One Piece:Becoming the King of the World from the Rocks Era

Three years ago, Li Yuan ordered the collection of various types of blood—poultry, beast, sea kings, and even human blood. Human blood was mainly gathered through voluntary donations or purchased from those living within the Infinity Sea, especially from residents struggling financially. The Infinity Pirates offered valuable items like Berries and food in exchange for blood, making it a popular choice for those in need.

When Li Yuan arrived at the central base on Venus Island and opened the door to the blood storage, he was met with the intense, pungent smell of blood. Before him lay a massive blood pool, 40,000 square meters in size and 4 meters deep, filled with thick, mixed blood from various animals and humans.

"Buzz!!!"

This rich blood aroma stimulated the Seven Star Sword, which appeared in Li Yuan's hand, trembling with desire. Its blade expressed a clear hunger for the blood.

"It's growing more sentient!" Li Yuan smiled faintly, sensing the sword's eager emotions. The Seven Star Sword, initially lacking such spirit, had only a raw lust for blood and slaughter. As it absorbed more blood and was nurtured by Li Yuan's Haki and sword intent, its power and sentience grew.

Now, the Seven Star Sword glowed not just green, but with a dark red hue, combining black, green, and blood-red lights, symbolizing endless slaughter.

"Go ahead!" Li Yuan plunged the Seven Star Sword into the blood pool, causing it to boil. The blood's thickness lessened, its volume unchanged, but its density decreasing. As the sword absorbed the blood's essence, the once bright blood turned dull, and the smell of blood faded, replaced by a foul stench.

"Splash!!!"

When the Seven Star Sword finished absorbing the essence, Li Yuan pressed a button to drain the remaining blood, which could still serve as fertilizer for cultivating herbs—a second use.

The sword's blade remained unstained, smooth and bright, its aura growing even stronger.

"Six out of seven blood slots are full; the Seven Star Sword is nearing its peak," Li Yuan observed, pleased. Once filled, the sword could no longer strengthen through blood absorption alone.

To further enhance it, he'd need Yuma's help to fuse another supreme-grade sword-crafting stone into it. Alternatively, developing a method for objects to consume Devil Fruits could allow the sword to absorb a powerful fruit.

Beyond these, he had no other means to augment the Seven Star Sword for now.

"Captain, the blood pool will refill in three months," Kaya reported cheerfully when Li Yuan emerged, happy to be at his side.

"Great job, Kaya. Keep it up, I'm counting on you!" Li Yuan encouraged her with a smile.

"I won't let you down, Captain!" Kaya vowed as Li Yuan departed.

"Dear, the Navy, Army, and other World Government forces are mobilizing quickly. They'll soon launch an offensive against the New World," Shakky informed him, handing over documents upon his return home.

"Just as expected. It's time for us to move. The Infinity Pirates have grown to 150,000, right?" Li Yuan asked.

"We've reached 160,000 now, but many are newcomers, some inexperienced in battle," Shakky noted.

"Hahaha, excellent! We'll take them all to the battlefield. Only those who survive count as true Infinity Pirates," Li Yuan declared.

Despite their numbers, many were mere cannon fodder. In high-level battles, casualties would be significant. Li Yuan was unconcerned about losses, knowing they could replenish ranks within a year post-war.

He sought to forge elite forces through this conflict; otherwise, mere numbers were futile, easily swept away by a single Conqueror's Haki.

Acting promptly, Li Yuan convened a meeting with Barrett, Ashura Doji, Howard, and other captains to plan the war effort.

Afterward, the leaders returned to organize their crews for deployment.

With the war likely to be prolonged, logistics fell to Yadina and Lazuli—handling ammunition, food supplies, medical support, spare ships, and more.

The Infinity Pirates' actions were transparent, known to all major New World pirate crews, the Navy, and the World Government.

Li Yuan also contacted other New World pirate crews, urging them to prepare for war. Obligingly, they began rallying their crews for the New World's forefront.

This was prearranged before their raid on the Celestial Dragons, agreeing to share any retaliation from the World Government.

While aware of their role, other crews opted for auxiliary positions rather than deploying full strength, as the Infinity and Flying Pirates held key territories.

The primary targets of the World Government would be these territories, with other crews in support roles.

Once ready, Li Yuan led a fleet of forty pirate ships, including the Hades Underworld God, into action.

The fleet consisted of three 300-meter steel ships for senior officers, ten 100-meter steel ships for captains, and various wooden ships of different sizes—all expertly crafted. Even sailing the seas, the fleet inspired awe.

"Captain, we're approaching Navy G5 Fortress, but it seems deserted. The Navy's withdrawn," a crew member reported as they neared the naval base.

