out the reforms gradually over the next year and a half.

He wasn't trying to eliminate the concept of nobility entirely. Instead, he was developing a new aristocracy—a meritocracy based on military and commercial achievement, designed to counterbalance the power of the old land-owning elites.

He had already started this on Drum Island with his "Twelve Decrees." The island was no longer the sleepy backwater it had once been.

The people, having gone through militia training, were now joining escort fleets and the kingdom's navy, participating in foreign campaigns, and earning merit, money, and status. They were becoming a new interest group, one that would naturally support his reforms.

—————————

As one of Jin's closest confidantes, Robin had a front-row seat to this sweeping series of reforms. With his permission, she began to document them, to write the history of this new era.

"The King believed that the World Government's eight hundred years of rule had corrupted not just individuals, but the very era itself," she wrote, the light of the lamp casting a warm glow on the page.

"Therefore, the new era, in the King's eyes, would not be born from the death of a single person, but from the replacement of an old system with a new one. To overthrow the old society and build a new one. He, too, was still finding his way."

"Putting aside his... personal life, the King's greatness was undeniable."

Robin didn't know it then, but her journal would one day be revered as a national treasure. The first half of that last sentence, in particular, would be the subject of endless interpretation, spawning countless entertaining—and often wild—stories about the King's private life.

<><><><><><><><>

High above the clouds, the ship sailed onward. Before attending Big Mom's Tea Party, Jin was first making a stop at Skypiea.

Inside the ship, the upper levels housed the Germa 66-led research center, as well as Jin's personal office.

In the office, Maya kept her eyes squeezed shut, her lips pressed tight.

'Pretend you're asleep,' she told herself, holding her breath, not daring to move.

But she couldn't help but peek through a tiny slit. She saw Reiju, leaning against the King.

Reiju, for her part, was a study in conflicted grace. She bit her lip, taking a deep, steadying breath, trying to remain calm. But a soft, involuntary sigh escaped her throat. It was strangely endearing.

For this trip to the New World, Jin had chosen to bring Reiju, Maya, Robin, Law, and Wilson, among others. It was a chance for them to be tested, to experience the New World for themselves.

He had also brought along Wyper and Raki of the Shandia tribe, and Conis of the Skypieans. He planned to have the three of them take over Mock Town in Van Augur's place—a command from their "God."

And after learning of the connection between Jaya and Skypiea, and the potential danger of the golden bell, they were not in a position to refuse.

As for Cricket and the Saruyama Alliance—they had finally, miraculously, reached Skypiea a few months prior. Cricket and Wyper had met, fulfilling the 400-year-old promise, and had rung the Bell of Shandora together.

Afterward, Cricket and his crew had left, intending to search for another mysterious land mentioned in his ancestor's records—the fabled Dreamland.

To each their own. Jin wished them well. They were more explorers than pirates.

For this journey to the New World, Jin wasn't taking the sea route. He was traveling through the sky, crossing over the Holy Land from the White Sea.

The sea was barred by the Calm Belt and the Red Line. But the sky... the sky was free. It was also incredibly dangerous.

First, just reaching the White Sea was a feat in itself, requiring the ability to fly.

Second, the lack of oxygen made long-term travel impossible for most, even for elite Marines.

And finally, the White Sea was home to all sorts of mutated sky-creatures, some of them as powerful as the super-large Sea Kings.

Only Jin and the demonic carrier could ignore these dangers.

—————————

A few months ago, a pirate alliance led by Decalvan and the A.O. Pirates had invaded and plundered the Whitebeard Pirates' territory.

Ace and his Spade Pirates, seeing an opportunity, had laid in wait at one of Whitebeard's supply depots, hoping to take the old man's head.

But their plan had been thwarted by Jinbe.

After a period of... adjustment, Ace and his crew had been successfully absorbed into the Whitebeard Pirates.

Then, under Ace's leadership, the pirate alliance was crushed.

Ace and his flames were becoming a rising star in the New World, the talk of the town.

On an island near the G-5 base, the people in a small town were discussing just that.

"The pirates of the New World are on a completely different level," one man said.

