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The Sabaody Archipelago was as bustling as ever.
However, the composition of the crowd had shifted. The number of pirates was steadily climbing, and every corner of the islands radiated the terrifying auras of powerful combatants. Pirates from the Four Blues and the first half of the Grand Line were flocking here like madmen, all dreaming of entering the "Pirate's Graveyard"!
The Red Force drifted slowly into port. The Red Hair Pirates, having finished their tour of the Four Blues, had finally reached the terminal station of Paradise. They were ready to march into the New World!
"You guys go restock the supplies. I've got someone to visit," Shanks said, standing at the bow and turning sideways to address his elite crew.
"Come back soon, Shanks!"
"I can't wait to get to the New World and challenge the strongest in existence!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
The crew was high-spirited and battle-ready. They had grown immensely over the last few years, and every one of them was brimming with confidence.
The Red Hair Pirates now possessed all the qualifications to assault the summit. All they needed was one opportunity to make their name ring across the seas!
Shanks waved his hand dismissively, jumped onto the shore, and headed toward Grove 13.
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Shakky's Rip-off Bar, at the counter.
"Auntie Shakky, hit me with another!" Shanks slid his glass over to Shakky, standing on no ceremony.
"Mr. Rayleigh, haven't seen you in years, but you haven't changed a bit!"
"Hahahaha, I'm old news. The era belongs to you youngsters now!" Rayleigh shook his head with a carefree smile, feeling a sudden pang of sentimentality. He downed a glass of liquor, then lowered his head. When he looked up, his gaze had sharpened like an unsheathed sword.
"Shanks, tell me... where are your straw hat and your left arm? I don't believe there's anyone in the Four Blues capable of taking your arm!"
"Mr. Rayleigh, while traveling in Captain Roger's homeland, the East Blue, I met a very interesting kid. I bet my hat and my arm on him!!" When speaking of Luffy, Shanks lit up with joy, showing absolutely no depression over the loss of his limb.
"Betting on the new era, huh? I'd really like to meet this 'interesting person' you speak of..." Rayleigh's eyes narrowed before he relaxed.
Roger's will had to be passed down eventually. He trusted Shanks' judgment implicitly.
"What's your take on the recent news reports about Arthur's death?"
"No take." Shanks raised his glass and drank, expressing his opinion with nonchalance. "Until I see his corpse, I won't believe he just died like that. He's probably just trapped."
"We originally entered the New World aiming for the Thunder God Pirates. It's a pity, but I guess we have to switch targets now... I'll seize some territory first and hold down the fort until Arthur returns to fulfill our promise!"
"A man like him doesn't die easily!"
As Shanks whispered this, a terrifying, faintly discernible aura radiated from him—a presence that was beginning to rival Roger's own. Rayleigh saw the shadow of the Pirate King in the young man who had just spoken the exact words Roger once did.
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Time passed silently as the world held its breath. Pirate crews that had been lying in wait began to send feelers into the New World. The curtain was being pulled back on an era of chaos!
Two Months Later.
The Thunder God Pirates, who had the attention of the entire ocean, still had not stepped forward to clarify whether the Thunder Emperor Arthur was truly dead. The die-hard loyalists were contracting their forces back to the center of the Thunder God Sea, seemingly preparing to suppress an internal rebellion.
Meanwhile, the rebel faction led by Vice Captain Redfield and Byrnndi World was champing at the bit, eager to seize control of the forces and territory the Thunder Emperor had left behind!
This internal turmoil convinced more and more people that the Navy's reports were true! If Arthur wasn't dead, why would anyone within the Thunder God Pirates dare to rebel?
The fuse was fully lit. Pirates coveting the throne of supremacy could no longer control their restless hearts.
The "Battle for the Four Emperors" had officially begun!
Gecko Moria, the Supernova who had vanished in the Sabaody Archipelago, re-emerged from the Florian Triangle to set sail once more. Witnesses reported seeing a colossal battleship manned by stitched-together corpses, with only a handful of living humans on board...
The Donquixote Family of Dressrosa stopped suppressing their ambitions. They actively contacted the Navy, seeking the title of Warlord of the Sea (Shichibukai). When they were harshly rejected, they mobilized all their forces to hunt for the transport ships carrying the "Heavenly Tribute," intending to blackmail the World Government...
Sir Crocodile, despite suffering countless crushing defeats at the hands of the Whitebeard Pirates, remained undiscouraged. He continued to recruit subordinates to head into the New World, his sole purpose being to crush Whitebeard...
Gild Tesoro, after acquiring the Gold-Gold Fruit, displayed unparalleled talent. In a short period, he touched the edge of Devil Fruit Awakening. In a chance encounter with the Donquixote Family, he fought Doflamingo to a draw. The two sides eventually shook hands and established a truce, setting up countless cooperative schemes...
In the waters not far from Dressrosa, the construction of a massive offshore entertainment city named "Gran Tesoro" quietly began. The behemoth that would one day control twenty percent of the world's Beli was taking shape.
The Sun Pirates. Fish-Man slaves who had escaped Mary Geoise—some taken in by the Revolutionary Army, others returned to Fish-Man Island—had their "Hoof of the Soaring Dragon" brands covered by the Sun mark. Under the leadership of "Knight of the Sea" Jinbe, they charged violently into the New World with a singular, clear purpose: revenge against the Thunder God Pirates!
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Marine Headquarters.
An important strategic meeting was underway.
The conference room was packed with every high-ranking officer with real power, from the Fleet Admiral to the Admirals, down to over a dozen Vice Admirals and the strategic staff officers.
Meetings here were usually somber affairs, as they were typically called to address bad news. But this time, the atmosphere was unprecedentedly heated!
"The disappearance of Thunder Emperor Arthur has tempted every ambitious pirate to flood into the New World, eyeing the throne of the overlords!" Even with Sengoku's steady composure, there was a hint of excitement in his voice.
"The vast territories of the New World are carved up by the four major powers. There is simply no room to accommodate this endless influx of pirates. Once the war starts, it will purge countless pirates from the seas!"
It was a war plain to see. The pirate forces would suffer massive attrition, and the Navy would reap the spoils without wasting a single soldier or pawn!
"But what happens after the war ends? The victor who emerges from such a brutal slaughter will undoubtedly be a monster that gives the World Government a massive headache!"
"Reaping the benefits is fine, but once the dust settles, we must find a new point of balance!"
"Has the Shichibukai system we've emphasized so many times still not been implemented? Who are the candidates? Let's review them..."
"We sent someone to persuade 'Hawk Eyes' Mihawk last time. He cut the messenger down. It was a direct provocation to the Navy's authority. He said he won't join unless there's a swordsman in the Navy he respects!"
"I propose the captain of the Sun Pirates, 'Knight of the Sea' Jinbe. He has strength and influence. Key point: he is calm and rational. He will consider the plight of Fish-Man Island and can likely be recruited!"
"Gecko Moria isn't bad!"
"Sir Crocodile is acceptable!"
"The owner of Gran Tesoro, Gild Tesoro, is a possibility!"
"Treasure Hunter, Mad Treasure... pending!"
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