Chapter 394: Secrets of the Sea: Unveiling the Four Emperors

“That’s right. Crocodile uses a powder called Dance Powder to control all the rainfall on the island, stirring trouble between the Rebel Army and the King’s forces and setting them against each other.”

Nami’s face grew serious. “Both sides now have hundreds of thousands of people. This is a battle unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Until now, our enemies were just pirates with a single ship.”

But now they’re facing tens of thousands—maybe even close to a million—soldiers. That kind of force would challenge anyone.

Ye Fan glanced at the grim faces around him and quickly stood to boost their confidence. “The Seven Warlords aren’t just pirates recognized by the World Government—they’re collaborators.”

“You’re not wrong. Crocodile is certainly a powerful pirate. Even some vice admirals in the Navy wouldn’t stand a chance against him.”

“The Seven Warlords are one of the three great powers of the Grand Line alongside the Four Emperors and the Navy Headquarters, but they’re actually the weakest of the three.”

“Take Crocodile and Moria, for instance; they’re at the bottom among the Seven Warlords. Still, don’t underestimate them. Their strength easily surpasses that of most vice admirals.”

Honestly, just giving them this kind of challenge is already tough enough. But the current Seven Warlords aren’t like the ones you knew from before. Every one of them ranks near admiral level strength. Without pulling a few punches, Luffy and the others might not get through this trial.

“Forget the Warlords—what I really want to know is, who are the Four Emperors?” Zoro asked, arms folded over his sword and eyes burning with curiosity.

If the Seven Warlords are the weakest of the big three, then the Four Emperors must be even more terrifying. Could there really be pirates stronger than Hawk Eyes?

The thought made his fighting spirit spark to life.

Seeing everyone’s curiosity shift to the so-called Four Emperors, Ye Fan patiently explained, “Of the three great powers, the Four Emperors are at the top. The Seven Warlords, at the bottom.”

“The Four Emperors are Kaido of the Beasts, Whitebeard Newgate, Red-Haired Shanks, and the Abyssal Titan, Karl!”

“Those four rule over the New World. Every pirate who enters the New World ends up joining one of their crews sooner or later, and countless overconfident challengers try their luck every year. But not a single one has ever succeeded in dethroning them. They’re recognized as the mightiest forces below the Pirate King.”

Everyone gasped at that. They’d never imagined there could be pirates that powerful out on the sea.

Even if the Four Emperors were still far away from their journey, the crew felt their fighting spirit blaze even brighter.

After all, their captain aimed to become King of the Pirates, so sooner or later they’d face off against those legendary crews. The whole crew looked forward to the day they’d cross paths.

“I know! I know! I actually met Shanks!”

Hearing a familiar name, Luffy shot his right hand up like a kid in class.

Shanks was the one who inspired him to become a pirate and even told him, “I left my arm behind in the New World.” Those words stuck with Luffy to this day.

“What? You know Shanks?”

“He’s a Four Emperor! The ruler of the New World! How could you possibly know him?” Usopp’s jaw nearly dislocated from shock.

He’d heard Ye Fan loud and clear: the Four Emperors were the strongest pirate crews in the New World. Just when did Luffy meet Shanks?

“Hahaha… this hat was a gift from Shanks. It’s part of a promise I made to him.”

Luffy took off his straw hat, gazing at it as memories flooded back.

“Stop!”

“For now, let’s focus on Alabasta. The Four Emperors are still a long way off.”

Nami was right. The Four Emperors might rule the New World, but they’re a distant concern. Alabasta, their next destination, was right in front of them.

Luffy looked disappointed at being cut off just as he was getting into his story.

“Crocodile is one of the Seven Warlords. Most people call him the Desert King. His bounty is 81 million berries, and he’s a Logia-type Sand Sand Devil Fruit user.”

“He also leads an organization called Baroque Works.”

Nami shared the info Vivi had given her, briefing the crew on what and who to look out for in Baroque Works.

When Nami finished, Ye Fan reached out to correct her. “The Desert King’s 81 million bounty was what he had ten years ago, not now. Everyone, keep that in mind.”

Back then, that bounty was only set so Crocodile could officially qualify for the Seven Warlords.

“And don’t forget, he’s a Logia Devil Fruit user, just like Smoker back in Loguetown.”

“There are three ways to hurt a Logia Devil Fruit user.”

“First, the simplest and most effective before you master Armament Haki—getting their bodies soaked with seawater. That lets you hit their real body. But since we’ve all awakened Armament Haki by now, we don’t need to rely on that anymore.”

Ye Fan paused, glancing around. Everyone wore satisfied, confident grins.

Thanks to Ye Fan’s secret help, everyone except the newly arrived Chopper had awakened both Armament and Observation Haki. Using Armament Haki was a breeze for them.

“Second, strike with attacks imbued with Armament Haki. Everyone should know this by now, so I won’t go over it again.”

“Third, and what we’re likely to run into later—Seastone weapons. Gear made from or coated with Seastone is strong enough to wound Devil Fruit users.”

“Seastone, huh? If I could get my hands on some and use it in my bullets, I could actually hurt Logia Devil Fruit users!” Usopp’s eyes gleamed as he stared at Ye Fan, the possibilities already running wild in his mind.

As a sniper, he’s not much for close combat. If he could craft bullets laced with something like Seastone, he wouldn’t have to worry about being left behind.

“Of course. I’ve got a bit of Seastone, though I don’t know if it’ll be enough.”

Ye Fan flipped his right hand, producing a fist-sized chunk of Seastone from his storage. It was a leftover scrap he’d never bothered to use. If Usopp wanted it, why not just give it to him?

“So this is Seastone? Let me take a look!”

With Ye Fan watching him, Luffy reached out to touch the Seastone. Instantly, he went limp and collapsed on the deck like a ragdoll.

“What’s going on? Why do I feel so weak all of a sudden?”

“See? This is your cautionary tale. Seastone can suppress any Devil Fruit user—Luffy included,” Ye Fan said, taking the Seastone from Luffy’s hand and passing it to Usopp.

Once the Seastone’s effect was gone, Luffy bounced back, full of energy again.