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Arashi's expression remained unchanged as he casually followed up, "I've found a partner for you. The Vinsmoke family of the Germa 66 legion has conducted extensive research on the Lineage Factor. Perhaps you'll find some common ground with them."
Vegapunk's eyes instantly lit up. "The Vinsmoke family? Their work on the Lineage Factor and their specialised equipment are indeed fascinating."
His eyes widened again as he added, "Arashi, I've heard that Wano possesses Seastone mineral resources. My laboratory has recently been researching a Seastone weapon project."
Hearing this, Arashi immediately understood what Vegapunk was implying and couldn't help but smile. "What? You've set your eyes on my Seastone? All this research will end up strengthening Marine power anyway!"
Vegapunk snorted in agreement. Arashi chuckled and said, "Alright, I'll fully support your research."
Tom followed quietly behind them, listening to their exchange while observing the exotic style of Wano. At the same time, he was secretly studying Arashi. Though Arashi had saved his life years ago, their actual contact had been minimal.
Even so, from this short interaction, Arashi seemed approachable and without arrogance. In that respect, he reminded Tom somewhat of the late Pirate King, Roger. "Wait, that sword!" His eyes suddenly locked on the longsword at Arashi's waist.
"That's Roger's!" He instantly recognised the famed blade. A moment later, the group arrived before Pluton.
The Marines had long sealed off the area and constructed a unique complex around it. Pluton hovered silently, about a meter above the ground, reflecting a cold, dark gleam in the sunlight.
Its form was unusual, radiating an ancient, mysterious aura. The weathered canvas, worn masts, and aged hull bore heavy scars of time, while the pitch-black cannons lining the ship's body reminded Arashi of the Thousand Sunny. The difference lay in its power system—like Sunny's cola-fueled engines, Pluton's was equally unconventional.
"Is this Pluton?" The two beside him gasped in amazement.
"A bizarre, ancient masterpiece," Vegapunk murmured.
"It matches almost exactly what I imagined Pluton to be," Tom said softly.
Arashi turned to them. "Your next task is no small one. It includes repairing and modifying Pluton, developing new warships, and building a Sea Train network across the sea routes under Marine jurisdiction."
"These are massive projects and will take considerable time," Arashi added with a smile. Hearing this, both Vegapunk and Tom's expressions stiffened.
"Arashi, how can you deliver such a heavy mission with a smile on your face?" Vegapunk sighed.
"Well then, I'll be counting on you both!" Arashi grinned. Neither man refused; they knew that coming to the New World meant they were expected to accomplish great things, and they had already prepared themselves.
Back in the Shogun's Castle, Arashi continued to deliberate on the location of the Marine Headquarters.
Time passed quickly, and within a month of the battle on Onigashima, the world's structure had already begun to shift.
During this single month, a series of major events erupted. The Revolutionary Army launched sweeping operations, igniting coups across the world and successfully seizing control of numerous nations and islands.
Meanwhile, the emergency World Conference was still underway. With more than 140 countries involved, such a gathering naturally required time—just the nobles' and kings' journeys alone could take months.
And then there were the Marines, who had secured initial dominance over the New World. At the same time, Arashi had seized the Road Poneglyphs once owned by Kaido and Big Mom.
In an instant, he was only one step away from becoming the Pirate King.
The red stones did more than preserve the sealed history of the world; they also recorded the coordinates to the final island. Only by collecting all four red Poneglyphs could one chart the exact route to Laugh Tale. This was the key to the Pirate King's throne.
More than twenty years ago, Roger had followed the same path—first making a rubbing from Big Mom, then securing another on Fish-Man Island, and finally obtaining the last two in Wano and Zou.
Now, Arashi possessed three of the four: one from Kaido, one from Big Mom, and a rubbing Kozuki Sukiyaki had preserved from Zou. But when his agents searched Fish-Man Island, they were shocked to find the stone missing, replaced only by a letter of apology.
The final piece had vanished. Who had taken it—and why?
Arashi wasn't interested in the Pirate King's title, but the matter unsettled him nonetheless.
"Hachinosu—search every inch of Blackbeard's territory. If it's not there, expand the search to Elbaf, Vira, and beyond."
His gaze shifted back to the sea chart before him. Patches of red marked vast stretches of the New World, slowly forming into a massive territory.
This would become the Marine Kingdom Arashi envisioned.
