One Piece: Capitalist Brook's Crew Expansion Plan-Chapter 45: Discovering Birka

Mortomas felt an overwhelming sense of security as he gazed at the now-stabilized World Economy News Paper headquarters. He never expected Brook to not only take over the Sky Island but also somehow become its ruler!

This was like finding the perfect backer. With all the gold here, he wouldn't have to worry about funding anymore. He should get Morgans to pay his godfather a visit sometime!

Previously, under pressure from the World Government, the World Economy News Paper had been forced to relocate. They had gone weeks without printing a single newspaper.

The Peace Dove News Agency had assumed they'd gone out of business, and most of the public believed that this up-and-coming news outlet had simply disappeared!

With a base still in Jaya, the World Economy News Paper started reaching out to its correspondents across the world, gathering information to restart their publication.

From that point on, the news seagulls were equipped with smaller oxygen tanks and breathing tubes, enough to travel between the Sky Islands multiple times before needing a refill.

...

Peace Dove News Agency

"What the hell?! Mortomas vanished for over half a month, and now he's suddenly back in business? Have you found out where they relocated?"

The agency's president, Toko, furiously scolded the suited agent standing before him.

"According to reports, they initially moved to Jaya in the Grand Line. However, after that, their trail went cold."

The agents had investigated Jaya and confirmed the World Economy News Paper's presence there. But after their second relocation, they had lost all leads.

"Could they have gone back to one of the Four Seas?"

Toko had considered copying Mortomas' newspaper model. However, as a government-affiliated agency, they could never report on pirate escapades, expose Navy scandals, or uncover noble corruption.

Their only job was to glorify the World Government, highlight the Navy's justice, smear pirates, and amplify the fear they instilled!

For now, the only option was to keep investigating the World Economy News Paper's whereabouts and destroy them once again.

...

With Brook's generous financial support, Mortomas leveraged his past connections to recruit top-tier journalists at premium salaries, expanding operations in the Four Seas, the Grand Line, and even the New World.

This upstart news agency was rapidly growing, seizing market influence and laying the groundwork for controlling public opinion.

Even their reporters were now equipped with Image Dials, serving as an alternative to the usual Den Den Mushi cameras.

Meanwhile, the Hell Pirates were training rigorously and upgrading their gear with new Sky Island technology. .

Fisher Tom, Silva, and Crocus further modified various Sky Island shells, enhancing their power—Flash Shell pistols, Paralysis Shells, Storm Water Shells—especially effective against Devil Fruit users.

Brook and Redfield continued their intense training battles. Both wielded speed-based swordsmanship, and their relentless duels rapidly sharpened their skills.

"Brook, we've located Birka! Our Waver can reach it!"

(T/N: Wavers are small vehicles created in Skypiea.)

Gan Fall rushed over to report. The Waver had been upgraded into a small sailboat, equipped with additional Wind Shells and Jet Shells, drastically boosting its speed.

"Good, let's set sail immediately!"

Brook could hardly contain his excitement to uncover Birka's secrets. He promptly gathered his crew and set out aboard the Yellow Springs, now outfitted with numerous Sky Island modifications. The ship was faster and significantly more formidable.

With the propulsion of hundreds of Jet Shells, the Yellow Springs could even achieve brief flights. Its artillery was also enhanced—Flame Shell cannons, Water Shell sprays, and even Light Shell illumination...

Guided by an Angel Island native, the crew spent several days navigating towards the mysterious Birka Island.

Upon arrival, they quickly noticed that Birka's residents differed from those of Angel Island. Their hairstyles and clothing were far more distinctive, lacking the uniformity of Angel Island's attire.

According to their guide, the island housed roughly ten thousand inhabitants, and its highest leader was also titled "God." Their elite guards wielded powerful Thunder Shells and Slash Shells, even stronger than Angel Island's Reject Shells!

Brook led his crew ashore, immediately encountering a squad of guards armed with Slash Shells and Thunder Shells.

The crew's lack of wing ornaments made it clear they weren't Sky Islanders.

A tall, muscular man with two large drum-like ornaments at his waist and Shell-adorned arms stepped forward, eyeing them cautiously.

"What business do you have on our island? Are you here to purchase Thunder Shells and Slash Shells? If so, turn back now! We don't have enough to sell!"

Birka's God, Peng, addressed Brook's group, his gaze filled with wariness. Other Sky Islanders had attempted to buy their rare Sky Shells before.

Thunder crackled in the distance, the island's skies flashing with intermittent lightning, piquing Brook's curiosity.

"My lord is the King of the Sky Kingdom! He has come to invite Birka to join us!"

The Angel Island native guide stepped forward, calling out to Peng. He deeply admired Brook and his crew, who had effortlessly ended the centuries-long war between the Angel Tribe and the Shandians.

"I don't care what kind of kingdom you claim to be! Birka will always stand alone, devoted to the Thunder God!"

Without hesitation, Peng rejected the offer. He loosened his waist drums, holding them close as he watched Brook's crew with growing vigilance.

"Brook, let me handle this."

Redfield stepped forward, drawing his cane sword with an air of elegance. However, the pride in his gaze was unmistakable—he acknowledged no one but Brook.

Even among their own crew, he often ignored others, prompting frequent complaints from Shakky about his cold demeanor.

"You're challenging us? We won't back down! Guard unit, surround them!"

As the most powerful island in the region, Birka was known as the Island of Thunder Gods. Frequent storms had birthed the Thunder Shell, and over time, they had also developed the formidable Slash Shell.

Their elite forces were exceptionally powerful. Were it not for their unwavering tradition of guarding the island, they could have expanded their influence far beyond.

Peng rapidly struck his drum-shells, unleashing a thick bolt of electricity that snaked toward Redfield.

His guards raised their Thunder Shells and Slash Shells, launching bolts of electricity and massive, crescent-shaped sword waves at Brook's crew!

Shakky and the others quickly dodged. Silva leaped onto a tree, pulling out his sniper rifle and firing three precise shots—three Thunder Shell-wielding guards dropped instantly!

Crocus tossed a Scent Shell between the guards. A light mist spread out, and a faint fragrance filled the air, causing the guards to feel drowsy...

The battle for Birka had begun!

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