The next day.
Sakazuki returned to Marine Headquarters.
Following the Red-Haired Pirates' successive attacks on several Marine bases, news spread like wildfire via Den Den Mushi: Fleet Admiral Sakazuki had personally intervened, the Red-Haired Pirates were defeated, and key officers Yasopp and Rudgers were killed.
This battle left the world stunned speechless.
-------
Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Within the magnificent white palace, the Five Elders were gathered around a table, a newspaper spread before them.
It detailed the recent conflict between the Marines and the Red-Haired Pirates, the subsequent intervention of Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, and the Red-Haired Pirates' defeat.
The Five Elders displayed mixed emotions.
They were pleased that the Red-Haired Pirates' assault on several bases had forced Sakazuki to act personally, indicating he was not as unshakeable as he seemed.
However, they were also worried. Sakazuki was terrifyingly strong.
While their previous victory against Kaido might have involved some cunning, this was different.
He had single-handedly taken on the entire Red-Haired Pirate crew, and according to Shanks' own account, Sakazuki hadn't even used his full power, exhibiting an overwhelming dominance.
They trusted Shanks wouldn't lie; after all, Yasopp and Rudgers were genuinely dead.
The burly Elder, examining another report detailing Shanks' account of the battle, frowned.
"How can he be so strong..."
He believed he could face the entire Red-Haired Pirate crew, but not with such overwhelming superiority. At best, he could survive, not be undefeated.
Yet, Sakazuki had now crushed two Yonko crews consecutively, acting alone.
The sword-wielding Elder massaged his temples.
"Although there was some trickery..."
"This level of power reminds me of someone..."
The "trickery" referred to Sakazuki's ability, which prevented the seemingly impregnable 'Iron Wall Pirates' from coordinating their attacks.
Separated by his magma projectiles, none of them, not even Shanks, could match Sakazuki one-on-one. He had them at his mercy.
Yasopp had been easily overwhelmed and killed in such a manner.
The burly Elder's brow twitched.
"Rocks..."
The battle of God Valley years ago flashed in his mind.
Faced with the world's top fighters ganging up on him, he had single-handedly brought the island to ruin, only being buried by a natural disaster.
Otherwise, in a one-on-one fight, anyone facing Rocks would have met the same fate: death.
The situation now bore an uncanny resemblance.
Sakazuki, single-handedly crushing two Yonko crews, had established a power that virtually dominated the world.
The sword-wielding Elder's brow furrowed deeply.
"The balance of power is shifting."
"With the current strength of the Marines, they will simply crush the pirates of the New World."
Before Sakazuki's intervention, the world's predictions were a fifty-fifty chance.
The overt power was roughly equal, with the Marines only having an advantage in their two Fleet Admirals: Sakazuki at Headquarters and Sengoku in the rear.
But now, with Sakazuki's intervention, having single-handedly dismantled two Yonko crews, it was ludicrous to think the pirates could turn the tide.
The Marines' victory was a foregone conclusion, but the question remained...
"What exactly does Sakazuki intend to do?"
"He could have easily crushed them, so why the prolonged engagement?"
Sakazuki himself had swept through two Yonko crews; at this point, the pirates should just surrender.
The curly-haired Elder narrowed his eyes, observing the battle map of the New World.
He suddenly picked up a pen.
To the surprise of the others, he circled several groups of pirates currently being divided by the Marines.
Instantly, the strategic situation became clear.
The pirates of the New World had been driven and segmented into three major areas by Sakazuki.
The sword-wielding Elder's gaze sharpened.
"This is..."
The curly-haired Elder put down his pen and, leaning on his cane, surveyed the map.
"According to the latest reports,"
"After Sakazuki divided his forces, he ordered Aramaki and Borsalino to drive the pirates of Heil.Nok and Shanks' faction towards Charlotte Linlin and Kaido."
"Heil.Nok and Shanks are now isolated at the edges by the Marines."
"Then Sakazuki's objective is..."
The blond Elder spoke up.
"To isolate all the pirates and annihilate them one by one."
A moment of silence followed.
Honestly, this plan was far from the various conspiracy theories they had entertained.
However, it was the most fitting conclusion based on Sakazuki's personality and actions, as evident from the battle map.
Sakazuki harbored immense ambition, even to the point of defying the World Government. Yet, this approach was undeniably admirable.
"Contact Shanks."
"See what he needs."
"Provide as much support as possible."
Despite their admiration, the Marines under Sakazuki had become too powerful. The pirates facing them were not facing an army, but despair.
The stronger they became, the more detrimental it was to the World Government.
---------
Several days later.
East Blue.
A disbelieving cry echoed from the deck of the Straw Hat Pirates' ship.
"How... how... how is this possible—!!!"
Usopp, his face pale and trembling, clutched the newspaper, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. Tears welled in his eyes as he stood frozen.
He had joined this pirate crew to follow in his father's footsteps.
But shortly after setting sail, he encountered this devastating news.
The newspaper's front page bore photos of Yasopp and Rudgers, along with the headline reporting the Red-Haired Pirates' defeat and their deaths.
Carina and Nami rushed out.
"What's going on!"
Seeing Usopp in a daze, they approached. Carina glanced at the headline and photos, her pupils constricting.
"Yasopp isn't..."
She suddenly covered her mouth, exchanging a shocked glance with Nami.
Wasn't Yasopp Usopp's father? And he had just set sail to follow him, only to...
The others, who were eating in the cabin, also came out, seeing Usopp's unusual state.
"What happened?"
Luffy's eyes widened as he looked at the newspaper.
"Yasopp he..."
He snatched the newspaper, his face a mask of disbelief.
"How could this be!!!"
How could the jovial, alcohol-loving man from his memories...
And the news of Shanks' defeat!
How was it possible!
Sanji, standing nearby, silently lit a cigarette and walked to the railing to smoke.
The Vinsmoke family had also been ordered executed by Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, a fact that had spread worldwide via Den Den Mushi, much like this current situation.
Though he had no feelings for those people, it was a poignant reminder.
Zoro, leading his two underlings, frowned.
He glanced at Usopp and Luffy, stunned by the news, then at Sanji, who was smoking alone.
This guy seemed to have some history with the Marines too. What kind of crew was this?
He had no particular feelings about pirates or the Marines; he had set sail solely to become the world's greatest swordsman.
But now...
It seemed he had stumbled into a massive vortex of trouble.