Just as Lucian raced through the skies toward Totto Land—somewhere in the New World, high above a distant sea.
"Caw—! Caw—!"
Countless News Coos blanketed the sky, scattering fresh-inked newspapers to every corner of the world.
World Economy News Headquarters
Inside the headquarters, President Big News Morgans's feathers stood on end with excitement, his massive beak wide open as he shrieked at the top of his lungs.
"Extra! Extra!!
Scrap all the headlines!
Today! The entire world needs only one news story!
This is the kind of news that pierces the damn sky!!"
He personally took up pen and paper and wrote a headline so explosive it could make anyone's scalp tingle:
"The Temporal Emperor Charges Alone into BIG MOM's Totto Land! Declares War on a Yonko!"
The subheadline fanned the flames even higher:
"A 7.5 Billion Bounty Ultimatum! The New King's Fangs Will Tear the Old Emperor Apart!"
Just those two lines alone were packed with weight.
As this edition was flung across the globe—
The world was thrown into an unprecedented state of shock.
Marineford, Marine Headquarters
At the ruined coastal seawall, former Fleet Admiral Sengoku—having just submitted his resignation and waiting for the Five Elders to approve his successor—was enjoying a rare moment of peace, fishing with Garp.
When Vice Admiral Tsuru handed them the paper, both legendary Marines fell into a deathly silence.
"That bastard…"
With a splash, Garp's fishing rod dropped into the sea. He didn't even blink, eyes locked on Lucian's overly calm face on the cover.
"What the hell is he thinking?! Going to Totto Land alone?! That's a hell pit Charlotte Linlin's ruled for decades!"
Sengoku adjusted his glasses. Behind the lenses, his eyes churned with a gravity and dread he'd never known before.
"Garp… don't you get it yet?" he rasped.
"He's not there to 'invade.' He's there to pass 'judgment.'"
"From the moment he decided to go alone, in his eyes, the Yonko BIG MOM Pirates weren't even enemies anymore. Just obstacles waiting to be 'cleaned up.'"
Could one man's strength truly surpass that of an entire Yonko crew?
This era… had gone completely insane.
"Send the order!"
Sengoku suddenly stood.
"Maximum surveillance on Totto Land! Until the new Fleet Admiral is appointed, no fleet is to approach without my command!"
Mary Geoise, the Holy Land
In the center of world power, the Five Elders sat in a suffocating silence, staring at the paper in their hands.
"Madman! A complete and utter madman!"
The bald Elder gripping the original Kitetsu trembled with rage, veins bulging on his forehead.
"He just humiliated us during the Summit War, and now he's aiming for BIG MOM too?!"
"What does he want to turn this world into?!"
The blond Elder lowered the paper, face cold.
"Perhaps… this isn't a bad thing."
"Let him and monsters like BIG MOM and Kaido tear each other apart."
"Doesn't matter who wins or loses—either way, the pirate forces are weakened."
"The best outcome? They destroy each other."
"And when that happens, we'll strike and wipe them all out in one move."
The bearded Elder nodded slowly, a sharp glint flashing in his murky eyes.
"Send word to CP0—initiate maximum-level surveillance.
I want every single detail of what happens in Totto Land!"
All across the New World…
Every pirate who laid eyes on the paper was struck dumb with shock.
At the same time—
Onigashima, Wano
Within the massive skull-shaped palace, the stench of alcohol was overwhelming.
"WO-RO-RO-RO-RO-RO-RO—!!!"
Kaido's wild laughter echoed so loudly it shook the palace walls.
He had just finished a call with Charlotte Linlin, his rugged face full of the thrill of upcoming battle.
"Oi, boys!!"
Grabbing a massive sake gourd, Kaido downed a long swig before roaring at his gathered commanders.
"That old hag Linlin's throwing the finest banquet in Totto Land just for us!"
"And the main course—" he grinned viciously, "is that man with the 7.5 billion bounty, the one who even drove the Five Elders running—Lucian Thorn!"
"Oh-ro-ro-ro-ro!
How could the Beasts Pirates miss out on such a fun party?!"
Kaido's eyes burned crimson—pure, unfiltered lust for battle.
Ancient Weapons? Who cares about that crap.
All he wanted—was to clash with the man who stood at the pinnacle of the world.
And then… die gloriously in battle!
Now, his gaze fell on two figures standing in the front row.
One was tall and clad in tight black leather, a mask on his face and flames flickering behind him. His very presence radiated silent, terrifying pressure.
First of the All-Stars—"Conflagration" King!
The other was an obese, freakish man with a golden ponytail, chomping on a cigar with a lazy grin.
One of the All-Stars—"Plague" Queen!
"King! Queen!" Kaido bellowed.
"You two—take the elite troops and head to Totto Land immediately!"
"Tell Linlin I'll be right behind you!"
"And make sure that brat Lucian doesn't get broken before I get there! WO-RO-RO-RO-RO!!"
"Yes, Lord Kaido."
King said nothing, simply bowed, and vanished in a blur of shadows.
"Tch, what a pain in the ass…"
Queen grumbled, but his fat face curved into an excited smile.
"Time to move out, boys! Let's see just how 'worth it' this 7.5 billion legend really is!"
A few days later.
Totto Land, Territory of the BIG MOM Pirates
This sea of fantastical islands no longer buzzed with sweetness—it now bristled with killing intent.
The ocean surface was packed with bizarrely shaped ships:
Some were giant cakes, others crisp cookies, and even some shaped like chess pawns.
This was the vast fleet of the Charlotte Family.
Surrounding them was another fleet—one with a completely different aesthetic.
Their ships radiated black metal and ominous menace. Ferocious beast-figureheads snarled at the prow, and pitch-black sails bore the signature crossbones and horns of the Beasts Pirates.
Two Yonko fleets had now merged at sea.
No greetings. No words exchanged.
Only suffocating, invisible killing intent that surged and clashed between them.
Everyone understood: they were waiting for the same enemy.
A net, jointly cast by two Emperors of the Sea, was fully drawn.
Waiting for the final actor to take the stage.
In the skies above…
A golden streak tore through the clouds, too fast for the eye to track.
The vast distance from Fishman Island to Totto Land had been crushed by sheer speed.
His immense Observation Haki already blanketed thousands of kilometers ahead.
Within his perception—
Dozens—no, hundreds of strong presences were gathering in the sea ahead.
Among them, two particularly glaring ones—unmistakably the All-Stars of the Beasts Pirates.
Countless others belonged to members of the Charlotte Family, tangled together into a web of lethal power.
Lucian's lips curled in amusement.
"Oh?
So they brought backup too?"