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

"Captain, when I refine my drill head into a Black Drill, I'll be able to hold off a Marine Admiral too!"

Chinjao patted his drill-shaped head with pride, a wide grin on his face.

For swordsmen, the ultimate goal was to refine their blades into Black Blades. For Chinjao, his dream was to turn his drill into a Black Drill!

"Ha ha ha! I believe you can do it. Come on, let's take a break on the island!"

Li Yuan laughed as he looked at Chinjao and Kuma. Both of them were promising crew members with the potential to reach Admiral-level strength. He trusted his judgment and believed in their capabilities.

---

"My goodness! The Infinite Pirate Crew won! Admiral Zephyr and Hero of the Marines, Garp, were forced to retreat!"

"Fantastic news! That means Grimo Island is safe, and this trade won't be disrupted by the Marines!"

"Hurry, notify the king! He must quickly deliver the supplies the Infinite Pirate Crew needs for trade. If we're late, their goods might be sold out!"

The residents of Grimo Island erupted in excitement as the Hades Underworld ship docked and Garp's battleship retreated.

The Infinite Pirate Crew began transferring goods from Grimo Island into spatial scrolls, transporting them back to the Boundless Sea Territory, where factories processed them into finished products. The finished goods were then brought back to Grimo Island for trade, creating a closed-loop trading system.

"Oh? Sengoku tried attacking the Infinite Sea Territory?"

After taking a break on the island, Li Yuan received the latest intelligence from Shakky.

"It seems Barrett and the others have improved significantly—they even managed to hold off Sengoku. Not bad, not bad. A few more years, and Barrett will fully come into his own."

Li Yuan smiled with satisfaction after hearing how his crew had held their own against Sengoku.

Sengoku's strength was on a completely different level from Zephyr's. Zephyr could barely qualify as top-tier combat strength, but Sengoku, armed with Conqueror's Haki, was only slightly weaker than Garp and could go toe-to-toe with Whitebeard. His only shortfall was that his attack power wasn't as overwhelming as Whitebeard's.

"Big News Morgans, you've probably already heard about what happened on Grimo Island, right?"

Li Yuan pulled out a Den Den Mushi and called Morgans.

"Oh, if it isn't the world's strongest swordsman, Li Yuan! Heh heh, Li Yuan, you sure are well-informed. I just got the intel myself!"

"This is huge news! Don't worry, I'll make sure to praise you properly in my reports. The story of you forcing Hero Garp to retreat will spread far and wide!"

Morgans spoke excitedly.

Hearing this, Li Yuan realized what it meant to "tell the devil a lie." He had spotted news birds on Grimo Island on the very first day. Morgans had undoubtedly known for a week and was merely waiting for the battle's outcome to make the story even more sensational.

"Morgans, regarding the events on Grimo Island, none of it is to be published in the papers. Don't report on the battle's outcome either."

Li Yuan wasn't looking to boast about his victory but rather wanted to prevent Morgans from causing trouble with his reports.

Grimo Island was located in the West Blue, firmly within World Government territory. If Morgans published the story, the entire world would learn that Li Yuan had seized Grimo Island. The World Government, under immense pressure, would inevitably retaliate, potentially destroying the island altogether.

Even the Infinite Pirate Crew couldn't fend off the World Government's full force. A single top-tier combatant alongside the Marines would be enough to obliterate Grimo Island.

By keeping the incident under wraps, Li Yuan allowed the World Government to save face, gambling on their unwillingness to escalate over a single island. After all, Li Yuan hadn't made a spectacle of the occupation, and the World Government hadn't suffered any substantial losses. On the contrary, they could profit from the trade.

"Li Yuan, understood. I won't publish the Grimo Island story,"

Morgans said regretfully. This was big news, but he had no choice but to suppress it.

"Lord Saturn, regarding the Infinite Pirate Crew's incursion into the West Blue…"

After ordering Garp and the others to retreat, Steel Bone Kong contacted one of the Five Elders via Den Den Mushi to request World Government support.

"Fleet Admiral Kong, dealing with pirates is the Marines' responsibility. Don't come to us every time there's trouble. What do you think the military budget we allocate every year is for?"

"Besides, the World Government is still recovering from its last defeat. There will be no support this time. Handle it yourselves."

After being berated by Saturn, Kong hung up, seething with anger. His fury erupted, and he smashed the desk in front of him into pieces.

"Relay this order to Garp: Don't wait any longer. Return immediately,"

Kong instructed after regaining his composure.

---

"Captain, the Infinite Pirate Crew's strength is truly formidable. Even three top-tier Marine forces couldn't take them down,"

Reinhardt, a member of the Flying Pirates, handed a report to Golden Lion Shiki.

"If we faced three top-tier Marines, we'd struggle to hold off even two of them,"

Reinhardt added.

