Chapter 271: Schemes and Shadows on the Grand Stage

To be honest, just thinking about Cake Island—that den of dragons and tigers—and especially Karl, who unleashed terrifying power at God Valley, still sends chills down Marcus’ spine.

If it hadn’t been for their timely intervention back then, even Saint Woqiuli would have died at God Valley. Even so, two of the Five Elders still fell to Karl’s hands.

“Karl’s strength really is terrifying.”

“From the intel we’ve gathered, Karl is now at least two levels stronger than he was during God Valley.”

“I even suspect Hachinosu was his handiwork.”

After hearing Marcus Dering Saint’s intelligence report,

Woqiuli couldn’t hold back and blurted out, “Don’t tell me he’s already touched that level?”

“But how’s that possible? In the last eight hundred years, you could count the people who’ve reached that stage on one hand. Why are so many showing up in just the past few decades?”

“The last one to break through to that level was Rocks.”

With his fearful tone, it was easy to see just how deeply Karl had once frightened him. If not for sheer luck, he’d have died right there.

Dong!

Saint Nasjuro leaned on his sword and slammed it to the floor, glaring at him with disdain. “So one Karl’s enough to scare you?”

“Give it a few more decades or even a century, Karl will vanish into the river of history too.”

“Time is the cruelest force of all.”

“Besides, Roger and Garp should’ve broken through to that level as well.”

“Reaching that peak doesn’t mean they’ll last eight hundred years. Sooner or later, they’ll be nothing but dust.”

“As long as they’re in the New World, there are ways to turn them against each other.”

Derlin spoke up, “Exactly, that’s what this meeting is about.”

With that, he pulled out today’s newspaper. “The Rocks Family is already arranging a marriage alliance with the Red Blossom Empire of the New World.”

“They’ve even announced that anyone with eligible children can join the alliance. It’s a blatant display of ambition.”

“Trying to expand their influence through marriage, but that only works if we allow it.”

The others took the latest paper and studied it closely. “If you ask me, things at Cake Island should get even louder.”

“Best to stir up a commotion big enough to catch the whole world’s attention.”

“That way, plenty of pirates hungry for a piece of the Rocks Family will do our dirty work for us.”

“Let them fight like dogs over scraps, while we barely have to lift a finger.”

Hearing Marcus’ suggestion, Saint Borg set down his newspaper. “Just last year, at the World Summit, there were over two hundred member nations.”

“But ever since the God Valley incident, the number of allied countries suddenly dropped to 187. That’s a huge problem.”

“We need to show the world government’s strength and stop this trend.”

“If they all quit the World Government, what will we have left to control the seas?”

“Never forget, we’re called the World Government because countless nations are members.”

“If more countries keep leaving, can we even still call ourselves that?”

He was the one in charge of the law. In just one year, nations applying to withdraw from the World Government shot up. His once black hair had turned white from months of stress and overwork.

“Hahaha, let’s leave it for today. Derlin, your job is to keep the Rocks Family in check.”

“Don’t let their influence creep out of the New World.”

“Any sign of expansion, cut it off at the root.”

“Meanwhile, find a way to make the Roger Pirates and the Rox Pirates clash.”

“Figure out how to get these pirates to fight over an empty title.”

At this moment, Marcus had already hinted at giving them the title of Emperor of the Seas. Stroking his white beard, he continued, “If they tear each other to shreds, it’ll save us a lot of trouble.”

“Even if they don’t, once they fall into conflict, they’ll keep each other in check in the New World. That’s exactly what we want.”

The other Elders nodded thoughtfully. This plan could really work.

Too bad none of them realized that, to achieve his own goals, Karl had already released several smokescreens. By the time they uncovered his schemes, it would be too late.

By then, Karl’s plans would be complete. War would be on the verge of erupting!

Both sides had played their trump cards. Meanwhile, in North Blue, Judge Vinsmoke was harnessing his family’s power to push the boundaries of Lineage Factor research—he had truly perfected cloning technology.

“Hahaha, it’s done! Judge, I’ve done it!”

Judge Vinsmoke looked at the masterpiece he had just created and couldn’t help but shout with excitement.

Shhk!

Judge personally opened a nutrient capsule. Out stepped a fully grown, naked man, standing two meters tall with a muscular build. The instant he saw Judge, he dropped to one knee and respectfully proclaimed, “Number One reporting to Lord Judge.”

Judge circled around his new creation, running his hand over the iron-hard muscles and could only praise, “Excellent, truly excellent.”

“As expected of my masterpiece.”

“A perfect work of art!”

This clone had been programmed from birth to obey Judge unto death, with orders of absolute loyalty and unwavering determination. They didn’t have names—just code numbers.

“Come with me.”

He didn’t even bother dressing the new clone. Instead, he headed straight over to the test machines for a battery of assessments—strength, speed, eyesight, endurance, and more.

As the visual data soared on the screen, Judge compared it to the Navy’s recruitment standards. Every clone matched the power of a Captain.

Don’t be fooled—Captain may not sound high, but an army of Captain-level soldiers could easily sweep through the Four Seas. After all, the Four Seas aren’t like the New World, where strong warriors are everywhere. The Navy branches are even mostly staffed by Majors and Lieutenant Colonels.

A force like this would make major waves in North Blue.

No wonder the Vinsmoke Family managed to unite the North Blue in just over a decade—though they only ruled for sixty-six days before being driven out by Doflamingo and other powers, that only proves the might of their army.

They’re also the only rulers without a nation who still attend the King Summit every four years.

Rumor has it among netizens that Judge Vinsmoke’s invitation owed to two things: his cloning technology and tight ties with the World Government.

Genetic analysis showed this clone only had a lifespan of twenty years, but there was a silver lining—a new batch of twenty-year-old clones could be created every five years.

With the plan a success, Judge immediately stocked his massive snail ship with two thousand nutrient capsules.

Looking at the developing embryos inside each capsule, Judge let out a laugh. “You are the foundation of my rule over North Blue!”