Year 1520 of the Sea Era, days after the Great Cataclysm.
The hurricane and tsunami, born from the clash of energies, gradually subsided. The lava that erupted from the earth's core cooled and solidified, but the world's devastation would take years to recover.
The Red Line Continent, once ten thousand meters high, now had a gaping maw. It was no longer necessary to pass through the arduous process of coating the ship and navigating the seabed ten thousand meters below to enter the New World.
A path could now be cleared through the solidified lava on the sea's surface, allowing ships from the Grand Line to sail directly into the New World.
As the disaster that affected countless people and islands across the world slowly calmed, the great war in the New World also drew to a close.
----
Above the former Mary Geoise.
Egghead Island floated here. Days had passed, and after enduring the extreme aftershocks of the catastrophe, the Marines in the New World had returned to normal operations.
Leveraging their god-like communication technology, they launched a decisive strike, dividing and conquering the numerous pirate crews.
However, global communication remained severed. This was a crucial part of the plan, with everyone in the world believing that the loss of communication was a direct result of the cataclysm.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku informed the Marines in the New World that a research team had developed a method for internal communication within the New World.
Only a select few high-ranking Marines knew that this was, in fact, a trap...
The few kingdoms in the world possessing advanced technology, such as Future Island, the birthplace of Vegapunk, were immediately brought under Marine control.
Communication on all islands worldwide was blocked, cutting them off from all external contact. This was designed to provoke hidden individuals into investigating.
When order is absent for an extended period, suppressed desires begin to swell.
These hidden individuals, fearing the Marines who were nowhere to be found, saw the remaining Four Sea Marine branches as mere small fry.
Among these individuals, some were good, and some were bad, but their every move was monitored by the invading Den Den Moshis, piecing together fragments of intercepted information.
The Marines would then hunt them down one by one, purging them once more...
----
Egghead Island, floating ten thousand meters in the sky.
The laboratory in the clouds no longer needed to be hidden, perpetually hovering above the island.
Inside the laboratory.
Carole's complexion had improved somewhat compared to days prior, but she still looked pale and gaunt. She gazed at the center of the large screen.
"The last one," she murmured.
On the screen, a hundred-meter-tall blue giant suddenly descended onto the island.
Ignoring the pirate fleet that had urgently turned away before even reaching the shore, it walked to the foot of a large mountain, plunged its hands into the base, and ripped it out of the ground.
Gazing at the fleeing pirate fleet, it hurled them away.
This fleet of over a dozen dilapidated pirate ships, met with despair, was tossed into the sea...
Vegapunk, looking weary, rubbed his temples. "Indeed."
"That was the last large-scale pirate fleet. The rest are just stragglers scattered throughout the New World."
"Those with Den Den Moshis and tracking capabilities, their coordinates have already been sent to the unified command for encirclement and suppression."
Carole nodded and sighed softly. "The listening department is already established. Is everything in order here?"
Vegapunk gave a soft "Mm." "It's all in order."
He tapped the control panel, and a three-dimensional holographic map of the entire world appeared on the screen, all constructed by the 'satellites' deployed by the research team.
The densely packed islands of the entire world were comprehensively covered.
"We can access the monitoring at any time. Based on the different locations on the islands, monitoring priorities have been assigned."
"We can intercept useful information in the shortest possible time."
Nearly half of the islands flickered with faint lights, indicating the presence of Den Den Moshis and thus targets for surveillance.
Of course, some islands remained dark. Most were uninhabited, but there was always a possibility of a solitary powerful individual residing there.
Once the monitored islands were cleared, the isolated desolate islands would be investigated one by one. No one would escape.
The blocked communications were the Marines' best assist.
The continuous military dominance of the world for centuries, even millennia, had been shattered by Sakazuki.
The four major maritime powers and their strong individuals—the World Government, the Marines, the Pirates, and the Revolutionary Army—had been purged and eliminated by Sakazuki, turning the New World into a veritable backyard for the Marines.
The strongest remaining individuals in the world were now within the Marines. Barreton alone could suppress the entire world...
Through monitoring, the hidden rats would be exposed one by one, and no one could escape encirclement and suppression by Barreton, Enel, and Sote.
It was too easy for one or a few individuals to disappear from islands with isolated and shielded communication.
Even the obliteration of an island could be forgotten by people within a few years. Those who vanished might be completely forgotten within months.
Once communication was restored, the world would be a perfect foundation, gradually shaped by 'Sakazuki' into his envisioned form...
--
After a brief glance at the three-dimensional world map, Carole nodded and walked to the window.
Endless volcanic ash shrouded the planet's surface. Here, at the epicenter of the eruption, the sea was no longer visible. However, the lightning that occasionally erupted from the grey fog below made Carole sigh. "Doctor, prepare the Sea Prison."
