"Big news, big news! The territorial battle for the New World has officially come to an end, and the dark horse is none other than Kaido of the Beasts Pirate Crew!"
"Whitebeard has seized most of the territories left by the late John, and he's poised to become the next legendary pirate crew after the disappearance of the Roger Pirates!"
"Former interns of the Rocks Pirates have now grown into the new generation of great pirates, and today, it's those former members of the disbanded Rocks Pirates who now dominate the seas?"
"The new generation of pirates, Crocodile and Gecko Moria, have been completely defeated. It's the old-era pirates who are now the true rulers of the seas!"
"..."
With the battle for the New World over, the seas grew calm once again, and many were eagerly reading the news that had been published in newspapers around the world.
Morgans, the news tycoon, dug up all sorts of inside stories and published them in his global reports.
"Oh? I didn't expect Brandon and Whitebeard to have awakened their Devil Fruit abilities, and Kaido has grown stronger as well!"
Li Yuan, reading the information Shaki had given him, couldn't help but express surprise.
Usually, Li Yuan didn't bother reading newspapers, since Shaki would always prepare a more detailed report based on the news, one that would reveal many insider details others wouldn't notice.
For example, the information about the Devil Fruit awakenings used by Whitebeard and Brandon during their battle—such a piece of news wasn't covered in the public reports.
"The sea will enter a rampaging phase soon, but this is not bad for the Infinite Pirate Crew; in fact, it will bring us plenty of benefits!" Li Yuan remarked with a smile, looking at Artel McClaren, who stood atop the Combat Pyramid in his exclusive room.
The Combat Pyramid had cultivated many of the Infinite Pirate Crew's core members, and many of the crew's officers had risen through the ranks after training there.
After receiving specialized training from the Infinite Pirate Crew and gaining strong foundational skills, coupled with high-intensity battles within the Combat Pyramid, those who were initially weaker but had great potential could grow rapidly.
Today, another powerful monster from the Infinite Pirate Crew had reached the top of the Combat Pyramid: Artel McClaren, a young man the crew had secretly trained. He had also unknowingly consumed the Snake-Snake Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Yamata-no-Orochi form.
"Captain, I've reached the top!" Artel McClaren excitedly announced upon entering Li Yuan's room.
"Congratulations! I told you that once you reach the top of the Combat Pyramid, I'd assign you a task, and the time has come!" Li Yuan replied.
"Captain, you can count on me! I'll get it done for sure!" Artel McClaren said with great enthusiasm.
He had been eagerly waiting for the task the captain had mentioned.
"I want you to leave the Infinite Sea and venture out into the world, making a name for yourself!" Li Yuan instructed.
"Later on, the World Government will establish an organization called the Seven Warlords of the Sea, a group of pirates officially recognized by the World Government. You must find a way to join them."
Li Yuan had learned that the Seven Warlords system would be established soon, and having his people in the Seven Warlords was part of his long-term plan.
Having members in the Seven Warlords would be immensely helpful for the Infinite Pirate Crew. They could carry out many operations under the guise of being part of the Warlords, especially when dealing with matters in the four seas and the Grand Line.
"I understand, Captain. I'll make sure to complete the task!"
"However, Captain, I'd like to bring some people with me on this journey."
Artel McClaren expressed, wanting to venture out with some of his companions who had trained alongside him and were eager to explore the world.
"You can bring others, but only those who trained with you in the same batch," Li Yuan replied. The individuals who trained with Artel McClaren were all part of the secret training under the Infinite Pirate Crew, and their identities hadn't been exposed. The World Government and the Marines had no knowledge of them.
When the time came, Li Yuan could easily create false identities for them through various connections. Even though Artel McClaren had reached the top of the Combat Pyramid, it wasn't necessary for anyone to know he was part of the Infinite Pirate Crew.
After all, half of the individuals who reached the top of the pyramid in recent years weren't from the Infinite Pirate Crew but rather forces sent by other factions to hone their strength within the pyramid.
