Although the initial step of their action plan was set, having finally reunited, the group did not immediately disperse.
The feast that had been interrupted by Teach and Loki recommenced, only this time, many more people were in attendance.
On the shattered remnants of Hachinosu Island, an unprecedentedly lively grand banquet began.
"Cough, cough, cough... They're all monsters whose names shake the world."
Huddled in a corner on the periphery, Doc Q, one of Teach's crew who looked like a sickly ghost, lowered his voice, speaking with a strange chuckle.
"It's truly remarkable, Lord Roa. Not only is his power overwhelmingly terrifying, but more frightening is his ability to gather a whole group of villains together."
"Golden Lion, Kaido, Gaban, Charlotte Linlin, Charlotte Katakuri, and the Captain, as well as Loki—all of them are formidable monsters."
Jesus Burgess's expression was twisted with excitement. "If everyone unites under Roa, then no one in the world, apart from the World Government, can possibly resist!"
"The winds of fate are blowing."
The sniper Van Augur calmly wiped his long rifle. "The moment this Lord returned, the world's destiny was set on a different path."
"Heh heh," Lafitte, a slender man with pale skin, smiled softly. "So, I suppose we are now considered members of the Disaster Company as well."
"Isn't that perfect!" Burgess shouted excitedly. "An unprecedented war is about to erupt! We'll get to participate under the name of the Disaster Company! Hahaha! I can hardly wait!"
"Where will fate," the somewhat mystical Van Augur slowly began, "guide us to next?"
On the other side, the Giants brought by Loki were also heartily enjoying the joyous feast.
The prospect of returning to Elbaf made them quite excited.
Their unrestrained demeanor made Charlotte Linlin, sitting at the main table, look on with glowing eyes.
"Don't look, Aunt Linlin," Roa couldn't help but chuckle. "You should know how much the Giants of Elbaf hate you."
"That's only because you stinking brat didn't keep your promise to this old hag!" Charlotte Linlin remembered the events of twenty-five years ago and snorted coldly.
Roa had once promised to introduce Harald to her.
He did introduce them, and they did meet.
But it was merely an introduction.
And soon after, Harald was enslaved by that woman from the World Government.
Roa spread his hands. "You can't blame me for that. Who knew such a thing would happen? Besides, Aunt Linlin, even if Harald hadn't been enslaved, wouldn't he still hate you?"
"Enough with the pointless chatter," Kaido pounded the table impatiently. "Roa, if you're talking about taking back the New World, then we should deal with Whitebeard and that Straw Hat bastard too, right?"
It must be said that the power of habit was truly remarkable. When Big Brother Kaido said the word "Straw Hat," Roa could now maintain a straight face naturally.
"This sea territory needs no other voices besides ours," Roa said casually. "If they insist on blocking our path, then we'll simply crush them along the way."
At this point, the power of Red Hair and Whitebeard seemed too weak.
Even the figures called Yonko (Pirate Emperors) could only play supporting roles in the coming war.
There was no helping it. The power being amassed by the two sides about to clash was simply too immense.
"Wro-ro-ro-ro! Whitebeard is mine!" Kaido's face was full of eagerness. "I'll kill that bastard with my own hands!"
"That's cruel, Big Brother Kaido," Roa teased slightly. "Whitebeard is a former comrade of ours, after all. I remember you two were quite close back then?"
"Weren't you the bastard who said to crush them!" Kaido glared at Roa, annoyed.
"True, so first come, first served," Roa shrugged. "I'm quite interested in Uncle Whitebeard myself."
He still wanted to complete the Platinum Achievement of defeating the three legendary pirates: Roger, Golden Lion, and Whitebeard.
"You stinking brat!" Kaido gritted his teeth.
If Roa was going to compete with him, how could he win?
"Even if it's that bastard Whitebeard, what fun would it be to fight him with your strength!"
Hearing this, Roa nodded slightly.
That was true.
Whitebeard was indeed strong. In the twenty-five years Roa was gone, he rightfully earned the title of World's Strongest Man.
But his strength, like Big Brother Kaido and Uncle Shiki, was still within the realm of human capability.
Compared to Roa's current self, he could only be described as easily defeated. There would be no enjoyment in the fight itself.
However.
"Hehe," Roa smirked. "A strong person must ruthlessly humiliate the weak!"
What kind of expression would Whitebeard show when he watched, powerless, as Roa crushed his beloved sons one by one?
That was truly something to look forward to!
So, please try to stop me, Uncle Whitebeard.
"You spoiled brat with a wicked sense of humor!" Charlotte Linlin couldn't help but snort.
"So, Roa," Golden Lion spoke with interest. "How far are we going to take this time?"