"I'll bring him back. He needs to calm down."
Vegapunk walked over, his gaze lingering on the intermittent flashes of lightning, a hint of pain in his eyes. "You haven't told him about what Sakazuki left behind?"
Carole nodded, then shook her head. "He doesn't accept the existence of Fleet Admiral 'Sakazuki'."
She paused and then said, "Prepare yourselves. I'm going to find him."
*Swish*
She vanished from the spot.
Vegapunk took a deep breath, regaining some of his composure. He walked back to the control panel and pressed a button. The Sea Prison, the very place that had once imprisoned Borsalino and Aramaki, slowly rose from the center of the island.
--
Below, on the solidified lava sea.
Dark red lava flowed, occasionally bubbling and bursting, but most of it had blackened and solidified over time.
This would have been impossible before...
Enel, his body withered to the point of being skeletal, pale and gaunt, floated above the solidified lava.
Electricity crackled around him, and the golden staff in his hand, like a scepter controlling lightning, emanated a visible net of electricity that probed the surroundings.
*Swish*
Carole appeared here, her armament haki coating her body. She looked at Enel and said sternly, "That's enough, Enel!"
But Enel, not far away, seemed not to hear. He continued to control the lightning, extending it towards the endless sea.
Carole's arms flowed with armament haki. She stomped her foot and attacked Enel. "That's enough!!!"
*Clang!*
The golden staff controlling lightning, at some unknown point, was now pressed against Enel's chest.
Enel slowly opened his violent eyes, filled with a mix of fanaticism and madness. He glared at Carole and roared, "It's not enough!!!!"
Current surged through his body.
*Boom!!*
A violent electrical explosion sent Carole flying backward.
Enel's skeletal body, already at its limit, also plummeted from the sky, crashing onto the flowing dark red lava...
*Sizzle—*
The sound of burning skin echoed.
"Cough... cough..."
His extremely weakened body involuntarily coughed up blood.
Enel struggled to rise from the dark red lava. His fingertips still flickered with electricity as he attempted to reach out again, but he was suddenly pulled out by a somewhat disheveled Carole who had teleported there.
Carole grabbed Enel's wrist and said solemnly, "It really is enough."
"The war in the New World is over. From now on, we will proceed with clearing the world according to Fleet Admiral 'Sakazuki's' wishes."
"The Navy needs you."
Enel took a deep breath, his emaciated body slowly lifting his head. He looked directly into Carole's eyes, his voice hoarse. "That guy is fake!"
"You are all deceiving yourselves!!"
"The real him must be waiting for me somewhere at the bottom of the sea..."
As he spoke, bright, searing electrical currents surged through his arms, and he prepared to break free from Carole's grasp. "He needs me..."
However, Carole, enveloped in armament haki, did not loosen her grip. She met Enel's obsessive gaze and activated her ability.
*Swish*
She vanished from the spot.
--
On Egghead Island's Sea Prison.
The moment Carole activated her ability, Enel sensed something was wrong. An overwhelming killing intent erupted, and a torrent of electricity surged towards Carole.
*Boom!!!!*
The clash of seawater and lightning caused a massive explosion.
The water in the entire underwater prison was almost completely swept away by the blast, leaving less than half a meter of water covering them, both motionless.
The electrical discharge damaged the mechanical arms of the Sea Prison. Several of Vegapunk's clones quickly jumped down and pulled out Carole.
Carole lay on the flying machine, drenched and still faintly sparking with electricity. "Cough... cough..."
The flying machine flew to the shore. Vegapunk, also somewhat startled, had his clothes wet from the seawater.
Carole jumped down and sighed. "Administer some anesthetic and a nutrient solution. He needs to rest for a while."
Vegapunk looked at the bottom of the prison, where Enel lay motionless in the seawater, his expression still fanatical and deranged. He nodded. "I understand."
Carole gave a soft "Mm" and walked towards the edge of the island.
--
Edge of Egghead Island.
The cape emblazoned with "Justice" fluttered in the wind.
The familiar figure stood silently at the edge of the island, looking out over the world shrouded in gloom.
Carole approached from a distance and said, "Fleet Admiral 'Sakazuki'."
"The listening team and Cake Island are ready to commence monitoring at any time."
The 'Sakazuki' figure in front slowly turned around, looking at the somewhat disheveled Carole. "Still not accepted?"
Carole offered a wry smile. 'Sakazuki' shook his head. "Let him calm down for a while."
"Let's begin the plan. We will root out all the rats in this world, one by one."
Carole nodded and said, "Yes."
She slowly retreated to carry out the order, with no apparent abnormality.
'Sakazuki' possessed all the memories of Sakazuki before his final battle. In appearance and demeanor, he was indeed Sakazuki, but Enel did not acknowledge him.
