MEANWHILE...
People gathered around the destroyed house, whispering among themselves as they stared at the ruins. Smoke still rose from the broken pieces of wood and stone.
"What happened here?"
"I heard there was a huge explosion."
"Didn't two kids live here?"
A group of kids pushed through the crowd.
"Oh no..." one of them muttered.
"Kiru... Airi..."
"What the hell happened here?" another boy asked as he looked at the destroyed house.
"Calm down, Alvin," one of the kids said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"How can I stay calm?" Alvin replied. "We don't even know if they're alive!"
He turned toward a girl standing quietly beside him.
"Why aren't you worried, Kikio?"
Kikio looked at the ruins for a few seconds before answering.
"Because... I just have a feeling they're alive."
"It's that stupid king and his stupid governor!" Tiki shouted, clenching her fists. "I hate them all!"
"Calm down, Tiki," Kikio said.
Kikio walked over to one of the person standing nearby.
"Excuse me... do you know what happened here?"
The man scratched the back of his head.
"I was just walking by when the house exploded out of nowhere," he replied. "Everything happened so fast."
The children looked at each other in silence.
"I hope they're okay..." Alvin whispered.
ELSEWHERE...
Inside the royal palace of Kurogane Island...
The atmosphere was tense.
A soldier rushed into the throne room and quickly kneeled before the king.
"Your Majesty... I have bad news."
The king looked down at him with an annoyed expression.
"What is it?"
The soldier lowered his head.
"The two brats that you sent us to capture..."
"They have died."
The king's eyes widened.
"What?!"
"Their house was completely destroyed," the soldier explained.
The king clenched his fist.
"So...they decided to kill themselves, instead of giving me those tools."
A voice suddenly interrupts the king.
"Wait a minute, Your Majesty."
The king looked toward the person standing nearby.
"What is it, Oskar?"
"Maybe those brats faked their deaths." Oskar said.
The king raised an eyebrow.
"Explain."
"They knew we were after them," Oskar replied calmly.
"They may have destroyed their own house to make us believe they were dead."
"Then they escaped before we could find them."
Ligeon nodded.
"He does have a point, Your Majesty."
The king laughed.
"Hahahahaha!"
"This is why I made you the governor, Oskar."
"You're very smart."
Oskar smiled slightly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Ligeon stepped forward.
"My king..."
"What should I do about those pirates?"
The king's expression became cold.
"Hmph..."
"Kill them."
"It won't be so easy." Oskar said.
The king looked at him.
"And why is that?"
"From what Ligeon has told me..."
"Those pirates are the Rogue Pirates."
"Their captain has a bounty of 2.8 billion berries."
The king face got pale.
"So they really are that dangerous."
He stood from his throne.
"If that's the case..."
"We have to attack them with everything we got."
The king turned toward one of his advisors.
"Summon those four."
The advisor froze.
"Your Majesty?"
"You heard me..bring them here."
"And mobilize the security force immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The advisor quickly left the room.
"The Rogue Pirates have come to my island." The king said with a sinister grin.
A few hours had passed and night had fallen.
The entire island was now under heavy security.
Guards filled the streets, carrying weapons and searching every area.
The people watched nervously as the island slowly became filled with soldiers.
"What's going on?" Kikio asked while looking at the guards running around with their weapons in their hands.
Alvin looked worried.
"Something big must be happening."
Kikio stayed silent as she watched the soldiers.
MEANWHILE....
On the deck of the Scarlett...
Noah and Emma sat on the railing of the ship, looking out at the dark ocean.
For a while, neither of them said anything.
Then Emma looked at Noah.
"Are you alright?"
"I am," Noah replied.
Emma sighed.
"You don't look like you're alright."
Noah looked at her and smiled.
"Believe me, Emma..."
"I'm fine."
Emma stared at him.
"You always say that."
Before Noah could reply...
A dark portal suddenly appeared between them.
Nyx stepped out.
Emma jumped back.
"Ah!"
"You frightened me!"
Nyx laughed.
"Good."
Emma frowned.
"You did that on purpose."
Nyx smiled.
"Of course."
Noah shook his head before looking at Nyx.
"So..."
"What did you find out?"
Nyx's expression became serious.
"It seems like they're getting ready to launch an all-out attack on us."
She paused.
"And they also know that Kiru and Airi are still alive."
Noah looked toward the island.
"I guess our plan failed."
He slowly stood up.
"But it doesn't matter anymore."
Emma looked at him.
"What are you thinking?"
Noah looked at Kurogane Island.
"Let's save this island..."
"And head out to the next one."
Emma smiled.
"I agree."
Noah stayed quiet for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"I was thinking..."
"And I've made up my mind."
Emma looked confused.
"Made up your mind about what?"
Noah turned toward her.
"I'm going to defeat all four emperors."
Emma froze.
"..."
"WHAAAAAAAAAT?!"
Her shout echoed across the entire ship.
Nyx smiled.
Noah smirked.
"And the first one on my list..."
"Is Kaido."
MEANWHILE IN THE LAND OF WANO...
Inside Onigashima...
Kaido sat with a drink in his hand when one of his men approached him.
"Kaido-sama."
"We got a message from Oskar."
Kaido looked over.
"What does it say?"
"The Rogue Pirates have landed on Kurogane Island."
Kaido's eyes narrowed.
"That brat..."
"He's the one who helped Straw Hat and Law defeat Doflamingo." The man said.
A dangerous smile appeared on Kaido's face.
"The kid is finally making his move."
SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE NEW WORLD.
A member of the Big Mom Pirates rushed into the room.
"Mama!"
"Vinsmoke Sanji is here!"
A loud laugh filled the entire area.
"MA-MA-MA-MA-MA!"
A huge smile appeared through the silhouette figure.
"WEDDING CAKE!"