The entire world was shaken by the impossible: the resurrection of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
Atop the massive warship of the World Government, the Five Elders — Peter, the God of Agriculture, Figalande Ja, the Knight of God, and the others — stood grim-faced, their expressions cold and resolute.
"So what if another Pirate King returns?" one of them said with disdain.
"The World Government's foundation far surpasses anything a single man could ever threaten."
"Not even the Pirate King himself can change the balance of the world!"
Their words carried the same arrogant confidence that had ruled the seas for centuries.
"That so?"
Sugisawa Yuuto's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.
Clap!
He brought his hands together sharply.
The forbidden art — the History of the Cursed Corpse — began once more.
The subtle grin playing on Yuuto's face sent a chill through the hearts of the World Government's highest officials.
A dreadful premonition welled up inside them — an instinct that screamed something terrible was about to unfold.
And sure enough—
BOOM!!!
A monstrous surge of power erupted from one corner of the battlefield, shattering the already chaotic air.
The sheer force of the aura drew the attention of every eye that had been fixed on Roger.
"Wait—what's that?"
"There's someone over there!"
"Who is that man? What kind of terrifying pressure is this?!"
"When did he appear? He's so close, yet none of us even sensed him!"
"Could he have fallen earlier, together with Kaido of the Azure Dragon?"
The Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates alike froze in shock.
No one recognized the red-haired figure standing amidst the smoke and ruin.
But even without knowing who he was… everyone could feel it.
He was dangerous.
Unimaginably dangerous.
Hundreds of thousands had gathered for this war, yet less than a handful knew the identity of the man who had just appeared.
Still—
Among the old legends of the world, there were those whose memories refused to fade.
In the ranks of the World Government stood the Five Elders, Figaland Garin, and Commander Kong.
Among the Marines were Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the hero, Garp.
Across the battlefield, pirates like Gol D. Roger, Whitebeard, Kaido of the Beasts, Charlotte Linlin, and the Golden Lion Shiki stared in disbelief.
The legends of the old era recognized him immediately.
How could they not?
That man…
"This… this can't be real…"
Kaido's massive frame trembled as he shook his head violently, his eyes wide with horror.
"I don't believe it… there's no way! How are you still alive, Captain Rocks?!"
"Mr. Kaido!"
Ember, the Calamity known as the Wildfire, spoke in a low, tense voice. "Do you know who that man is?"
Not far away, in Big Mom's camp—
"Mother! Brother Peros! Brother Daifuku! Brother Oven! Why are all of you looking like that?"
"Who is that man? Do you know him, Mama?"
"Brother Peros, say something!"
The younger ministers and officers of Big Mom's crew — Smoothie, Cracker, and the others — looked around in confusion, their voices full of unease.
Perospero's tongue quivered so hard that blood spilled down his chin.
His eyes were wide, his voice shaking as he stammered,
"This… this isn't a question of knowing him or not… that man… he's—he's…"
"Nearly forty years ago…"
Daifuku and Oven, who had both lived through that era, murmured unconsciously, their minds flashing back to a nightmare from the past.
"Is it really… Captain Rocks?"
The towering figure of Big Mom — Charlotte Linlin — went utterly still.
Her jaw dropped. Her pupils shrank to pinpricks.
And then she fell silent — swallowed whole by a depthless shock that left her unable to speak a single word.