novelraw Chapter 397: One Word Shapes the Underworld
Chapter 397: One Word Shapes the Underworld
The Hell Pirates’ three-day festival drew a flood of pirates and underworld merchants to the waters of Elan Island. Even old-guard underworld powers like the Dracula Family were cozying up to the Hell Pirates.
They weren’t pledging loyalty, but they struck plenty of deals!
The Du Family’s underground banks and financial operations sealed top-tier partnerships with Brook. Banks sprang up across Hell Pirates’ territory, tightening their grip on the financial sector.
Brook had no intention of hogging these industries. He wasn’t an expert in finance, so he let the pros handle it, skimming the lion’s share of profits while keeping the old families fed. But he wasn’t naive—his people were embedded in these operations, watching and learning. Talent takes time to cultivate.
Brook’s reign over the New World was still young. His tentacles couldn’t yet reach every corner of his domain. Give it a decade or two, and he’d control everything.
Rocks, on the other hand, wanted it all now. He underestimated the complexity of each industry’s rules and knowledge, not to mention his lack of manpower to dominate every sector.
The entertainment and warehousing/raw materials industries remained unconquered. Stussy, however, was storming the entertainment world, rising as the new queen of revelry, her influence dwarfing even the Queen of the Pleasure District.
The intelligence game belonged to Big News Mortomas and his World Economic News Agency. Shipping was ruled by Sea King Umide’s Umi Family. Finance was locked down by the Du Family, old hands blessed by Fukujin, and rumors swirled that the future loan shark king, Du Feld, had just been born.
"So, the warehousing and raw materials trade is still a mess, huh?"
Brook mused, taking a rare moment of peace after putting Kanna to bed. He sifted through a stack of fresh intel. Underworld bosses, seizing the chance to celebrate the birth of Brook’s heir, had come to pay their respects.
The warehousing and raw materials players were especially desperate. They knew Brook’s backing could crown the next underworld king.
These bosses were too proud to kneel, but what if their rivals swore allegiance to the Hell Pirates? Decades of hard-won empires could vanish like smoke.
So, these old foes struck a pact in secret: no surrendering to Brook. They’d settle their own score and negotiate with him as near-equals, like the Du and Dracula Families had.
But once the race to outdo each other began, it spiraled out of control.
You stay late to look dedicated? Everyone else feels pressured to "volunteer" overtime too.
These factions sent envoys to Brook’s turf, each scheming to win his favor and claim the throne of the warehousing and raw materials trade.
But—classic underworld—they all had the same idea. They ran into each other, nearly sparking a brawl. So much for their "pact." Sneaky bastards, every one of them.
"Right now, the commodity trade’s big players are deadlocked. Without outside interference, they could stay that way for years," Antonio said, now sporting gold-rimmed glasses. Sorting intel for the Hell Pirates was no small feat, especially since he shared the load with Mortomas, managing data from across the globe.
"The Giberson Family runs warehousing, the Nisia Family handles raw materials, and the Bojian Family controls processing..."
Brook scanned the names. These industries could operate separately, but these players wanted to devour their rivals. The underworld didn’t tolerate too many emperors. If you didn’t dominate the whole chain, you weren’t a true king.
"They all want to join us, but only if we back them to become the next Mortomas or Umide," Antonio said with a faint smirk. The Hell Pirates’ clout could now crush the entire underworld. Even Rocks was squeezing these factions dry.
"Joining us or cutting a deep deal is their best bet," Antonio added.
"Let them form a Commodity Guild. They’ll rotate a president—underworld emperor—every four years. If they can’t agree, we back the Giberson Family and wipe out the rest."
Brook’s single sentence decided the industry’s fate. That’s
the power of a New World overlord. He recalled the future warehousing boss, Giberson—likely from this very family.
"Got it. I’ll handle it with Shiki," Antonio replied, sensing Brook’s reluctance to leave Kanna’s side. He took on the task without hesitation.
...
As Antonio left, Brook returned to the crib, gazing at his beloved daughter.
"Grow up quick, little one. Call me ’Papa’ and let’s play together!"
With Brook settling into a quieter role, Rocks seemed to stir less trouble. He headed to the chaotic buffer zones, claiming islands and hunting ability users, but avoided all-out clashes with the Navy.
...
Days later, Shakky and Memory Seahorse returned to the Grand Line’s Amazon Lily. She wasn’t joining Brook’s trip to Elbaf. Her goal: become the new captain of the Kuja Pirates and bring Amazon Lily into the Hell Pirates’ fold.
The World Pirates were summoned back, joining the Edward and Woonan Pirates to maintain order on Elan Island. Brook also left Ashura Jakun’s samurai swordsmen to bolster defenses.
"Jahaha! Finally, we’re off! I’m curious about this legendary Elbaf!"
Golden Lion Shiki buzzed with excitement about the world’s mightiest nation. He’d fought Elbaf giants before and found them underwhelming, so why did they hold the title of strongest?
"Don’t underestimate Elbaf," Brook warned. "A few hundred Hakai sword aura shockwaves would shred any pirate ship or warship to splinters."
He spoke calmly. The Giant race wasn’t numerous, but they numbered in the tens of thousands. Excluding the elderly, women, and children, they still fielded thousands of warriors across dozens of villages and a royal Giant capital.
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