The smoke over the Sorbet Kingdom had yet to dissipate, but a piece of world-shaking news swept across the seas like a tidal wave.
The Four Emperors, Marine Headquarters, the Revolutionary Army, Elbaf, and even the Warlords of the Sea, these once mutually hostile factions had simultaneously issued a joint declaration, formally declaring war on the World Government.
The declaration was broadcast simultaneously in the skies above all major islands across the world via Den Den Mushi projectors.
In the massive projected image, Red-Haired Shanks, Whitebeard Edward Newgate, Revolutionary Army's Supreme Commander Dragon, Giant Prince Loki, and Marine Admirals Akainu and Kizaru stood shoulder to shoulder.
And standing at the very center of this gathering was the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces, Chiaki Setsuna.
This unprecedented alliance lineup made everyone who saw it widen their eyes in disbelief.
"The so-called World Nobles are the source of all evil in this world. And behind this evil stands an eight-hundred-year-old demon who has controlled the world's power, named 'Imu'..."
Setsuna's steady voice spread across the four seas through the Den Den Mushi, throwing the entire world into turmoil as if a depth charge had been dropped.
In Alabasta, an unassuming tavern was packed with people.
The air was thick with the smell of alcohol and sweat, but at this moment, everyone's attention was fixed on the news projected on the wall.
"Can someone really live for eight hundred years?" A drunken pirate swayed his glass, his face full of disbelief.
"All those big shots are saying it. They can't possibly be lying to us, can they?" A bespectacled small-time merchant beside him retorted.
"Forget about that Imu..." A young girl clenched her fists, a light shining in her eyes. "Setsuna-sama is way more interesting! To become the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces at such a young age... maybe he'll become a new kind of world-maker!"
Her words immediately ignited the atmosphere in the tavern.
"The Four Emperors, the Marines, the Revolutionary Army, the Warlords, even the Giants... they're all willing to gather around him." A burly man was filled with envy. "If I could ever be that glorious, I'd die without regrets!"
"He must be even stronger than the Fleet Admiral!"
"I heard he's the one who defeated Emperor Kaido."
Discussions rose and fell, but soon the topic returned to the Celestial Dragons.
"Seriously, are the Celestial Dragons really as disgusting as the announcement says?" A man who looked like a traveler asked with a frown.
"Hmph." An old man sitting in a corner sneered. "Young man, you've never been to Sabaody Archipelago, have you? Just go there once, and you'll know everything in the announcement is an understatement."
A woman wearing a headscarf bit her lip. "Those creatures... they can't even be considered human anymore. They're demons wearing human skin!"
"I saw a Celestial Dragon with my own eyes. Just because someone ahead of him moved too slowly, he shot them dead!"
Anger spread through the tavern, but just then—
"Shut up!" A furious roar exploded.
Everyone turned to see a man with green hair stand up abruptly, fury burning in his eyes. "What do you lowly commoners know?! Humanity reached where it is today by stepping on inferior species! The Celestial Dragons are superior to humans. What's wrong with protecting them?"
The tavern erupted into chaos. Many drew their weapons.
"Damn it! A Celestial Dragon's lapdog!"
"Kill him!"
Aramaki sneered, slightly lifting a finger. Countless sharp wooden spikes instantly shot out from the ground. "Since you want to die, then—"
However, his movement suddenly halted.
A black walking sword gently pressed against his throat.
"Sir," A blind man had somehow appeared before him. "Your ideology is far too extreme. Would you willingly be trampled underfoot?"
Aramaki sneered. "Powerful beings like us, just like the Celestial Dragons, are born to tread upon the weak."
Issho slowly shook his head. "You say humans can survive by stepping on inferior species. But what if... in the eyes of that 'God' in the World Government, you are also inferior?"
Aramaki's expression stiffened, but he quickly regained his composure. "If you want to stop me from killing, prove you're stronger than me."
As the two future Marine Admirals clashed, at Marine Headquarters...
Sengoku slammed his hand on the desk in front of him, shattering it. Documents scattered everywhere. "The Marines declared war on the World Government?! Why didn't I, the Fleet Admiral, know anything about it?!"
Garp sat sprawled on a sofa, leisurely stuffing rice crackers into his mouth. "Well, that's because you're under house arrest, of course."
He pointed at himself, grinning widely. "See? I'm in charge of guarding you right now."
Sengoku said in a grave tone, "Why wasn't I told about this? I could have negotiated. I could have fought against the World Government too."
Garp brushed the crumbs off his hands. "That boy Setsuna was worried you wouldn't cooperate."
Sengoku's eye twitched slightly. "Worried about my stance is one thing. But why can Kizaru and Akainu join? Aren't their stances even more questionable than mine?"
Garp shrugged. "Kizaru has no stance. Akainu has already 'gone dark'."
He paused, giving Sengoku a meaningful look. "As for you... maybe it's because the Captain's first mate is Ace."
The words felt like a bucket of cold water poured over Sengoku's head. He now knew Ace's identity.
He slumped back into his chair, images of the massive manhunt over twenty years ago flashing before his eyes… to carry out the World Government's orders and investigate Roger's bloodline, the Marines had indeed caused significant bloodshed.
"If the Marines hadn't acted, and CP0's subordinate agencies had investigated instead, even more people would have died," Sengoku argued in a low voice, but then sighed. "Regardless, give me a chance to atone. Let me participate in the assault on Mary Geoise too."
Garp put away his joking demeanor, looking directly into his old friend's eyes. "Sengoku, are you serious?"
Sengoku's gaze was complex but firm. "I never married in my life, fearing my sins would pass to the next generation. But even so, misfortune still fell on Rosinante... At least... let me truly fight for justice just once!"
Garp scratched his head, offering comfort. "No matter what, you're definitely way more just than those pirates."
A bitter smile appeared on Sengoku's face. "If you're comparing me to pirates, what more can I say?"
Just then, another Den Den Mushi on a different desk suddenly rang.
Sengoku habitually reached for it but stopped mid-air… the Den Den Mushi before him had somehow already transformed into Garp's signature model, wearing the iconic dog hat.
Garp picked up the receiver. Magellan's panicked voice came through. "Impel Down is in critical condition! All the prisoners have turned into demonic monsters! The prison can't hold them! We need immediate reinforcements!"
Sengoku's instincts as Fleet Admiral immediately kicked in. "How bad is the situation?"
"All Level 6 prisoners have been released, and their power has been greatly enhanced! Guys like Bullet, World, and Patrick... the power they're displaying now is several times more terrifying than their prime!"
Sengoku and Garp immediately grasped the severity. Every one of these pirates was a top-tier powerhouse of the seas. Especially Patrick Redfield, who in his prime, could rival Whitebeard.
'If their power was further enhanced...'
Sengoku didn't dare to think further. He quickly made a decision. "Order an immediate evacuation of Impel Down! Preserve our forces! After the retreat, all battleships must immediately distance themselves from Impel Down! Do not give the prisoners a chance to seize any vessels!"