Shiki reviewed the profiles of the Boundless Pirate Crew's officers: Barrett, Ashura Doji, Karu, Kano. Many of them had been minor figures during their time in the Rocks Pirates but had since grown into formidable forces.

"Ha ha ha! That's Li Yuan for you. After the Rocks Pirates disbanded, Roger's crew was the strongest. Then, the Flying Pirates and the Infinite Pirates rose to prominence. Now, the Infinite Pirate Crew has undoubtedly surpassed Roger's. We're close behind. It won't be long before we catch up!"

Shiki laughed confidently.

"Reinhardt, summon Aslan Erastil and Harold Williams. It's time to train them personally. Once they've matured, surpassing Roger's crew and even the Infinite Pirate Crew won't be an issue!"

---

Meanwhile, Li Yuan remained on Grimo Island for two weeks, ensuring no Marine or World Government reinforcements arrived. Satisfied, he decided to return to the Boundless Sea Territory, leaving Chinjao and Kuma behind to guard the island.

"Captain, don't worry. Anyone who dares cause trouble will meet my drill head!"

Chinjao declared confidently.

With the arrangements made, Li Yuan sailed back aboard the Hades Underworld.

"Darling, the Shipping King Umit has requested to meet you,"

Yadina informed Li Yuan upon his return.

"He wants to see me? What for?"

"He wishes to formally pledge allegiance to the Infinite Pirate Crew, not just act as a collaborator,"

Yadina explained with a sly smile, clearly pleased with the outcome.

"Interesting. Let him in,"

Li Yuan said, already guessing Yadina's hand in orchestrating the situation.

Umit soon arrived, standing before Li Yuan and Yadina.

"

"Lord Li Yuan, I am here to pledge my full allegiance to the Infinite Pirate Crew. From this day forward, all of my maritime shipping networks will fall under your banner."

Umit's voice was resolute, his posture firm.

As one of the Dark Kings of the underground world, Umit deeply understood the importance of having a strong backer. In the underground, every Dark King operated under the shadow of a greater power. Without such support, maintaining a vast network of illicit trade was nearly impossible.

Initially, his cooperation with the Infinite Pirate Crew was intended to secure Li Yuan's protection. But now, after noticing the crew's growing dominance and their calculated moves to establish trading islands in the West Blue, Umit felt the pressure.

He feared being sidelined—or worse, having his empire absorbed into the Infinite Pirate Crew without his consent. Faced with these options, Umit chose the path of submission, knowing it was better to integrate willingly than be crushed by force.

Though he had considered reaching out to other powers, none in the New World dared risk offending the Infinite Pirate Crew by aligning with him. As for the World Government? That was nothing short of a death sentence. Thus, Umit had no choice but to lay everything on the line.

Li Yuan studied Umit carefully, his fingers drumming lightly against the armrest of his chair. The room was silent for a moment, the tension palpable. Finally, he spoke.

"Umit, you understand that pledging allegiance to me isn't just words. It means submitting your entire operation to my will. Are you prepared for that?"

Umit nodded firmly. "I am ready, Lord Li Yuan. My entire fleet, network, and resources are at your disposal. I only ask for the Infinite Pirate Crew's protection and a chance to continue operating under your banner."

Yadina, standing by Li Yuan's side, smiled faintly. "Your sincerity is noted. But you must understand, Umit, we do not tolerate betrayal or incompetence within our ranks. Once you're in, there's no turning back."

"I understand, Lady Yadina. Betrayal is not in my nature," Umit replied, bowing slightly in deference.

Li Yuan leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Very well. From this moment, you are officially part of the Infinite Pirate Crew. However, to the outside world, you remain the Shipping King—an independent entity. Publicly, you'll continue as you always have. Privately, you will answer to me. Do you agree?"

"Completely, Lord Li Yuan."

Yadina nodded, satisfied. "I'll handle the integration of Umit's operations. We'll also place a few of our own within his ranks to ensure everything runs smoothly."

Li Yuan smirked. "Good. Umit, you've made the right choice. Serve me well, and you will find this partnership to be far more rewarding than you can imagine."

Umit exhaled deeply, relief washing over him. He bowed again before taking his leave.

As the doors closed, Yadina turned to Li Yuan. "With Umit's network, our influence expands exponentially. It was a smart move to pressure him just enough to bring him to our side."

Li Yuan chuckled. "Yadina, you've outdone yourself. His shipping routes and resources will fuel our expansion across the seas. But remember, trust is earned, not given. Keep an eye on him. If he falters, we'll replace him without hesitation."

Yadina nodded, her expression resolute. "Understood, husband. I'll make sure we never lose control of his operations."

Li Yuan stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the vast ocean. "The Infinite Pirate

Crew is no longer just a force to be reckoned with; we're an empire in the making. Let the seas bear witness—our dominion is only beginning."

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