A few days later—
The shocking news of the attack on Marijoa spread like wildfire across the world.
Although Morgans' World Economic News didn't manage to get any direct photos from Marijoa itself,
the dozens of shattered bubble elevators that had fallen around the Royal Red Port,
and the slaves who had managed to escape,
all testified to the severity of the assault.
Soon after, Morgans received several photographs from Lafitte and Bonney,
and the enormous bird was so thrilled he ran the headlines for days in a row.
The entire world erupted into chaos once more.
After Fisher Tiger, the hero of Fishman Island, had stormed Marijoa years ago to free countless slaves—
another power had now struck at the very heart of the Celestial Dragons.
This time, the Ardragon Pirates, led by Souta Kiryuu,
had gone even further — kidnapping hundreds of Celestial Dragons,
and reportedly striking a mysterious deal with the legendary King of the World himself.
This incident became the strongest evidence yet
of the existence of Imu, the shadowed monarch who had ruled the world for over eight centuries —
a Celestial Dragon King who sat high above all,
watching the seas from his eternal throne.
On Onigashima — Land of Wano
"That bastard Ardragon! He stormed Marijoa and didn't even invite me!"
Kaido of the Beasts roared in fury, his thunderous voice shaking the island.
It was bad enough that Souta Kiryuu hadn't called him during the Impel Down raid—
but to assault Marijoa itself without notice?
That was pure disrespect for an ally.
"That's the Holy Land of the Celestial Dragons! I wanted to crush a few of those pampered bastards myself!"
"Boss Kaido," said Queen the Plague, wiping the sweat from his forehead,
"the Ardragon Pirates have taken in a whole fleet of powerful prisoners from Impel Down.
Their strength is growing… terrifyingly fast.
We should be careful."
Queen's face twisted with unease.
The Beasts Pirates could no longer match the monstrous might of Souta Kiryuu's crew.
Just look at the kind of monsters that had resurfaced under Ardragon's banner —
the Red Count, the Devil's Heir, the World Destroyer…
If all of them truly followed Kiryuu,
then not even two Emperor crews combined could withstand their onslaught.
"Careful? Don't be ridiculous!"
Kaido cut him off with a booming laugh. "Ardragon's our ally.
And his real enemies have always been the World Government and the Celestial Dragons!"
Kaido actually wanted Souta to spark more chaos.
After Enies Lobby and Impel Down,
the next target could only be one place—
Marineford.
The mere thought made Kaido's blood surge with excitement.
He could almost see the flames already consuming Marineford's proud white walls.
"Push the Ardragon crew about those flying battleships,"
Kaido barked suddenly. "And hurry the shipment of those artificial Devil Fruits!
If we're allies, I expect results!"
He grinned broadly.
If Souta Kiryuu truly married Yamato, their bond would become unbreakable—
a true alliance between monsters.
Queen frowned bitterly but obeyed.
He couldn't shake the feeling that Souta had his eyes on more than just alliances—
that he might even know about the Pluton warship hidden in Wano.
Whole Cake Island — Totto Land
Meanwhile, on Whole Cake Island,
Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, had changed completely.
Her eyes burned with a mix of madness and cruel cunning.
After looting a top-tier Devil Fruit and part of a Celestial Dragon warship from the Island of Gods and Demons,
Linlin immediately followed Souta Kiryuu's "suggestion" —
to interrogate Streusen about the truth of Mother Carmel.
Streusen, terrified out of his wits, lied again, insisting he knew nothing.
But Linlin was determined to uncover the truth.
She unleashed her Soul-Soul Fruit powers,
crushing Streusen's spirit with overwhelming fear.
She even considered forcing Pudding to use her Memory-Memory Fruit
to pry into Streusen's memories.
Under such terrifying pressure, Streusen finally confessed the truth of that day.
When Linlin learned what truly happened…
she lost control.
That day, the great Big Mom fell into a frenzied eating disorder,
tearing through a third of Whole Cake Island before her children finally managed to subdue her.
Since then, she had grown colder—
crueler,
and even more ruthless toward her own children.
Katakuri noticed the change.
But for the sake of the Charlotte Family,
and to protect his countless siblings,
he pretended not to see it—
maintaining the fragile façade of the Big Mom Pirates' Four Emperors power.
"Mamamamama! That bastard Souta dragged us into this colossal war with the Celestial Dragons.
Fine! Let him deal with the World Government's attention for now.
Send a message to Kaido —
tell him Big Mom wants an alliance!"
Linlin's tone was sharp and calculating.
She couldn't afford to let Totto Land become the next target.
She'd spent decades building her kingdom—she wouldn't let the World Government erase it overnight.
"Mother," said Perospero, lolling his tongue nervously,
"according to our spies, the Ardragon Pirates are selling artificial Zoan Fruits to Kaido's crew.
Why not buy those laser-firing cyborgs from them too?
Those Pacifista-like soldiers are far stronger than our Homies!"
He was right.
A robotic army like that could elevate the Big Mom Pirates' strength to a new level.
"If those fools in Kaido's crew really create an army of 500 Zoan users,
we'll fall behind," Perospero added bitterly.
"Cyborg weapons? Hmph." Linlin's grin twisted wickedly.
"I want more than that. I want the artificial Devil Fruit tech, and their airship technology!
Contact Souta Kiryuu.
Tell him I'm willing to offer one of my precious daughters in marriage!"
Greed gleamed in her eyes.
She would make the Charlotte Family greater than ever before.
She had wasted too much time already.
"Yes, Mama," Perospero replied, bowing low.
He, too, feared how exposed the Four Emperors now felt.
With the World Government's secrets unraveling,
even the mightiest pirates had lost their sense of safety.
Somewhere in the New World — Onboard the Moby Whale
On a massive whale-shaped ship drifting through the turbulent seas,
Edward Newgate — Whitebeard — sat reading the latest headlines.
"That kid Souta… he's making more noise than Roger and Shiki ever did."
He chuckled softly, though his expression was weary.
He had once planned to avenge Ace, maybe even catch Blackbeard himself—
but now, with the Ardragon Pirates' terrifying power rising by the day,
he knew those chances were slipping away.
The world was changing too fast.
"Old man, I'll find a way to make Teach pay!"
declared Portgas D. Ace, eyes burning with resolve.
No matter how strong Souta's crew grew,
he would see justice done for Thatch.
"Let it go, Ace," Marco said quickly.
"Don't act on impulse.
We can't handle another all-out war. Not now."
He glanced toward Whitebeard—
their captain's once-mighty frame now visibly frail.
Another war might finish him.
Ace's fists clenched silently as the wind howled around the great ship.