"Interesting… it's really lively."
On the dim, stormy sea, beyond the frozen sections of ocean, countless ships lingered in the distance—watching the monumental clash.
Some of these ships flew pirate flags. Others belonged to shadowy factions, spies of the Emperors, or agents of nations. Among them, even a few bore the covert symbols of Whitebeard's fleet.
"There are sounds of fighting on Zou too. Looks like Taros has declared war on the Mink Tribe."
"The Navy appeared here to seize the opportunity to intervene in Zou… but they've been stopped by the Black Crows."
"Hey, doesn't it seem like the Black Crows and the Beasts Pirates have some sort of arrangement?"
"Could be. But the Black Crow Pirates… they're terrifyingly strong. Are those two colossal beasts actually members of Black Crow's crew? I've never seen them before."
"Heh… Black Crow always keeps powerful yet unknown monsters in his ranks. No one knows where he finds them. Maybe they're new additions. Still, to fight Admirals one-on-one? That alone puts them among the apex predators of the New World."
Among the onlookers were also pirates who had just ventured into the New World.
But as they watched the titanic battle from afar, their throats tightened, and many swallowed nervously.
In the first half of the Grand Line, they might have reigned as unbeatable terrors, but here in the New World, they were still rookies.
Not every newcomer had the meteoric strength Mio displayed when he first set foot in these waters.
"This… this is the power of the New World's top monsters? And Admirals… gurgle…"
Some murmured in awe, fear flashing in their eyes.
More than one considered turning tail and retreating to the relative safety of Paradise.
On a particular pirate vessel, influence snails were broadcasting the live battle back to their headquarters.
The skull-and-crescent-moustache flag left no doubt—it belonged to Whitebeard's fleet.
This live feed was already being projected aboard the Moby Dick, where Whitebeard himself sat with a massive gourd of sake in hand.
Guragura…
Taking a deep swig, Whitebeard's sharp eyes locked on the images before him. A brief flicker of wariness crossed his face.
"Black Crow… so, the brat's been quiet for a while now. Wonder what he's scheming… And these two monsters—I've never heard of them. You lot recognize them?" Whitebeard asked, turning to his sons.
"No," Marco answered honestly.
"Such power should've shaken the sea long ago… but they're complete unknowns," another murmured.
"The Black Crow crew is full of strange, overpowered figures," Marco added. "But most of them weren't famous until they joined his flag."
"It's frightening," a third crewman muttered. "Counting these two beasts, the Black Crow Pirates' strength probably…" He trailed off, but everyone understood what he meant.
Even what Mio had shown so far suggested his crew surpassed the Whitebeard Pirates—not even counting whatever forces he might be hiding.
Unlike Whitebeard, who kept his power in the open, Black Crow was a man of deep cunning. Despite his youth, those who knew Mio understood he wasn't the type to reveal all his cards.
His hidden strength likely ran far deeper than anyone imagined.
"Gurararara! The Black Crow Pirates are indeed strong. And Mio himself… that brat's terrifying." Whitebeard laughed loudly, but there was steel in his tone. "But don't compare that lad to us. My dream is to build a family and protect it. His dream… it's far more dangerous. His ambition could shake the world itself. Even with all the strength he's shown, I'm not sure it's enough to realize what he's after."
"Ambition that even shakes Father, huh?" Marco thought silently, a sharp gleam in his eyes.
But he said nothing further, folding his arms and continuing to watch the live feed.
Similar scenes unfolded across the world:
On Whole Cake Island, in Wano Country, in the hidden lairs of shadowy brokers like the Loan Shark King and the Shipping King, and even in the halls of the World Economic News Agency.
Eyes everywhere were locked on the battle near Zou.
The Mink Tribe's island had long been coveted. Its unique geography and the warrior-nature of its inhabitants drew envy from every corner of the sea. But none dared act—not with the Elephant Lord standing sentinel.
Until now.
On Onigashima, within Kaido's domain…
The Emperor drank heavily as his fierce eyes studied the live images.
Gurgle.
Meat and sake disappeared down his gullet in massive quantities.