"First of all, the scale is different. Take the Whitebeard Pirates, for example. You've got the old man himself, Edward Newgate, plus his sixteen division commanders and their crews. That's a fighting force of over a thousand right there. And under them, they've got dozens of allied pirate crews, with a total force of tens of thousands, controlling a vast territory. They fund their operations with the tribute they collect from the businesses in their territory. From legitimate work like trade, dock labor, and restaurants, to shadier stuff like casinos and entertainment, to smuggling weapons and providing mercenaries... every economic activity in their territory is tied to them. Just the protection money for flying a Yonko's flag is probably worth hundreds of millions. When a rookie pirate enters the New World, the first thing they have to do is go pay their respects to one of the Four Emperors and join their crew to seek protection. That's the usual way of things."

"Who's the strongest of the Four Emperors?" another asked.

"Well, if you're talking about Red-Haired Shanks... he's a living legend. His duels with the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk, are still talked about. Even though he lost an arm, he's now on par with Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido, firmly seated on the throne of the Four Emperors. I heard the government guys say that if you piss off Shanks, things get... scary. Whitebeard is scary if you break his code of honor. Big Mom is scary when she's in a bad mood. And Kaido... he's just plain scary all the time."

"And there's another rumor," the first man said, lowering his voice. "They say Shanks was once a member of the Pirate King's crew. If you call Whitebeard and Big Mom, who were already powerful back then, the old generation, then Shanks and Kaido are the new generation."

WHOOSH!

BOOM!

Suddenly, the sound of a cannonball screaming through the air, followed by an explosion, shook the island.

Everyone jumped.

"Is it pirates?"

"Hey, that flag..."

"Is that... the Whitebeard Pirates?"

"Are they attacking the Marine base?"

"No... they're chasing another pirate ship. Maybe the pirates thought the Marines would protect them?"

The base commander, Vice Admiral Vergo, hearing the commotion, immediately gave an order.

"Raise the sea gates! Don't let those pirates get any closer!"

He wanted no part of a Yonko's hunt.

"Captain! The port is blocked!"

"Dammit!" Decalvan cursed. "Cowardly Marines!"

He had hoped to use the Marines to either block Whitebeard's pursuit or create a diversion so he could escape.

He looked back. A three-masted ship, flying a pirate flag, was bearing down on them, its cannons aimed.

And standing on the mast, a young man wreathed in flames.

At the prow, a tall man, over three meters, stood with his arms crossed.

"It's Ace! And Vista!"

"Captain, we have to jump!"

Having witnessed Whitebeard's power firsthand, the crew had lost all will to fight.

The cannonballs exploded, sending up massive plumes of water.

"Hey! Get closer!" Vista shouted, a smile on his face.

"Ace! This one is mine! You can't take him from me!"

Vista was a powerfully built man with broad shoulders, and a long, curled black mustache. He wore a large blue top hat and earrings. His open blue shirt revealed a hairy chest. He had a black cape, white gloves, light blue trousers, and buckled deerskin boots. At his waist were two scabbards, and in his hands, two sabers.

"Anyone who dares to touch the old man's territory will not be forgiven."

Any town that flew Whitebeard's flag was under the protection of his commanders. In return, they had to pay tribute in the form of money, food, fuel, and labor.

If the World Government and the Marines were to lose the people's trust, everyone would turn to the Four Emperors for protection.

The young men who came to the Grand Line were all looking for adventure.

But... after barely surviving the journey through the Fish-Man Island route, which claimed seventy percent of all ships, they would find that the New World was already firmly under the control of the Four Emperors.

A fool who didn't understand the rules of this world would be the first to die.

Ace glanced at the Marine base. "Shouldn't the Marines be handling this?"

"The Marines?" Vista scoffed. "The Marines are just the world's largest pirate crew... They can throw their weight around in other places. But in the New World, they're nothing. The G-5 branch is just a strategic outpost. The Marine Headquarters is just the military arm of the World Government. The 'absolute justice' they preach is not about protecting the people from pirates. It's about protecting the interests of the nobles and the Celestial Dragons."

"I see," Ace said with a smile. "Sorry, Commander Vista."

He leaped from the mast, a ball of fire that streaked across the sky and crashed onto the deck of the other ship.

The mainmast groaned and splintered.

With a single punch, Ace had destroyed the Decalvan Pirates' mast.

'That bastard Ace,' Decalvan thought, his anger rising. Always stealing the spotlight.

"Hey, Ace!" he shouted. "You've got a bounty in the hundreds of millions! Are you really content to be just another one of Whitebeard's men?"

Ace scratched his head. "It's... a long story. But you've put up a good fight. I respect that. How about you join the Whitebeard Pirates?"

Suddenly, Vista shouted, "Ace! Look out!"