This was because his true form was merely a fragile leaf (a transformed leaf), a fake, a substitute...
Though this was the last vestige left by Sakazuki...
----------
Grand Line, Gurok Island.
The inhabitants, having just survived the aftermath of the cataclysm, had no time to rejoice.
In the distant sea, several ships glinted with cold light. They bore no pirate flags, but the prows of each ship resembled sharp tridents, exuding a chilling aura.
Some sharp-eyed Marines had already gone to seek reinforcements, while most organized the residents for defense.
The ships slowly docked, and burly men armed with swords, their intentions clearly malicious, leaped from the vessels and charged towards the defending residents and Marines.
No one knew where these men came from, nor what their objective was. A fierce conflict erupted on the shore.
The skirmish on the coast did not affect the occupants of the largest ship. The sounds of gunfire outside were like the rhythm of music.
In the luxurious captain's cabin, a man in a suit, listening to the rhythmic gunfire, swayed his body, put on a hat, and walked towards the door.
With a twirl, he produced a cane, spun around, and stepped out of the cabin.
*Snap!*
A crisp snapping of fingers echoed across the ship.
A dragon made of smoke erupted from the fleet's flagship and lunged towards the shore.
*Boom!!!*
It instantly engulfed several people, tossing them into the air.
The Marine branch commander in charge gasped, his pupils constricting as he stared in disbelief at the smoke dragon. "That ability is!!!!"
*Snap!*
Another crisp snap of fingers.
*Snap!*
As if keeping time with the beat.
*Snap!*
Smoke dragons swept across the shore.
The massive smoke dragons ensnared people and resisting Marines, who struggled for breath within the enveloping smoke...
The figure in the suit swayed his body, appearing at the forefront of the deck. The fierce men below were accustomed to their boss's dancing.
As the song ended, the man in the black suit bowed low, as if the battlefield piled with countless corpses was a grand stage.
The man in the black suit slowly rose, his cane moving to his lips. The moment he spoke, loudspeakers on several ships crackled to life.
"Sa~"
"Let's begin!"
"Turn everything! Into our slaves!"
"Seize this opportunity!!"
"Become the richest people in this world!!!"
"Unleash the beasts within you!"
"Plunder!!!"
As the man's cry echoed, the fierce men below shouted fanatically, "Whoa!!!!"
They charged towards the island like madmen, each with several chains hanging from their waists—chains used for capturing slaves...
Tesoro, lowering his microphone and cane, narrowed his eyes and stood at the front of the deck, spreading his arms wide. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
"Power, wealth, strength, abilities..."
"They are so intoxicating..."
"So intoxicating that..."
"I've almost forgotten you, Stella..."
Due to the premature demise of the Donquixote Family, Tesoro had not yet obtained the Gold-Gold Fruit.
Although he had become the leader of a criminal organization through ruthless means, his ordinary human body could not support him in reaching greater heights.
After more than a decade of struggle, he had forgotten everything from his past...
Only the fascination with power, wealth, strength, and abilities...
Until a few months ago, when he unexpectedly acquired a Logia-type Devil Fruit...
Just as he hypnotized his subordinates, the beast within him was unleashed...
----
South Blue, Bairy Island.
This was a base for the Revolutionary Army.
It had not been on the World Government's list of targets, so the entire island remained firmly under the control of the Revolutionary Army.
On a cliff by the shore.
A woman in tight leather clothing and shorts gazed at the gloomy sky.
The faint scent of sulfur tickled her nostrils, causing the pink-haired woman to frown as she stared into the distance, lost in thought.
At that moment, a shout was heard. "Boss Bonney!!!!"
Bonney snapped back to attention and looked at the approaching figure with a calm, slightly impatient expression. "What is it now?"
The approaching Revolutionary Army soldier chuckled. "It's time to eat."
Bonney waved her hand impatiently. "I know."
Saying so, she walked towards the island.
The young Revolutionary Army soldier scratched his head, wondering what had displeased Boss Bonney this time. However, the island had improved since Boss Bonney's arrival.
Before descending the cliff, Bonney paused and looked back at the sea. There was still nothing...
She turned and left...
Since being brought back, Bonney had been hidden by Dragon in this Revolutionary Army base. Initially blinded by hatred, she had stormed around the island, demanding to be let out.
But it wasn't until the cataclysm a few months ago, when all communication was lost, that she suddenly realized she had nothing left.
The rascal who always swung a steel pipe since childhood had disappeared.
The man who prevented her from seeking revenge and hid her on this small island had also disappeared.
The last communication in the world was the repeated broadcasts from Marine Headquarters.
Bonney went to the seaside every day, waiting.