"G5 Fortress is deep in the New World, with the nearest base half a day away. Knowing they couldn't hold it, the Navy abandoned it," Li Yuan replied calmly.

"In that case, we'll wait here for other pirates to join us," he decided, being the first to arrive and needing to wait for allies.

"Shakky, has Morgans distributed the newspapers?" Li Yuan asked over a call to Shakky in the cabin.

"He sent them out last night. Most of the world should have seen them by now," Shakky confirmed.

"Good," Li Yuan said, ending the call to wait quietly at the naval fortress.

"Shocking news: Legendary New World pirate Li Yuan offers bounties during the pirate-navy war—500,000 Berries for a Marine, 2 million for an officer, 20 million for a Commodore, 100 million for a Rear Admiral, 500 million for a Vice Admiral, 5 billion for an Admiral!"

"Li Yuan calls all pirates worldwide to fight the Navy, offering half-price advanced weaponry, ammunition, and medical supplies during the war!"

"Legendary pirate Golden Lion pledges to provide food and invites outstanding performers to join the Flying Pirates!"

"New World's two legendary pirates, Li Yuan and Golden Lion, summon pirates worldwide to join the war against the Navy. Victory is assured!"

The World Economic News quickly spread these headlines across the New World and the Four Seas.

"Hahaha, a war between all New World pirates and the Navy? This is epic! I must join!"

"This is a golden opportunity for fame—I can't miss it."

"Kill Marines, earn Berries? That's tempting—100 million for a Rear Admiral!"

"Grogorogoro, a real war—I'll crush everything!"

The news sent pirates worldwide into a frenzy. With the Navy withdrawing from the Four Seas, they couldn't contain the chaos. Many saw it as the pirate era's dawn, spurring even more to set sail.

Pirates streamed from the Four Seas to the Grand Line and onward to the New World, the Navy powerless to stop them, having redeployed even the Sabaody Archipelago Marines.

Roger Pirates:

"Hahaha, a New World pirate-navy war is coming? I'm thrilled!" Roger laughed, reading the paper over a drink.

"Captain, Li Yuan and Golden Lion are rallying all New World pirates for the war. Whitebeard and others who raided the Celestial Dragons will likely support them," Rayleigh noted.

"Scattered crews won't dare defy this 'voluntary' call, meaning all New World pirates will join. What about us? Should we go?" he asked.

"Hmph, they want our help after leaving us out of the Celestial Dragons' raid?" Jabba grumbled.

He knew this war was the World Government's retaliation for the raid, unrelated to the Roger Pirates.

"Hahaha, Jabba, we can't think that way. We're pirates. If we sit out while everyone else joins, where's our pride? Are we even pirates?" Rayleigh reasoned.

"Brubru, brubru!!" Roger's Den Den Mushi rang—a red-haired, imposing figure appeared.

"Hahaha, Li Yuan, what brings you to call?" Roger answered with a laugh, setting it to speaker for Rayleigh and the others.

"Roger, I'll get straight to the point. I'm inviting you to join the war. You should have heard the news," Li Yuan said.

"Hahaha, Li Yuan, this is your mess, not ours. The Roger Pirates don't care about 'legendary pirate' status," Roger replied.

"I know the clues to what you're seeking," Li Yuan stated directly.

"What clues?" Roger asked, intrigued.

His dream wasn't world domination but circumnavigating the globe, discovering interesting islands, making friends, and completing the journey.

Yet, their time in the New World yielded no path back to the Four Seas beyond the Calm Belt, thwarting his dream.

They found hints in ancient histories, embarking on a quest for the past, but with limited results.

This was known only to his crew, yet Li Yuan seemed aware!

"The legendary Laugh Tale's clues are recorded on many Poneglyphs. I know one Poneglyph's location, with Laugh Tale insights."

"Is this enough to entice the Roger Pirates?" Li Yuan smiled.

"Let's see if I can't sway you," he thought. To this crew, dreams mattered more than anything—they wouldn't pass up such a clue.

"Hahaha, Li Yuan, we're good friends. I'll help, but spill the Poneglyph's location first," Roger laughed, agreeing quickly.

Li Yuan's offer was irresistible—they'd searched for years, with only hints of Laugh Tale. They couldn't refuse.

"Roger, I keep my word. Help us, and I'll tell you as soon as you appear—not after the war," Li Yuan refused to divulge early, distrustful of Roger.

Who knew if Roger would vanish after learning the location? The Infinity Pirates couldn't currently challenge the Roger Pirates.

"Hahaha, fine, we're setting sail now!" Roger, seeing he couldn't sway Li Yuan, set course for the New World.

-Support me on Ko-Fi for 35+ advance chapters there.

https://ko-fi.com/zxc1015

Thanks!