OP: My Aircraft Carrier Evolves#180+181: Signing Brook, and Sabaody's Legendary Vice-Captain!

Under the clear sky, wisps of black fog and brilliant sunlight were starkly divided by a stretch of blue sea.

Suddenly, a rift tore open in the fog, widening as if something had just burst through—but there was nothing there.

There was only the churning wake of something unseen, a trail of white foam on the blue.

A ship?

But where was it?

"The power of invisibility... not bad," Jin mused, standing inside the conning tower as he tested the new Devil Fruit ability.

"Invisibility itself isn't a weak concept at all. Absalom's use of it was elementary, limited to the surface. Its true potential lies in erasing one's presence—scent, sound, everything. Combined with the Calm-Calm Fruit, the effects could be incredible. Perfect for ambushes, completely bypassing Observation Haki."

Jin had long since realized that certain Devil Fruit combinations could be devastatingly effective.

He'd mused on it before. The Sing-Sing Fruit, the Pump-Pump Fruit, the Tone-Tone Fruit... combine them with the right performance, and you wouldn't just bring the house down.

You could probably bring down the world.

Absalom's understanding of "invisibility" was purely physical. But Jin believed that non-physical things—like scent and sound—could also be made "invisible."

And then there was conceptual "invisibility."

The power to subconsciously lower one's own presence, to be instinctively overlooked by an enemy.

It was like those people in real life who just seem to fade into the background, a "transparent" person no one ever notices.

The main character from Kuroko's Basketball was a perfect example.

Shiryu’s ability to land a fatal blow on Garp during the battle on Hachinosu had to be related to his mastery of the Clear-Clear Fruit. He had likely made himself conceptually "invisible," causing Garp to subconsciously ignore him, his senses completely deceived.

If he developed the Clear-Clear Fruit in that direction, it would be an incredibly powerful ability.

Lost in thought, Jin deactivated the fruit's power. The demonic carrier shifted from its invisible state back to its disguise—a three-masted sailing ship, appearing from nowhere and carving a clean, white line through the sea.

Jin glanced back at the Florian Triangle, a place of perpetual, ominous fog.

"This trip was quite profitable," he thought. "Two Devil Fruits, over five hundred wandering souls... and I plundered Moria's entire fortune, an estimated 800 million Berries. Plus, now that I have control of Thriller Bark, it's basically a soul-crystal farming map."

"Other than Mihawk and Doflamingo, I've essentially brought all the Warlords in Paradise under my influence. And Jinbe and Fish-Man Island... they're not technically in Paradise, but they've clearly shown an interest in making contact."

Fish-Man Island was currently under Whitebeard's protection, and it was rife with internal conflict and racism. Jin had no desire to get involved right now—at least, not until after the Summit War.

Did people really think the Fish-Men's suffering was solely because of human pirates?

There were plenty of Fish-Men who despised humans, who were born with the belief that they were a superior race. They only played the victim because humans were stronger. If the roles were reversed... Arlong was considered a "hero" among his people. They looked down on ordinary humans for their "weakness," yet they cried foul when stronger humans oppressed them. The double standard was infuriating.

Of course, Jin didn't deny that there were gentle, kind, and innocent victims among the Fish-Men, like the idealistic Queen Otohime and Princess Shirahoshi.

Life was diverse.

Like Brook, for example.

"Yohohoho... it's a fine day today, isn't it, Your Majesty?"

Brook had apparently made up his mind. He had rung the bell, requesting a meeting with Jin.

After being "eaten" by the demonic carrier, Jin hadn't killed him.

For one, Brook was valuable. His "soul music" could add a new genre to Hannabal's music scene.

Second, there were still many mysteries surrounding him.

And third, the Revive-Revive Fruit was a special case. It operated on the level of the soul. If he rashly tried to integrate it into the carrier and Brook's will proved indestructible, it could cause a lot of trouble.

After his battle with Tot Musica, Jin had realized that fruits with a strong will of their own possessed a certain "independence." Mythical Zoans, for example, seemed to choose their own users.

The prime example: Nika.

It was hard to say if Luffy had eaten the Nika fruit, or if Nika had eaten Luffy.

Fruits like the Revive-Revive Fruit and the Soul-Soul Fruit were also unique.

After running its analysis, Ai had advised against integrating it for now, recommending a period of observation instead.

"So," Jin said, looking at Brook, "what is your choice?"

The skeleton, with his signature afro, maintained the elegant demeanor common among those from the West Blue.

"I will sign the contract," Brook said. "To be able to perform music—that is my dream. Besides, it was you, Your Majesty, who helped me reclaim my shadow. I am honor-bound to repay you. And I have no desire to return to that sunless fog."

