In the blink of an eye, awo months had passed.

  The stru on Cake Isnd was in full swing and had already taken shape, presenting a brand-new, vibrant appearance.

  The “miracle” performed by El two months earlier had left the citizens of Totto Land and the samurai from Wano try awestruck. They deeply revered El as their king, seeing him almost as a deity. Their respect was interwoven with profound admiration.

  This included Shimotsuki Furiko, Shimotsuki Ushimaru, and the samurai from Wano who had joihe Hell Trading pany, traveling aboard mert ships as guards to explore the outside world.

  Meanwhile, over the past few months, iations with the Wover had cluded. Both parties reached an agreement and officially signed a treaty.

  Much to everyone’s surprise, peace between Totto Land and the Wover had been maintained without interference from either side. Many had expected the Wovero retaliate with overwhelming force—to issue a Buster Call or unch a rge-scale fleet to annihite the Fallen Angel Pirates aroy Totto Land.

  Instead, the Wover’s as revealed its current limitations.

  Despite its vast resources, it was temporarily incapable of mobilizing a rge-scale fleet against Totto Land. The Fallen Angel Pirates’ successive as had inflicted devastating losses on the Marines.

  Particurly catastrophic was the destru of Marineford, the Marine Headquarters. Not only was the headquarters itself obliterated, but numerous warships docked in its port were also destroyed.

  Two retired admirals—older and weakened—were caught off guard, resulting in oh and one severe injury.

  The casualties included thousands of Mariatio the base and many of their family members.

  This took pce despite Marineford beiively uaffed at the time, as much of the Marine’s strength had been deployed elsewhere to manage rising chaos across the seas. Had Marineford been fully staffed, the death toll would have been even higher.

  In just a few short months, the Marines had suffered crippling losses in manpower and ships. Even with the Wover’s siderable resources, rebuilding would take at least three to five years.

  Faced with this unpreted crisis, Fleet Admiral Hammons William, after discussions with the Five Elders, ordered the relocation of Marine Headquarters to the G-1 Fortress, moving it into the New World.

  In the vish pace of Totto Land, within a massive office:

  Sally, a Shapeshifting Witow eo nearly eight or ers tall, was diligently w at her desk. She hesitated briefly before rep to El:

  “El-sama…”

  “Over the past six months, due to the Marines’ repeated setbacks—especially the destru of their headquarters—the seas have desded into chaos. Pirates run rampant everywhere, f the Mario spread themselves thin, stantly reag to threats and struggling to keep up.”

  “To address the crisis and the growing threat of the Fallen Angel Pirates, the Wover unched an unpreted World scription, l their enlistment standards.”

  “And it worked. In just over three months, they’ve replenished a signifit portion of their manpower, even recruiting several powerful individuals from among the civilian popution.”

  Pausing briefly under El’s attentive gaze, Sally added seriously:

  “Acc to the test intelligehe Marines have recruited a monstrous powerhouse from the civiliaor. This individual has reportedly been fast-tracked to the rank of Admiral, with an official annou expected soon.”

  At El’s gesture, Sally sat down and tinued, frowning:

  “They’re being very cautious. Our intelligence agents haven’t been able to uncover aails yet.”

  “Additionally, the Wover has ducted a sweeping purge within the Cipher Pol work, eliminating more than half of the agents ced there.”

  “I see,” El said, raising an eyebrow as he processed the report. He gently reassured her, “You’ve done well. Prioritize your safety above all else.”

  “Uood,” Sally hough her tone carried a hint ret. “Moreover, beyond the World scription, the Wover has intensified its efforts to ter Totto Land’s growing influence.”

  “They’ve accelerated the training of the geion of Holy Knights, increased internal CP development, aed promising agents to bestow with Devil Fruits.”

  “As expected…” El closed his eyes, unfazed.

  Letting the Shapeshifting Witch take the lead, El remained calm and smiled lightly:

  “Even though we are steadily developing, the Wover, which has ruled most of the world for turies, will likely recover even faster.”

  He had anticipated this oute and atient. He harbored no illusions about toppling the Wover in a mere three to five years.

  “How are things progressing with Stussy and Ryan?” El inquired.

  Ryan, the Munch-Munch Fruit user, headed the stific division. However, as a pure academicreasingly devoted to research, he wasn’t suited for administrative tasks. Thus, the ma of Totto Land’s Research Divisioo Stussy, the deputy chief of the advisory department. Having studied iure try, she had a strong grasp of stific principles and was sidered a capable assistant.

  “Quite well,” Sally said, her cheeks rosy and smiling with satisfa. “Ryan has been using various methods to invite renowned schors and experts from around the world, along with their families, to Totto Land.”

  “Most of the stists have agreed, and with Lillian’s assistance, we’ve also sed out those who seemed agreeable but harbored ulterior motives.”

  “As for Dr. Vegapunk and Dr. Tsukimi, they’ve already sent word—they’re ‘on their way’ as we speak.”

  Pausing briefly, Sally chuckled and added:

  “Even with Dr. Kureha, it’s nearly the same situation.”

  “Though she also hails from a Winter Isnd, many doctors there seem dissatisfied with the Drum Kingdom’s king. After watg the retly produced and broadcast Totto Land dotary, many expressed their willio relocate with their families.”

  Hearing this, El smiled in satisfa and nodded.

  “And how are things in Wano?”

  As he kneaded dough in his hands, gradually increasing the pressure, El asked with a smile:

  “How is Ruth managing?”

  “She has already successfully repced Kouzuki Sukiyaki and imprisoned him,” Sally reported. “Now she’s waiting for you to hahings personally.”

  “Additionally, she has issued orders to search the entire try for Devil Fruits. They’ve even found a Paramecia-type Ripe-Ripe Fruit.”

  Kouzuki Sukiyaki’s remaining value y irag information from his memories. As El had expihe Kouzuki inally carved the Poneglyphs ahe ability to read them.

  “Oh?” El raised an eyebrow, chug softly. “That’s quite a find.”

  The Ripe-Ripe Fruit, aside from its ability to corrode and age objects, had signifit applications. While its power to fornatural growth might pose drawbacks for humans, it held tremendous potential for animals.

  With pns to unch the Totto Land Daily, they would o recruit more News Birds. If a Giao e the Ripe-Ripe Fruit, it could facilitate the rapid growth of massive flying creatures or predatory beasts. Even rge-scale marine creatures could be bred artificially, fortifying Totto Land into an imperable fortress that would bee any invader’s nightmare.

  “Then there’s Kouzuki Oden,” Sally tinued, hesitating. “Ruth said he’s been causing a lot of trouble, nearly sabotaging her efforts several times.”

  “But he’s undeniably a monstrous talent with unparalleled potential. What do you pn to do with him?”

  “If that’s the case, I’ll deal with him personally when I get there,” El said casually, his indifference obvious.

  If Oden couldn’t be brought under his and, there was no reason to keep him alive.

  “The only heir of the Wano Shogun, assassinated by a rival daimyo coveting the throne, leading to the extin of the Kouzuki bloodline…”

  Smirking, El added, “A fitti of the Kurozumi ’s tragedy, wouldn’t you say?”

  “Ah? You’re just so cruel…” Sally’s voice quivered as she rolled her eyes, though her torayed no genuine sympathy.

  The fate of the Kouzuki didn’t either of them in the slightest.

  Bleam