Holy Land of Mariejois.
Warcury slammed the newspaper in his hand down in anger and said, "Damn it. Even in death, he won't stay quiet. Damn D. This is a mess."
Nusjuro responded while wiping his blade, "Getting angry won't help. We need to think about how to deal with it. If Imu-sama finds out…"
Saturn on the side spoke, "Immediately begin purging the remaining members of the Roger Pirates. At the same time, release the news of Rayleigh's death and Golden Lion's capture. Shift the public's attention and keep the fallout of this incident as low as possible. As for what happens next… we'll deal with it one step at a time."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
None of them could have foreseen the impact that the "One Piece" would bring. By the time they realized it, there was no turning back…
* * *
Grand Line, Alabasta.
Inside the palace, the young king Nefertari Cobra held the newspaper in his hands, cold sweat dripping down his face.
'A terrifying new era is about to begin.'
With his foresight, he could already imagine the chaotic seas ahead and the coming bloodshed.
* * *
Grand Line, Enies Lobby.
At the massive front gate, two Marine officers were loudly reading from the newspaper.
Crouching behind them were two giants who had been tricked into guarding the gate while searching for their missing captains.
They looked down curiously at the reading officers as Kashii said, "The number of pirates is going to skyrocket, Oimo."
The chubby giant Oimo laughed. "Like they'll ever reach this place anyway, hahahaha!"
* * *
Grand Line, Little Garden.
The island's chain of volcanoes abruptly erupted with thick smoke, then the ground began to rumble wildly.
Two giants over twenty meters tall charged toward each other with weapons in hand.
Clang!
Their massive shields clashed against each other's weapons, and a powerful shockwave exploded from between them, even stirring waves on the distant sea.
"For honor!" x2
BOOM!!!
* * *
Jaya Island, Saruyama Alliance.
Years had passed. Now grown up, Mont Blanc Cricket had formed his own exploration team.
He searched for treasures across the sea while working hard to clear his ancestor's name.
"Big bro Cricket! Roger's treasure! He's dead! The legendary One Piece! This is amazing!!!"
An excited young member of the alliance sprinted over, waving the newspaper.
Cricket put down his sea chart, took the paper, and smiled.
"That's pretty romantic, isn't it? Treasure and adventure, hahahaha."
* * *
Grand Line, a secret government training facility.
"Ha!"
"Ha!"
The future members of CP9, still just children, were training here from a young age, and with each punch, the instructor barked orders.
"If you want to carry out justice! You must become stronger!"
A young Rob Lucci punched harder and harder, the little pigeon on his cap bobbing with each motion.
"Ha!"
"Ha!"
* * *
Somewhere, in an unknown small village.
A burly middle-aged woman looked down at the newborn baby in her arms. His face was oddly rough for an infant, and his eyebrows were tightly curled.
The woman broke down into tears as she shouted, "How could this happen?! A cursed child has been born! This is the curse of the Pirate Era!!!"
This baby would one day be the man on Sanji's mistaken wanted poster… Duval.
* * *
Grand Line, Calm Belt, Amazon Lily.
The three young Boa sisters sat together.
With green hair, young Boa Sandersonia tilted her head in confusion and asked, "Great Pirate Era? Can anyone become a pirate?"
Young Boa Hancock answered seriously, "They say if you're not strong enough, you can't join a pirate crew."
Her two sisters were both surprised.
"Huh!" x2
* * *
Grand Line, Impel Down.
Level 6, Eternal Hell.
As news about Roger spread, the prison erupted into chaos.
"The Pirate King left behind a great treasure and died! The era of pirates has begun!"
"I want out now! Damn it!!!"
"A new era! An era that belongs to pirates!!!"
"I'm heading to the sea where it all begins!"
"Let me out!"
Inside one of the solitary cells, Shiki lay sprawled on the ground, arms and legs outstretched. His feet were locked tightly in thick seastone shackles.
He ignored the shouting outside and stared blankly at the ceiling.
"Roger... why did you die? A new era... how boring. Pirates are the rulers of the sea. One day, I'll make all of you understand that..."
* * *
East Blue, a Marine base.
Late at night, inside a dorm room.
Several soldiers stared at their leader with burning eyes as he hung up the Den Den Mushi.
The burly soldier holding it took a few deep breaths, and a wide smile crept across his face.
"It's finally our turn. Time to wipe out these parasites."
The soldiers lit up with excitement. It had finally begun.
Similar scenes unfolded in Marine branches all across the world, advancing in order...
* * *
New World, the Steam Pirates.
The whole crew gathered together and in front of each of them lay a newspaper.
The headline read:
"Roger Pirates Destroyed. Golden Lion Captured and Sent to Impel Down."
The front page was divided into three images—Roger's body pierced by blades, Rayleigh's dismembered corpse, and Shiki in chains being dragged away by Marines...
The crew buzzed with nervous discussion.
"Yikes..."
"This is… when did the Marines get this strong?"
"This is insane."
"But... Golden Lion's been caught."
"Then his territory..."
"Hold on. Wait for the captain to speak."
Knox puffed on his cigar, eyes narrowed as he stared at the newspaper. He found it hard to believe, but the photos of Rayleigh's corpse and Shiki were right there.
Once bitten, twice shy...
Moments later, a flustered crewmember burst into the room.
"Captain! Golden Lion really has been captured! These past few days, the Marines have been taking over his territory fast!"
Knox took another drag on his cigar and questioned, "Do we know who's leading them?"
The crewmember trembled as he spoke. "Based on the signs left at the scene... it's... it's Sakazuki."
The name alone sent chills down his spine. It was taboo.
Knox's Conqueror's Haki suddenly flared.
"That bastard..." Harsh, angry breathing echoed through the room.
After a long pause, he shut his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Forget about Golden Lion's territory. We'll hit Fish-Man Island instead. The Marines won't bother with that mess. If we can take control there, we can slowly recover what we've lost over the years."
At that, all the officers straightened up with renewed energy.
"Yes, captain!"
* * *
New World, an unknown deserted island.
Two factions stood face to face as Big Mom's distinct laughter rang out.
"Mamamama! Sakazuki, your Marines are reaching a little too far, don't you think?"
**
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