"Rear Admiral Hawke...!"
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Dragon's voice wavered noticeably.
That name... he had heard it recently.
The Marine Commodore who bombarded Mock Town, wiping that lawless pirate haven from the seas entirely—his name was Rayne Hawke!
And now... he had already been promoted to Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral?
"Supreme Commander knows of me?"
"I've heard a little."
"Rear Admiral Hawke's iron-blooded purge of Mock Town... that 'justice' was quite impressive."
"You flatter me."
Hawke chuckled softly. "That was only the beginning."
"Supreme Commander, the ideals of the Revolutionary Army and the path of our Navy's future... are not entirely opposed."
"I think, given the chance, we should meet and talk."
"..."
On the other end, silence fell.
Only the howling cold wind echoed within the Frozen Hell.
The Navy and the Revolutionary Army... talk?
What did that mean?
As the sharpest fangs of the World Government, the Navy... opening dialogue with the Revolutionary Army, the ones branded as "the world's most dangerous criminals"?
Dragon's mind raced, parsing the deeper meaning behind Hawke's words.
A trap?
A ploy?
Or had irreconcilable fractures already appeared within the World Government itself?
"Hah—"
Hawke instantly discerned Dragon's doubts.
Across these seas, in most people's eyes...
The Navy and the World Government had long since become a bound community of interest, bound tightly together.
Under the cloak of justice was submission and flattery toward the privileged elite.
But that was fine.
Soon... everyone's perception would change!
Besides, the Navy didn't have the spare energy now to dwell on the details of cooperation.
Since fate had brought them into contact, he would first establish the line—laying the groundwork for cooperation in the future.
"Well then, Supreme Commander."
Hawke broke the silence. "To demonstrate the Navy's sincerity..."
His gaze swept toward Ivankov, not far away.
"All Revolutionary Army members imprisoned in Impel Down will be released."
"!!!"
"Thud—"
Ivankov's jaw smacked the ground as he stared at Hawke, dumbfounded.
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Dragon's breath caught.
The veins bulged on the hand gripping the receiver.
The Navy... releasing Revolutionary Army members?!
From the world's greatest prison, Impel Down, freeing cadres that the World Government viewed as their most dangerous threats?!
This...
"Supreme Commander, take your time to consider."
"When you've decided, contact me anytime."
"I can still make myself heard at Headquarters."
And with that—"click—"
Hawke hung up the call.
He tossed the Den Den Mushi, now back to its normal expression, toward Kuma. "Kuma."
"You two, have a good talk."
"..."
Kuma caught the Den Den Mushi and gave a grateful smile.
That smile from Kuma...
Hawke smiled faintly in return, turned, and strode away, leaving this space to two long-separated old friends.
As he watched Hawke's upright figure fade into the wind and snow, Ivankov finally snapped out of his overwhelming shock.
He rushed up to Kuma.
"Kuma! What the hell is going on?!"
"Ivankov... that's a long story..."
"..."
Two companions who had once escaped God Valley together now reunited here, in the world's greatest prison, in this hell of despair—reminiscing once more.
The wind around them was still bone-piercingly cold.
But the atmosphere of old friends reuniting... felt strangely warm.
...
The New World.
Across the endless blue sea, two utterly different pirate ships slowly drew close.
One, the Red Force, its prow carved into a dragon's head.
The other, the mighty Moby Dick, as grand as a whale.
In the air, a heavy tension spread, like the silence before a storm.
"Boss."
On the deck of the Red Force, First Mate Benn Beckman, cigarette dangling from his lips, walked up beside Shanks and looked toward a small black dot in the distance.
"The Navy's surveillance ship just pulled away."
"..."
At those words, Shanks narrowed his eyes at the distant dot.
"Pulled away?"
Something was off.
Far too off.
"Beckman, I've got a very bad feeling."
Shanks withdrew his gaze.
"This sea... it's becoming more and more unfamiliar."
At some point, the Navy had changed.
One of Headquarters' top powers was personally stationed at G-5.
And now, with two Yonko about to meet—an event enough to shake the world's balance—
The Navy had withdrawn their surveillance ship?
It didn't look like fear.
It looked more like... tacit approval.
That shift sent a chill of unease through Shanks.
"Let's finish what's in front of us first."
Beckman exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes heavy as well.
"Yeah."
Shanks nodded. He picked up the bottle of fine liquor brought from his homeland, leapt into the air, and landed steadily upon the Moby Dick's deck.
"Buzz—!"
A wave of invisible pressure erupted outward from him, sweeping the massive ship.
Conqueror's Haki!
On deck, countless Whitebeard Pirates collapsed one after another, foaming at the mouth beneath the crushing will.
Even battle-hardened division commanders felt their hearts tremble, cold sweat beading on their brows.
"Oi oi, coming aboard and showing us intimidation right away, Red-Hair?!"
First Division Commander Marco transformed into his phoenix form, shielding the crew with a grim look.
"..."
Shanks ignored him, striding straight toward the colossal chair where a man sat, his body pierced by infusion tubes.
"Whitebeard."
He placed the liquor bottle at Newgate's side.
"I'm here today to ask a favor."
"Call Ace back."
"..."
Whitebeard—Edward Newgate—slowly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing in his cloudy pupils.
"Gurararara—!"
He grabbed the bottle and downed a massive gulp. "Red-Hair brat, you telling me how to run my crew?"
"No."
Shanks shook his head, his expression grave.
"Teach... he's not what you think he is!"
"Gurararara—!"
Newgate's laugh grew louder, tinged with anger.
Of course he knew Teach wasn't simple. That man had hidden on his ship for over twenty years—for a single fruit!
The unease gnawing in his chest only grew heavier.
This sea... truly was changing.
But he couldn't retreat.
He was Whitebeard!
The strongest pillar his sons could rely on!
He could never, before anyone, show even the slightest lack of faith in his sons!
"My sons will not lose!"
"..."
Shanks met Newgate's unyielding gaze and slowly gripped the hilt of Gryphon at his waist.
The negotiation... had failed.
"If that's how it is..."
"Shing—!"
His long blade slid free, wrapped in red Conqueror's Haki like searing flames.
"Buzz—!"
Newgate rose slowly, his hand gripping the colossal naginata, Murakumogiri.
"Divine Departure!"
Shanks vanished, unleashing a slash imbued with overwhelming Haki that tore through the air!
Newgate didn't dodge—he swung Murakumogiri down with world-shattering might!
"Crack—!"
Blade met blade.
Haki clashed with Haki.
Willpower smashed against willpower!
"Boom—!!!"
Their Conqueror's Haki collided, detonating into a storm of terrifying force that made the Moby Dick groan and shudder!
The sky itself was ripped apart, a massive fissure tearing across the heavens!
Black lightning rampaged through the clouds, like the end of days itself!
"Red-Hair brat!"
Newgate's voice rolled like thunder.
"Compared to Roger's Divine Departure, you're far from it!"
...
Far off, aboard that tiny speck of a Navy surveillance ship.
"Heh—"
Sakazuki stood at the prow, arms crossed.
Coldly, he watched the apocalyptic clash in the distance, lips curling into an icy smile.
"Make a ruckus."
"Remnants of the old era..."
"Burn away each other's strength."
"Soon..."
"This rotten age, along with you so-called 'emperors,' will be utterly incinerated!"