She couldn't fathom that even a powerful force like the Marines was unable to maintain order. What level of disaster was this? Could the Revolutionary Army truly survive?
After the earth-shattering roar that echoed across the world months ago.
Endless hurricanes and tsunamis ensued.
Bonney watched as the people who tolerated her tantrums disappeared one by one into the disaster, seemingly growing up overnight.
For months, she had led the people in resisting the disaster while also using the knowledge and experience she had acquired since childhood to guide the island toward improvement.
She had earned the recognition of everyone on the island. Her pirate crew moniker, "Boss Bonney," was mentioned by someone and began to spread. However, her expression gradually turned icy, making it impossible to discern her emotions most of the time...
Only the occasional flicker of impatience showed that she was still capable of emotional fluctuation, but...
Bonney had only taken a few steps when she couldn't resist looking back at the sea. "When will you guys come back..."
----
Grand Line, Sphinx.
An unremarkable small island. Apart from the ruins of some towns, there seemed to be nothing else on the island.
But this was merely a facade. The island's inhabitants lived in a massive valley at the island's center. The entrance for travel was hidden behind a waterfall.
This arrangement kept them isolated from many troubles, and with the ruins outside, they were rarely bothered.
"Marco, my knee aches!"
"Marco, can you teach me this problem?"
"Marco, help me look at my shoulder!"
"Marco..."
People of all ages, young and old, surrounded the man named Marco, babbling incessantly.
Marco smiled and appeased them. "Everyone, one by one, tell me in order."
He simply arranged everyone in a line and began healing those with discomfort using his regeneration flame.
No one would have guessed that this place, so poor it couldn't even pay its Heavenly Tribute, and tacitly considered a desolate island by the world, was the homeland of the legendary pirate Whitebeard.
After the Battle of Marineford, Marco, the sole survivor of the Whitebeard Pirates, was entrusted to Roger by Whitebeard.
However, even Marco at that time could do nothing about Roger's terminal illness.
After Roger sailed around the world, the renowned Roger Pirates disbanded.
Marco, remembering his father's dying wish, returned directly to this island to live in seclusion. As a doctor, he protected Whitebeard's legacy—his homeland.
Twenty years of seclusion had transformed him from a youth into a handsome uncle. He had long forgotten his past as a pirate and wished to protect this place forever.
However, the earth-shattering event months ago had shattered his peaceful life.
*Rumble*
The ground trembled slightly.
Marco withdrew his hand from the old man's back. The regeneration flame dissipated. He glanced into the distance. "It's happening again."
He looked at the elders and children surrounding him and said, "Everyone, find somewhere to hide."
With a light leap, he appeared in mid-air, instantly transforming into a phoenix engulfed in blue-white flames, flying towards the valley's exterior.
The children below looked at the phoenix with admiration. "Wow! Marco big brother's magic appeared!"
"What a beautiful bird!"
"I want to transform too!"
"..."
Outside the island.
Marco, in his phoenix form, floated in the air, gazing at the giant wave approaching in the distance. The tremor within the island had been a precursor to the tsunami.
Marco's brow furrowed, a hint of annoyance on his face. "Really..."
"It's been months, and they keep coming one after another."
"What kind of disaster has occurred outside that even the Marines can't resist?"
Although he had lived in isolation for years, he understood the Marines' strength.
If nothing else, the fact that the Marines held the upper hand in the great war in the New World spoke volumes.
Yet, such a Marine force publicly announced its inability to maintain order.
This...
Marco was unaware that although this was a small, desolate island in the Grand Line, it was closer to the epicenter of the explosion than the islands in the Four Seas.
The aftershocks were more frequent and severe.
Despite his complaints, Marco's actions did not falter.
The phoenix clasped its talons together, blue flames burning intensely, and unleashed a powerful shockwave, like a laser, at the approaching giant wave. "Phoenix Brand!!!"
*Boom!!!!*
The tens of meters high giant wave was cleaved in two from the center, exploding and scattering water mist everywhere. A disaster that could have destroyed the valley was thus averted.
However, Marco did not leave...
Tsunamis were not a single wave...
----
New World, an island flying not far from Egghead Island.
This was the Marine monitoring department.
It had been months since the monitoring equipment was connected to Egghead Island. All events in the world were slowly unfolding on this seemingly inconspicuous island.
Nearly ten thousand people were simultaneously screening and monitoring.
The densely packed islands on the three-dimensional map were rapidly filtered and information collected, quickly narrowing the scope. The entire world remained unaware.
They didn't realize that the Den Den Moshis, unused for a long time and placed in forgotten corners, were leaking the schemes and ambitions of many individuals...
On this day.
The supervisor of the department reported a piece of news to Carole.
This news caused Carole's eyebrows to raise. "A Revolutionary Army branch has established a nation?"