One Piece: New Order

Chapter 339 339: Appearance Of The Dark-Dark Fruit

The meeting room fell into complete silence, with only the faint crackle of burning tobacco echoing in the air.

After a long while.

Rustle!

The papers in Shanks' hand were crushed into a tight ball. He rose to his feet, and almost instinctively, everyone else straightened in their seats.

He swept his gaze across the room before speaking slowly, "Let's not worry about that for now. What's everyone's decision… about the counterattack?"

Yasopp's lips curled into a confident smile. Across from him, Lucky Roux took a large bite of meat and grinned, his eyes gleaming with the same unspoken intent.

No one spoke, yet they all smiled in unison.

Shanks smiled as well. He tilted his head slightly, then raised his hand high into the air.

"In that case, everyone… begin the counterattack!!!"

His steady voice echoed through the silent room.

What answered him was a thunderous cheer.

"Whoa!!!!"

* * *

New World, Steam Pirates' territory.

Knox was holding a banquet, celebrating the arrival of a young pirate who had just joined their crew and been directly promoted to the Fifth Commander.

At that moment, one of his subordinates ran in to report, "Boss Knox! The Red Hair Pirates have sent a request about launching a counterattack. Are we joining them?"

Knox leaned back slightly, a hint of interest flashing across his face. "Oh? That guy finally made up his mind?"

Unlike Shanks, who had been weighing things carefully, he was more aggressive. Even though he did not understand Sakazuki's intentions, he preferred to act first and figure things out later.

On Kuzan's side, the soldiers followed Sakazuki's orders. If they could not hold, they would retreat, yet even so, casualties were still heavy. After all, these islands had been won with the lives of their comrades. How could they be abandoned so easily?

Although Knox did not know Sakazuki's true goal, this situation suited him perfectly.

He had suffered too many losses at Sakazuki's hands over the years, and the resentment ran deep.

Forces continued to gather at the front lines. From time to time, they launched assaults on Marine-controlled islands, and several had already been taken.

Beside Knox sat the newly appointed Fifth Commander. The young pirate's face was flushed with excitement, his breathing uneven as strands of black mist began to seep from his body. The mist flickered like living flames, writhing and spreading as if it had a will of its own.

"Boss! Do you need me to act?"

As his emotions surged, the black mist intensified, beginning to devour scattered objects around him.

Watching this strange, consuming mist, Knox nodded in satisfaction and spoke in a relaxed tone, "Not yet. Your ability must be used at the right moment. If used properly, you might even assassinate Sakazuki himself. When that happens, your name will shake the seas. The whole world will be ours."

As if already seeing that future, the young pirate's grin widened, and the black mist around him spread even further.

Only when it began creeping dangerously close to Knox did he snap back to his senses.

He quickly withdrew his power and apologised, "Sorry, boss. I just got this fruit not long ago. I still can't control it well. I—"

Knox raised a hand and cut him off. "It's nothing. You're young. That's normal. I was worse than you when I first got my fruit."

Then he turned to the subordinate who had come to report. "Ask Red Hair for the exact timing. We're ready anytime."

"Yes, boss."

The subordinate left after receiving the order.

Knox picked up his glass and glanced at the young pirate. The latter quickly followed suit, lifting his own drink and leaning forward.

Clink!

The crisp sound rang out as the two drank in one go, though in their hearts…

'Old bastard! Why don't you go kill Sakazuki yourself!'

'You damn dog! You think you can swallow me? You're not worthy. When you're no longer useful…'

What Knox referred to as "swallowing" was the black mist that had spread onto him earlier when the young pirate lost control.

That black mist was the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit.

This ability, known as the most evil Devil Fruit in history, had quietly appeared once again over time, and its original path had already been altered, now resting in someone else's hands.

* * *

New World, New Marineford.

Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, a massive map covered the wall, representing the entire world.

Across the Four Blues, large areas had been dyed red. The Revolutionary Army's advance was far more aggressive than expected.

Originally, it was predicted that conquering the Four Blues would take half a year, but judging from the current map and pace, it might not even take three months.

Plans could never keep up with change. Too many things had gone beyond expectations.

Sakazuki stood before the map, his gaze fixed on the spreading red as he asked, "What's the government's response? No counterattack?"

Carlo replied helplessly, "It's not that they haven't tried. They simply can't. Each country may have some CP agents planted in secret, but those numbers don't change anything. The only real military force the World Government can deploy in those countries is the Marines. But now…"

Sakazuki let out a faint chuckle.."The ones in the Holy Land must be losing their minds."

A trace of awkwardness crossed Carlo's face. "You should think about how to deal with Commander-in-Chief Kong. The calls have been nonstop lately…"

Ever since Sakazuki and the Five Elders silently broke ties, Kong had been stuck in the middle.

Although he held the position of Commander-in-Chief and could not be easily removed, that was not the issue. The real problem was that the Marines he had devoted most of his life to had now split from the World Government he currently served.

Being at the top of both sides left him in an impossible position.

Sakazuki shook his head. "Leave him be. We'll deal with it when he comes in person. But the Revolutionary Army…"

He paused briefly before continuing, "Tell Dr. Vegapunk to hand over the technology for ships that can cross the Calm Belt."

Carlo was stunned. "You mean…"

He gave a slight nod. "They're moving a bit too fast…"

If they conquered the Four Blues in three months, the Shroom-Shroom Fruit host on Egghead Island would still need two more months to mature.

It was not the right time for the final war. At the very least, the Revolutionary Army needed to be slowed down.

Once everything was ready, all enemies would be ended.

Including the so-called "gods"…

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