[TIOP] Chapter : 124

A month later, the navy's territory in the New World had doubled once again. However, something unexpected threw a wrench into Jack’s plans—Blackbeard.

After the navy took control of Blackbeard’s former territory, the infamous pirate didn’t retaliate. He didn’t even make a move. This left the elite strike force Jack had meticulously prepared for Blackbeard completely unused—like a loaded cannon never fired.

Meanwhile, technicians from Water 7 had already begun laying down Sea Train tracks starting from the G1 branch. The initial blueprint was modest: two tracks connecting the two nearest islands. It was a small beginning, but a symbolic one.

The navy fronted the bill for the project, meaning the tracks were navy property. It wasn’t that Jack didn’t want to invest—it was that he couldn't. His personal fortune had been poured into recruiting skilled personnel, most of it earned by relentlessly hunting down high-bounty pirates. Few others could have sustained such expenditures.

Once the navy’s newly acquired territory in the New World had been secured, Jack made a deliberate decision: no further expansion. Pushing forward too aggressively would provoke the remaining Yonko, and more critically, the navy didn’t have enough manpower to hold new territory. Unlike the relatively tame first half of the Grand Line, even minor players in the New World were dangerous.

As the supreme commander of G1, Jack shifted his focus inward—toward honing his own strength.

“Hmm... What matters most now is leveling up my techniques. I’ve got the chakra and a wide enough repertoire. If I polish my skills further, my power will rise dramatically,” he muttered, reviewing his training stats with a satisfied nod.

In just a month, his strength, agility, and vitality have increased by quite big numbers. In terms of vitality, he is not any inferior to Kaido now. The next level was Big Mom. He is slowly inching closer. All this was because of the pirates caught in the new world. Even his swordsmanship has increased to new levels. He can now coat his sword in conqueror's haki too.

“I need to get out for a bit, take a breather, maybe pick up some diamonds on the way,” he thought.

“Sir, you’re going out alone?” Lena asked, visibly concerned, after Jack shared his plan.

Jack chuckled. “Just going out for a stroll. Nothing serious.”

“But the G1 branch has only just gotten on track!” she protested.

“That’s exactly why I trust you and Kalifa to hold the fort. Plus, with Issho around, ordinary pirates won't stand a chance,” he said reassuringly.

Lena still looked hesitant. “What should I tell HQ if they ask?”

“Just say I’m out clearing my head, and I’ll be back in a few days,” Jack replied with a grin.

Jack’s standing in the navy had grown immensely. Many officers who had been stationed in the New World noticed something unusual—the locals welcomed them. Their respect for the navy, earned through Jack’s policies and actions, was deeply moving. For many, it reignited their sense of justice.

His vision of "Righteous Justice" was gaining real traction. Vice Admiral Momonga had become a staunch supporter, and over half of the other vice admirals had begun voicing approval, even if informally.

It seemed everything was aligning with Jack’s long-term goals.

Yet, as he left G1 behind, a strange unease settled in his chest—as if he’d forgotten something important. Still, the rapid growth in his strength comforted him. Whatever challenges awaited, he felt ready to meet them.

Then, just a day after Jack’s departure, the New World was rocked by another seismic event.

The Blackbeard Pirates had utterly crushed the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates. Marco and Ace, who led the last of the crew, had vanished. Blackbeard had devoured Whitebeard’s final stronghold, completing his conquest.

And that wasn’t the only headline.

A new lineup of Seven Warlords of the Sea had been announced. Alongside veterans like Dracule “Hawkeye” Mihawk, Empress Boa Hancock, Donquixote Doflamingo, and Bartholomew Kuma, several new names had been added to fill the vacant seats—each of them bringing new variables into play in the ever-shifting balance of power.

Originally, Gekko Moriah was also among the Seven Warlords of the Sea. But following the Battle of Marineford, he mysteriously vanished—no one had seen him since. As a result, the navy officially removed him from the Warlord roster.

Blackbeard Teach was also stripped of the title, though for a very different reason: he had ascended to become one of the new Four Emperors, making his position as a Warlord obsolete.

The last to be removed was Jinbei. During the Marineford War, he openly defied the navy, and for that act of defiance, his Shichibukai status was revoked.

To fill the void, three new members were appointed:

Edward Weevil, self-proclaimed son of Whitebeard;

Trafalgar D. Water Law, the so-called “Surgeon of Death”;

And the ever-unpredictable Buggy the Clown, now known as “Buggy of the Thousand Tricks.”

Together with the four remaining Warlords—Dracule Mihawk, Boa Hancock, Donquixote Doflamingo, and Bartholomew Kuma—they formed the newly restructured Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Kuma's case, however, remained unique. Although he had completely lost his consciousness and been transformed into a pacifista—a mindless cyborg—the World Government retained his Warlord status, treating him more like a state-owned weapon than a pirate.

At the G1 Branch, Lena stood stiffly as she answered a Den Den Mushi call.

“Yes, Fleet Admiral. He mentioned yesterday that he wanted to get some air, so he left on his own. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to reach him since.”

Aokiji’s inquiry was understandable—Jack had barely left when major upheavals erupted across the New World. Lena couldn’t help but feel anxious.

Across the room, Kalifa adjusted her glasses and shot Lena a knowing glance. “I told you not to rely on him too much.”

Lena sighed. “What was I supposed to do? When he sets his mind to something, no one can stop him.”

Kalifa smirked. “Fine then. I won’t bring up the sexual harassment thing this time.”

Before she could finish the sentence, Lena cut her off, clearly exasperated. “Don’t. Again.”

It had practically become Kalifa’s catchphrase. Even Issho had received direct warnings from her, and Jabra had once been kicked across the room—not seriously injured, but brooding for days afterward.

Kalifa, momentarily stunned, then smiled. “Actually, what I meant to say was... if needed, we can ask Blueno to assist. He’s a Door-Door Fruit user, after all".

Lena blinked. “And that helps... how?”

Kalifa shrugged. “It doesn’t. But more manpower means a better chance of finding him.”

Lena rolled her eyes, clearly ready to dismiss the idea—but something clicked. She suddenly picked up the Den Den Mushi and placed a call.

After she hung up, Kalifa gave an approving nod. “Smart. The Fish-Men always have better intel on ocean activity than we do.”

Lena had just called “home”—contacting her family to mobilize the Fish-Man unit. With their unique undersea capabilities, they had a much better chance of locating Jack. And frankly, Lena knew that if they didn’t act now, he might never return—even if he learned about the events unfolding in the New World.

And sure enough, she was right.

On a small, quiet island bar, Jack had already heard all the breaking news from the New World.

He sipped his drink lazily, unfazed.

“Big news, huh?” he muttered to himself. “Still not my problem.”