As time fermented, the news that the World Government headquarters, the Holy Land—Mary Geoise—had come under siege spread like a bomb detonated in a pond, shaking the entire world.
The Navy and the CP organizations had actually suffered such a crushing defeat!
It was not only the comparatively weak Four Seas. Now even the very center of the world—the Red Line—had failed to remain untouched.
There was no need for the major organizations of the New World to dispatch spies for close inspection. Even from far away, one could clearly see the continuous roar of artillery on the Red Line. The entire sky looked like a red-hot branding iron.
With a Den Den Mushi cradled in one's arms, it was easy to observe the general situation of the battle.
Without weapons and relying solely on the naked eye, it was rather difficult to distinguish civilians from pirates. And the Blood Angels' Legion Commander, Sanguinius, had not issued an order for indiscriminate slaughter.
Therefore, as long as there was no order from above to drive them away by force, or unless those "bystanders" entered the combat zone, the Blood Angels Legion remained relatively lenient toward them.
It also served as a perfect opportunity to let the world's ambitious figures and rebels witness the Empire's military might—killing the World Government's "chicken" to warn the "monkeys."
Then came the fall of Water 7. The fall of the Sabaody Archipelago. The fall of Enies Lobby. The fall of the deep-sea great prison Impel Down. And finally, even the former Marine Headquarters—now the G1 Branch, Marineford—had fallen.
The successive waves of explosive news left the people of the latter half of the Grand Line overwhelmed. Wasn't this happening far too quickly?!
It was enough to make one wonder—had the World Government truly become so weak?
In the blink of an eye, was this world still the one they knew?
As the only region in the latter half of the Grand Line that had not yet suffered a strike from the Blood Angels Legion, the New World was fortunate enough to watch from the sidelines and properly "appreciate" the art of true large-scale warfare.
In the deepest reaches of the New World, at the Blackbeard Pirates' base of operations—a massive island shaped like a skull—Pirate Island, Hachinosu.
"Rebels? Zehahaha... this is something else entirely. As long as they win, the center of world power will belong to them."
"Blackbeard," Marshall D. Teach, stared at the projection from the Den Den Mushi with a solemn expression. "If the World Government has no trump card left, a change of dynasty is just around the corner."
He had once been a Warlord of the Sea, had betrayed the Navy, and had dealt extensively with the World Government. He knew well how terrifying it could be.
Precisely because of that, Teach felt deep apprehension toward the Blood Angels Legion, which had paralyzed the Navy's defenses in such a short time and stormed the Red Line.
Observing the footage gathered by his spies, Teach noted that the Empire's tactical movements and operational style were utterly incompatible with pirates.
In fact, they resembled the Navy—no, their discipline and order far surpassed even the Navy's by several tiers.
This was not the chaotic fighting style of marauding pirates seeking plunder. The Empire's army was fighting with the intent to rule the world.
...No matter who ultimately sat upon that throne, any ruling power would surely have no fondness for pirates like them, who lived freely and produced nothing.
"Shiryu, it looks like we'll soon have serious trouble. Zehahaha... inform Kaido and that old hag BIG MOM as well. Perhaps we should try forming an alliance."
Teach had a strong premonition. If the World Government fell, the new regime would inevitably turn its blade toward the pirates entrenched in the New World.
"Heh... sounds like we'll finally get a satisfying slaughter..."
Wiping down his beloved blade, the tall, broad-shouldered Shiryu—with his wide jaw, cigar clenched between his teeth, dressed in the uniform of Impel Down's former Head Jailer—grinned wickedly.
"What about Shanks? What did he say? Should we notify him as well?"
"Gulp, gulp... ahh, that hits the spot. Shanks, huh? Doesn't he care about maintaining the balance of the seas? Inform him too. I'm quite curious about his choice. Zehahaha..."
After draining a large bottle of strong liquor, Teach glanced at Shiryu and burst into loud laughter.
If Shanks was somewhat unlike a typical pirate, then Teach was the pure embodiment of the word.
As a true pirate, Teach had no taboos. His desires were simple and intense.
To live without restraint. To ascend to the pinnacle of piracy. See a beauty? Take her! See something interesting? Take it! Drink the strongest liquor, seize the greatest wealth in gold and jewels, and live in thunderous splendor.
As for Shanks... well... as a pirate, he constantly strove to maintain balance upon the seas and meddled everywhere.
