One Piece: Awaken The Replication System

Sea Circle Calendar 1514!

Four years have passed, and this year's main event is the Levely.

The focus for the Five Elders and the Marines has shifted toward protecting the royal families, who arrived smoothly in Mary Geoise.

However…

In March, the World Government issued an announcement that sent waves through the ranks of pirates everywhere.

"A new bounty has been issued! Red-Haired Shanks has been named as one of the Four Emperors!"

"Red-Haired Shanks! Bounty: 4 billion 49 million Belly!"

The news shocked the world.

"The Red-Haired Pirates… taking the top spot…"

"And it wasn't the world's strongest hunter, Leno, but him?!"

"How did Shanks get the title of Four Emperors?" Kaido demanded.

"Kaido claims the Four Emperors title no longer fits, saying he and Leno have far surpassed that level."

"After a half-year absence, Whitebeard, Edward Newgate, reappeared to congratulate Shanks!"

"Charlotte Linlin set a new world record by giving birth again, but the doctor confirmed she can no longer have children."

"Kaido declares war and vows to face off against the Red-Haired Pirates!"

This brewing conflict between Kaido and the Red-Haired Pirates caught the attention of many.

Kaido, notorious for his preference for single combat, seemed bent on upholding the Four Emperors' reputation.

Shanks' ascent stirred old grudges.

The Red-Haired Pirates had reached the top, but would they be tested?

Meanwhile, a year ago, Kaido had told Leno,

"If Shanks and his crew ever rise to the Four Emperors, I'll be there to test them myself."

But plans changed.

As Kaido prepared for his duel, Leno disembarked on Zou, or Elephant Island, the fabled land of the Mink Tribe.

Zou, perched on the back of a massive elephant, had no clear path by any recording log or map, which led Leno to seek out the Nox Pirates and make his case.

The Nox Pirates, a group of Mink Tribe members, included Pedro, Zepo, Pekoms and Bepo. Their goal: to assist the Cat Viper in finding the Poneglyphs. However, the World Government had caught wind of their mission, making them wanted men.

As Bepo descended to observe the sea, he lost his way, and casualties followed. Pedro, injured and unable to continue, left the expedition to Pekoms and took only Zepo with him.

Whale Forest

"President Leno, may I speak with Boss Cat Viper first?" Pedro, a member of the Mink tribe, asked cautiously.

The man before him was none other than the world's strongest hunter, the one who defeated Kaido, Whitebeard, and Charlotte Linlin. One wrong move could spell disaster for the Mink Tribe.

"Of course."

Leno glanced out over the forest. A city and forest, atop an elephant's back—it was a marvel.

Pedro exchanged a look with Jebo, jumped to a tree branch, and disappeared into the forest.

Zepo, a polar bear Mink, stood tense, a gust ruffling his dark fur.

"President Leno, would you like to enjoy the view of Zou?"

With a smile, Leno replied, "Relax. As long as I achieve my goal, there'll be no trouble."

Zepo swallowed hard. He and Pedro feared the Cat Viper and Duke Inuarashi might be too stubborn to yield.

Leno was a legend—his influence stretched even to the New World, where he led the infamous Hunter's Guild.

Rumor had it that Leno's mere presence overshadowed even the new Four Emperors.

Leno glanced at Zepo. "So, you're looking for your brother?"

"Eh? Yes!" Zepo said, hopeful. "He fell into the sea and disappeared. His name is Bepo. Do you…know of him?"

Leno nodded. "We received an application from North Blue last September. There was a Mink named Bepo in the group who wanted to join."

Zepo's eyes widened. "North Blue?! My brother… he's alive?!"

Inside the forest, Pedro bounded through the underbrush, stopping when he encountered familiar faces on patrol.

"Brother Pedro?!" they called.

Pedro paused on the branch, relief flooding him. "Roddy! Black Buck!"

"I need to see Boss Cat Viper urgently."

The Cat Viper, one of the two leaders of the Mokomo Dukedom and ruler of the night, held the title "Ruler of Night." Formerly a retainer of Kouzuki Oden, he had fought alongside the Whitebeard Pirates and Roger Pirates.

"World's strongest hunter, Leno?" The Cat Viper held his pipe between his teeth, blowing a thin stream of smoke. "He really beat Kaido?"

Pedro nodded. "Yes, Boss Cat Viper. Not only Kaido—he's bested Big Mom and Whitebeard too."

The Cat Viper, golden-furred and scarred, stared at Pedro intently. Could the one who bested Kaido be here?

Outside the Whale Forest, a dozen figures gathered.

"Pedro!" Zepo cried, throwing himself into Pedro's arms.

"Brother Pedro, I want to join the Hunter's Guild!" Zepo declared, still in tears.

"What?!" Pedro asked, bewildered.

The Cat Viper's gaze shifted to the imposing figure across the clearing.

"Are you President Leno?"

Leno gave a slight nod.

Cat Viper said, "Our tribe has the duty to guard that treasure. For the sake of our beliefs, even if a powerful enemy stands in our way, we must never back down!"

He raised his hands, claws extending as they caught the light with an icy glint.

"If you want to get through, you'll have to take me down!"

"Oh?" Leno replied, "All it takes is to bring you down?"

The Cat Viper nodded, then suddenly lunged forward, claws slicing through the air with fierce intensity.

"Oden One-Sword Style!"

A gust of wind surged forward.

Leno's hair swayed slightly as the Cat Viper charged at him. Just as he got close, Leno swung his fist in a smooth motion.

Boom!

His punch passed through the Cat Viper's sharp claws and landed squarely on his face, causing a visible dent.

