New World, Gotel Island.
The battlefield was engulfed in flames, thick smoke rising everywhere.
The Red Hair Pirates flag hanging at the port burned to ashes in the fire, and the town it once protected was reduced to ruins.
The only fortunate thing was that the island's residents had taken refuge in the mountains beforehand. Faced with a monster several times larger than a giant, they didn't even have the courage to resist.
"Quick, notify the boss!"
The local gangsters grabbed a Den Den Mushi, urgently contacting the Red Hair Pirates. Everything on the island had been destroyed—without help, they wouldn't survive.
And then there was the monster's message.
"Tell Red Hair, this is just the beginning!"
News of multiple islands being destroyed and the reappearance of the "Cursed Prince" Loki quickly spread throughout the New World, even giving the Four Emperors a headache.
Totto Land, Cake Island.
"Mamamamama, that brat Red Hair is in for trouble now! How delightful! By the way, why haven't I seen Katakuri in so long?"
"Mother, Brother Katakuri has been training hard ever since his defeat by the Earth Calamity. He ordered no one to disturb him."
"Hmph! Useless!"
Hachinosu Island, Moby Dick.
"They've unleashed a troublesome one!"
Whitebeard set down the newspaper in his hands, rubbing his temples in frustration. Still, judging by Loki's movements, it seemed unlikely they'd be affected.
The division commanders rushed up to Whitebeard.
"Oyaji, we've got good news!"
"Good news?"
Whitebeard blinked in surprise, watching as everyone crowded around Marco, who was grinning foolishly with a hint of embarrassment. He quickly understood.
He knew Marco was in a relationship and was aware of the girl's background—she hadn't hidden her past from them.
An honest girl.
The last child born on their ship had been Oden's.
Whitebeard's gaze grew complicated. While happy, he also felt a pang of melancholy. Deep down, he knew all of this was Gurd's doing, but he hadn't stopped it.
His sons had spent most of their lives with him. Now that he was growing old, he wanted them to have families of their own.
"Gurararara!"
"Alright, boys—let's throw a feast!"
"Whooo!"
"I'm heading out to get Marco's kid the best gift ever!"
"Doma, I'm coming with you!"
New World, a crude cave on a winter island.
Temporary hideout of the Red Hair Pirates.
"The losses are too great!"
Shanks set down the Den Den Mushi, his face dark with fury.
This time, Loki had come prepared, never staying on any island for too long, causing them to miss him repeatedly.
If they didn't find Loki soon, not only would the losses keep mounting, but their flag's deterrent power would also wane.
If he failed to act decisively, the pirates eyeing the Four Emperors' seats would surely target his territory and subordinate captains—perhaps even band together for an all-out assault.
Hongou looked remorseful. As the crew's doctor and intelligence officer, failing to locate Loki was his responsibility.
"My apologies, Captain."
"It's not your fault."
Shanks shook his head.
Beckman, smoking nearby, spoke grimly. "With Loki's intel capabilities, there's no way he could evade us this consistently. Someone must be aiding him from the shadows!"
"Exactly."
Shanks nodded.
Loki was just one man—how could he keep slipping away unless someone was helping him?
As for who that person was, even unspoken, the crew already knew.
"Earth Calamity Gurd!"
The officers were filled with rage.
It was definitely Earth Calamity!
Beckman stubbed out his cigarette. As the crew's strategist, he clearly saw the hidden conspiracy behind this.
"He's targeting us!"
Loki was being used as a pawn.
Beckman asked coldly, "Hongou, what are the Beasts up to?"
"The same thing they did on Hachinosu Island!"
Hongou presented the gathered intel.
Over the past year, the Beasts Pirates had stopped expanding through violence and instead ventured into real estate. Now, properties owned by the Beasts could be found all over the New World.
Even Hachinosu Island was no exception.
They didn't understand why Whitebeard would cooperate with the Beasts, but if the Beasts tried to claim land and build on their territory, they would never allow it.
Anyone who wasn't a fool could see the Beasts' malicious intentions.
Beckman's eyes darkened: "The Beasts will make their move soon, and this time, they're definitely prepared!"
"..."
The officers' expressions turned grim.
The Beasts Pirates were advancing aggressively, clearly intending to start a war. And they had only become a Four Emperors crew less than three years ago—their surface strength was the weakest among the Four Emperors.
Shanks drew his sword, his gaze icy.
"Prepare for battle!"
"Understood!"
Meanwhile, in Wano Country.
Kintouka Shrine.
After the Fire Festival, the people from all regions learned of the joyous news about the shogun's marriage and flocked to Kintouka Shrine to pray for the shogun's blessings.
The offering box outside the shrine's main hall overflowed with silver coins, and the wishing wall was covered in wooden plaques inscribed with messages of goodwill.
"May the shogun's marriage be happy."
"May Lord Gurd be safe."
"May next year be as good as this one."
Since Yamato became shogun, the lives of the people had visibly improved. This year's Fire Festival saw every household enjoying bountiful feasts and delicious sake.
The people knew exactly who to thank.
That's right—the shogun's husband, Lord Gurd!
In the shrine's main hall, which was temporarily closed to welcome the shogun, only shrine personnel remained.
A shrine maiden whispered, "Chief Priestess, the shogun has arrived at the mountain gate."
"Understood. I'll be right there."
The chief priestess knelt beneath the divine statue, her voice clear and pleasant.
Once the shrine maiden left, the chief priestess was alone in the hall. Her large ears perked up as she glared at the "Groudon" statue occupying the central altar.
The woman bristled with fury!
"That damn pirate! Bringing such filth into the shrine and stealing the Inari Great God's rightful place—this is blasphemy!"
Black energy swirled around the chief priestess, her resentment palpable. Even her fluffy fox tail stood on end, crackling with electricity.
"But the worst—the absolute worst—!"
"He taxed me!"
"Seventy percent! Seventy percent!!!"
"Waaah, that was my money! I couldn't even spend a single coin of it!"
The fox woman collapsed to the floor, sobbing into a ball.
Saving money hadn't been easy for her.
Running the shrine at a loss for years, she had finally seen an improvement in finances as the people's lives got better.
But before she could enjoy her newfound prosperity, pirates had raided her savings—her money hadn't even had time to warm up in her hands!
"I curse him!"
The shrine priestess sprang up with a swish, pulling out a cursed doll from her bosom. On it was written Gurd's name along with various twisted runes, even pierced with pitch-black nails.
The woman took out her nail-studded hammer, revealing a terrifying ghostly grin as her waist-length orange hair floated up.
"Haha, hahahaha~"
"Clink!"
She drove another nail into the cursed doll, and at last, the dark resentment clinging to the shrine priestess dissipated. She stood up full of vigor, her red eyes now as pure as gemstones.
"Ah, it's time to welcome the general!"