You could call Shanks foolish, naive, overestimating himself—or you could call him free-spirited, bold, and grand in bearing. It all depended on the lens through which you chose to view him.
Clink.
"Captain, while the World Government and the rebels are locked in a dogfight, aren't we going?" Shiryu quietly sheathed his blade. After pushing the door open, he glanced back.
"No need. The time hasn't come. The rebels moved too fast. Right now, the one at a disadvantage is the World Government. You expect me to help them?!"
"Besides, if I go while Kaido and the others sit back and watch, wouldn't that make me a target? That mad dog Sakazuki is still in the New World."
"Understood." Shiryu nodded and stepped out the door.
"Zehahaha... a new era, huh? I can't wait to see what it will look like!"
Whether he succeeded or failed, whether he reached the summit or not, Teach would give it everything. If he lost—well, death was nothing more than that.
...
In the New World, at the center of Totto Land, on Whole Cake Island.
"Mama~ mama~... a world war? How exciting. I can't wait to see the outcome."
A massive figure, as large as a small mountain, reclined upon a bed. Drool corroded the floor beneath her as BIG MOM, Charlotte Linlin, let out her trademark laugh.
"Kaido, you war-crazed maniac—aren't you tempted?"
Even before Teach's proposal of an alliance arrived, Kaido and BIG MOM had already contacted each other after receiving news of the siege on the Red Line.
"This isn't about fighting over territory or competing to become Pirate King anymore. If the World Government collapses, that's an unprecedented event!"
"And even if they hold on, they'll be severely weakened. This is a golden opportunity!"
In the New World, in Wano Country, within Onigashima, Kaido gulped down a mouthful of liquor, wiped his lips, and spoke.
"Hmph. You think I'm an idiot?"
Without even needing to think, Kaido immediately rejected BIG MOM's repeated attempts to prod him into testing the waters first.
Though Kaido's temperament was unpredictable—laughing one moment, raging the next—he was no fool. On the contrary, beneath his rough exterior lay a sharp and calculating mind.
"The Red Line isn't the New World. Once I go, it won't be so easy to return."
Kaido had also received reports from spies within the Beasts Pirates.
This unprecedented war of massive scale had indeed reignited the fire in Kaido's long-dormant heart—but his life mattered more.
According to intelligence from his subordinates, at the Sabaody Archipelago, the former legendary pirate "Dark King" Rayleigh had been slain by the rebels designated by the World Government—and in a very short amount of time at that.
That was no small feat.
At their level, which one of them was not a master of prolonged combat? Battles lasting days and nights were normal. Even if Rayleigh was old, enduring a desperate fight for a full day and night should not have been difficult.
Yet he had been killed so quickly—without even managing to escape.
After thinking it over, it was better to prepare first. That woman who had spent the past decades constantly giving birth still had some brains. Kaido could hear the hint of alliance in Linlin's tone.
Before his own grand war arrived, he would properly watch this spectacle as it surged toward its climax.
"A world war of this scale... Linlin, let's form an alliance. Inform Teach and Shanks as well. If the rebels turn their guns on us—and if we lose—then the Great Age of Pirates will come to an end..."
And so, an astonishing scene unfolded. Three of the Four Emperors had, without prior coordination, chosen to form an alliance.
For the sake of the Great Age of Pirates.
Really?
Heh.
Everyone knew it was nothing but empty words. Yet they tacitly played along all the same.
They cloaked a union born of interests and self-preservation in the garments of friendship and shared standing—seeking to drag everyone into the same waters.
...
On the other side, along the route leading to the first half of the Grand Line, a massive two-masted sailing ship sped forward at full sail.
The black pirate flag bearing a skull with three claw marks over its left eye declared its identity.
A man with well-proportioned build, red hair, and three scars near his left eye sat upon a barrel on deck. As he read the news of "Dark King" Rayleigh's death, his gaze was terrifyingly cold.
"Boss, what are we heading out to do?"
A fat man wearing small sunglasses, a green-and-white striped hat, and a matching striped shirt felt the Shura-like pressure emanating from Shanks as he read the paper and cautiously asked.
"We're going to the Sabaody Archipelago," Shanks said darkly. "We'll bring Vice Captain Rayleigh's body back."
"We know we can't stop you. Then let's set sail..."
