Under Souta Kiryuu's order to divide forces, the Arclight Fleet of the Arlong Dragon Pirates split into three groups.
A small detachment remained stationed on the sky island of Barong, continuing to develop and fortify their new territory.
The second group, led by Douglas Bullet, Shiryu of the Rain, and Enel, set sail toward the G-18 Marine Fortress to deal with the Red-Haired Pirates.
With the battle between the Red-Haired Pirates and the Beasts Pirates still raging in that region, there was a strong chance they could strike while both sides were exhausted — severely injure Shanks' crew, or even wipe them out entirely.
Meanwhile, Souta Kiryuu personally led the main fleet toward Hachinosu — Pirate Paradise, the Hive Island.
Their primary target there was the Wang Zhi Pirates.
And if things went smoothly, G-14 Marine Fortress might even be added to their objectives.
That fortress also housed several powerful Devil Fruit users — worthy prey to hunt.
Of course, this all depended on whether the Whitebeard Pirates or Marine Headquarters decided to interfere.
If neither faction showed up to meddle, this would be the perfect strike.
At the same time, as the Arlong Dragon Pirates began their campaign—
Within the Kingdom of Adams, Saint Marcus Mars issued new deployment orders to the Marine main forces stationed at G-9 Fortress, leading to heated arguments among the ranks.
Admiral Kuzan (Aokiji), despite being the commanding officer, was forced to obey orders from the Five Elders, maintaining strict standby.
However, Garp was already cursing up a storm.
Garp wanted to immediately send relief forces to G-18, which had repeatedly sent urgent calls for reinforcements — but each request was denied.
He was very close to taking a ship and rushing there on his own, simply ignoring orders outright.
If not for Kuzan quietly pleading with him, Garp would have already left.
Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Gion (Momousagi) insisted on going to G-14 Fortress to assist Vice Admiral Doll and Major General Tashigi, her "little sisters in arms," preparing to cut down the pirate crews attacking there.
Vice Admiral Tokikake (Chaton), ever loyal to Gion, would of course follow her wherever she went.
Ironically, among the Marine leaders, the only one fully supporting Saint Mars' orders was the newly-risen force: Ryokugyu (Aramaki).
Mars was very satisfied with this obedience — he had already decided to officially promote Aramaki to Admiral.
As for Gion and Tokikake — they would never be promoted to Admiral now. In fact, he intended to demote them.
Just like Garp — who had remained a Vice Admiral for over forty years.
Now 76 years old, and still the World Government refused to approve his retirement — even his leave days were cut whenever possible.
Meanwhile, at Marineford—
Fleet Admiral Sengoku dispatched Black Arm Zephyr, leading an elite fleet, to reinforce G-1 Headquarters, one of the most crucial strategic bases.
Kizaru was once again summoned by the Five Elders to Mary Geoise to remain on standby.
This left only Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru guarding Marineford.
If the Arlong Dragon Pirates or any Yonko attacked the headquarters now, Marineford would be unable to withstand them.
But fortunately, all four Emperors — and Souta Kiryuu — were busy waging war throughout the New World.
The only faction positioned to move freely now was the Revolutionary Army.
On Baltigo, headquarters of the Revolutionaries—
Even Monkey D. Dragon did not expect Souta Kiryuu to trigger such a massive conflict in the New World so suddenly.
He had already dispatched Chief of Staff Sabo to Dressrosa, to take over part of the underground trade network that Souta Kiryuu had deliberately vacated.
A gift like that demanded a response.
Seeing Souta Kiryuu directly challenge the Celestial Dragon ancestral nations, Dragon became intrigued.
With most Marine forces drawn into the New World, the Revolutionary Army had a rare window of freedom.
Even the Supernovas were now roaming the Grand Line openly, with almost no Admirals or major officers deployed to hunt them.
After the Kidd Pirates were crushed and Barto Club and Edrago Pirates were absorbed into Souta Kiryuu's growing influence—
Basil Hawkins and Scratchmen Apoo were now competing to become the new "Supernova King," causing chaos everywhere and driving up their bounties.
Urouge, like Luffy and Zoro, roamed freely, steadily rising but not recklessly.
X Drake's bounty soared rapidly — and his voyage speed increased as if trying to enter the New World as quickly as possible.
Recent Marine intelligence suggested that the Beasts Pirates had already lost one of their Flying Six —
likely opening a spot for Drake to join the ancient Zoan ranks.
Dragon also kept a close eye on his son.
After the Straw Hat Pirates defeated Marine traitor Gasparde to become Supernovas, they accidentally wandered into a Grand Line naval fortress and fought Vice Admiral Jonathan — destroying half the base before escaping.
Their bounty spiked again.
"Leader Dragon, our next operation is to overthrow the tyrant of the Lulusia Kingdom," said Belo Betty, a cigarette resting between her red lips.
"According to the latest intel, the Straw Hats seem to have entered the Grand Line-2 Naval Sector, guarded by Vice Admiral Gumir.
If you join us, you may run into that kid."
Dragon's expression softened with a rare smile.
"That brat causes trouble better than his grandfather."
He was growing — and the Grand Line was currently safer than usual.
Dragon believed Luffy would continue to rise.
"Then we go," Dragon decided.
They would move on Lulusia — and gather intelligence on Sabaody and Marineford while nearby.
Had Souta Kiryuu not taken Dr. Vegapunk, the World Government would have targeted Lulusia first to test Motherflame.
"By the way," Betty continued, "Ivankov has begun gathering intelligence on the Celestial Dragon ancestral nations. He says he wants to give the World Government a 'surprise' of his own — just like Souta Kiryuu."
Since Kuma had been taken, Ivankov had both personal vengeance and justice to unleash.
"Let Karasu (the Crow) accompany him," Dragon said. "It's time he let out some steam."
While the New World burned, the Revolutionaries began expanding across all seas.
At this same moment—
On the Ark Maxim, Souta Kiryuu led a soaring fleet straight toward the heart of the New World—
Hachinosu — Pirate Paradise.
The island where:
The Power-Power Fruit
The Teleportation Fruit
The Pegasus Fruit
The Totem-Totem Fruit
and countless other Devil Fruit users awaited.
They were all there.
Their hunt had begun.