Throne Of Supreme

Chapter 285: The Encounter of the Burning Heavens Pirates

______

Aoki stepped out of the cabin, and the bright sunshine bathed him in warmth.

"Dragon King, you're awake! We're just about to set sail!"

Shanks greeted him with a raised glass. "How about a drink? A beer is the best thing to have in the morning."

Aoki frowned inwardly. 'What kind of ridiculous habit is that? You're just lucky to have good health. If you keep drinking like this, you'll all end up with alcoholic liver disease.'

He shook his head. "Just call me Aoki."

"Aoki?" Shanks repeated with a grin.

Aoki suddenly asked, "By the way, doesn't the title 'Dragon King' offend the Celestial Dragons?"

Shanks paused for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Probably, but I think it's a great name regardless!"

Aoki let the matter drop, shifting his gaze to the deck.

The Red-Haired Pirates were busy with their morning routines: washing, cleaning, and checking the ship's condition.

Sailing was no easy task. Beyond the adventure and fighting, there were mundane necessities—eating, drinking, and countless small chores.

Of course, one could choose to ignore these duties.

But if they did, the ship would likely become unbearable, with an explosion of unpleasant odors.

Fortunately, the Red-Haired Pirates seemed meticulous when it came to hygiene.

- Wow!

A sudden flapping of wings caught Aoki's attention. A seabird wearing a hat and carrying a parcel around its neck landed on the ship's railing, looking at the crew with oddly humanlike eyes.

Aoki's interest was piqued.

The news bird from the World Economic News paper… truly one of the wonders of this world, he thought.

Reaching into his pocket, Aoki pulled out 100 berries and handed the coins to the bird.

"One newspaper, please."

The bird nodded, taking the coins before handing him a neatly folded newspaper.

The price was fair. A newspaper cost 100 berries, while something like a bowl of ramen went for 500 berries.

In this world, where transportation was inconvenient, the World Economic News Paper was the only organization capable of distributing news globally—even within the Calm Belt. For many, it was the sole means of understanding the world's current events.

It was a true monopoly.

Aoki unfolded the paper and froze at the headline.

"The Burning Heaven Pirates?"

At some point, Ben Beckman had wandered over, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

"They're a pirate group that's risen to prominence in the past two years," Ben Beckman said. "Their leader is Boa Hancock. They're quite powerful."

Aoki stroked his chin, musing silently. The Burning Heaven Pirates… Looks like Hancock and the others have made a name for themselves.

Beckman exhaled smoke casually. "You've never heard of them? Then again, you didn't even know what year it was, so I suppose it's no surprise you're unfamiliar with the Burning Heaven Pirates."

Aoki glanced at him. "Are you mocking me?

Beckman's expression remained calm as he flatly denied it. "Of course not."

'You're clearly mocking me', Aoki thought, but he let it slide. "I've heard of the Burning Heaven Pirates, but I don't know much about their current situation. Are they really that famous now?"

Shanks interjected with his usual cheer. "Oh, they're quite famous!"

Beckman elaborated, "The Burning Heaven Pirates are known for three key things:

"First, their 'Burning Heaven Suits.' All official members wear these specialized outfits, which many speculate are high-tech combat suits.

"Second, their leader, Boa Hancock. She's known more for her beauty than her strength.

"It's said that anyone who sees her—man or woman—falls under her spell. She's now widely regarded as the most beautiful woman in the world."

"The most beautiful woman in the world," Aoki repeated with a smile.

Even though Hancock's path had diverged from the original timeline, she had still earned that title.

But that's only natural, Aoki thought.

There were three women in the pirate world considered the most beautiful.

Yamato, living in Wano Country, remained unknown to the wider world. Shirahoshi, the Mermaid Princess, was only four years old at this time.

With no other contenders, the title of the most beautiful woman in the world naturally belonged to Boa Hancock.

"But there is something interesting about her," Shanks said with a grin.

"Boa Hancock isn't the captain of the Burning Heavens Pirates. She refers to herself as the vice-captain. As for the captain, no one knows who he is—he's never shown himself."

Aoki didn't react immediately, instead asking, "What's the third thing they're famous for?"

Beckman took a drag from his cigarette and exhaled slowly. "The third, and their most famous distinction, is their conflict with the BIGMOM Pirates."

[Note: Did you get it? BIGMOM pirates! No? Alright I will just leave]

"Conflict with the BIGMOM Pirates?" Aoki raised an eyebrow and glanced down at the newspaper. The headline read: Burning Heaven Pirates and BIGMOM Pirates on the Brink of War.

Beckman nodded, tapping his cigarette against the railing. "It's the most significant event in the New World this year. The newspapers have been reporting on it constantly."

Aoki frowned slightly. "What's the story behind it?"

Beckman explained, "It all started last year. Initially, the BIGMOM Pirates proposed a marriage alliance with the Burning Heaven Pirates."

Aoki's eyes narrowed. "Marriage? With who? Hancock?"

Beckman shook his head. "No, not Hancock. It was another member of the Burning Heaven Pirates—Nico Robin."

"Nico Robin?" Aoki's frown deepened. "So her identity has been exposed?"

"That's right," Beckman confirmed. "It's the same Nico Robin you know—the sole survivor of O'Hara and the only person capable of deciphering Poneglyphs. The BIGMOM Pirates likely wanted her for that ability."

Shanks interjected, "The World Government has also been hunting Nico Robin. Since her identity was revealed, the Burning Heaven Pirates have been under constant threat from all sides."

Aoki's tone turned serious. "What happened after that?"

Beckman flicked his spent cigarette overboard and lit another. "The BIGMOM Pirates sent an envoy to negotiate the marriage, but the Burning Heaven Pirates killed him outright. That enraged the BIGMOM Pirates.

"At the time, the Burning Heaven Pirates were relatively unknown, and the BIGMOM Pirates didn't see them as a threat. One of the Four Sweet Commanders, led a fleet to crush them and teach them a lesson about defying a Yonko."

Beckman smirked slightly. "Unfortunately, they underestimated the Burning Heaven Pirates. Boa Hancock killed Cracker in battle, and the entire fleet was destroyed.

"That victory cemented Boa Hancock's reputation as a formidable force and made the Burning Heaven Pirates famous almost overnight."

Aoki crossed his arms. "The BIGMOM Pirates didn't let that slide, did they?"

"Of course not," Beckman said, leaning against the railing. His voice grew heavier, as if recounting a firsthand account. "After Cracker's defeat, Charlotte Linlin herself stepped in. The Pirate Emperor launched a relentless assault on the Burning Heaven Pirates.

"They suffered a crushing defeat. Boa Hancock barely escaped with her life, and the Burning Heaven Pirates disappeared entirely.

"Most people thought they were finished—just another group wiped out after daring to cross a Yonko. But two months ago, they reemerged. Since then, their feud with the BIGMOM Pirates has reignited.

"For the past two months, skirmishes and clashes have escalated. Tensions are at a boiling point, and a full-scale war could break out at any moment."

Aoki leaned back, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"The BIGMOM Pirates… a Pirate Emperor…" He chuckled softly. "What a grand title."