"The world will begin from here…" he murmured, his voice faint, almost ethereal.
Across Vegapunk's laboratory, Tom's shipyard, the mines, and the administrative departments of countless islands, work progressed in perfect order. Every day, Marine numbers swelled, bolstered by the recruitment of countless powerful individuals.
Unlike the past, Arashi had decreed that Marine recruitment would not discriminate by race. This stunned many non-human peoples. For centuries, humans had dominated the world, while other races struggled to gain footholds in organisations like the Marines.
This policy eliminated racial barriers and established equality. As a result, waves of recruits surged in, rapidly expanding Marine strength.
Months slipped by, and before long, a full year had passed since Arashi had taken office as Fleet Admiral.
In Dressrosa, the new Marine Headquarters rose proudly upon a high platform. The colossal building bustled with activity as Marines hurried back and forth, their faces solemn and determined. Arashi had ultimately chosen this island for its proximity to the Red Line and its potential as a central base for Marine expansion in the New World.
Massive Marine fortresses had also been constructed in Wano, Totto Land, and Hachinosu, cementing his authority.
"In a short time, we've added 500,000 recruits," Rosinante reported with emotion. "Most are still weak, but with proper training, they'll become a formidable force. And among them are special groups—the Mink Tribe, Tontatta, Snake-Neck, Fish-Men, and more. Their natural strength is already significant. Combined with Wano's samurai and ninja, Marine power can now radiate across the entire New World!"
Arashi calmly reviewed the reports before him. To him, such growth was inevitable; with sufficient resources and funding, a massive army could only expand further.
"In addition," Rosinante continued after a pause, "the prince of the Lulusia Kingdom is seeking contact with us."
"The Lulusia Kingdom?" Arashi looked up, curiosity flashing in his eyes. He was well acquainted with the nation, as it lay close to Marine-controlled waters.
"Yes. Their king is away attending the World Conference, and for reasons unknown, the prince has taken the initiative to reach out."
Rosinante's tone held puzzlement. Arashi tapped the table thoughtfully. "The kingdom's economy must be struggling…"
The Heavenly Tribute demanded by the Celestial Dragons was a crushing burden for many nations under the World Government.
The Lulusia Kingdom was among its many victims. In this turbulent era, it was only natural for them to seek another rising power as a way out from relentless pressure and persecution.
"Is that so?" Rosinante blinked, beginning to understand.
"Then, regarding this prince of the Lulusia Kingdom, what should we do?" Arashi asked with a faint smile.
"A few of you, Admiral Candidates—send one to meet him and investigate his intentions."
Rosinante nodded. "Understood."
The Marines' reputation in the New World was growing rapidly. Even the pirates seemed to vanish into hiding, too fearful to show themselves.
Under such circumstances, how could the neighbouring nations and races remain at peace?
In recent months, an increasing number of kingdoms and peoples had already sent envoys to visit Arashi and the Marine flag officers.
"As for the World Government's side…"
Arashi's tone dropped, suddenly serious. Rosinante immediately understood what he meant.
"Currently, Fleet Admiral Kong holds command. They've dispatched many troops across the world to secure new footholds."
"But for now, they have not clashed with us. Not long ago, Commander-in-Chief Kong contacted retired Vice Admiral Garp and former Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
At this, Arashi raised a brow. "Oh? And what did they say?"
"Nothing much—just a greeting between old men," Rosinante answered with a smile.
"A sudden call from Commander-in-Chief Kong would never be a simple greeting," Arashi muttered, unconvinced.
Yet he didn't dwell on it. The Marines' momentum was unstoppable. Their rise to dominance in the New World—to become the hegemon of the seas—was inevitable.
This was a blatant and open scheme, one that the World Government could not stop.
The only flaw was that the Marine influence had not yet spread to all nations.
Across the Four Blues and the first half of the Grand Line, their control consisted mostly of fortresses, bases, and scattered towns.
Independent kingdoms maintained their national guard forces, making it difficult even for the Marines to interfere.
Suddenly, a figure burst through the doorway.
"Doflamingo?!" Rosinante exclaimed, startled.
It was his elder brother. After the battle at Onigashima, Doflamingo had been promoted to Marine Vice Admiral.
The remnants of his Donquixote Family had been dissolved, its members reassigned to posts according to their strength and abilities.
