Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
These days, life for the Navy was anything but easy.
The New World had become nothing short of chaos.
The Whitebeard Pirates and the Beasts Pirates' divisions, the Charlotte Family, the Cross Guild, the NEO Navy, and the increasingly renowned Red-Haired Pirates—monsters filled every corner of the sea.
The Navy's forces stationed in the New World were stretched far too thin, utterly insufficient to withstand the storms of that turbulent sea.
In the New World, the waters still ruled by the World Government had already shrunk to a terrifyingly narrow range.
Both the Cross Guild and the NEO Navy had been expanding at an alarming pace, to the point where the G-5 base's jurisdiction now sat practically at the frontline of government-controlled waters.
If not for certain circumstances, even Dressrosa would have long since fallen into the Cross Guild's hands.
Because the front lines pressed so dangerously close to the Red Line, the Navy had been forced to station an Admiral permanently at the G-1 base to safeguard Mary Geoise.
But this only left the Navy's overall strength spread even thinner.
After all, with both Zephyr and Aokiji having defected, the Navy had already suffered a severe blow to its power. Now, only two Admirals remained.
At present, the situation stood thus: Fleet Admiral Sengoku remained in Marineford, one Admiral was tied to G-1, and only Garp and the last Admiral were free to take on missions.
To be frank, it was no longer enough to pose any meaningful threat to the monsters of the New World.
Anyone with eyes could see the balance of power was slipping away.
If even the Navy, guardians of order upon the seas, could no longer suppress the waves, then who would uphold the order of the world?
Today was the Navy's monthly conference.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku had gathered all the high-ranking officers present in Marineford to review the gains and losses of the past month, and to chart the course for the month ahead.
"…In short, the most critical factor in the New World right now is Ian's movements."
Sengoku rested his clasped fingers on the desk, radiating the authority of a true Supreme Commander. "Whoever his target may be, his actions will instantly shift the balance of the New World."
"Best case, they tear each other apart," a Vice Admiral muttered darkly. "It would save us a lot of trouble."
Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head calmly. "I fear the outcome will be Ian's complete victory."
"In any case, we must be ready," Sengoku said in a grave tone. "There is no question—Ian is a greater threat than any pirate in the New World. He's far too young. We cannot allow him to grow into another Roger… or Rocks."
"But, Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Today, Admiral Kizaru, who happened to be at headquarters, spoke lazily, "the current situation is that our fleet can barely even make its way to the seas around Hive Island, you know."
On the way, there are roadblocks like the NEO Navy, the Cross Guild, and the Charlotte Family.
Getting through their territories just to reach Hive Island for a campaign won't be an easy task.
After the government's great decline in the New World, the Charlotte Family's territory has expanded considerably as well.
"Don't forget the Revolutionary Army."
Vice Admiral Tsuru added, "They've been completely silent for some time now, but Sengoku, you don't really believe they've abandoned their fight against the government and disbanded, do you?"
Sengoku rubbed his temples.
What on earth has happened to this world?
Everywhere he looked, it seemed enemies surrounded them.
"Perhaps," He paused. "The Navy needs to expand its forces."
"Sengoku, what do you mean by that?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru asked in surprise.
But before the Fleet Admiral could respond, the wide office doors were suddenly thrown open, and a green-haired Marine rushed in hurriedly.
His face was full of panic.
"Brannew, what's going on?"
Sengoku frowned slightly.
Couldn't he see they were in a meeting?
At least knock before barging in!
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Bad news!!"
The Marine named Brannew hurriedly handed over a newspaper. "The latest issue of the World Economy News! Ian has gone to Wano. He defeated Kaido, and now he has unified the entire Beasts Pirates!"
"What?!"
Sengoku instinctively slammed his palm on the desk, and the overwhelming force shattered the thick conference table into pieces.
Even Vice Admiral Tsuru, who was usually calm, couldn't hide her disbelief. "So fast?!"
They had expected Ian to eventually challenge Kaido for the final control over the Beasts Pirates, but none of them imagined it would happen this quickly!
The forces of Wano and Hive Island… weren't they supposed to be evenly matched?
How could the battle have been decided so quickly?
At this speed, the outcome was definitely not the mutual destruction that everyone had been hoping for.
Sengoku snatched the newspaper and began reading it carefully.
Vice Admiral Tsuru immediately asked Brannew, who had already read the paper, "What's the result? Did the Beasts Pirates suffer heavy losses?"
If the Beasts Pirates hadn't suffered enough damage, that would be truly frightening.
The combined forces of Hive Island and Wano… who in the New World could possibly stand against them then?
Brannew's face was so twisted with despair it looked as if he were about to cry.
"Kaido has already submitted to Ian. Everyone under him—including King the Wildfire, Queen the Plague, the Tobiroppo, the Shinuchi, and every single member of the Beasts Pirates in Wano—has sworn loyalty to Ian."
"..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru's body went rigid, as though her spine had been ripped away. Her once-straight back slumped, and she pressed a hand to her forehead, massaging it in disbelief.
"How is that possible…?"
Even Kizaru couldn't hold back his shock.
"Kaido and Ian have clashed countless times. Ian was nearly beaten to death by him before! In that case, how could Kaido possibly surrender to Ian? And Kaido, of all people—someone who has always considered himself invincible—how could he bow down to another?"
It was impossible to comprehend.
According to the World Government's predictions, the most likely outcome of Ian and Kaido's decisive battle was mutual destruction, with Ian holding a slight edge.
But the final result shouldn't have been like this. One side might win by a hair, while the other would be utterly crushed.
Yet now… what was going on?
Not only had the Beasts Pirates avoided any real losses, but they had completely merged forces!
Every Marine present felt a chill run down their spine.
Ian and Kaido had already been terrifying enough as separate powers. On the seas, they were nightmares that struck fear into all who heard their names.
But now… now they stood together on the same side!
Two Emperors, united as one. Was there any power left in the New World that could oppose them?
Could this be the birth of a new Rocks Pirates?
The Marines could not help but think so.
And yet… it wasn't over.
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