The carnival atmosphere of the Fire Kingdom's Flame Festival swept across the entire island, even the air carrying scorching delight.
Orion led a group of energetic interns, completely immersing themselves in this grand celebration.
Eating roasted meat, drinking fine wine, and sharing joy with the citizens beside the towering bonfire - what bliss!
However, on the other end of the New World, the atmosphere was completely different.
Since Orion led the intern ship into the New World, the pirates in these waters hadn't had a peaceful night's sleep.
Formerly unruly overlords now kept their tails between their legs, fearing that one day they might wake up to find the internship ship flying the seagull flag docked at their doorstep.
Especially the two remaining Emperor crews in the New World - the Whitebeard Pirates and the Red Hair Pirates.
They understood better than anyone that given Orion's temperament and methods, it was only a matter of time before he came for them.
Although Orion showed no intention of declaring war when he brought the intern ship to the New World, his mere presence was like the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.
Whenever Orion appeared, they had to be fully prepared to prevent that sword from suddenly falling.
...
Red Hair Pirates territory, some nameless island.
The Red Hair Pirates' flagship, the Red Force, lay quietly in the harbor while the crew held a banquet on the beach.
The aroma of roasted meat filled the air, and barrels of wine were piled up like mountains.
But unlike before, today's banquet lacked the usual unrestrained laughter and joy.
Shanks sat alone on the reef by the shore, taking a large swig of liquor, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon - the direction of the Fire Kingdom.
"Worried?" Ben Beckman asked, sitting down beside him with a cigarette in his mouth, following his gaze.
Shanks shook the liquor bottle in his hand and grinned.
"Can't help it. He's Orion after all. When that guy shows up, even the strongest liquor feels a bit dull."
"News from the Fire Kingdom says a kid named Ace from the intern ship ate the Flame-Flame Fruit and stole the show at the Flame Festival,"
Ben Beckman exhaled a smoke ring.
Nearby, Lucky Roux, who was stuffing meat into his mouth, paused mid-action, his chewing slowing down noticeably.
Then, he looked at the man cleaning his beloved rifle Yasopp with a complicated expression.
"Yasopp, I heard your son Usopp is also on that training ship."
"I know." Yasopp grinned and said, "That kid seems to be experiencing the greatest adventure."
"Aren't you worried?"
"Worried about what?" Yasopp retorted, "Worried that he might actually become an outstanding Marine?"
Just then, Shanks suddenly stood up and threw the empty bottle into the sea.
"Beckman, have you noticed that Fleet Admiral Orion is completely different from all the Marines we've encountered before? He isn't maintaining the old order at all—he's using his position in the Marines to establish an entirely new world."
"And then what?" Ben Beckmann blinked.
Shanks turned and walked back toward the bustling bonfire, chuckling.
"No particular reason. We don't need to do anything either—just drink heartily, eat generously, and wait to watch the show unfold."
"Let's see what form this era will take."
...
Meanwhile, in the territory of the Whitebeard Pirates.
On the massive deck of the Moby Dick, Marco once again approached Whitebeard's exclusive throne.
"Pops, we've received the latest news from the Land of Fire."
Whitebeard slowly opened his eyes, his murky pupils betraying no emotion.
"Orion attended the Flame Festival in the Land of Fire with his trainees and even gave a speech at the opening ceremony," Marco paused before continuing, "The one who lit the ceremonial torch was a kid named Ace. Intelligence indicates he acquired the powers of the Logia-type Mera Mera Fruit during his training. It seems he's the most favored among this batch of trainees."
"Ace?"
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes slightly; the name felt vaguely familiar.
"Yes, Ace," Marco reminded him, "Like Roger's sword."
After a brief pause, Marco added, "Ace, Luffy, and that swordsman named Zoro were all brought from the East Blue to Marine Headquarters by Garp. Among them, Ace and Luffy grew up on the back mountains of Windmill Village."
Garp, East Blue, Windmill Village, Ace.
Each keyword connected in Whitebeard's mind.
His massive frame shuddered abruptly, his pupils contracting sharply.
"Could it be—"
Marco seemed to know what he was thinking and nodded gently, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Yes, Pops. There's a high chance that Ace is Roger's son."
"And Orion has known his identity from the very beginning."
The moment these words were spoken, all the division commanders present turned their heads in unison toward Marco.
Roger's son had become a marine trainee? And was deeply favored by Orion, the Fleet Admiral?
Was this some kind of mistake, or had the times truly changed?
"Gurararara…"
Whitebeard suddenly burst into his signature booming laughter, the sound so powerful it caused the entire Moby Dick to tremble slightly.
As his laughter subsided, he lifted the enormous sake bowl beside him.
"We still underestimated Orion's magnanimity."
"Just this alone makes him a far better Fleet Admiral than Sengoku ever was—by a hundred times over."
"Whether it's Sengoku or Kong, their minds have long been tamed by the World Government. They preach justice, but deep down, they use lineage and bloodlines to cover up their incompetence and prejudice."
Whitebeard drained the sake in one gulp and slammed the bowl heavily onto the deck, his tone shifting with a touch of emotion.
"How fortunate this era is to have someone like Orion."
Hearing their father's unreserved praise for an enemy, the division commanders on deck exchanged bewildered glances, utterly unable to comprehend.
Vista finally stepped forward, unable to hold back.
"Pops! Why does it feel like you don't harbor any hatred toward Orion?"
"That's right, Pops!" Jozu chimed in. "Orion is the Fleet Admiral of the Marines! Sooner or later, he'll come for us, just like he did with the Beast Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates, and wipe us all out!"
Whitebeard's gaze slowly swept over each of his sons present.
His massive frame slowly rose, an invisible pressure instantly enveloping the entire sea.
The previously calm waters became completely still, mirror-like.
"My sons, you must remember every word I say next!"
"In the past, we became pirates because we had no choice!"
"If the World Government can be reborn under Orion's leadership... If this world becomes a better place because of Orion's appearance..."
"I, Edward Newgate will bow before the Fleet Admiral!"
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