The first half of the Grand Line — Island of White Soil, Baldigo.
This was the headquarters of the Revolutionary Army, a place the World Government had failed to uncover for decades.
Even the Den Den Mushi here were paired with anti-eavesdropping counterparts, ensuring that no one could ever discover the location of the Revolutionary Army's command.
The island lay within a strange sea zone where the sun never pierced through, smothered year-round by thick, oppressive clouds.
Now, at the Revolutionary Army's headquarters, the mood of its soldiers was as heavy as the skies above — an impenetrable haze of grief.
Led by Dragon, over twenty thousand Revolutionary soldiers were gathered for a funeral.
The losses of the past days weighed heavily on their hearts. They could not escape the shadow of their slain comrades.
And worse—Belo Betty remained a prisoner of the Yonko Elior.
But just three kilometers from Baldigo, seven massive ships had already entered the strange waters.
It was the Elior Pirates.
At the center, on the deck of the flagship, Elior stood at the bow, his gaze fixed upon the distant island.
"So… that's the Revolutionary Army's headquarters?"
Shiryu and the others exchanged curious glances. For years, the World Government had searched in vain for this place. Had they found it, the revolutionaries would have been crushed long ago.
"No mistake" Elior said calmly.
It was the truth he had wrung out of Betty. Under his control, she had spoken the words she never should have.
Though later, Elior had released the compulsion — leaving Betty drowning in despair.
Now, in the captain's quarters, Belo Betty sat trembling in the bath. Her tears mingled with the water. No matter how much she scrubbed, she could not rid herself of the filth she felt clinging to her soul.
The shame of betraying her comrades was heavier than chains.
Outside, she could already hear the crew whispering that the headquarters had come into view.
Betty wept harder. She could not imagine the catastrophe about to befall the Revolutionary Army.
The door opened with a creak. It was Reiju.
Betty glanced at her, then quickly looked away.
In recent days, Reiju had shown her a strange kindness. But Betty knew — she, too, was Elior's woman.
"Betty" Reiju said gently, sitting beside the bath. "We've arrived at the Revolutionary Army's headquarters."
Betty's lips trembled. "He'll… wipe them out, won't he?"
Reiju didn't soften her words. "Most likely. Maybe not a single one will be left alive."
Betty broke into sobs.
Reiju continued, almost as if explaining the inevitable: "He's too strong. None of the Yonko—neither Big Mom nor Kaido—could stand against him. He killed Aokiji in battle, nearly killed Akainu, destroyed one of the World Government's top fighters, and delivered the final blow to Whitebeard. Few in this world can even claim to be his equal."
"And his subordinates… they're monsters too. What hope does the Revolutionary Army have against them?"
The words crushed Betty's heart.
Reiju added coldly, "And don't forget, he already killed Sabo — your Army's second-in-command. Do you really think he would ever let you or your comrades go? You'll all eventually come for revenge. And he will destroy you first."
Betty's despair deepened.
"He's a devil…" Betty whispered. "Reiju… you seem like a good person. How can you follow such a demon?"
Reiju smiled faintly. "I'm not a good person. I simply love my lord."
Her words carried not just love, but devotion—worship.
Betty's face drained of all strength. She no longer resembled the fiery commander she once was.
Resistance was meaningless. Betty knew now that the more she struggled, the more Elior enjoyed breaking her.
On the island, the funeral had left Baldigo unguarded. For decades, no enemy had ever found it.
Today, of all days, was when the Revolutionaries were at their most vulnerable.
Half an hour later, Elior and his forces landed on Baldigo.
Betty, dressed in clothes forced upon her, walked at Reiju's side. She could not escape.
Her heart screamed in terror and guilt. She had betrayed this place—her comrades. When the truth came out, they would curse her name.
Elior stopped before the towering headquarters of the Revolutionary Army.
Handing Betty to Reiju, he smiled. "It begins."
"By today's end, the Revolutionary Army will be erased. A feat even the World Government never managed."
Barrett and the others grinned with anticipation.
All eyes turned to Elior as he stepped forward, pressing both palms against the headquarters' stone walls.
Everyone knew he was about to act.
"Honkai"
A surge of destructive force erupted from his hands.
BOOM!
In an instant, the massive headquarters—larger even than Marineford's old fortress—shattered into rubble.
The ground quaked, debris exploded into the air, and the sky darkened further as dust clouds rose.
"This power… it's like a nightmare!"
"So strong! Truly the greatest monster of the New World!" Barrett roared in awe.
Betty's knees buckled. The proud fortress of the Revolutionary Army, reduced to nothing with a single strike.
Far inside the island, the thunderous explosion rocked the ground beneath Dragon and the mourning soldiers.
The funeral came to a halt.
Their enemy had arrived.