Two weeks after the Marineford War had ended, Marineford was a scene of industrious chaos. Reconstruction work was proceeding in an orderly fashion across the ruined plaza.
The war's impact on the Marines and the World Government was immense. The G1 Branch had vanished, Marineford was in ruins, and countless Marines were dead or wounded. For the World Government, Impel Down was destroyed, allowing numerous vicious great pirates to escape, and their global prestige suffered a huge loss.
However, this destruction was considered manageable. What was truly unacceptable were the words Kaido had broadcast to the world before leaving. That declaration was worse than Whitebeard's final confirmation that the ONE PIECE truly existed.
The Marines' Dire Situation
On the bustling, ruined plaza, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, covered in bandages, sat with his friends Garp and Tsuru by his side. Sengoku's expression was somber. Though the public execution of Fire Fist Ace was an order from the World Government, the disastrous outcome was his responsibility as Fleet Admiral.
Tsuru, not knowing how to comfort him, sighed, "Relax, Sengoku. Things have come to this point; thinking too much won't help!"
Garp, also feeling ashamed, actively shared his donut with Sengoku. Although the Marines suffered heavy losses in this war, for Garp, it was the best outcome, as both of his grandsons survived.
Sengoku took the donut Garp offered, but he didn't eat it. Holding it between his fingers, he asked, "What's the situation on the sea now?"
Tsuru sighed again. "The situation is very bad. Kaido's words have had a much worse impact than Whitebeard's. According to reports from the Four Seas, Paradise, and various branches in the New World, the number of pirates has begun to surge again. Although it's not as many as in Roger's era, still..."
Tsuru changed the subject. "However, there's also good news. This group of people is now eager to enter the New World and join Kaido's command, so the destruction caused is less than before. Moreover, the Vice Admirals and Marines from various branches have already returned, so the situation should be brought under control very soon."
Sengoku fell silent. After a while, he slowly asked, "Tsuru, do you think Kaido truly controls the ability of Artificial Devil Fruit? If that's really the case..."
Tsuru understood the implications. An army of Devil Fruit users was a terrifying thought.
"I'm afraid it's true. But you don't need to worry too much for now," she said.
"???"
"It's news from CP. Actually, the technology for Artificial Devil Fruits has existed for a long time, whether it's Vegapunk or Caesar..."
"Caesar?!" That name made Sengoku pause.
"That's right, it's Caesar, whom Doflamingo traded to Kaido..."
"That despicable Doflamingo!"
"Don't worry. According to the information we have, although Caesar does control the power of Artificial Devil Fruit, there are significant flaws."
"Flaws?"
"That's right. The Artificial Devil Fruits created by Caesar are called SMILE Fruits. The success rate is less than 10%, and the side effects are very obvious. Failures lose the ability to express anger and sadness, and can only laugh, which is why they're called SMILE Fruits!"
"That's certainly good news, but we still can't relax. By the way, since Vegapunk also has the technology for Artificial Devil Fruit, then can he...?"
Tsuru shook her head. "Don't think about it, Sengoku. You understand better than I do that the World Government doesn't trust us Marines that much. They don't even trust CP that much."
Hearing this, Sengoku felt angry and deeply powerless. He could only ask, "How is the New World now?"
"In just two weeks, both Kaido's territory and Charlotte Linlin's territory have expanded at least threefold. No one in the New World can stop them now. Fortunately, they've stopped for now, because the Beasts and Big Mom's territories are about to border each other. If they keep fighting, they'll start fighting each other, won't they?"
"What about Whitebeard and Red Hair?"
Tsuru glanced at Garp. "Whitebeard's side has gone on full defense. It's said to be the order of their new Captain: Fire Fist Ace. As for Red Hair, he's currently nowhere to be found?"
"Nowhere to be found!?"
"That's right!!!"
Just as Sengoku was about to continue asking, Momonga, who was temporarily stationed at Marineford, walked over with a grim expression.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, there's an order from the intelligence room. The Gorosei have requested you to go to Holy Land Mary Geoise..."
A New Teacher and a New Journey
At the same time, in the Calm Belt, near Nine Snake Island, a gathering of key figures was taking place on an uninhabited island.
If anyone had been there, they would have witnessed an incredible scene. The three protagonists of the war at Marineford—Fire Fist Ace, Yamato, and Straw Hat Luffy—were all present. Besides them were Yamato's crew members and the Red Force, the ship of the Four Emperors' Red Hair Pirates.
On the edge of the beautiful island, Red Hair Shanks looked at Luffy, Ace, and Yamato.
"I'm sorry, Luffy, Ace, and Yamato. We've spent enough time together. I must return to the New World immediately," Shanks said.
"Eh, Shanks, are you leaving already?" Luffy immediately grew anxious, while Ace and Yamato looked downcast.
"Yes, Luffy!" Shanks patted Luffy's shoulder. "If fate hadn't changed, this wouldn't be the time for us to meet. My staying here for so long is already my limit. There are too many things in the New World that require me to go back and deal with."
"But... but I don't want you to go, and if you leave, what about our training?"
"Don't worry, Luffy. One day, we will meet again, just as we promised when we were little. As for your training, don't worry, I've found you a new teacher. He's not weaker than me at all."
"Eh!!!"
As his voice faded, another voice sounded in everyone's ears, "It's been a long time, Shanks!!!"
Everyone looked and saw a white-haired man with wet hair walking from the beach.
"Uncle Rayleigh!!!" Luffy recognized the man at a glance.
Ace immediately understood something, and his expression became somber.
Shanks patted Ace's shoulder. "Ace, although I dislike Kaido, one thing he said is indeed true: you have the Captain's blood in you. This is something you can never get rid of. And to break free from the shackles he left you, escaping is not the answer. All you can do is surpass him, surpass the former Captain, to prove that Kaido was wrong. Do you understand?"
This wasn't a complicated principle, and Ace certainly understood it. "Thank you!!!"
At this moment, watching Luffy happily talking with Rayleigh and Ace talking with Shanks, Yamato suddenly felt out of place. Why? If it were before, she might not have found the answer, but now it was different.
"I'm sorry, Ace, and Luffy, I'm also preparing to leave?!" Yamato's words instantly made Ace and Luffy freeze.
"Why? Yamato, didn't you say you wanted to join the Whitebeard Pirates and become the commander of the second division?"
Yamato looked at her companions not far away, a smile of growth on her face. "No, Ace. Although these three months have been short, I've understood many things—things more important than becoming Oden. Next, I will take Bonney and the others and wander this sea, to save those who need us. Perhaps one day, we will meet somewhere on the sea. I hope that day, you will have become the Pirate King..."
------------------------
For Advance chapters visit : patreon.com/Mythic_Muse