Year 1525 of the Sea Circle Calendar.
September had just ended. Today marked the first day of October.
Countless warships departed from Marine bases across the world, gathering at designated islands closest to their locations. The entire Marines entered a state of war readiness. No one knew the details of the mission. The only order they had received was that a war was about to begin.
All officers of Rear Admiral rank and above had already been dispatched across the world. For this operation, even most Vice Admirals of the World Federal Government had no idea what was happening. They could only follow orders and report to their assigned positions.
Only a handful of Vice Admirals knew the truth. Their expressions were grave as they silently wiped down their swords without saying a word.
The pirates had been eliminated. The old government had been overthrown. Construction was underway everywhere, and the world had been moving toward a brighter future, filled with prosperity and hope. Yet all of a sudden, an overwhelming sense of tension settled over everything. It felt as though a storm was about to break.
And today should have been a day of celebration for the entire world, because today was the official founding ceremony of the World Federal Government.
* * *
West Blue, Ambrose Island.
The island was currently ruled by a mafia organization. In the West Blue, islands like this were nothing unusual.
Even before the World Government had fallen, the West Blue had always been plagued by organized crime. Then the Revolutionary Army had risen to power, and for a brief period, the island's residents finally experienced peace.
But during the final great war, communications were completely cut off. The mafia groups that had once been suppressed by the Revolutionary Army launched a counterattack.
The island fell, and the Revolutionary Army was defeated. During the three short years of the Great Cataclysm, local mafia groups seized control of more than half the islands in the West Blue through every means imaginable.
Even after communications were restored, they remained on edge for a long time. But as they gradually learned the situation, they realized the Revolutionary Army had already reached its twilight.
The returning Marines also made no aggressive moves. They simply took control of the ports, established communication stations, introduced ID cards, and avoided any open conflict.
The world fell into a strange and uneasy peace. No one shouted about avenging the former World Government. Those unrealistic dreams had long since disappeared.
In today's world, some islands were controlled by the Revolutionary Army, others by mafia groups, kingdoms, nobles, or the World Federal Government. These forces existed side by side without clashing. Nobody took the initiative to start a conflict. Everyone quietly focused on expanding their own power.
Until today, while most of the island's residents had gathered beneath the communication station to watch the live broadcast of the founding ceremony, Marine bases across the world suddenly came alive. As warships continued arriving one after another, the ports were sealed off, weapons were inspected, and every soldier prepared for battle.
On Ambrose Island, inside the Aris Castle.
It served as the headquarters of the Aris Family, the island's largest mafia organization. After eliminating every rival, they had become the island's sole criminal syndicate.
A short man rushed into the conference hall where all the executives had gathered.
"This is bad, Aris-sama. The port has been sealed off, and for some reason, there are suddenly a lot more armed soldiers."
Bang!
The vicious-looking Aris slammed his fist onto the table. "Damn it. Those Marine bastards have finally shown their true colors. I knew ruling this island wouldn't be that easy. Our nation-building plan hasn't even begun yet. Damn Marines..."
A ruthless glint flashed across Aris' eyes as he weighed whether they should fight or surrender.
The moment they heard the words "nation-building plan," the executives could no longer stay calm. If they succeeded, they would completely erase their criminal pasts. From then on, they would become nobles, people standing above everyone else.
In the past, that was something they had never even dared dream about. But things were different now. The World Government was gone. The Celestial Dragons were gone. Countless high-born nobles had perished during the Great Cataclysm. If they seized this opportunity, they would become the new nobility.
"Let's fight, Boss!"
"That's right! I've worked too hard to get everything I have. There's no way I'm handing it over to the Marines!"
"Should we capture the civilians first and use them as hostages?"
"No. If we do that, our nation-building plan will become a complete joke."
"Then let's tell the islanders the Marines are about to start a war. A lot of the residents' children have already joined our organization. We can use them to slow the Marines down while we gather our forces."
As the discussion continued, Aris quickly finalized the plan. He ordered some of his men to head to the town square and spread rumors. At the same time, the rest were ordered to gather every available fighter and prepare for battle.
As the Marines began moving into action, the same scene unfolded on islands across the world. It didn't matter whether the island was controlled by nobles, mafia groups, kingdoms, or even the Revolutionary Army. The same story was playing out everywhere.
* * *
Red Line.
World Federal Government Headquarters.
Standing atop this land ten thousand meters above sea level, the sun felt close enough to touch.
On the top floor of the World Federal Government's headquarters, the slanting sunlight stretched two long shadows across the room. They reached several meters before falling onto the wall behind them, where a massive clock hung.
"Sakazuki" and Carlo stood silently before the floor-to-ceiling windows. For a long time, they simply watched the soldiers busily moving around the plaza below.
Beep. Beep.
The communicator on Carlo's wrist suddenly rang. He glanced at it before speaking. "All admirals and soldiers are in position. Every unit has completed its preparations. The missions are ready, and we can issue the order to begin the offensive at any time."