A man with slicked-back gray hair, a long face with a sharp chin, a straight nose, a cross-shaped scar on his left temple, and well-defined features spoke in a low voice.
As crewmates who had followed Shanks for years, they all knew his relationship with "Dark King" Rayleigh. None voiced any objection.
"But, Boss, you have to understand—the rebels' strength, from what we can see, far exceeds ours. A head-on clash wouldn't be wise."
"I have to go... Luffy. If my guess is correct, during this period, he and his crew will regroup at Sabaody."
"What? Little Luffy?!"
...
"Ah-choo!"
"Who's talking about me...?"
Spreading her blue-violet wings of lightning, Arisa floated thousands of meters above the Sabaody Archipelago, gazing from afar at the Holy Land—Mary Geoise—now completely encircled, fireballs continuously rising within the city.
"Lady Arisa, all intruders have been dealt with. Shall we execute them and display their heads?"
Using a levitation spell to remain airborne, clad in luxurious purple-and-gold-trimmed power armor, the Astartes Third Legion's Black Marlin Legion Commander, Liver, gently stroked his neatly trimmed mustache as he asked.
"Hm? Oh, no need... Hmm, I just had a premonition. It won't be just those three. Others will come to rescue them as well."
Arms crossed over her chest, Arisa spoke coolly. "Liver, don't execute them yet. Have the Astartes make it look like they're still alive—just captured. Lure out all the remaining rebels!"
Not long ago, when Sanji and Zoro had been suppressed by Arisa, Liver had arrived with reinforcements via drop assault.
Needless to say, upon witnessing that, Liver had acted directly. Using the Teigu: Water Dragon Possession · Black Marlin, he had shredded them into a bloody mess—missing limbs, flesh torn apart.
"Understood... I see."
Though their bodies were severely damaged, it was not a major issue. Purely repairing flesh and disguising the cells as still alive was easily within the capability of the Astartes Apothecaries.
Bzzzt—
"Order: repair the bodies of those three pirates. Transfer all captured pirates to the execution grounds. Release news—prepare for a public execution..."
With a mere thought, through the Legion Commander channel integrated into his power armor, Liver issued the command.
At that moment—
"Lady Arisa, the clearing operation is complete. There was a green fellow with extremely vigorous vitality—quite strong."
With pure white wings beating behind him, clad in gilded power armor and holding the Crimson Blade, Sanguinius returned from the Red Line and slowly descended beside Arisa.
"Senior Liver, thank you very much for coming to support us. And for the previous material support of the Knightmare Frame humanoid tactical units—our gratitude."
Sheathing the Crimson Blade, Sanguinius wore a smile as gentle as a spring breeze and offered proper courtesy to Liver.
"We are comrades. It's nothing—only natural. In the future, as the Astartes' strategic support force, my Third Legion will often coordinate with you. This won't be the last time."
Waving a hand and helping Sanguinius up, Liver smiled warmly as well.
Though inwardly he longed for the leisurely days of drinking black tea in the Imperial Capital, outwardly Liver appeared righteous and selfless.
Nodding at one another, Sanguinius looked toward the smoke-choked Mary Geoise atop the Red Line.
"The conditions for orbital bombardment are now mature. All diehard elements and the enemy's ruling class have been compressed into an area surrounding that palace—approximately a fifty-kilometer radius."
"The time allotted for the Auxilia and Servitor Army to earn merit has passed. I have ordered the troops to cease offensive operations and begin gradual withdrawal. Within this limited zone, we have reduced the scale of destruction as much as possible—keeping it within acceptable parameters."
Pointing toward the distant Pangaea Castle rising prominently at the center of Mary Geoise, Sanguinius spoke.
"Quickly, quickly—start already!" Arisa clasped her hands eagerly.
"Orbital fortress light-lance array, prepare. Fifty-kilometer radius energy release. Fire."
As Sanguinius' voice fell—
Hummmmm—BOOM!!!
The radiance of death descended from the heavens, illuminating everything. The tremendous shockwave instantly blasted the surrounding sea of clouds hundreds of kilometers away from Mary Geoise.
A massive orange fireball rose without warning. In an instant, Pangaea Castle at the heart of Mary Geoise was scoured into dust beneath the sweeping light-lance.
A cornered beast's resistance was not to be underestimated—and there was no need to continue fighting.
Fight face-to-face in a duel?
Dream on!
BOOOOOOM—!