Jin smiled. "Welcome to the Royal Music Troupe of the Winter Blossom Kingdom. This is a ten-year contract. We will provide the stage, the management, and everything else you need to reach the pinnacle of the music world."

Anyone who paid close attention to the world of One Piece would notice that beyond the adventure, there was a well-established media ecosystem—news, music, fashion, and more.

Morgans' news agency was at the top of the media world. Uta's music could be broadcast to the entire planet. Wapol's comeback had been boosted by the favor of a Miss World winner, proving the existence of beauty pageants. Fish-Man Island had famous fashion designers and even a fashion week.

And during the two-year time skip, Brook, with the help of his managers, had become the "Soul King" of the music world.

Luffy had only become the Fifth Emperor thanks to Morgans' hype.

It was clear that branding and public relations were becoming more and more important.

Take, for example, the "Prince Charming" who would be all over the news in a year's time, the hottest new thing since Ace: "The Gorgeous Supernova," "The Pirate Prince"—Cavendish.

He was the pirate equivalent of a pop idol. When he debuted, the newspapers followed his every move for days. Women even stole his wanted posters. For a time, he was the biggest name in the business.

But two and a half years later, the "Worst Generation" had burst onto the scene. They were all ruthless killers, and they became the media's new darlings. Cavendish, the "old-timer," was cast aside. He had been so furious that he'd gone to Dressrosa to settle the score.

It was no different from new and old celebrities fighting over the spotlight.

Brook signed the contract. In his current state, having just escaped one prison, with nowhere else to go, three years or ten made no difference to him.

Only after signing did Brook notice a special clause regarding "penalties for breach of contract."

No harassing women?

No peeking at panties?

A 500,000 Berri fine for each violation?

'Do they really think I, Brook, am that kind of person?'

A woman in a maid outfit entered the room, carrying a tray of tea.

Brook's soul-fire flared. As if triggered by some primal instinct, some latent memory, he slid to his knees before her.

"May I be so bold as to see your panties—"

WHAM!

The girl sent him flying with a single kick.

"Pervert!" she grumbled.

It was Perona's voice.

Her features were flawlessly delicate. She wore a gorgeous purple and black gothic maid outfit, a perfect gothic lolita.

After a thorough humbling from Jin, Perona had reluctantly submitted.

With Brook taken care of, Jin activated the Castle-Castle Fruit and sent him back to his room.

He leaned back and enjoyed a shoulder massage from his gothic lolita, sipping his tea and looking at his sea chart.

Sabaody Archipelago.

He had one other purpose for this trip: to travel to the Calm Belt near Sabaody to trade with Hancock.

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

At the same time, good news had arrived from Hannabal. The second issue of Entertainment Weekly had sold eight million copies. Though it hadn't broken the ten million mark, its reputation was established. It was only a matter of time.

Other smaller papers and various powers, seeing the massive profits to be made from the "lottery," had begun to imitate it.

But Jin wasn't worried. The concept might have been simple, but it was easy to screw up.

He had Ai for statistics, analysis, and oversight, as well as special anti-counterfeiting measures. And with his own power, he wasn't worried about anyone causing trouble.

All he had to do was maintain his "integrity."

Any other power might be able to make a quick buck, but in the long run, it was a difficult game to play.

Besides, competition was a good thing. It would get more people involved. And the allure of a "billion-Berri" prize would be enough to draw in those who had gotten a taste of winning from the smaller lotteries.

And in any case, Jin's real purpose in all this was to seize a portion of the "public discourse." The lottery was just a marketing tool.

And it was working beautifully.

The more chaotic the times, the greater the people's desire to get rich quick.

Weren't those who risked their lives to become pirates just gambling with their lives for wealth and fame?

—————————

As they approached the massive mangrove trees, a group of ferocious, armed pirates blocked the demonic carrier's path.

Cannons roared, and black smoke filled the air. The cannonballs arced through the sky, most of them landing in the sea, with only a few hitting the ship. They did minimal damage.

That's why boarding was the pirates' primary method of attack.

"Alright, men! Let's go!" the pirate captain sneered. "If they've got money, we take it! If they don't, we take them! In the Sabaody Archipelago, everything is for sale—including people!"

They had clearly picked the wrong opponent.

Jin didn't even have to lift a finger.

One by one, the pirates leaped into the fire.

In the end, even their ship was swallowed.

—————————

"Dammit..."

Gunfire erupted.

The moment Jin docked, he saw a group of bounty hunters and a group of pirates in a firefight. The Marines quickly arrived to break it up.

As the meeting point of all seven routes of the Grand Line and the gateway to the New World, the Sabaody Archipelago had always been a gray area where darkness and light intertwined, a place of both prosperity and poverty.

