(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
(The first chapters of the new book are released in p.atreon)
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Totto Land, was a famous sea area renowned across the world.
With Cake Island at its core, thirty-four islands were scattered around it, inhabited by countless races, making it a well-deserved world power.
Charlotte Linlin, or rather Mother Carmel, had a vision to create a nation that could accommodate all races in the world.
This Country was the experimental product of that vision.
Here, regardless of race, everyone had to accept the rule of the Big Mom Pirates, work for them, and contribute to their wealth.
And this was also the final trial ground Colt had prepared for Luffy.
After entering the waters of Totto Land, Luffy and his crew faced endless battles.
From ordinary pirate crew members to enemies from all sides, countless Devil Fruit users with strange abilities became Luffy's opponents—only to be defeated one after another.
Actual combat was far more effective and faster than simple training.
In this process, everyone's strength improved significantly, especially the three main combatants of the Straw Hat Pirates, whose power grew by leaps and bounds.
Luffy thought they would rescue Vivi smoothly, until they encountered that man.
Charlotte Katakuri, known as the perfect eldest son (though technically the second son), was an incredibly powerful foe.
Not only was he a master of Armament Haki, but his observation Haki was also unmatched.
His Observation Haki had reached the level of foreseeing the future, making him the most terrifying opponent Luffy had ever faced.
No matter how swift, unpredictable, or powerful Luffy's attacks were, Katakuri could perfectly dodge and counterattack by predicting the future.
Luffy was beaten down time and time again in this one-sided battle.
"Too weak. How can you hope to defeat me like this? Every move you make is under my control."
"So pathetic. Do you really think you can save your friend?"
Katakuri didn't press his advantage as he looked down at the battered Luffy.
His task wasn't to crush Luffy completely but to push him to his limits.
Once Luffy awakened his future-sight Observation Haki, Katakuri's job would be done.
Sure enough, after hearing Katakuri's taunts, Luffy stubbornly rose to his feet, his body surging with renewed strength.
After what felt like an eternity, Luffy finally took a step further in his Observation Haki and defeated Katakuri.
"Tell me where my friend is!"
Luffy didn't continue to beat up his respectable opponent. Instead, he demanded to know Vivi's whereabouts.
Katakuri reluctantly smiled and gave Luffy the information he sought.
"She's in Mother's palace, the central building of Cake Island. But it's impossible for you to rescue her."
Luffy adjusted his straw hat and walked in the direction Katakuri indicated without looking back, leaving behind a single sentence.
"No matter who stands in my way, I'll save Vivi!"
As it turned out, some things were easier said than done.
After fighting his way through countless enemies and replenishing his strength with the delicacies of Cake Island, Luffy finally reached the place where Vivi was being held.
*Boom*
Only to be sent flying back to the starting point by Kaido.
Kaido, watching Luffy get knocked away, was visibly unimpressed.
"Such a weak brat. What's so special about him? This is a waste of time."
"I'd rather go back and fight Uchiha Madara a few more times. This is so annoying!"
Kaido wasn't thrilled about the task of training Luffy, but he gave in after Kaguya raised her fist threateningly.
He chose the safer path. Since then, he has been here.
The task was simple: beat Luffy to within an inch of his life, but don't kill him.
No need to think too much—just hit him hard.
King, clad in armor, spread his wings and asked Kaido, "Boss, shall we begin?"
"Go ahead. Just remember to leave that kid to me."
Kaido waved impatiently.
King nodded and led his men to hunt down Zoro and the others.
In the following days, the battles grew more intense, and the stakes rose higher.
The enemies Zoro and Sanji faced became Kaido's top commanders, while Luffy's opponents escalated to the level of a Yonko.
The Straw Hat Pirates were instantly at a disadvantage.
But the protagonists were still the protagonists.
They were resilient, and every defeat only made them stronger.
While the battles in Totto Land drew some attention, the world's focus was elsewhere.
The World Government Summit was about to be held in the holy land of Mariejois.
For this reason, the Marine's presence in the New World had shrunk significantly, with most forces withdrawn.
One by one, kings from allied nations were escorted to Mariejois, and the newspapers were filled with headlines about the event.
This summit was extraordinary.
Pirates were becoming increasingly rampant, and many allied nations were suffering from pirate attacks, losing vast amounts of wealth.
What's more, the Revolutionary Army had taken advantage of the chaos to incite revolts, further destabilizing the world.
At this summit, several member nations had already formed alliances, demanding answers from the World Government.
Where was the massive amount of Heavenly Gold they paid every year going? Why were pirates growing stronger instead of being eradicated?
The World Government had its own agenda.
The authority of the Celestial Dragons had been severely challenged in recent years.
Both Vegapunk and the Marines were demanding more funds.
Not only would they not reduce the Heavenly Gold, but they also wanted more.
It was in this tense environment that Mariejois became the center of the storm.
Meanwhile, Sabo quietly infiltrated Mariejois with a small group, gathering intelligence for the Revolutionary Army.
This was a mission assigned by Dragon, but Sabo had his own agenda.
Over the years, the CP0 had captured many Revolutionary Army members, turning them into slaves for the Celestial Dragons.
Sabo wanted to see if there was a chance to free his comrades and throw a wrench into the World Government's plans.