In an instant, the force of the punch erupted with a ground-splitting intensity, sending the Cat Viper flying back even faster than he'd charged forward.

Mid-air, his face twisted, teeth scattering, and a spray of blood burst from his mouth. His pupils rolled back until only white remained.

Crash!

Trees toppled as he plowed through, leaving a chaotic trail that stretched a hundred meters long. Finally, he lay sprawled on the ground, motionless.

Shock!

Pedro, Zepo, Pekoms, Roddy, and the rest of the group stared, stunned.

"Boss…!"

They gaped, eyes wide in silent astonishment.

Unbelievable!

One of the fur tribe's rulers, the mighty Cat Viper, taken out with a single punch?!

The sight sent chills through Pedro and the others, their fur standing on end as they trembled.

What kind of monstrous power was this?!

Silence fell over the area as they looked at Leno, who stood with a calm smile. A deep sense of respect rose within them.

In the world of One Piece, the Hunter Guild commanded a level of influence that few could match.

Pedro finally came to his senses, staring at the fallen Cat Viper.

"Boss Cat Viper!"

The Cat Viper lay on the ground, blood trickling from his mouth, his breath ragged.

There was no way he could match this opponent.

No need for futile sacrifices, he realized. Dizzy but resolute, he took a deep breath and said to Leno,

"You've won! Follow me!"

Leno wasn't the first to come to Zou and leave with the rubbings of the "Road Poneglyph."

The fur tribe's mission was to protect these relics, but not at the cost of their own survival.

Leading Leno, they entered the dark corridors deep in the Whale Forest. A massive family crest of the Kouzuki Family adorned the wall, and beneath it lay a dark red stone.

This was Zou's treasure: one of the four legendary "Road Poneglyphs."

Under the watchful eyes of Cat Viper and the others, Leno carefully made a rubbing of the "Road Poneglyph." They let out a collective sigh of relief.

As long as he didn't take the entire stone, just a rubbing, it was acceptable.

It would be a monumental challenge to gather all four "Road Poneglyphs." Each was held by different factions, and only Robin, the "Devil Child," could translate them.

When he finished, Leno smiled. With all four "Road Poneglyphs," Raftel was just within reach.

But the journey was like a puzzle, each step building the anticipation.

With his task complete, Leno didn't linger in Zou. He prepared to leave with Pedro and Zepo and head toward North Blue in search of Bepo.

Back on the ship, as they sailed on the blue sea, Leno received a call from Otohime of Fish-Men Island.

"Ryugu Kingdom," she said, "Are we invited to this year's World Summit?"

"Yes. Leno, we received an invitation from the World Government. Do you think we should attend?"

Leno chuckled. "That's your country. What do you think?"

Princess Otohime replied, "I see it as a chance to build connections with kings worldwide… but I worry…"

"If you'd accompany me, I'd like to attend. Otherwise, I'd rather decline."

Under Leno's guidance, Otohime had avoided the tragedy of her shooting and become a more practical ruler.

Dawn Island in East Blue had now become a place of dreams for her people. Although only 2,000 fish-men and merfolk had migrated there, it had become a paradise for those from Fish-Men Island.

With the Hunter Guild's support and Leno's protection, the Fish-Men Island's external situation had improved over the last two years.

Internally, Neptune and Fukaboshi had made reforms, such as banning the rough areas of Fish-Men Island and establishing schools, which received widespread praise.

The Hunter Guild's trade routes brought in much-needed resources, while Fish-Men Island's rich undersea products sold well in East and South Blue. Both the island and the guild prospered.

So, for the fish-men and mermaids, Leno had become a revered figure.

As Otohime saw these changes, her respect for Leno only grew.

She even began consulting him on personal matters, which led to rumors of an unusual bond between them.

Leno pondered this.

The World Summit of 1514 was also the time for the World Government's re-election. This meeting would determine the global landscape for the next eight years, from the Marines to the Four Emperors and the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

"This World Summit might be interesting," Leno mused, "Prepare, Otohime!"

"Yes, Leno!" she replied with excitement. "Oh, I'm already thirty years old this year!"

After hanging up, Leno looked puzzled and asked Robin, "What does it mean for a mermaid to turn 30?"

Holding her coffee with a casual grace, Robin replied, "At 30, a mermaid's tail splits into two legs, so most choose to visit land to mingle with humans and seek partners."

"Mermaid men, however, can never grow legs."

"So, she probably means she could… give you a human child?"

Leno choked at that, coughing.

Robin took a sip of coffee and smiled, "I could do that too, you know."

"You?" Leno laughed. "Aren't you only focused on research?"

Robin replied, "Having a child would be… the ultimate research project, wouldn't it?"

"Is it?" he said, scratching his head.

Robin just smiled and changed the topic: "Kaido's latest fight with the Red-Haired Pirates ended in a draw, by the way."

Leno raised an eyebrow. "The red-haired one must have really leveled up to hold off Kaido!"

In the capital, King studied the latest reports on the Revolutionary Army, looking concerned.

"Members of the Revolutionary Army are causing chaos, attacking wealthy businessmen and nobles across regions."

"Many refugees and commoners have been swayed by their message, growing dissatisfied with the rule of royalty."

Ikalem, captain of Kingdom Guard, read out the intelligence, his strange curls bouncing as he spoke.

Since last year, Revolutionary Army activities had taken a toll on monarchies and noble families alike, and Alabasta felt the impact keenly.

The royal family's rule was shaken, and the kingdom's stability was under threat.

Smack!

King slammed the report down in frustration. "The World Government must crack down on these agitators!"

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