"That, of course, means the complete annihilation of the World Government! Wro-ro-ro-ro! Level Mary Geoise and exterminate all the Celestial Dragons!" Kaido declared without hesitation. "Now, who in this world can stop us!"
The combined strength of himself, Shiki, Gaban, Linlin, Katakuri, Loki, Teach, and the certainly outrageously strong Bullet and King!
That's nine top-tier powerhouses!
Plus the subordinates below the top tier, numbering in the dozens!
Add to that Roa, who can't even be counted as human, what in the hell could possibly stop them? What could stop them?!
"Don't speak such nonsense," Golden Lion unhurriedly lit a cigar, took a satisfying puff, and spoke with the air of a veteran strategist. "This isn't twenty-five years ago. The Marine's fighting power has had a qualitative leap. And there are the Warlords; setting aside the others, that brat Mihawk's strength is not to be underestimated."
"Add in the Holy Knight Order, the Five Elders, and that enigmatic woman. Hmph, the Government has just as many cards as we do, if not more."
"Exactly," Roa agreed, nodding. "Underestimating your opponent is not a good habit, especially when our opponent is a behemoth that has ruled the world for eight hundred years."
"If we go into an all-out war regardless of the cost, the outcome is still uncertain."
Imu's true body strength would undoubtedly be stronger than the possessed state. Though he didn't know exactly how strong, it was highly likely to be on the same level as his current self.
Moreover, Imu's trump cards weren't just that weapon lacking energy. Imu also possessed the secret weapon that defeated Joy Boy's crew eight hundred years ago.
"Then we can't just settle for taking back the New World, can we?" Kaido looked disgruntled. "Did I get this strong over the years for nothing?"
"Aren't the two sides of the New World still wide open?" Roa said calmly. "At this point, can the Calm Belt still stop us?"
"Oh! Roa, you mean we should expand into the West Blue and North Blue?" Charlotte Linlin's eyes lit up. "Mama-mama! Good idea! If we can't take the whole world, taking half the world is a good start."
"Well, the extent of what we can achieve depends on how the World Government responds," Roa said leisurely. "Let's take back the New World first."
"Gahahaha! Then let's start moving! This world has been quiet for far too long!!"
In any case, the rough strategic meeting concluded there.
After a joyful feast, everyone departed to prepare their forces for the upcoming major conflict.
Charlotte Linlin ultimately went back with Katakuri; she wasn't ready to give up the fight for control of the Charlotte Family.
A bit delusional about her standing with her children.
Then, Roa and the others embarked on their journey toward Elbaf.
Meanwhile, at Mary Geoise, Room of Flowers.
The Five Elders knelt respectfully behind Imu, who was watering flowers.
The long-bearded Saint Marcus Mars was the first to speak. "Imu-sama, the latest news is that Golden Lion and Kaido have moved out. Their destination appears to be Hachinosu Island, bringing Gaban and Charlotte Linlin, respectively!"
"Barring any accidents, the pirate alliance of yesteryear is about to be resurrected!"
"Not only that," the bald-headed Saint Topman Warcury added. "Witnesses have seen the Teach Pirates and the Giant Warrior Pirates also approaching Hachinosu Island!"
"Teach and Loki are probably not heading there to kill their former Bosses."
"The situation we least wanted to see is about to arrive." The bespectacled, kimono-clad, bald Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's voice was solemn. "The monsters are gathering again, and they are even stronger than twenty-five years ago! They truly intend to ignite a new war!"
Imu didn't stop watering the flowers, but a cold voice rang out. "He wants war, so Mu will give him war."
"To dare declare war on Mu, Mu will show him who the true master of the world is."
"Yes!" The blond-haired Saint Shepherd Ju Peter respectfully said. "The Marine forces are already mobilizing. Summons have been sent to the Warlords of the Sea, and the Holy Knight Order is also ready to move out, awaiting only your command."
"Furthermore, Imu-sama," the bearded Saint Jaygarcia Saturn said cautiously. "We believe that Roa will likely want to clear out the New World before formally seeking revenge against us."
"The Whitebeard Pirates, the Straw Hat Pirates, and Elbaf will all likely be their targets, especially Elbaf. That Loki fellow has always tried to reclaim that country."
"Elbaf, you say?" Imu contemplated for a moment. "Can that place serve as a battlefield?"
"We fear not, Imu-sama!" Mars quickly knocked his head on the ground, his voice urgent. "Elbaf is too remote! Besides the Holy Knights and us, it would be difficult for our other forces to arrive quickly!"
But relying only on the Holy Knight Order and us is absolutely insufficient to defeat that monster group!