"Thanks, Captain! I'll go discuss it with them right away!" Artel McClaren said, thrilled. Having grown up in the Infinite Sea, he was naturally eager to experience the outside world, and the captain's task was the perfect opportunity.
"Splitting up our forces and not concentrating everything within the Infinite Pirate Crew is a form of secrecy and low profile."
"As my ancestor once said: 'Store up grain, build high walls, and wait for the right moment!'"
"Until we have the power to overthrow the World Government, we shouldn't rush to become the most powerful force beneath the World Government. Even if we surpass the Flying Pirate Crew, it won't be by much."
"If we fully surpass them, the other pirate crews in the New World might unite, and then we'll have no chance of dealing with the World Government!"
Li Yuan reflected on the future development of the Infinite Pirate Crew.
Among Li Yuan's many children, only Esdeath had made it clear she wanted to stay and develop within the Infinite Pirate Crew, while the others all sought to venture out. Li Yuan didn't oppose it but instead allowed it to happen naturally.
Li Yuan would also arrange for some of the new generation of the Infinite Pirate Crew to be sent out, helping them grow stronger or even joining forces with the Sand Pirates and the Marines.
When the time came for the Infinite Pirate Crew to strike at the World Government, their people would be well-placed to respond, with a united front to crush the World Government while still keeping the Flying Pirate Crew and other pirate forces in check.
No one would ever suspect that so many external forces, appearing to have no connection to the Infinite Pirate Crew, were secretly working for them.
"Captain, the little people tribe you asked for is already here, and they are currently on the island in the Calm Belt, where Soros' laboratory is located."
After taking care of the little people tribe matter, Yadina informed Li Yuan of the update.
"Oh? Have you found the Healing Fruit?" Li Yuan asked with curiosity.
"Not yet, but we did find someone with the power of the Healing Fruit—it's the princess of the little people tribe, a little one, not even two years old yet."
Yadina replied.
"Then I should go meet them."
With that, Li Yuan quickly traveled through the Mirror World from the Combat Pyramid to the area where the little people lived, which was located right behind Soros' laboratory. This new place was much better than their previous home, designed specially for them by the Infinite Pirate Crew.
"Honored Lord Li Yuan, thank you for saving our people and providing us with a new home!"
The current leader of the little people, Murihan Meiya, expressed his gratitude upon seeing Li Yuan.
Upon arriving, they had already heard numerous stories about Li Yuan, and seeing him in person was overwhelming for them.
"Is this the greatest of the giants, Li Yuan Roland? It's an honor to meet him!"
"He's the one who saved our entire tribe! He's a hero to us all!"
"Not only did he provide food and a new home, but he also saved us from the fire—Li Yuan Roland is my hero!"
The little people looked at Li Yuan with admiration in their eyes, their hearts filled with pure reverence.
Feeling their admiration, Li Yuan nodded in satisfaction. The little people, with hearts even purer than the giants, were genuinely devoted to him.
Yadina had merely staged a drama with King Kuli, bringing calamity to the little people, where Kuli played the villain, Yadina the good person, and Li Yuan the legendary savior. This clever act easily convinced the little people to join the Infinite Sea, treating Li Yuan as their hero.
"Hello, I am Li Yuan, the owner of this land. I've granted you this territory, and from now on, this will be the homeland of the little people. You will be under my protection, and you will never face any disasters again!"
Li Yuan greeted the little people with a smile.
"Wonderful! There will be no more disasters! Li Yuan Roland is so kind to us!"
Murihan Meiya said with joy.
"Is this your princess? She's so adorable. I'm sure she'll grow up to be an amazing princess, and under her leadership, your tribe will prosper even more."
Li Yuan gently patted the small princess, Manskerry, who was too young to speak but excitedly grabbed his finger with both hands.
"Wow, what Li Yuan Roland said must be true! Princess Manskerry will definitely become a great princess!"
The little people fully believed Li Yuan's words.
Li Yuan spent some time chatting with them, giving them some guidance, then left. Since the little people were now in the Infinite Sea, growing special plants would be n
o problem.
Li Yuan would also reward them and ensure they were not exploited. They would coexist peacefully.
(End of Chapter)