The New World.
Coin Island.
This island was once a barren wasteland, but thanks to its unique position at the crossroads of several major trade routes in the New World, it gradually developed into a thriving hub of commerce and logistics.
Over time, the island became hotly contested by various underground factions and pirate crews. After all, the more prosperous a place, the more money, intelligence, and resources flowed through it—in other words, massive profit potential.
After more than a decade of conflict, competition, and war, the island finally fell into the hands of the Underworld Emperor—Lu Feld. With his aggressive investment and development, the island rapidly transformed into one of the New World's most prominent financial ports.
Countless banks, both large and small, set up branch offices here. News agencies, merchant guilds, casinos, and commercial facilities filled the streets. Towering buildings stood in rows, creating a skyline of wealth and power.
Thanks to Lu Feld's continuous land reclamation and expansion—earning him the moniker "Loan Shark King"—the island, when viewed from above, resembled the vague shape of a giant coin. And with the staggering volume of financial transactions conducted daily, its original name gradually faded from memory.
Everyone now simply called it "Coin Island."
...
On the warship's deck, Daren flipped through the intelligence reports Sengoku had handed him, briefly reviewing the details on the golden-hued island visible in the distance.
"So basically... this island's swimming in money?"
Daren summed it up plainly.
Sengoku nodded with a serious expression.
"Lu Feld, the 'Loan Shark King'... This guy controls more than half of the underworld's high-interest lending operations. His banks and money houses are known as 'cash vaults.' There's even a saying in the New World—'Even the shit Lu Feld takes turns into gold.'"
"Crude as it is, it speaks volumes about his resources and influence."
Daren raised an eyebrow, smiling faintly.
"I'm curious—how does a guy this rich manage to stay alive in the New World?"
Sengoku let out a quiet sigh.
"He doesn't just deal with merchant guilds, fleets, or pirate crews... It's said that quite a few World Government member nations have dealings with him as well. Emergencies that require fast access to funds can happen to any power. That's why, even with how chaotic the New World is, it rarely affects the Coin Island."
"This place is like a pocket of calm in the middle of a storm—untouched, unshaken."
"Which is exactly why it attracts so many criminals and shady players."
Daren nodded in realization.
If that's the kind of backing he had, it all made sense.
Otherwise, a fat cash cow like this sitting in the middle of the New World? No way the greedy sharks wouldn't have taken a bite already.
As for those cooperative ties with World Government member nations... even without knowing the full picture, Daren could guess. It likely had something to do with the Heavenly Tribute.
Each year, the World Government demanded massive sums in Heavenly Tribute from its member nations.
But not every nation could pay on time. Weather, trade disruption, war—any number of factors could cause tax revenues to dip.
Yet the World Government tolerated no delays.
So when member nations hit a financial wall, many ended up using their future tax income as collateral, taking out high-interest loans from Coin Island just to meet the tribute deadline.
Sure, the interest was brutal—but at least it kept them afloat.
Judging from Sengoku's tone...
Daren cast him a sidelong glance.
Don't tell me... even Marine Headquarters had to borrow from Lu Feld to make ends meet?
...
"What's with that look in your eyes..."
Sengoku rolled his eyes in irritation.
He'd clearly noticed the strange expression on Daren's face and scoffed with a half-laugh, "The Marines might be short on funds, but we're not borrowing from loan sharks just yet!"
Borsalino chimed in out of nowhere, "Besides, we couldn't afford that kind of interest even if we tried..."
Daren: ...
Sengoku: ...
"Ahem... Daren, are you sure this intel is reliable?" Sengoku coughed twice and smoothly changed the subject without missing a beat.
"Admiral Sengoku, the information should be solid." Daren nodded. "Even though it's just a small-scale auction, a lot of major players in the New World have received invitations."
His tone cooled slightly as he continued, "But that also means we'll likely run into some unexpected enemies."
Sengoku's face darkened. He had clearly considered this as well.
An underground auction featuring a powerful and rare Devil Fruit like the Moa Moa no Mi was bound to attract intense competition.
After all, with the name of Byrnndi World—the "World Destroyer"—attached to it, whichever group got their hands on the Moa Moa no Mi would instantly gain an overwhelmingly powerful asset.
Major pirate crews, powerful merchant guilds, even entire nations... it was clear this auction wouldn't be anything close to "peaceful."
And for the Marines, that meant being at a severe disadvantage.
Just picture it: a bustling, noisy auction, powerful pirates and dark forces locked in a bidding frenzy—then suddenly, a group of Marines shows up...
They'd instantly become the target of everyone's aggression.
The moment a fight broke out, the pirates and dark world factions would aim straight for the Marines first.
Whether or not they secured the Moa Moa no Mi was one thing—but getting captured by the Navy? That was a whole different issue.
After a long silence, Sengoku let out a slow breath and said in a low voice, "No matter what, Daren, our top priority is still Shiki the Golden Lion."
"We absolutely cannot let the Moa Moa no Mi fall into his hands!"
Daren raised an eyebrow. "So you're saying...?"
Sengoku spoke cautiously, "If possible, we try to acquire the Moa Moa no Mi peacefully. There's a good chance representatives from World Government member nations will be present at the auction..."
"So we're just going to bid like everyone else?" Daren looked stunned. "How are we even funding that...?"
Sengoku glanced over calmly. "Headquarters is strapped for cash—so you'll be in charge of the budget for this one."
His face was the picture of serenity.
Daren: ...
"Admiral Sengoku, I don't think this situation is going to stay under control," Daren said after a pause. "If Shiki's target is the Moa Moa no Mi, there's no way he's going after it peacefully. He's a real pirate—he'll act like one."
Sengoku rubbed his temples, already feeling the headache coming on.
He had considered that too.
"Got any better ideas?"
Daren didn't answer right away.
Flipping through the intel in his hands, a cold smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. Then he suddenly asked something that seemed completely unrelated:
"I heard the Coin Island is almost entirely built out of actual coins?"
"Yeah, well, Lu Feld's loaded... Wait, what are you planning!?"
Sengoku responded instinctively but then immediately sensed something off. His expression shifted.
Daren gave a faint smile. "Didn't we say a lot of pirates and underworld forces would be attending the auction?"
"This time… let's take them all down in one sweep."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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