As time passed, news of the World Government’s headquarters, Mary Geoise, being besieged spread like a bomb exploding in a quiet pond, shaking the entire world.

The Marines and CP organizations had suffered such catastrophic defeats!

Not only had the weaker regions of the Four Seas fallen into turmoil, but even the world’s central hub on the Red Line wasn’t spared.

There was no need for spies from the major organizations of the New World to investigate the situation in detail. Even from afar, it was clear to see the relentless bombardment on the Red Line. The entire sky appeared like a burning hot iron plate.

With a video Den Den Mushi held to their chest, anyone could easily observe the overall state of the battle.

It was hard to distinguish civilians from pirates at first glance, especially without weapons or tools for closer examination. However, Chapter Master Sanguinius of the Blood Angels Legion had issued no orders for indiscriminate slaughter.

As such, these "bystanders" weren’t bothered as long as there were no commands from above to expel or attack them and they didn’t venture into the battle zones.

This laxity conveniently allowed the ambitious and rebellious elements of this world to witness the Empire’s military might firsthand, serving as a clear warning: the World Government was the chicken slaughtered to warn the monkeys.

Then the news came: Water 7 had fallen. The Sabaody Archipelago had fallen. Enies Lobby and the great underwater prison, Impel Down, had fallen. Finally, even the former Marine Headquarters, now G1 Base, Marineford, had fallen.

The torrent of massive news left the people of the Grand Line’s second half dizzy with disbelief. Could it really happen this quickly?!

It made one question whether the World Government had grown this weak.

One moment you shut your eyes, and when you opened them again, was this still the same world you knew?

The Grand Line’s New World was the only area untouched by the Blood Angels’ Legion. Thus, its inhabitants could, for now, play the role of spectators, "enjoying" a front-row view of this grand display of the art of war.

New World, Beehive Island, Blackbeard’s Stronghold

A massive island shaped like a skull, home to the Blackbeard Pirates. Inside its fortress:

"Rebels? Zehahaha, now that’s something big. If they win, they’ll become the world’s new ruling power."

’Blackbeard’ Marshall D. Teach stared at the video Den Den Mushi projection with a serious expression. "If the World Government has no contingency plans, then a regime change is just around the corner."

Having been a Shichibukai and betrayed the Marines, Teach had extensive dealings with the World Government and knew its true terror.

For this reason, he was extremely wary of the Blood Angels Legion, which had crippled the Marines’ defenses and stormed the Red Line in such a short time.

From the footage his spies had sent back, Teach observed the tactics and behavior of the Empire’s forces. Their discipline and organization were completely at odds with pirates.

In fact, they resembled the Marines—but their precision and order were several levels higher.

This wasn’t the work of opportunistic plunderers or raiders looking for quick gains. The Empire’s forces were playing to win the throne.

Whoever ends up in control, Teach thought, pirates like us won’t have any place under their rule.

"Shiryu, it seems like trouble will soon come knocking. Zehahaha... Send word to Kaido and that old hag Big Mom. Maybe it’s time we considered joining forces."

Teach had a strong hunch. If the World Government fell, this newly ascendant power would turn its blades toward the pirates of the New World.

"Looks like we’ll have a real fight on our hands..."

Sharpening his blade, Shiryu of the Rain grinned wickedly. The towering, broad-shouldered swordsman, clad in his Impel Down warden uniform and puffing on a cigar, radiated bloodlust.

"And what about Shanks? Should we inform him?"

"Gulp... Zehahaha! Shanks, that guy, he loves playing balance-keeper in the seas. Sure, let’s inform him too. I’m curious to see what he chooses to do."

Teach guzzled an entire bottle of liquor, then glanced at Shiryu and burst into hearty laughter.

If Shanks sometimes felt more like an adventurer than a pirate, Teach was the very essence of piracy personified.

Teach’s desires were pure and unrelenting. Live without scruples, ascend to the pinnacle of piracy, and indulge in every desire—stealing treasures, claiming women, and drinking the strongest spirits.

Shanks, however, was... odd. A pirate who spent his days maintaining balance in the seas, always meddling in everyone’s business.

You could call Shanks foolish, naive, or reckless, or you could admire his boldness and sense of freedom. How you saw him depended on your perspective.

New World, Totto Land, Cake Island.

"Mama-mama! A world war? This will be quite a spectacle."

A mountainous figure lay sprawled across an enormous bed. Drooling saliva that corroded the ground beneath her, Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, let out her signature laugh.

"Kaido, you war maniac, aren’t you itching to join in?"

Before Teach’s envoys arrived to propose an alliance, Kaido and Big Mom had already exchanged communications upon receiving the news of the Red Line’s invasion.

"This isn’t the time to be squabbling over territory or fighting to see who’ll be Pirate King. The fall of the World Government—this is an unprecedented event!"

"And even if they manage to hold out, they’ll be left severely weakened. This is a golden opportunity!"

New World, Wano Country, Onigashima.

Kaido took a long swig of sake, wiped his mouth, and growled, "Do you think I’m stupid?"

Big Mom had been egging him on to take the lead, but Kaido didn’t even need to think twice before refusing.

Although Kaido was known for his erratic temperament, alternating between fits of rage and bouts of weeping, he wasn’t an idiot. Beneath his rough exterior lay a cunning and calculating mind.

"The Red Line isn’t like the New World. Once we’re in, it won’t be easy to get back out."

Kaido’s subordinates had already relayed reports about the conflict.

