Chapter 178: The Gathering Storm in the Four Seas

Meanwhile, in the South Blue and North Blue, the Mafia, believing they’d broken free from outside control, started recruiting members on a massive scale.

Before this, anyone wanting to join the Mafia had to prove they were clean with no criminal record, which meant their numbers across the Four Seas were never as large as people imagined.

Plus, Mafia members were forbidden from trafficking arms, weapons, addictive candies, or opium.

The main goal was to maintain a good business environment, making the Four Seas more prosperous and raking in more profit.

But that was never really on their minds. All they cared about was holding a monopoly over the dark forces in the South and North Blue, making as much money as possible thanks to their overwhelming greed.

So they immediately declared that trafficking arms, weapons, candies, opium—any kind of contraband—was now fair game.

In just two days, the business climate in the South and North Blue turned utterly chaotic. The local Mafia made a fortune practically overnight. Even new recruits agreed this was the fastest way to strike it rich.

Their reckless recruitment soon led the Mafia in both seas astray, losing sight of their original purpose.

At this moment, Karl had already arrived on Fishman Island.

“Looks like you’ve all been living well these past years,” Karl remarked.

Strolling down the neon-lit Fishman Street, Karl couldn’t help but feel a bit sentimental.

He remembered how, when he’d first come to Fishman Street, everything was pitch black—broken rooms everywhere. If you didn’t look closely, you’d think you’d wandered into a slum.

But now, the whole place was completely transformed.

Streetlights had been replaced with luminous pearls from the sea, and even the paving stones were special shells collected from deep under the ocean, glowing softly beneath their feet.

Every house was decorated with beautiful coral, children played nearby, and kindly elders watched on. The old days of poverty and repression on Fishman Street were now just a distant memory.

“Of course, it’s all thanks to Lord Karl,”

“If not for Lord Karl’s protection, Fishmen like us would never have seen life change like this,” Jiner said with a smile, standing by Karl’s side.

Having seen Fishman Street at its worst, he knew better than anyone what a difference Karl had made. Without Karl’s help, they’d probably still be fighting among themselves.

As for these good days, he’d never imagined they’d come so soon—if at all.

“You reap what you sow. Your hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed,”

Karl was never one to sell himself short. Sure, he’d protected them, but the transformation was the result of their own effort. Without their determination, Fishman Street would never have changed, not in decades.

“This way, Lord Karl.”

Jiner led Karl to a bustling hotel—the very word ‘hotel’ had come from Karl’s own mouth.

On Cake Island, there weren’t just hotels. There were inns, amusement parks, bakeries, bars, and even karaoke lounges. On Christmas, you’d almost think you’d stepped into the modern day.

“Just so we’re clear, I can’t stay too long. I leave tomorrow,” Karl paused at the entrance, turning to Jiner.

Jiner stepped up and pushed open the door. “Don’t worry, Lord Karl. We won’t take too much of your time.”

“It’s been ages, Lord Karl!” As soon as Kano saw him, he jumped up, waving his eight tentacles in excitement as he dashed forward.

Kano was from the octopus tribe and now acted as one of Fishman Street’s top managers.

Leo and Alo also stood up to welcome Karl.

These three were now the leading stewards of Fishman Street.

Every major policy and decision on Fishman Street now required all three to sign off before it went ahead.

“I’m just passing through—no need for all the ceremony.”

Surrounded by the crowd, Karl made his way to the table.

Seeing the spread of dishes before him, he couldn’t hide his satisfaction. He’d said they didn’t need to fuss, but deep down the feast made him quite happy.

Leo, ever the sharp one, caught the little smile on Karl’s face and immediately knew the arrangements were a hit. “Please, Lord Karl, have a seat!”

He quickly pulled out a chair for Karl.

As long as Karl enjoyed the dinner, all that work was worth it.

Before long, morning arrived.

With Kano and the others seeing him off, Karl struck out alone toward the New World. He’d insisted on traveling solo to Cake Island, figuring he’d make better time that way.

After surfacing for a dozen minutes, he reached open water.

Without sparing a glance at the little boat beneath him, he simply soared into the sky, heading straight for Cake Island. With his stamina, he could fly the whole way without breaking a sweat.

“Mamamamama!”

“Did you think I was a sick cat just because the tiger’s been quiet?”

Elsewhere, Linlin received a report from the signals team—delivered by Jerris.

She hadn’t expected that after pacifying Wano, trouble would flare up in the South and North Blue as well.

But those seas were nothing like Wano.

The biggest problem was just how far they were from New World and Cake Island. If her own forces sailed out there, the Navy would spot them in a heartbeat.

Besides, Skypiea—the great moving weapon—wasn’t ready to show itself yet.

“Mama!” Just then, Perospero stepped forward.

“Hmm?”

Sensing the stern look in his mother’s eyes, Perospero hurriedly voiced his idea.

“How about letting East Blue and West Blue handle the mess in the South and North?”

“First, it’s a good chance to test the strength in East and West Blue,”

“Second, we really aren’t in a position to act directly right now.”

Charlotte Linlin thought it over. She realized it was actually great news.

She could stay out of it and size up East and West Blue at the same time.

She was never naive enough to think East Blue or West Blue had no ambitions.

After all, they’d never truly seen what a legendary pirate could do. They’d never learned to fear the real threats out on the sea.

“Jerris!”

Jerris hurried forward when he heard his name. “Yes, Lady Linlin!”

Charlotte Linlin spoke coolly. “Send the order. As of now, the North Blue and South Blue are no longer under the Rocks Family’s protection.”

“At the same time, instruct East Blue and West Blue to root out the traitors!”

Jerris committed the orders to memory and bowed. “I’ll see to it at once.”

Jerris rushed out of the meeting room—he needed to send word to East Blue and West Blue immediately.

As time passed, Stac from West Blue was the first to receive the news.

He grabbed a slip of paper, grinning ear to ear, and dashed into Phil’s room.

“Big bro! Big bro!”

He didn’t bother knocking, just barged in. “The order’s arrived!”

Phil lounged on the sofa, cool as ever, puffing on a cigar. “Don’t rush. Tell me everything.”

Seeing how unfazed his brother was, Stac relaxed too—the tension drained from his face.

He smoothed out the note and began to read. “As of now, the South Blue and North Blue are no longer under the protection of the Rocks Family.”

“The Mafia in West Blue and East Blue are to attack them and wipe them out,”

A second later, Stac couldn’t hold in his excitement any longer. He shouted, “Big bro, our chance is finally here!”

Phil perked up at the news. “We’ve been waiting for this moment.”

“Spread my orders!”

Stac straightened up, waiting for his brother’s commands.

“Other than those holding down the territory, everyone else is to start infiltrating the North and South Blue. I want to take those seas in one stroke.”

Stac hesitated. “What about the people from East Blue?”

Phil’s tone was resolute. “We’ll just see who moves faster.”