Chapter 96: The Emperor’s Moves
In this era, the Vesper Pirates and the Ice Demon Pirates seemed destined to become casualties of the ongoing power struggle. Both Vesper and the old Ice Demon were past their prime, their strength fading as they began their inevitable decline.
Neither of their successors was strong enough to carry the banner of their respective crews, while Rocks was in his prime, filled with ambition and a burning desire to unify the New World.
"Captain Vesper, it's just Rocks! Fight him head-on and scare them off! What's all this talk about a shift in the times? Don't tell me even those so-called Supernovas are catching your attention now?
"Speaking of which, the Hell Pirates stole my Marseille Island. I was already planning to deal with them personally. Who's coming with me?"
Jevalle had come looking for help, but he had no patience for talk of an era's upheaval. To him, it only proved that Captain Vesper was growing old, too cautious in his decisions.
"Captain Vesper, even if there is a great reshuffling, it's us who will be cleaning out those who don't know their place! The Vesper Pirates are still the strongest!"
Salem, a pirate with a bounty of one billion Belly, was stationed on Lihai Island, commanding a fleet of dozens of elite ships. A man of both strength and intelligence, he had no regard for the rising Supernovas.
His real rivals were the other potential Emperor crews and the Rocks Pirates. The Ice Demon Pirates, who clung to their territory rather than expanding, weren't even worth considering.
Since the Vesper Pirates established their dominance, Salem had taken on a steward-like role, managing their vast domain and assigning tasks. His lack of battlefield action caused his bounty to stagnate, while the bounties of his adversaries, who constantly waged war, soared past his own.