Pinehurst's True Worth

Witness Protection
Wolfgang’s exploits were usually troublesome for the Black Widow Empire. His destructiveness, and impulsiveness usually meant that the Black Widow Empire needed to funnel resources, money, and time into reconstructing the islands that he conquered and to re-integrate the native citizens of these territories back into their homes. However, the benefits always outweighed the cost. As much as Wolfgang appeared to be this monster capable of only destruction, the truth was that he was quite smart. He was able to coordinate thousands of his men, as well as monitor the affairs of his own generals, while willingly choosing which territories to attack, and when to attack them. He was a strategic genius when it came to planning assaults, and he was probably the most strategic there was in the Black Widow Empire, even compared to Legs herself, who was renown throughout the world as The War Goddess for her combat-skills.

He knew which territories were the most economically beneficial, and when they were the most vulnerable. When the islands were restored and supported with the infrastructure, and technology of the Black Widow Empire, they basically paid for themselves. Most of the time, they were rich in precious metal ores, or a variety of special fruits that could be used to create luxurious beverages, and so forth. Wolfgang was no fool. He purposely did this. Pinehurst was no different. It had strategic value for the Titan Pirates, and by possessing it for the Black Widow Empire, they removed this strategic advantage that the Titans held. What was more beneficial than that?

Legs was not angry at Wolfgang for conquering Pinehurst, nor damaging the island. No, what he did was for the good of the Black Widow Empire, and under any other circumstances, he would have been welcomed back to Wano as a hero. However, Wolfgang had always separated himself from the politics of the Empire, which hadn’t always been that troublesome due to Aoshin’s precise orders. But, since Aoshin’s retirement, Wolfgang took no orders. He was the one who made them, and there was nothing more dangerous than a general who paid no attention to foreign affairs; not only to the Black Widow Empire was Wolfgang dangerous, but to the rest of the world. He moved without restrictions, and without restraint. He only had conviction and that conviction was to destroy all that stood in the Empire’s way regardless if they were friend or foe. But, perhaps, for just this one time, Wolfgang had chosen the wrong friend and foe to challenge. The Monk Pirates had conquered Pinehurst, and Wolfgang recognized that it was the perfect opportunity to acquire it for themselves, when both forces had weakened themselves tremendously. However, the Monk and Widows were in a temporary alliance against the Xros. Though it was unusual for Yonko to forge alliances with one another, Legs and Daikaku had a better relationship with one another than most Yonko. Afterall, they had spent a large portion of their pirating careers as members of the same crew. Still, to say that they were friendly would be an exaggeration. Whatever had occurred with the Hunting Pirates had pushed the five-star members away from one another. Usually, Daikaku and Legs were not allies nor enemies of the other, but their previous affairs made it so they could trust one another in times of cooperation, especially against a common enemy. However, not so much anymore.

Wolfgang’s attack was not in direct violation of their contract. It was not expected that either would willingly give up contested territories to the other without some form of compensation; it also takes two to fight. No, what the issue was that Wolfgang crippled Daikaku’s favorite Ace, William Parker, who was among the youngest high-ranking member of the Monks. He was clearly Daikaku’s favorite, and Wolfgang had completely, destroyed him. From his reports and from Soros’s underworld sources, Parker was paralyzed from the neck down. Legs had no doubt in her mind that Parker wouldn’t be the same combatant he was prior to the battle with Wolfgang. In fact, she doubted that he would even be worth half of what he once was. If he ever fought another battle and won, she would be surprised.

Daikaku was going to be furious, and he was going to demand retribution for Wolfgang’s actions. But Legs couldn’t offer him any, even if she wanted too. Wolfgang did his job, even if he did go too far. His duties are to secure territories and land for the Black Widow Empire; he is to govern the pirate fleet that they had acquired. Penalizing him deeply for something would not only make her empire seem regressive, but it would be morally wrong. There were no people she loved more than her crew, and there was no way in hell she was going to ever purposely put any of them in harm’s way. Not even for an old friend. Still, Wolfgang should have known the circumstances and retreated. Beating Parker is a different thing than crippling Parker. He was basically dead at this point. There needed to be something.

Legs glanced over at her Den Den Mushi as she read the summary report about Wolfgang’s actions. She picked it up.

“This is the first division of Izanagi’s forces! My majesty, what is the purpose of this call?”

“Yes, thank you for answering so quickly. I need you to relay a message to Wolfgang for me, if you may. He is to return to Wano Country effective, immediately, and temporarily withcall all of his non-essential forces with him. He is being summoned by me,” Legs revealed. “Is that clear?

“Yes, my majesty! I will relay this message to him immediately.”

“Thank you!” Legs cheered, hanging up the Den Den Mushi. She stood up and looked out of the glass window of her massive office.

“Wolfgang, what am I going to do with you…”