This colossal war had ignited Kaido’s long-dormant battle spirit, but self-preservation came first.

The intel he received about the Sabaody Archipelago was especially alarming. The legendary pirate ’Dark King’ Rayleigh had been slain by these so-called rebels—and in a shockingly short time.

By their level, most warriors could endure days of combat. Even for an aged Rayleigh, holding out for a day or two should’ve been feasible. But he was killed so quickly, unable to even escape.

After pondering the situation, Kaido decided to bide his time. Fortunately, this prolific, child-bearing ally of his still had some sense. Big Mom’s words carried a tone of translation abruptly ends, but it suggests a mix of intrigue and caution as the major players in the New World prepare for an unprecedented clash of powers.

Kaido could sense the undertone of an alliance in Big Mom’s words.

Before his grand war commenced, Kaido decided to sit back and watch this soon-to-reach-climax spectacle unfold.

"This scale of a world war... Linlin, let’s form an alliance. Let Teach and Shanks know. If the rebels turn their guns on us and we lose, the age of the Great Pirates will come to an end."

And so, an extraordinary scene unfolded—three of the Four Emperors, Kaido, Big Mom, and Blackbeard, simultaneously decided to form an alliance.

Their stated reason? To protect the age of the Great Pirates.

Was that truly the case? Heh.

Everyone knew that it was utter nonsense. Yet, they all played along, knowing exactly what was at stake.

This union of self-interest and self-preservation was wrapped in the guise of camaraderie and shared purpose. Their real aim? To drag everyone down with them if necessary.

On a route leading to the first half of the Grand Line, a massive twin-masted ship sailed at full speed.

Its black pirate flag, adorned with a skull scarred on its left eye, clearly identified the ship’s crew.

A red-haired man with a lean, muscular build and a trio of scars near his left eye sat on a barrel atop the deck. His gaze was fixated on a news report about the death of "Dark King" Rayleigh. His expression was a terrifying mix of sorrow and rage.

"Boss, what’s the plan?"

A rotund man with small, round sunglasses and a green-and-white striped hat asked cautiously, sensing the storm brewing within his captain.

"We’re heading to the Sabaody Archipelago. We’re retrieving Vice-Captain Rayleigh’s body," Shanks said, his tone grim and resolute.

"Well, no point trying to talk you out of it, then," responded a tall, gray-haired man with a sharp jawline and a cross-shaped scar near his temple.

Having sailed with Shanks for years, the crew was well aware of the deep bond he shared with Rayleigh.

"But boss," another crewmate spoke, his voice tinged with concern, "you realize the rebels are much stronger than we initially thought. Confronting them head-on isn’t a wise move."

"I have to go... Luffy," Shanks said, his voice softening. "If I’m right, he and his crew will also be gathering in Sabaody soon."

"What? Luffy?!"

***

"Ah-choo!"

"Who’s talking about me?"

High above the Sabaody Archipelago, a figure floated thousands of meters in the air, her radiant blue-purple lightning wings spread wide. Alyssa gazed toward the distant Mary Geoise, now surrounded and engulfed in flames.

"Alyssa, all intruders have been neutralized. Should we execute them publicly?"

Hovering nearby, a man in an ornate purple-and-gold suit of powered armor responded. He stroked his neatly trimmed mustache, his demeanor refined and composed—Leiva, commander of the Astartes Third Legion’s Black Templars.

"Hmm? Oh... no need for now. I have a feeling more people will come to rescue them," Alyssa replied coolly, her arms crossed over her chest.

Leiva nodded. Alyssa’s commanding presence and calculated demeanor left little room for argument.

Moments earlier, during Alyssa’s battle with Sanji and Zoro, Leiva had arrived with reinforcements. Without hesitation, Leiva engaged, wielding his Teigu, the Water Dragon Possession—[Black Marlin], leaving Sanji and Zoro bloodied and broken, their limbs severed.

"Understood. We’ll ensure they’re repaired to appear alive, just enough to bait out any would-be rescuers," Leiva responded, issuing orders through his legion’s tactical channel.

Back to the Frontlines.

From afar, the Astartes Ninth Legion’s commander, Sanguinius, returned from his campaign on the Red Line. Clad in gilded power armor and wielding the Scarlet Blade, his majestic white wings gently propelled him toward Alyssa’s position.

"Alyssa, thank you for holding the line. We’ve delivered the Knightmare mechs you requested," he said with a gracious smile.

"It’s nothing, really," Leiva replied with equal politeness, though his longing for a peaceful tea break back in the capital was barely masked by his formal demeanor.

Sanguinius turned his gaze toward the burning horizon of Mary Geoise.

"The conditions for orbital bombardment are set. All resistance and leadership have been confined to a 50-kilometer radius around the palace," he explained. "We’ve already minimized collateral damage as much as possible, isolating them into a single point."

"Finally!" Alyssa clapped her hands together, her impatience evident.

"Begin the orbital strike. Radii: fifty kilometers. Particle Lance Array: fire," Sanguinius commanded.

A low hum rose, followed by a deafening roar as beams of light pierced the clouds. Death descended in a dazzling blaze, the intense shockwave scattering clouds hundreds of kilometers away.

A massive orange fireball erupted in the blink of an eye. Mary Geoise’s central palace, Pangaea Castle, was obliterated under the relentless bombardment of the orbital Particle Lance.

There was no need for prolonged fighting, no reason to engage in drawn-out close combat.

A direct strike was all that was necessary.

With a thunderous explosion, it was over.

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