One Piece: A Warlord's Path

"Then it's settled. I hereby declare the formation of the Chris Grand Fleet!"

With arms wide open, Aeridar's voice thundered across the tavern like a storm.

"Long live Captain Aeridar!"

"Aeridar is the real Pirate King!"

"Chris Grand Fleet is invincible! Ruling the New World is only a matter of time!"

"Captain Aeridar forever! Chris Grand Fleet reigns supreme!"

The announcement sent the tavern into chaos—cheers erupted like a tidal wave, nearly blowing the roof off. Pirates raised their mugs in triumph, clinking them with complete strangers as they drank together like old comrades.

"Conqueror's Haki and a Grand Fleet? That's more leverage than I've got... but screw it, if there's a chance, I have to take it!"

Bright Ward, his brow furrowed and jaw clenched, made his way toward the raised platform.

"Tch. So he really did form a Grand Fleet. Let's go."

In the shadowy corners of the tavern, a group of men in black overcoats slipped out silently.

Elsewhere, other small groups also left the tavern unnoticed.

A few hours later.

Pangaea Castle, Mariejois. Five Elders' Chamber.

"Our intelligence confirms it," Sengoku reported coolly, standing before the Five Elders. "Aeridar has officially founded the Chris Grand Fleet. The core Chris Pirates have swelled from around 300 to over 900. Among them are three pirates with bounties over 70 million, seven over 50 million, and sixteen over 30 million. Over forty crew members have bounties in the tens of millions, with more than three hundred wanted criminals overall. On top of that, nearly a hundred unaffiliated combatants of decent strength have joined him."

"Eleven subordinate pirate crews have pledged loyalty," he continued, closing his dossier with a snap. "Total manpower exceeds 5,400."

"A fleet that size, and he hasn't even chosen a definitive goal yet."

The blonde Elder let out a quiet chuckle. "He's growing fast, clearly preparing for something."

"He's recruiting fodder."

The white-bearded Elder, serene as always, struck to the heart of it.

Of course, no ambitions could escape the eyes of the Five Elders, the supreme authority behind the World Government. Aeridar's intentions were crystal clear.

"Our Navy operatives and Cipher Pol agents have infiltrated the fleet," Sengoku added, "but none have gotten close to the inner circle. He's being extremely cautious."

"No matter. That's enough for us to monitor his movements and identify his eventual targets."

The kimono-clad Elder, resting a hand on his sheathed blade, waved off the concern.

"This isn't just about expendables. He's using this to sort the wheat from the chaff, sifting for elites. It's a clever play to recruit talent under cover of chaos."

The long-haired Elder stroked his beard in thought.

"And there's one more thing." Sengoku raised his gaze slightly. "Bright Ward, a former Super Rookie who vanished after being defeated by Sakazuki last year in the New World, was at the meeting. Bounty: 230 million. He spent a long time in private with Aeridar afterward. No word yet on what they agreed on."

"No need to intervene," said the bald Elder, voice calm and certain. "If Aeridar's current goal is to fulfill our agreement, then strengthening his presence in the New World serves our interests. Even limited support from the Government and Navy would be justified."

"Compared to the Four Emperors and the Revolutionary Army, he's still a minor concern," concluded the blonde Elder.

Indeed, the Five Elders' greatest headaches weren't upstarts like Aeridar, but the deep-rooted threats posed by the Four Emperors, and worse, the Revolutionaries.

The latter, with their dangerous ideology and subversive influence, posed the gravest existential threat to the World Government.

As long as Aeridar's ambitions aligned with theirs, the Five Elders were even willing to help him grow.

Every inch of territory he carved out in the New World weakened the Four Emperors, attracted more nations to the World Government's banner, and inched them closer to ending the Great Pirate Era once and for all.

...

Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 7.

Bright Ward, face composed, led his men away from the Bubbledance Tavern, heading toward their docked ship.

Inside the tavern, the feast had come to a close.

Aeridar had personally hosted every pirate captain and first mate who attended, even some powerful outlaws without formal crews. It was a gathering like few others.

Now, leaning back in a cushioned chair, Aeridar listened quietly as Arlan delivered his report.

"I still can't believe we suddenly have so many people!" Arlan exclaimed, his face lighting up with excitement as he finished his report.

"Calm down. They're just cannon fodder for now. Only those who prove themselves will truly become part of us," Aeridar replied with a smirk, his tone laced with disdain. "And do you really think all of them are here out of admiration for me? Who's to say there aren't spies from the Marines or the World Government among them? Maybe even agents from other factions? Those fools think I don't know?"

"...I know, Captain. But can't you just let me enjoy this moment a little?" Arlan sighed, half exasperated. "It's the first time I've ever commanded this many men."

Back on Shiga Island, their entire crew barely topped a thousand. Now, with all the allied pirate crews under their flag, their numbers had swelled past five thousand.

Within the Chris Pirates, aside from Captain Aeridar himself, only Oliver, Head of Combat, stood on equal footing with Arlan.

But Oliver never involved himself in management, so it was Arlan, as First Mate, who handled the crew's internal affairs. Even the allied pirate captains followed his orders.

"Once we complete Phase Three of our plan, we'll finally have an elite force of our own—combat units, research divisions, intelligence cells. With that kind of structure, we won't have to worry as much about spies and undercover agents anymore." As Aeridar spoke, a sharp glint flickered in his eyes.

"That's why you agreed to Bright Ward's deal, right?" Arlan asked, recalling the conditions laid out by that man.

"I thought he'd want me to take on Akainu. Turns out, it was something entirely different," Aeridar chuckled darkly. "Annoying, sure, but still within acceptable bounds. Besides, having someone who knows their way around the New World guiding us? And willing to serve under me? Why not? It's not like we're losing anything."

"That's because he knows you'd never actually go after Admiral Akainu," Arlan said, strolling to a nearby seat and cracking open three bottles of alcohol. "It's Akainu he truly hates. After all, it was the Admiral who annihilated his crew."

Aeridar raised an eyebrow. "He's no fool. If he'd demanded something like that, I'd have knocked him flat and handed him over to the Navy myself. People need to understand their place."

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