In the New World, thanks to the efforts of the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates and the swift actions of the Marines, the territories once ruled by Whitebeard have largely stabilized.
Though Whitebeard had fallen at Marineford, reducing the "Four Emperors" to "Three," the world still referred to them collectively as the "Four Emperors."
That vacant fourth seat was destined to be claimed, and countless ambitious individuals sought to contest for it.
The new power division saw the Marines occupying roughly one-third of Whitebeard's former domain. The remaining two-thirds were split between Kaido, Big Mom, the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates, and Red-Haired Shanks, to whom they had voluntarily ceded some territory as a gesture of gratitude.
The Marines moved with incredible speed. With neither Kaido nor Big Mom personally appearing on the front lines, the presence of an Admiral-level powerhouse like Issho (Fujitora) was enough to decide nearly every battle.
However, Marine forces were ultimately limited, and unlike pirates who could simply pillage and intimidate islands into submission, the Marines had to station troops, reassure civilians, establish outposts, and restore order.
Even with reinforcements from Marine Headquarters, they could only secure a third of Whitebeard's former domain. Any more would be an overextension, a futile effort.
For Wright and Marine Headquarters, this was already considered an optimal outcome. The Whitebeard Pirates, now led by Marco, had no intention of provoking the Marines and had instead shifted focus to securing their own domain, driving out Kaido, Big Mom, and smaller, overzealous pirate crews.
As long as Kaido and Big Mom didn't intervene personally, Marco and his forces could manage. But without a true Emperor-level combatant among them, this was their limit—no matter how strong Marco was, he could not surpass that threshold in such a short time.
The Marines' next step was to consolidate their controlled territory and gradually expand their influence.
Once the new Fleet Admiral took office, the Marines would commence their full-scale campaign in the New World!
...
Wano Country, Onigashima.
Gulp, gulp, gulp...
BURP!
Kaido chugged from a massive sake jug and let out a thunderous belch.
"King! Even you couldn't gain an advantage over that blind Marine?!"
"Kaido-sama, that Issho... though he has no official rank, he undoubtedly possesses true Admiral-level strength."
The "Calamity" known as King, the Wildfire, nodded.
"Unfortunately, as I am now, I can only stall him temporarily. I am no match for him."
"We fell behind in the race for Whitebeard's territory. That Issho seems to have some ability that allows him to rapidly reinforce different battlefronts."
Though his masked face betrayed no emotion, King's tone carried unmistakable doubt.
"It might be due to his gravity-based powers. I saw him using them to levitate himself by stepping on floating rocks."
"Tch! Another troublesome bastard..."
Kaido grabbed another sake jug.
"And then there's that Marine brat with the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi… Damn that old fossil, Golden Lion! His power falling into Marine hands really pisses me off!"
"That Wright bastard… Took down Whitebeard, defeated Sakazuki... Hmph!"
Kaido guzzled down more sake before smashing the jug onto the ground.
"Not enough! We don't have enough forces!"
"Get in touch with that bastard Joker! Tell him to gather more Devil Fruits for me!"
"And this year's so-called 'Supernova'… quite interesting. If they're willing to join my ranks, they could be useful."
"Kaido-sama, securing Devil Fruits takes time. But as for the Supernovas… if we don't seek them out, they'll likely come to us."
King's words made Kaido pause for a moment, before he burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! That's right! With Whitebeard gone… they have one less choice!"
"Has Drake begun training the recruits yet?"
"Yes, Kaido-sama. Drake's strategies are already showing results. As expected from a former Marine…"
King nodded. With Drake applying the military tactics he had learned in the Marines to Kaido's Beast Pirates, their combat effectiveness had visibly increased.
As Kaido's most favored newcomer in recent years, Drake was receiving intense training, and his personal strength was growing rapidly.
"Good… Strengthen our forces and solidify our hold on our territory! Knowing that Wright bastard, he's bound to stir up more trouble!"
Kaido ran a finger over the deep scar cutting across his left eye. The old wound throbbed slightly, and his pupils flickered into reptilian slits.
"This world is finally getting interesting again!"
...
Totto Land, Whole Cake Island.
"MAMAMAMA!"
The "Four Emperors" Big Mom was indulging in a mountain of exquisite pastries.
"Perospero! How's the situation on Fish-Man Island?"
"The sweets from Fish-Man Island… they're an entirely different level of delicacy compared to anywhere else!"
Big Mom cackled, but her expression darkened.
"Ah, that old fool Whitebeard is finally dead! Now, Fish-Man Island is mine!"
Charlotte Perospero wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Mama, Fish-Man Island is currently under Marine protection. Our ships can't even approach it… Lick~"
"We've already reached out to 'The Knight of the Sea' Jinbe, but he's now Admiral Wright's—no, soon-to-be Fleet Admiral's—personal advisor… Lick~"
"He flat-out refuses to accept your 'protection.'"
"What?!"
Big Mom froze mid-bite.
"Refuses my protection?!"
"The Marines… Hmph!"
Her face twisted with fury as she suddenly erupted in a fit of rage.
"That ungrateful brat Lola still hasn't been found?!"
"If not for her! If not for her running away from that marriage! The power I've always dreamed of would already be mine!"
"That damn Red-Haired… that damn Kaido… I would've crushed them all by now!"
Big Mom roared, her fury shaking the very foundations of Whole Cake Island.
"Even Fish-Man Island dares to ignore me?! If I had obtained that power… 'Marine Headquarters' would be nothing!"
"Perospero! Keep a close watch on the Marines' movements in Whitebeard's former territory!"
"Some Fish-Men have joined the Marines, haven't they? Capture them all! Bring them to me!"
"But Mama, if we do that, we might provoke Orange Horse… If this escalates into war, it'll be troublesome… Lick~"
Perospero was taken aback. If Mama was too reckless, given the new Fleet Admiral's temperament, things could spiral out of control.
"Tell the Marines to trade Fish-Man Island's sweets for their captured soldiers!"
Big Mom's next words left even her eldest son speechless.
"If the Marines value their sweets, they better learn how to protect their little Fish-Man soldiers!"
"MAMAMAMA!"
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