"Keep me posted on Zou," Kaido ordered. "After the battle's done, send word to Taros. Tell him I want a deal."
"Boss, Taros isn't exactly an easy man to negotiate with…" a trembling subordinate said.
"Who cares?" Kaido bellowed, grinning manically. "Zou will fall to him—that's a fact. But those furred warriors up there… they're perfect for my battle corps. Offer him whatever price he wants. I want Minks as slaves—hundreds, if possible."
Back near Zou…
Kizaru and Aokiji were still locked in their duels against Xiao Qi and Xiao Liu.
The Admirals weren't going all out. Unlike Akainu, they lacked the iron resolve to risk everything here.
But the beasts' assaults were relentless, their elemental powers clashing violently with Logia might.
Hissss!
Xiao Qi's eight heads gathered destructive elemental energy—flames, wind, ice, lightning—and unleashed it all at once toward Aokiji.
BOOOOOM!
The frozen sea evaporated under the sheer heat.
"Man… that's overkill," Aokiji muttered as he slammed his hands into the ice.
BANG!
Walls of ice erupted in layers to absorb the attack. Again and again, Xiao Qi's blast shattered them—until finally, the last wall held.
"ICE STORM!"
Aokiji retaliated, unleashing a devastating awakening technique. The air turned white with snow, massive ice phoenixes rising and circling, merging into a monstrous tornado of ice and steel that hurtled toward Xiao Qi.
"HISSSSS!"
Xiao Qi bellowed in rage. His form grew larger, an elemental avatar of Yamata no Orochi taking shape around him. Flames, lightning, and wind surged, battering the ice storm until it crumbled to nothing.
Meanwhile…
"Shall we just call this a draw?" Kizaru asked lazily, dodging Xiao Liu's searing black flames. "Fighting seriously is such a pain…"
HISSS!
Xiao Liu didn't answer—just unleashed another torrent of darkness-infused fire.
Golden light flickered as Kizaru narrowly evaded.
"Guess not."
But before their duel could escalate, an earth-shaking roar erupted nearby.
ROOOOOAAAAAARRR!
The Elephant Lord's bellow reverberated like thunder, sending shockwaves across the ocean.
"What… what is that?!"
"It's the Elephant Lord!"
"The beast's moving! Pull back! Now!"
Veteran pirates panicked, their crews desperately steering ships away. Tsunamis rose like mountains as the enormous elephant stirred, swinging its trunk.
Even Aokiji frowned.
"If this keeps up, we'll all sink."
"Xiao Qi!!" Hei Yan barked.
Xiao Qi responded immediately, a blizzard surging from his body to freeze the approaching tsunami solid.
Kizaru's eyes narrowed. "What's Taros even doing up there? To agitate the Elephant Lord like this…"
"Whatever it is, it's time to end this," Hei Yan said coldly. "Xiao Qi. Xiao Liu. Withdraw."
The two beasts hissed in acknowledgment, shrinking down and leaping back onto Black Crow's ship.
Hei Yan gave the Admirals a final warning.
"The battle on Zou is nearly over. Don't even think about capturing Taros. His strength is far from ordinary… and more importantly, he's Black Crow's ally now. Even if you caught him, could you really get him to Impel Down alive?"
As flames burst from Xiao Qi's mouth to clear a path through the ice, Hei Yan's ship sailed away, leaving nothing but silence.
"…Guess we're done here," Aokiji sighed, his breath visible in the cold air.
He called Sengoku on a Den Den Mushi.
"This is Aokiji. The Black Crows have retreated. The Elephant Lord is moving again, and… Taros and Black Crow appear to have formed an alliance."
There was a long silence.
"Return to base," Sengoku's voice finally said.
"You're not sending us after Taros?"
"No. Not worth the risk," Sengoku replied gravely. "Withdraw."
"…Understood."
Aokiji hung up, looking to Kizaru.
"Let's go."
"Whew. About time." Golden light flashed as Kizaru flew skyward.
"…Another country lost to pirates. Tch," he murmured softly. "But does it really matter to me?"
And with that, the Admirals vanished into the distance.