The advent of the Great Pirate Era, the clash between pirates and the Navy became the main theme of that world.
The reason that world would eventually belong to the world of superpowers was because of one thing.
Bai Ye was very familiar with this thing, which was the Devil Fruit.
Devil Fruits were known as the secret treasures of the sea, and after consumption, they granted different abilities, categorized into three main types: Superhuman, Zoan, and Logia.
Bai Ye's Doku Doku no Mi was a Superhuman-type fruit, while the Goro Goro no Mi was naturally a Logia-type fruit.
Furthermore, one could only consume one Devil Fruit and gain one ability.
This was also due to the fruit's name – Devil.
No one knew how Devil Fruits came into existence. Many searched for their origins without success, and no one knew if they were actual fruits.
Therefore, some believed Devil Fruits were the embodiments of demons, and consuming one would bring a curse. Consuming more than one would lead to death from being unable to withstand the curse's power.
However, this theory didn't seem to apply in the World Battlefield.
In Bai Ye's understanding, the so-called inability to withstand the curse's power and death was simply the body failing due to being unable to handle the strength of the superpower.
But in the World Battlefield, there were many ways to strengthen physical attributes. As these attributes continuously improved and the body grew stronger, it could then withstand the power of superpowers, naturally allowing for the consumption of two fruits.
Even three, four, five…
As long as the body held up, one could eat as many as they could handle.
It was like saying, "As long as your kidneys are good, seven times a night is not a dream."
Meanwhile, thanks to Hua Zhi Xiao, Bai Ye had some understanding of the powers in this region.
The powers could roughly be divided into three factions.
The first faction was naturally the Navy, with its three Admirals representing the pinnacle of naval power.
The second faction was called the Seven Warlords of the Sea. These individuals were originally pirates but were eventually recruited by the Navy for various reasons.
The Navy tacitly allowed them to commit certain wicked acts, but in return, they had to serve the Navy and must participate collectively when the Naval Headquarters issued a summons.
Many pirates considered them lackeys of the Navy.
Within the Seven Warlords of the Sea, they viewed their relationship with the Navy as a partnership.
However, one point was undeniable.
The reason the Seven Warlords of the Sea were recruited was that they were already sufficiently powerful before their recruitment.
If the Navy could easily defeat them, why would they bother recruiting them?
The third faction was the pirates, but to be more precise, it should be the Four Emperors.
The Four Emperors were the most powerful pirate crews in these waters, representing the vanguard against the Navy.
According to the intelligence provided by Hua Zhi Xiao, Liu Shi Yue's current hidden mission and the trigger of a major forbidden zone were mainly related to Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors.
Portgas D. Ace, the captain of the second division of the Whitebeard Pirates, was captured by the Navy due to some unforeseen circumstances and imprisoned in Impel Down's dungeon, with his public execution scheduled.
A remarkably high-profile execution.
The first reason was that Portgas D. Ace's father was actually the former Pirate King. Executing Ace would help the Navy enhance its prestige.
The second reason was that the Navy wanted to lure out Whitebeard and annihilate him.
And this was the content of the Marineford War, to annihilate the strongest pirate, naturally befitting the name "Marineford."
Bai Ye had to admit it sounded impressive, but his impression of the Marineford War was not very deep.
However, Bai Ye wasn't particularly surprised by this.
Bai Ye was the type who built up his strength gradually in his previous life. By the time he truly rose to prominence, the World Battlefield had already progressed to the mid to late stages.
By then, major forbidden zones were no longer rare, with them opening in various regions. While not as frequent as regular forbidden zones that opened daily and were constantly explored, major forbidden zones opened roughly every half a month. It wasn't strange that Bai Ye hadn't heard of the Marineford War without having participated in it.
As for the present…
"The ambition of the Hidden Dragon Association is commendable."
Currently, the World Battlefield was gradually transitioning into its mid-term.
But it was still very difficult to open major forbidden zones at this point, and even if one did, it wasn't guaranteed to be advantageous. Therefore, the Hidden Dragon Association daring to target the Marineford War at this time was, in a sense, quite courageous.
However, the Marineford War was not easily triggered. Liu Shi Yue would likely need considerable time, so Bai Ye still had plenty of time left.
"Regardless, let's enter that area first," Bai Ye said, stroking Lapras's head. "Head east."
Lapras tilted its head, let out a cry, then turned its direction and proceeded eastward.
Bai Ye was amused. Lapras could truly understand human language.
As Lapras moved forward, ripples began to spread across the sea.
For the next two days, Bai Ye lived a peaceful life.
Although it was said that a true man's ambition lay across the vast ocean, and this ocean itself was synonymous with adventure, adventure wasn't a daily occurrence. Navigation was often monotonous.
On land, Bai Ye could at least be a loafer, walking his dog, teasing birds, or flirting with a young widow. But at sea, there was nothing he could do, truly embodying the meaning of having nothing to do.
However, the good news was that after two days, Bai Ye saw the region boundary.
The region boundaries at sea were no different from those on land.
But even after crossing the region boundary, it was still the sea, just the sea of a different region.
"When will this life ever end!" Bai Ye slumped on Lapras's back, bored. "Let me fight some pirates, or even the Navy. Oh, we haven't arrived yet. What about sea monsters? Aren't they all saying there are giant sea monsters in the ocean?"
Bai Ye suddenly stood up on Lapras's back and shouted, "Sea monster, come out and fight!"
At that very moment…
Lapras carried Bai Ye across the region boundary.
Almost instantly, the previously clear blue sky turned pitch black, creating a feeling of dark clouds looming overhead.
The surrounding waves roared, with wave after wave continuously churning, rising to heights of over ten meters, appearing incredibly terrifying.
And amidst those howling waves, a giant octopus tentacle was raised high, smashing towards Bai Ye.
Bai Ye gasped, "Sea monster brother, I was just saying, I didn't really mean to fight… Glug glug… Glug… Glug…"
Before Bai Ye's words could even finish, the giant octopus tentacle slammed down.
The sea surface immediately split open, and the churning waves swept Bai Ye into the sea.
…