They might even be killed directly by Roa! He already has the power to break the Immortality!
Even if you, Imu-sama, were to possess another body and descend again, it would likely only result in the enemy retreating calmly, as it did in Loguetown.
He didn't say these two sentences aloud, but Imu-sama surely understood.
"In that case, we will abandon that country for now." Imu said faintly. "It no longer holds any value. Mu will summon Harald back."
The King of the World paused, then a cold laugh entered the voice. "Perfect. We can leave a surprise for that Roa fellow."
"Yes!"
The Five Elders also breathed a small sigh of relief.
The enemy's strength was truly extraordinary.
Even the Rocks Pirates of the past could not compare to the force Roa had now gathered.
It could be said that since the battle with Joy Boy eight hundred years ago, the World Government had never faced an enemy of this magnitude.
To secure a decisive victory, they needed to gather all their strength!
Otherwise, they couldn't simply let Imu-sama's true body descend or deploy the Final Weapon, could they?
If it came to that, the entire world would face a new cleansing.
It hadn't reached that point yet.
"In addition," Imu turned back, their deep, still eyes beneath the black robe calmly overlooking the Five Elders. "How much longer will it take you to find Garling's son? Mu needs to know what Joy Boy left on that island. Seize this opportunity."
"Yes! Imu-sama!"
The Five Elders pressed their foreheads against the soft grass, their attitude utterly respectful.
A certain sea territory in the New World.
Giant battleships surged forward, breaking the waves.
On the largest ship sailing at the forefront.
Roa looked with interest at the group of unsavory characters before him.
The four men—Doc Q, Jesus Burgess, Van Augur, and Lafitte—felt their scalps prickle under Roa's gaze.
The pressure was immense!
Although they had heard of the deeds of Lord Roa from Captain Teach, seeing him today, those seemingly exaggerated legends felt too understated!
Lord Roa was, without a doubt, the most powerful pirate in the world! Even monsters like Golden Lion and Kaido were nothing before him!
Furthermore, he had now assembled a force capable of rivaling the World Government!
Just meeting the gaze of such a monster made them feel like they were about to piss themselves.
"Since they're your men, you manage them, Teach. Just don't get in the way."
Roa shifted his gaze. There was truly nothing to see. Just a few worthless scrubs. Judging by their Haki, the strongest was only at the level of a Tobi Roppo.
Truthfully, Teach's pirate crew was rather mediocre. His strongest lieutenants were only on par with Doflamingo or Bege.
"Ze ha ha ha! Boss, thank you very much!"
Teach, standing next to Roa, expressed his gratitude, then glared at the four men. "Hurry up and thank the Boss!"
Roa didn't bother listening. Giving these men another glance was a waste of time.
He simply waved his hand, signaling them to be quiet, then looked up at Loki, who was sitting cross-legged on the deck in front of him.
"Alright, Loki, tell me. What's the situation in Elbaf now?"
"It's all because of that idiotic bastard old man!"
Anger instantly flashed across Loki's face. "After the battle twenty-five years ago, he secretly returned to Elbaf once! At that time, he transformed a large number of Giant Warriors into Demon Giants like himself! Then he took them and defected to the World Government!"
"Twenty years ago, to test if you had run into trouble, that bastard old man was sent back to Elbaf. Since we had retreated from the sea, Elbaf fell completely under his control!"
"All the Giant Warriors were turned into Demons, becoming dogs controlled by the World Government! Even that useless Hajrudin!"
"Elbaf has become a World Government barracks! There are now many Demon Giants serving in the Marines! That bastard old man is also forcing all the Giants to aggressively reproduce! Anyone who dares to resist is assimilated into a raving Demon Giant!"
"Oh?" Roa raised an eyebrow slightly.
That Imu fellow certainly knows how to play. They understand sustainable development.
"That's right! Lord Roa, no, Boss!" Dorry collapsed onto his knees behind Loki, hands braced on the deck, his expression tormented. "Elbaf, which took pride in the honor of its warriors, has now been reduced to a running dog of the World Government."
"Boss, we can only beg you to change this!"
Brogy went straight into a dogeza (deep bow) before Roa.
Roa had, of course, threatened Harald and forcibly hired a batch of Giant Warriors.
But compared to the World Government's actions, Roa seemed benevolent and approachable.
Now, when Dorry and Brogy called him "Boss," they truly meant it from the bottom of their hearts.
After all, he was the only one left!
"In that case, he truly deserves to die!" Roa said, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
Damn you, Imu!
How can you be so evil?
How can you be worse than me?
I didn't even want to destroy Elbaf!
"What are we waiting for? Let's go! Target: Elbaf!"
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