Onigashima was already preparing for the war, aiming to strike at Whitebeard and his forces. Just then, an urgent call came in.
The Blood Spider and his entire force on Hachinosu had been annihilated — by Bullet, from the Elior Pirates.
Queen was in disbelief.
"How dare they interfere with the business of the Beast Pirates?!"
Jack erupted in rage. The Beast Pirates relied on Hachinosu's black market for their supply of SMILEs, the artificial Devil Fruits. Blood Spider acted as the intermediary, coordinating the purchases and shipments to Onigashima.
But now, he was gone — wiped out by Elior's crew.
"They really think they can provoke us?"
King remained calm, but there was a glint of disdain in his eyes.
Those who live above the clouds always end up looking down on the world. To them, the masses are ants. Few ever stand as equals.
When Kaido heard the news, his eyes went wide with fury.
His plan to build an army of Zoan-powered monsters was still in motion. With over 50,000 men under his command, fewer than 500 had Devil Fruit abilities. He still needed thousands more SMILEs — and now Elior had taken out his supplier?
Of course he was enraged.
"We're heading to Hachinosu. First we crush that arrogant brat—then we intercept Whitebeard."
"Kaido-sama, won't we be too late for Whitebeard?"
Queen replied, "Jack, don't forget, the sea carps obey our command. We'll move faster than the Marines ever could."
King added, "More importantly, we're the Beast Pirates. We don't let anyone challenge our name and walk away."
The room stirred with energy. The Beast Pirates were infamous for their recklessness — they'd even pick fights with the Whitebeard Pirates if it came to it. So who was Elior to them?
Meanwhile, Elior had no idea that he'd just provoked the madman Kaido—but even if he had known, he would've welcomed it.
If Kaido came looking for him, that would only justify Elior striking back — and setting his sights on Wano.
There were three locations Elior coveted above all: Hachinosu, Fishman Island, and Wano. If possible, even the Sabaody Archipelago. And at that very moment, Reiju was reluctantly massaging Elior's shoulders.
Elior glanced across the room at Stussy and the others. He didn't think much of them. Most of these so-called underworld elites were laughable. Take Umit for example—he couldn't even survive a few strikes from Weevil.
The rest? Elior figured they were no stronger than Judge, who had been humiliated by Big Mom and couldn't even maintain dominance over North Blue.
"This island belongs to me now" Elior declared coldly. "From this moment forward, no one steps foot on Hive Island without my permission."
The fat loan shark spoke up with sarcasm in his voice. "Bit cocky, aren't you? Even Kaido owes me money. You think you're something special?"
…Awkward silence followed.
Stussy, blinked in surprise. She knew this man was full of bluster. He'd never dare call in debts from Yonko-level pirates.
But Elior simply raised his hand—and Law instantly understood.
"Room"
The ROOM enveloped the space, and under Law's control, the loan shark was dismembered—cut into pieces without pain or death, but in a way that left him helpless and humiliated.
No one else dared to speak.
Truthfully, before Elior's crew even entered the meeting room, Weevil and Law had already wiped out many of the guests outside.
When Elior finally stepped out of that opulent hall, the only ones still alive inside were Stussy, Morgans, the Vinsmoke family, and a few underlings. Everyone else had been silently executed.
Elior hadn't even lifted a finger.
Meanwhile, Bullet and the others had already crushed the remaining factions on the island. All resistance was gone.
When Elior received word that the island was his, he chuckled and muttered:
"There is no one ahead of us—we are unmatched!"
By midday, he stood atop the tallest tower on th island and declared himself king. From that moment on, Hachinosu belonged to him. Not as a pirate paradise—but simply: Paradise.
The entire island buzzed with unrest. Some resisted. Some cried out for freedom. Why should they bow to a ruler?
But then Elior released his Conqueror's Haki, flooding the island with his overwhelming presence.
After that, no one dared to question him again.
Hachinosu was his.
Now officially renamed Paradise.
Meanwhile, the Beast Pirates had already set sail — Hachinosu just happened to be along their path to Whitebeard.
And they were out for blood.
At the same time, the Red-Haired Pirates caught wind of it all and began mobilizing as well—with the goal of intercepting Kaido's fleet.
It seemed inevitable that Paradise would soon become the battleground between two Yonko.
And Elior… had no idea.
But the storm was already coming.