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The frenzy of joy that came once a year concluded on the second day. The invited guests, guided by the guards of the Sky Kingdom, began their departures, one after another, returning to their respective territories.
Among them, Stussy's actions did not go unnoticed. Her departure from the feast alongside the Flying Admiral the previous night, coupled with her absence for the remainder of the event, drew quiet but keen attention.
By the second day, word spread that the Pleasure District delegation had yet to leave. This absence fueled speculation among the guests.
Jealousy and dissatisfaction rippled through the crowd, particularly among the underground kings.
Some resented Stussy for her perceived willingness to align herself with Alex, a pursuit they had once deemed unattainable. Others envied the benefits she seemed poised to gain from this alignment.
Stussy was renowned for her cunning. If she had willingly offered her allegiance, there was no doubt it came with a significant exchange—likely tied to the Sky Kingdom's burgeoning influence.
This connection was an enviable opportunity. With the Sky Kingdom now encompassing both the Totto Land Islands and the original Wanokuni, it represented the largest and most lucrative power structure in the New World.
However, not everyone placed their ambitions on the Sky Kingdom.
Doflamingo, attending as a younger brother figure to Alex, seemed at ease, his usual smirk betraying no concern. In contrast, Judge, King of Germa, departed with a visibly grim expression, signaling that his plans had not gone as he hoped.
Boarding a technologically advanced snail ship, the Germa army soon disappeared beyond the sea surrounding the Sky Kingdom.
Back in his special research institute, Judge studied the extra memory-shape alloy brought back from the meeting. His thoughts drifted back to his encounter with Alex, replaying their conversation in his mind.
Despite his best efforts, including the offer of his eldest daughter and Germa's considerable resources, Judge had failed to sway the world's strongest man to assist in reviving Germa's past glory as rulers of North Blue.
In the end, all he managed to secure was a trade: his cloning and bloodline modification research in exchange for Alex's battle suit technology and memory-shape alloy.
Still, Judge consoled himself.
At the very least, he had obtained what he sought. Enhancing Germa's technological arsenal could strengthen its foundation, perhaps one day enabling them to reclaim dominance in North Blue.
Convincing himself of this, Judge quickly set aside thoughts of his failed negotiation and focused on researching the new technologies.
Around the same time, Alex had the acquired Germa technologies transferred to his research base.
To Alex, Judge's knowledge held little intrinsic value. Cloning and bloodline modification offered limited utility—useful primarily for advancing lineage factor studies already underway at the base.
Even so, Alex had deliberately provided Judge with the battle suit technology and memory-shape alloy. His actions were no act of generosity; there was a calculated reason behind every decision.
The idea behind aiding Germa's rise in North Blue was simple: to create complications for the World Government.
If Germa succeeded in increasing its influence and power in North Blue, it could disrupt the government's control in the region. Moreover, should Alex decide to target North Blue in the future, having Germa as a prominent force there would pave the way for seamless operations and alliances.
As the Fire Festival concluded, it stirred up a wave of global headlines.
Katakuri, the tournament's champion, and Wanokuni—now rebranded as part of the Sky Kingdom—became hot topics worldwide. The festival's impact resonated for months, dominating discussions across the seas and showing no signs of fading.
Thus, time marched forward. The year of such significant historical events passed, and the Sea Circle Calendar reached the year 1514.
Sea Circle Calendar: May 12, 1514
In the New World, the kingdom of Dressrosa, famous for its title as the Land of Love and Passion, faced an unexpected upheaval.
King Riku Doldo III, once revered for his benevolence, suddenly began a campaign of violence. He confiscated massive amounts of national wealth, executed citizens and soldiers indiscriminately, and set towns ablaze. The once-thriving nation plunged into chaos.
In the wake of this turmoil, Donquixote Doflamingo, one of the Shichibukai, overthrew King Riku's regime. He ended the centuries-old rule of the Riku family and declared himself the new king of Dressrosa.
The World Government offered no explanation for these events and seemingly accepted Doflamingo's rise without objection.
News of this development sent shockwaves around the world, cementing Doflamingo as the most politically successful Shichibukai.
Sea Circle Calendar: July 1514.
Having replenished her power in the Sky Kingdom, Baccarat embarked on a treasure-hunting mission. She was accompanied by Yamato, who had set out on a voyage, and Gion, who took the lead in managing the operation. Together, the trio began scouring the New World for riches.
Meanwhile, Boa Hancock, seizing the opportunity presented by Yamato's departure, eagerly stayed by Alex's side for an extended period. This sparked tension among Alex's other companions, including Maria and Toki whose dissatisfaction grew palpable.
Alex, in turn, was forced to reassert his authority and resolve their grievances in his usual commanding style, ensuring harmony was restored.
Under Alex's rigorous training, Kuina had grown remarkably skilled as a swordsman. Her mastery of Observation Haki continued to develop, allowing her to refine her fruit and bridge the gap between male and female combat capabilities.
Her progress was evident. Against the rapidly improving Zoro and Law, Kuina demonstrated overwhelming superiority, defeating them effortlessly in one-sided matches.
Sea Circle Calendar: October 1514
During another Fire Festival, Page One, who failed to rank in the top ten, became the target of Ulti's frustration. Her anger resulted in a brutal beating, sending Page One to the infirmary under Hogback's care. He spent an entire day recovering from his injuries.
Ulti's explosive temper and infamous display of strength made her a topic of discussion, earning her renown within Alex's inner circle—not just as a Zoan user with a rare Mythical Beast ability, but as a formidable force in her own right.
Sea Circle Calendar: December 15124
The last month of the year brought its share of excitement.
The treasure-hunting trio of Baccarat, Yamato, and Gion finally returned to the Sky Kingdom after five months of exploring nearly half of the New World. Their efforts bore fruit, and their bounty was both substantial and valuable.
The best treasure found can be seen as a carefully prepared gift for Nami. It's the perfect match for her talent, making her abilities even more powerful—like adding one and one to get more than two.
This treasure is the Weather-Weather Fruit.