"Sakazuki" nodded as he continued looking over the plaza. "Once we take this final step, the world will truly turn a new page. Are you looking forward to this war, Carlo?"
Carlo took a deep breath. A faint smile appeared on his face as his left hand rested on the hilt of Oto at his waist and tightened around it.
"Of course. I can't wait."
"Sakazuki" let out a quiet chuckle. "Go make your preparations. The war that will shatter the darkness is about to begin."
His gaze remained fixed on the endless light beyond the window.
* * *
At noon, as the sun slowly climbed to the very center of the sky, the live broadcast of the World Federal Government's founding ceremony officially began.
The camera overlooked the entire headquarters, circling from afar before gradually drawing closer.
The towering government building stood proudly at the center, its pure white stone glowing softly beneath the sunlight and radiating an overwhelming sense of authority.
A giant blue scale was carved into the front of the building, symbolizing absolute justice. The new government's flag had also evolved from the Marines' original seagull emblem into the scale design, flying proudly throughout the headquarters.
As the hands of the clock reached the appointed time and the sun arrived at the highest point in the sky, the aerial camera focused on the ceremonial platform.
The enormous sun hung directly overhead, seemingly dividing the scene into two halves. It was as if it marked the final separation from the old era. Once the sun moved just a little farther west, the old world would be left behind forever, announcing the arrival of a new age.
The camera suddenly shifted, focusing on the figure standing atop the ceremonial platform. At some point, Carlo had appeared there. Dressed in his military uniform, his left hand rested on the sword at his waist, looking every bit like a general ready to march into battle.
His solemn voice echoed across the world.
"This is the Red Line, headquarters of the World Federal Government.
"We hereby announce to every nation, every island, every organization, and all people across the world that the World Federal Government and the World Federal Council, as of today, will officially assume office.
"Now, please welcome the Commander-in-Chief of the World Federal Government's armed forces and the Chairman of the World Federal Council, 'Sakazuki.'"
With those words, Carlo stepped aside and bowed slightly as the camera turned with him, focusing on the man whose mere presence radiated boundless authority.
The man known as "Sakazuki."
This was also his first public appearance in more than three years, ever since the Great Cataclysm began. His appearance alone gave people across the world an overwhelming sense of reassurance. No matter what policies the Marines or the World Federal Government introduced, nothing compared to the security people felt simply by seeing that man standing there.
On islands throughout the world, thunderous cheers erupted the moment he appeared on the screen. It was as though everyone was celebrating the beginning of a new era.
Then his lips moved slightly, and it felt as though someone had pressed pause on the entire world. Every cheer came to an abrupt stop as the people watching the broadcast stared at the screen with boundless anticipation, waiting as he slowly began to speak.
"I hereby declare the World Federal Government, from this day forward, is officially established."
Those fourteen simple words rang through the ears of people across the world like the tolling of a great bell.
After a brief moment of stunned silence came an explosion of emotion and deafening cheers. Countless people embraced each other as tears streamed down their faces.
It was all real. They had survived the age of rampant pirates. They had endured the oppression of the old government. They had briefly been saved by the Revolutionary Army, only to be cast back into darkness.
But today, true salvation had finally arrived. The government founded by that man had officially been established.
Amid the cheers echoing across the world, "Sakazuki" began his official address, his commanding voice spreading to every corner of the globe.
"Since the beginning of the Era of Pirates and the rise of the Celestial Dragons' rule, the people of the world have suffered not only from pirates, but also under the oppression of the former World Government and the Celestial Dragons.
"Through the united struggle of people across the world and the Marines, after generations of sacrifice and perseverance, we have finally eradicated the source of the world's suffering.
"On behalf of the World Federal Government, I extend my gratitude to the people of the world and every force that fought to liberate this world.
"At the same time, the Revolutionary Army, which made tremendous contributions during the assault on Mariejois and the liberation of the world, has, following the unanimous approval of the World Federal Council, been posthumously honored.
"We hereby award former Marines Headquarters Rear Admiral, son of the Marine Hero Garp, and Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon, the title of Honorary Admiral of the World Federal Government.
"We also posthumously award Revolutionary Army Chief of Staff Sabo the rank of Honorary Vice Admiral.
"We also posthumously award the Revolutionary Army's Four Blues Commanders…
"We also posthumously award members of the Revolutionary Army…
"We also posthumously award...
"...
"...
"Now, the results of the world's liberation have already begun to take shape. The seven major areas, including island infrastructure, social system transition, maritime transportation, and improvements to the public education system, are all being carried out under what is collectively known as the Five-Year Plan.
"Everything is progressing in an orderly manner. It is expected that within five years, the world will complete its fundamental transformation. I ask the people of the world to supervise us."
As his words came to an end, the audience was still overwhelmed by everything they had just heard. Before they could fully process it, a massive bell rang across the world.
Dong! Dong! Dong!...
The bell rang nine times in succession, the sound echoing far and wide to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in the world's history.
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