Chapter 482—The wind rises in Wano Country
New Navy Headquarters.
Following the public execution, the meticulously orchestrated "scene" by Liu Feng sent shockwaves across the sea. Even several member states previously loyal to the World Government took the initiative to extend an olive branch to the New Navy, seeking protection.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that this public execution was Liu Feng's way of flexing his military strength.
The impact was undeniable—rumors began spreading worldwide that the New Navy was preparing to suppress the Four Emperors, Kaido, unify the New World, and even overthrow the World Government.
Though mere speculation, these rumors were not entirely baseless. The New Navy's rapid rise had undeniably made it the most formidable force in the world.
Inside the military office, Liu Feng lifted his head from a mountain of military documents, his face showing signs of exhaustion.
He raised a hand to massage his stiff neck. Ever since Zephyr had taken up the role of an instructor at the military academy, he had completely distanced himself from administrative duties, dumping nearly all military affairs onto Liu Feng. The workload was overwhelming.
Instinctively, Liu Feng lit a cigar and took a deep drag. He had always preferred cigarettes for their convenience, but when drowning in paperwork, he had to admit that strong liquor and cigars provided some relief from the stress.
Glancing at the pile of documents cluttering his desk, he rubbed his temples and sighed bitterly.
"Damn, I'd rather be on the battlefield than stuck here dealing with government affairs. This is pure torture."
Unfortunately, he had no choice.
With Zephyr stepping back, none of his admirals were reliable. Koshiro, the doting father, spent all his time at the training ground teaching Kuina swordsmanship.
Meanwhile, the hedonistic Golden Lion, a notorious drunkard, seized every opportunity to "relive the warmth of the past."
Aokiji did nothing but sleep!
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Admiral, Brandi World, was practically glued to the weapons department, obsessing over armed artillery day and night like a lifeless statue.
Recently, he had received a batch of technical data from Germa 66, which claimed that artillery size and propulsion could be increased by 50%. This revelation had completely consumed the artillery fanatic, making it impossible for him to sit still.
As for Rayleigh—forget it. He had probably disappeared somewhere with a pot of wine.
Liu Feng sighed. It was a real headache.
To be honest, he was getting tired of it all. He wanted to quit—this whole leadership business was exhausting and dull.
But he had no choice. Conquering the world was one thing; ruling it was another. Governance was an art, and brute force alone couldn't sustain long-term control. Especially in this volatile climate, Liu Feng had to be cautious.
Even though more than a dozen World Government member states had "defected" and sought protection under the New Navy, he knew better than to trust them.
These were opportunists. If the New Navy ever showed signs of weakness, they wouldn't hesitate to turn their backs on him.
Knock, knock, knock—!
A sharp knock at the door suddenly interrupted his thoughts. Liu Feng, almost relieved by the distraction, quickly smiled.
"Come in!"
Law strode in, saluting Liu Feng. Perched on his shoulder was a black cat.
Noticing Law's somber expression, Liu Feng frowned.
"What happened?"
Before Law could speak, the black cat licked its paws and chuckled mischievously.
"Fufufu... Looks like there's a problem with your little treasury."
Liu Feng's eyes narrowed. In an instant, the black cat found itself trapped in his grasp, unable to react. The fur on the back of its neck was clenched in his fingers, and its face stiffened in horror.
"M-Meow! Liu Feng, what do you think you're doing?!"
Liu Feng smirked.
"Doflamingo, you seem to be enjoying yourself these days. You've put on some weight."
"Maybe I've been too kind to you... letting you live so comfortably."
The black cat, now trembling, tried to struggle, but to its shock, it couldn't move. It felt like an overwhelming, inescapable force pinning it down. Not even the slightest trace of its Devil Fruit power would activate.
Dark-Dark Fruit…!
The realization struck Doflamingo like a bolt of lightning, making his fur stand on end.
"Heh… hehehe…" he forced out an uneasy laugh.
"I was just trying to give you a heads-up…"
"News from the New World—Kaido of the Beasts has invaded Golden City, captured Tesoro alive, and taken control of his trade routes."
"Stussy from Happy Street is also making moves. Seems like the World Government and Wano Country have joined forces."
Liu Feng's expression darkened. He lifted his gaze toward Law, who nodded grimly in confirmation.