Holy Land Mary Geoise.
The Room of Authority.
The Gorosei, the five highest peaks of world power, sat silently around a table.
In the center of the table was a newspaper that had just arrived.
The atmosphere was as oppressive as the deep sea.
"An artificial... 'moon'."
The Gorosei with a handlebar mustache and a black suit spoke in a deep, hoarse voice.
"Even the legendary Great Pirate Golden Lion Shiki was sealed inside like a bug."
The bald Gorosei, holding the first generation Kitetsu, slowly opened his eyes, which held a bottomless solemnity.
"This power has exceeded the scope of our understanding."
"This is a more fundamental, more brutal power that we have never seen before."
The blond Gorosei pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold light.
"Most importantly, he appeared in the East Blue, Foosha Village."
"Garp's hometown, Revolutionary Army Leader Dragon's hometown..."
"This is no coincidence."
"The will of 'D' has recently become unusually active."
"It must be dealt with," said the Gorosei holding a long sword, standing up and speaking decisively, "Such an uncontrolled 'god' must never exist in this world! This is the ultimate provocation to the Celestial Dragons, to our eight hundred years of rule!"
"Deal with it? How do we deal with it?"
The Gorosei with a map-shaped scar on his forehead, who had been silent, finally spoke, a hint of self-mockery in his voice.
"Who do we send? An Admiral?"
He pointed to Kizaru's extremely stiff face in the newspaper.
"Or send out CP0? Or, do you want to personally try and see if you can cut open that 'moon'?"
The air solidified again.
Yes, how to deal with it?
Facing a monster who could casually create a moon and play with a legendary Great Pirate like a ball, their proud power and military strength seemed so ridiculous.
After a long silence, the blond Gorosei slowly spoke, his voice carrying an undeniable resolve.
"No, we cannot be his enemy."
"At least, not now."
"Before thoroughly understanding his purpose and the limits of his power, any form of hostile action would be foolish."
His gaze swept over everyone present.
"Send down the order."
"Raise the threat level of this man named White Night to the highest."
"At the same time, notify Marineford, Sengoku the Buddha."
"From now on, change the strategy for the East Blue. Avoid any conflict with this person at all costs."
"When necessary..."
His voice paused, and he uttered a word that made everyone's expression change.
"...we can cooperate."
"Also, the Marine has been a bit disobedient lately."
"It's time to rein them in."
...Totto Land, Cake Island.
"Mama mama mama!!!"
Charlotte Linlin's laughter was equally sharp and piercing, and as she held the newspaper, she almost drooled.
"A man who can create a moon?!"
"What incredible power! What excellent bloodline!"
"Go quickly! Perospero! Katakuri!"
"Bring this man back to me! No, investigate all his information clearly!"
"He must become my husband! His power must become part of our Big Mom Pirates!"
New World, Moby Dick.
The huge whale ship's bow cut through the waves, as stable as a moving island.
On the deck, the Whitebeard Pirates' commanders were enjoying the post-battle tranquility; the sun was just right, and the sea breeze was gentle.
A News Bird cut through the sky, accurately dropping a newspaper into Phoenix Marco's hand.
"Is it another exaggerated report from that Morgans guy?" Vista the Flower Sword leaned over, smiling.
Marco unfolded the newspaper, and the lazy expression on his face instantly froze the next second.
"What's wrong, Marco?" Diamond Jozu, who was nearby, noticed something was amiss.
The shadow of Marineford had not completely dissipated, and any disturbance was enough to make them nervous.
Marco didn't answer, he just handed over the newspaper.
When Vista and Jozu saw the shocking headline and the absurd photo, both of them held their breath.
"God Descends on East Blue! Golden Lion Crushed, Three Top Powerhouses Kneel in Worship!"
In the photo, the giant "moon" made of seawater and islands exuded a terrifying sense of oppression.
And the figure sucked into it, even through the photo, they could recognize—it was a legend from the same era as Old Man and Roger, the Flying Admiral, Golden Lion Shiki!
What shocked them even more were the three figures below the photo.
Marine Hero Garp, Admiral Kizaru, Revolutionary Army Leader Dragon... Any one of these three could stir up the world, yet they stood together in humble postures, as if looking up at a miracle.
"Is this... is this real or fake?"
"What a joke! Golden Lion... was sealed? In a moon made of seawater and islands?"
"And Garp and Kizaru... how could they be standing with Dragon!"
The commotion on the deck soon attracted more attention.
"Gurararara..."
A hearty and powerful laugh came from the huge throne on the ship's bow.
Whitebeard Edward Newgate had opened his eyes at some point. He took the newspaper Marco handed him, his huge hand almost completely covering it.
His gaze fell on the photo and did not move for a long time.
"Old Man..." Marco's tone was heavy.
"Gurararara! That bastard Shiki, to become famous again in the world in such a way, how disgraceful!"
Whitebeard laughed heartily, but there was not much mockery in his voice; instead, it carried an indescribable emotion.
As a former opponent, he knew Golden Lion's power and arrogance better than anyone.
To make such a man show that expression of fear and despair in the photo, to crush him along with his fleet and islands into a ball... "This man named White Night..." Whitebeard's gaze finally fell on the specially enlarged close-up photo.
Calm, indifferent, as if nothing in the world mattered to him.
He remembered the terrifying collision he had felt in Foosha Village not long ago.
The power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit... That old man Garp got the power that should have belonged to him from this man.
"Old Man, this power..." Marco spoke in a deep voice, "has exceeded common sense."
"Indeed." Whitebeard put down the newspaper, picked up the giant sake gourd beside him, and took a big swig.
"A new era is coming."
His cloudy eyes gleamed with an unprecedented light.
"Marco."
"Yes, Old Man!"
"Tell the children to brace themselves!" Whitebeard's voice, like thunder, boomed across the deck, spreading throughout the entire Moby Dick!
"We're going to the East Blue!"
"Gurararara! I want to see for myself how capable this brat who dares to call himself 'God' really is!"
"Let's witness the tide of this so-called new era!"