"The emergency World Conference begins today!" Doflamingo declared as he entered.
He wasted no time on pleasantries. The abrupt announcement made Rosinante's face darken, while the smile on Arashi's lips slowly vanished.
"So it has finally begun…" Arashi murmured after a pause.
Months ago, shortly after the Onigashima battle, the World Government had summoned over a hundred nations to attend an emergency conference.
Gathering so many kings, nobles, and rulers was no easy task.
In the past, no nation had ever answered the call. But this time was different.
Everyone knew clearly that the emergency conference was aimed at the rapidly rising Marines.
"I'm curious to see what conclusion they'll reach," Arashi said with a light chuckle.
But Doflamingo couldn't laugh. His face was heavy with tension.
"As am I." He had wagered everything—his power, his fortune—on the Marines.
Because of this, he paid even closer attention to the World Government's moves.
As a regime that had ruled for eight hundred years, the World Government could not be underestimated. Doflamingo took them with utmost seriousness.
By comparison, the Marines' growth was remarkable, and their potential vast, but they still could not match the sheer weight of that ancient behemoth.
And now, with the Revolutionary Army also on the rise, this era had become the most chaotic in centuries.
At the same time—
Holy Land Mary Geoise, atop the Red Line—
A world-shaking conference was underway, its unprecedented scope leaving countless people anxious and breathless.
In the vast chamber, the murmur of voices swelled into a low hum, like tens of thousands of bees buzzing their wings.
Kings, princes, and nobles dressed in elaborate robes sat with grim expressions, their faces etched with worry.
"Anyone can see it—after defeating the combined forces of Kaido, Big Mom, and Red-Hair, the Marines' dominance in the New World is beyond question!"
"Which makes the purpose of this conference obvious!"
"For the Five Elders, this is a crisis that threatens their very rule!"
"No… Now it's four!"
"Terrifying. The world may soon see its first true King of the Seas!"
"This Arashi has ambition, courage, ruthless decisiveness—and that monstrous strength."
"But the World Government's foundations are deep. If you add the nations gathered here…"
All the whispers circled back to the Marines. Months had passed since the War of the Best, and while the world seemed calm on the surface, everyone could feel the oppressive stillness before a storm.
The Marines' meteoric rise, the World Government's seething fury—these forces were irreconcilable.
Thus, the purpose of this conference was plain.
"What I want to know is—what countermeasures will the World Government take?"
"After all, the seas and the skies are not what they once were," a crowned king chuckled.
"Under the tyrant Arashi, the Marines dare even to turn their blades against their former superiors. Bold, savage, and utterly disrespectful!"
"The World Government itself instigated this war! Why did one of the almighty Five Elders—Saint Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defence—appear in a sealed-off nation?"
The chamber grew louder with every opinion, filled with countless voices, expressions, and hidden agendas.
The world was one whole, yet made of countless parts—and in this moment, that grand mosaic was reflected in the chaos of the room.
Cold, bewildered, casual, or smiling—the faces of all life's shades were on display.
Time dragged until, suddenly, the noise at the doorway stilled.
All eyes turned to see four elderly figures, flanked by guards, slowly entering.
"It's them! The Five Elders—no, four now!" someone cried.
The exclamation cut through the air, drawing mocking smiles from some nobles.
The world had lost a star, yet few mourned. Instead, many basked in schadenfreude.
The four old men mounted the platform. Though aged, their eyes shone with power, and their presence commanded silence.
"I have heard all of your ridicule and chatter," one of them said coldly.
The words alone radiated an invisible weight.
"It's the Warrior God of Environment—Saint Marcus Mars!" someone whispered.
"My god… all of them are here. For the first time in history…"
The pressure was suffocating. Sweat dripped from foreheads.
"This conference will be presided over by the four of us," Saint Marcus Mars declared.
"As for Saint Saturn…" He paused, voice dropping.
"He now rests forever in the land of rebellion—Wano Country!"
At those words, faces blanched.
For the Five Elders to call Wano a "land of rebellion" was no mere nickname—it was a declaration that the Marines were rebels against the world order.
"Perhaps recent events have shaken you all, filling you with fear and unease."
"But know this!" Marcus Mars's voice thundered. "The world… still belongs to the World Government!"
The chamber fell silent. Not a breath could be heard.
Those short, heavy words echoed across Mary Geoise.
This was the Holy Land. This was the World Government.
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