Shiki's outrageous assault on Marine Headquarters in Marineford quickly spread across the seas, thanks to those eager to spread the news.
The revelation exploded like a super-powered bomb, turning the world upside down. Countless people were stunned, and a massive wave of unrest swept the oceans.
Joining forces with Kaidou of the Beasts and Big Mom Charlotte Linlin, he brazenly stormed into Marine Headquarters... and even after destroying most of Marineford and nearly sinking the entire base, he still escaped unscathed.
The overwhelming strength and defiance of Shiki the Golden Lion—the so-called "Flying Pirate"—left yet another deep impression on the world.
This battle allowed the world to once again witness the terror of the legendary pirate Shiki firsthand.
His alliance with Big Mom and Kaidou especially sent a chill down the spines of many from the older generation, suddenly recalling a battle from long ago... The name "Rocks," long buried in history, returned as a haunting shadow hanging over countless nations and powers.
Riding the fame gained from this operation, Shiki launched a large-scale expansion across the New World, rallying forces under his banner.
Countless pirates came flocking to him, kneeling and swearing allegiance to the man who now stood as the strongest pirate at sea.
As a result, the number of subordinates under the Flying Pirates soared in a short span of time.
And the flying fleet that had once been annihilated by Commodore Rogers Daren of Marine Headquarters now showed signs of being reformed.
...
At the same time—somewhere in the New World, aboard the Whitebeard Pirates' flagship, the Moby Dick.
"Oyaji! Something's happened! There's big news from Marine Headquarters!"
Clutching a freshly dropped newspaper from a news bird, Marco leapt down from the mast with a serious expression, beads of cold sweat forming on his brow.
"That lunatic Shiki... he actually teamed up with Kaidou and Big Mom and invaded Marine Headquarters!!"
The moment he spoke, everyone on deck froze, their faces flashing with disbelief.
They had known Shiki planned to attack Marine Headquarters.
Not long ago, Shiki had even come aboard the Moby Dick, trying to recruit Oyaji to join him in his assault on Marineford.
What they hadn't expected was that, even after being refused, Shiki didn't abandon his insane plan. Instead, he secretly allied with Kaidou and Big Mom—and launched the attack anyway!
"Shiki…"
Seated in the main seat, Whitebeard's expression darkened as he heard this. He waved off the maid who was massaging him and extended a large hand to take the paper from Marco.
His eyes, overflowing with unshakable spirit, scanned the front page. His expression shifted slightly, pupils narrowing.
That day's image of Shiki—brimming with ambition—flashed in his mind, casting a shadow over his mood.
Shiki… are you trying to revive the era of Rocks...?
Gloom clouded Whitebeard's gaze. The thought struck him like lightning.
"Let me see! I wanna see!"
Just then, a one-armed figure came bounding over, craning his neck toward the newspaper—it was Kozuki Oden.
Ever since his brief encounter with Shiki, who was also a dual-wielding swordsman, Oden had felt a strong pull of curiosity and the urge to challenge him.
From that day forward, in the eyes of Marco and the others, Kozuki Oden had returned to the vibrant man he was when he first left Wano Country—no longer drowning in alcohol or lost in despair.
Every day, he threw himself into training, refining his swordsmanship, constantly seeking out stronger opponents. That fierce spirit had reignited within him.
Marco and the rest were heartened by his change.
Naturally, none of them wanted to see a comrade stuck in a haze of gloom.
Oden stared at the newspaper, eyes gleaming.
"He nearly sank the whole island into the sea… That's insane… huh?"
Suddenly, his expression shifted.
Everyone followed his gaze—and fell silent.
It was a photograph.
In the image: Marine Headquarters in ruins. A massive island loomed overhead, falling rapidly from the sky toward Marineford like a doomsday meteor.
Amidst the shattered landscape stood a single man—the now world-renowned Marine Commodore—arms outstretched, gaze fierce and unyielding.
A gigantic flaming Cursed Sword burst from the ground, piercing through the island's core and into the sky itself…
Its blade energy was so intense, it felt like it might leap straight out of the paper.
"Enma…"
Kozuki Oden murmured, his expression shifting as he clearly recognized the familiar blade.
"He actually… tamed Enma…"
He stumbled back two steps, his eyes full of disbelief.
As Enma's former master, Kozuki Oden could tell its condition at a glance.
The demonic flames burning along the blade... that was a sign—one that only appeared after the sword had been completely subdued.
It meant that the Marine had fully left his imprint on the blade.
Enma had accepted that Marine… as its true master.
Even if he reclaimed Enma now, he'd have to start over from scratch to tame it again before he could wield it properly.
That thought left a hollow feeling in Oden's chest. A deep, indescribable bitterness spread across his face.
But… could he really take Enma back from that man?
The question surfaced in his mind, unbidden.
As he stared at the photo of the colossal sword piercing the sky, the light in his eyes slowly faded.
He quietly set down the newspaper, turned without a word, and walked toward the stern.
His back, all at once, seemed stooped and desolate.
"Oden—"
Marco opened his mouth, about to speak, but a large hand gently patted his shoulder.
He turned around to see Oyaji silently shaking his head.
"Let him be... Some things we just can't help with."
Whitebeard gazed at Kozuki Oden's retreating figure, eyes filled with complex emotion, and let out a long sigh.
Everyone pressed their lips together and fell into silence.
They knew Oyaji was right.
Some walls could only be climbed alone.
No one else could help.
Even if they went mad, charged into Marineford, killed that Marine, and took Enma back—it would all be meaningless.
If Oden wanted to move past this, he had to do it himself.
Whitebeard shifted his gaze away from Oden and looked back at the newspaper.
His expression grew heavier by the second.
"This sea... is about to plunge into chaos."