In the sunlight, round bubbles scattered a rainbow of colors. Bubble cars, a bubble Ferris wheel, houses built inside bubbles... it was a unique culture.

"Young man, you'd best stay away from Groves 1 through 29," the old man collecting the docking fee said kindly. "That's the lawless zone—a real snake pit. Even the Marines don't like to go in there."

"Thanks," Jin said with a smile.

He was only here to collect some of the Yarukiman Mangrove resin, to analyze its composition and see if he could synthesize a new material, and to take some cuttings to transplant and cultivate.

The old man told him about a trading company on the island that sold such things. Jin had Robin take some of the crew to make the purchase.

He himself rented a bubble car and headed for Grove 13.

Hancock had told him to go to "Shakky's Rip-Off Bar." Someone there would take him the rest of the way.

'Rayleigh?' Jin thought. The Kuja were in the Calm Belt, and they had a "no men allowed" policy. He was likely the only one who knew their location.

Hancock's caution was probably Gloriosa's idea. In a matter of such importance, it wasn't surprising that they were being careful.

And this was a perfect opportunity to meet the vice-captains of the former "idol" group of the world and the Pirate King's crew.

"This place really is crawling with crooks," Jin mused, glancing around. He had just entered the lawless zone, and he was already being watched.

A bounty hunter flipped through his wanted posters.

"Handsome, a real pretty boy," a slave trader appraised him. "If I sell him, some rich old hag will pay a high price."

A pirate? Even simpler.

"This road is mine—" a group of armed pirates appeared in front of him.

In the next instant, the shockwave from a single punch exploded like a cannonball.

The aftermath was pure carnage.

Jin's show of force was enough to deter anyone else. The covetous gazes retreated.

And the friendly shopkeepers appeared.

"Sir! We have beautiful women of all races! Mermaids, Longarm Tribe, Giants..."

"You want a man? We can do that too! With the right price, anything is possible!"

"Feeling lucky? Come on down to the casino! Ten thousand Berries just for walking in the door! Short on cash? You can mortgage anything... including yourself!"

"The Flamingo Underground Auction House! Beautiful slaves, muscular men, antiques, famous swords, weapons... we've got it all!"

"A Devil Fruit? Not at the moment. But if you give us your contact information, we can let you know when one comes up for auction."

See? When you're strong, everyone around you is a good person.

"Shakky's Rip-Off BAR."

This was the place.

Jin pushed open the door.

"Welcome. What can I get for you?"

A woman with short black hair sat at the bar. She had one hand on the counter, a cigarette between her fingers. In front of her was a steaming cup of coffee. She was casually reading a newspaper, her legs crossed.

It was Entertainment Weekly.

For some reason, many of the beautiful women in the world of One Piece became grotesque in their old age. Shakky was one of the few who had aged well, along with Vice Admiral Tsuru.

But women like Gloriosa and Bakkin... they were an eyesore.

"I'm the king of the Winter Blossom Kingdom," Jin said, sitting down at the bar. "I was told to wait here for someone."

"Oh?" Shakky's eyes moved from the newspaper. She looked him over. He matched the picture in the paper. She took an elegant drag from her cigarette and exhaled a fragrant puff of white smoke. "He'll be here shortly. A drink while you wait?"

"Alright," Jin said. "I'll have your specialty."

"A man of taste," Shakky said with a light laugh. "But it's not cheap."

"In that case," Jin said, "I'll just have a glass of water."

"Huh?" Shakky was surprised. She had expected him to put on a show, to boast about how much money he had. But he'd just... given up? "Hey, you're a king. Are you really that broke?"

"The 'Rip-Off' in your sign tells me everything I need to know," Jin said. "Even a king's coffers aren't bottomless these days. A penny saved is a penny earned. And I'm not about to line the pockets of a swindler."

Shakky was taken aback.

So this is why Hancock said he was different.

She turned and poured him a glass of water. "The water isn't free, either."

"In that case," Jin said, "I'm not thirsty."

"Hahaha..."

A laugh came from outside. The door opened, and a man with long, wavy gray hair walked in, a smile on his weathered face. He had a short beard, a pair of glasses, and a vertical scar over his right eye.

"Rayleigh, what are you laughing at?" Shakky shot him a look.

Rayleigh cleared his throat. "Nothing. I just heard a funny joke on the way here." He sat down at the bar.

"So you're the one?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. "The king who wants to do business with the Kuja?"

"That would be me," Jin said with a light laugh.

"Is Entertainment Weekly your doing?" Rayleigh asked eagerly.

"It is."

"Do you know the winning numbers for the next drawing? I don't need the grand prize. Third prize would be just fine."

There was no greed in Rayleigh's eyes, only the simple desire to win. Some people love to gamble, not for the money, but for the thrill of the game, the rush of dopamine that comes with a win.