ONE PIECE: THE GREAT VOYAGE

"I believe you have many doubts, so allow me to provide a simple explanation!"

"I fell in love with Queen Effiete of your country after our fateful meeting."

"Yesterday, on the 3rd day of the month, I confessed my feelings to her, and as a result, our two nations are now bound in marriage!"

"She has become my wife. For the future prosperity of both kingdoms, we have agreed to merge our lands into one."

As these words echoed, the previously uproarious voices in the kingdom gradually faded.

They were replaced by shock, disbelief, and a mixture of anticipation and anxiety for what the future might hold.

The people struggled to accept this sudden reality. However, at the very least, their lingering doubts had been addressed.

"The queen... has married?"

So this was the reason for the abrupt decision to join the Middle Kingdom.

Realization dawned upon them.

And in an almost cruel twist of fate, they and their country had, in a way, become part of the dowry.

---

Meanwhile, in a secluded castle within the kingdom, a nobleman of refined elegance sat in stunned silence. His face was drained of color, contorted with grief and resentment.

By sheer coincidence, he had once acquired the Hurricane-Hurricane Fruit, believing it to be a mere bargaining chip for the powerful merchants and aristocrats of Effiete's domain.

But fate was unkind.

Only now did he learn that the Devil Fruit he had so carelessly given away had been consumed—by none other than the child of the very man who had stolen his beloved!

---

The World Government in Crisis: The Hunt for Vermejo Island Begins!

At first, the people of Pengel Island found it difficult to accept that they were now citizens of the Middle Kingdom.

Yet the decision had already been made. They were ordinary civilians, powerless to change the course of fate, left with no choice but to go along with it.

Still, many of them had seen the wealth and might of the Middle Kingdom through Den Den Mushi broadcasts.

The Vengley Kingdom was by no means a weak force, but merging with a stronger and more prosperous nation did not necessarily seem like a bad outcome.

For the nobles, however, it was a different story.

The Middle Kingdom had long abolished nobility.

Their privileges—titles, wealth, and power—would be stripped away the moment they became Middle Kingdom citizens.

Their fears were well-founded.

Once they set foot in the Middle Kingdom, they would no longer be nobles. They would be equals—mere commoners.

They opposed the merger, yet lacked the courage to resist outright.

For they knew all too well the overwhelming power that Effiete wielded.

And above all else, they feared Caesar.

His name alone was enough to silence opposition.

And so, the inevitable consensus was reached.

However, before moving the island, Caesar gave the people a choice.

"Those who do not wish to join the Middle Kingdom may take their wealth and leave," he declared.

Some chose to depart, though most were nobles.

And then, with a resounding tremor—

The entire island began to rise.

The ground beneath their feet quivered violently as they ascended higher and higher into the sky.

Those near the island's edge were the first to realize what was happening.

The sea—once stretching endlessly before them—was now shrinking from view at an alarming pace.

The horizon curved, bending in ways that defied their understanding.

The entire kingdom was in awe.

What kind of monster was their new king?

To lift an entire island and take it into the air as if it were a mere trinket—was this even within the realm of human capability?

They had heard of Devil Fruit users, of course.

But this… this was beyond reason.

And so, amidst their shock and disbelief, the people of Pengel Island embarked on an unprecedented journey through the skies.

---

A Few Days Later – Arrival in the New World

The journey to the New World was slower than anticipated.

Unlike his previous travels, Caesar remained constantly vigilant. His Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) was in full effect, never once wavering, as he bore responsibility for the people on the island.

Awaiting his return were Lili and her three daughters, along with their seven children.

When they heard the news, the children were overjoyed, running to greet him after more than ten days apart.

However, Lili and the three women felt no such joy.

For alongside Caesar stood another woman—a breathtakingly beautiful and regal presence.

Queen Effiete.

Though Caesar had merely brought her along as part of his strategic decision, women's instincts were sharp.

It was clear to them at a glance—this was no mere political arrangement.

Something about their relationship was far too personal.

Tension filled the air.

The three women had learned to coexist over time. But now, a fourth?

A woman of noble blood, exuding both strength and charm, threatened the delicate balance they had painstakingly built.

Their possessiveness surged.

But they held back—for now.

In front of the children, they maintained their composure, sparing Caesar the immediate consequences.

However, the moment the children dispersed, he was met with three icy glares.

It was as if they had rehearsed it.

And thus, Caesar found himself in the unenviable position of needing to appease three furious women.

It would take several days before they gradually calmed down.

If nothing else, this at least proved how deeply they cared for him.

---

Caesar Pirates – A Gathering in the Grand Palace

With the island now integrated into the Middle Kingdom, Caesar summoned his crew.

Within the grand halls of the palace, the entire Caesar Pirates crew stood assembled before the throne, awaiting their captain.

For years, many had been on separate missions, their time together on the same ship limited.

Yet their bond had only strengthened over time.

"Everyone!"

Caesar's voice resonated through the chamber as he strode in from the side passage.

Walking alongside him—

Was Queen Effiete.

"Hahaha! That's our captain for you!" someone chuckled. "This must be the queen we've been hearing about!"

Caesar ignored the teasing and instead introduced her formally.

"This is Effiete," he stated with a rare smile.

"The former Queen of the Vengley Kingdom."

"Now, she stands beside me—not just as my ally, but as my wife."

His declaration was met with a mix of reactions.

Strength was the only thing that mattered in this crew.

And Caesar had one more thing to add.

"Effiete is a top-tier swordswoman," he announced.

"Among us, she ranks just below me and Barrett. Her skill is on par with Gnali and Issho (Fujitora)."

At this, the entire crew turned to scrutinize her with newfound curiosity.

Could this cold and elegant woman truly be that formidable?

Their skepticism lingered.

One could hide their aura, after all.

But Effiete could sense their doubts.

And she welcomed them.

With a flicker of excitement in her eyes, she thought:

"Good. Let them challenge me. I'll prove my strength soon enough."

And so, as days passed, Effiete engaged in duels with the strongest members of the Caesar Pirates, further refining her abilities.

Meanwhile, the World Government was still struggling to develop their own Den Den Mushi-based broadcasting technology, hindered by their lack of satellite infrastructure.

The era was shifting.

And the balance of power in the world was beginning to tremble.

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