About ten days had passed since the Summit War.
Grand Line, Kamakka Kingdom.
"Lord Ivan has returned!"
Ivan, aboard a stolen Marine warship, returned to Kamakka with a group of okamas and immediately received news about Straw Hat Luffy.
"Fire Fist Ace's younger brother?"
"Yes. After hearing about Fire Fist's death, the Straw Hat Boy nearly had a mental breakdown. He's still in the forest now."
The okamas had tears in their eyes, deeply moved by Luffy's plight.
What a poor young man!
Ivan pondered for a moment.
He had no personal ties to Straw Hat or Ace, so there was no obligation to care. The most urgent matter now was contacting Dragon.
But Straw Hat was a significant figure—it wouldn't hurt to meet him.
"Bring him here!"
Shortly after, in the palace.
Ivan held a Den Den Mushi, speaking with Dragon.
"This prison break was sudden. There's much to discuss—we should meet in person. And about Kuma..."
"Ivan, I was just about to talk to you about what happened to Kuma."
Their conversation was brief.
Even with secure Den Den Mushi, phone calls weren't entirely safe. A face-to-face meeting would be better.
After finishing official matters, Ivan casually mentioned, "Dragon, that Straw Hat Luffy who attacked the Celestial Dragons is on my island. They say he's Fire Fist Ace's younger brother."
"..."
Silence fell on the other end.
"Dragon? Are you there?"
"Ivan, please take care of him."
Dragon's voice was restrained. Even without seeing Luffy, he could guess his son's current state.
First losing his crew in Sabaody, now his beloved brother killed by the Marines—Luffy must be at his breaking point.
Luffy wasn't a child anymore. There was no need to hide the truth. This might be the perfect opportunity for Ivan to train him.
"Ivan, Luffy is my son."
"Oh, your son."
Ivan blinked his large eyes.
Son?
"WHAAAT???"
Meanwhile, at Holy Land Mariejois.
Supreme Commander Kong received Sengoku.
Kong crossed his arms and sighed. "Sengoku, being forced to call a ceasefire at such a critical moment must have been tough."
"It was my duty."
Sengoku didn't complain.
The Marine Headquarters' primary responsibility was protecting the Holy Land. If Kaido had invaded and harmed the Celestial Dragons, no one could bear that responsibility.
Kong nodded.
"Two veterans from the Roger era retiring simultaneously—that's big news."
"We're old soldiers. It's time to make way for the younger generation."
Sengoku smiled.
He and Garp had both submitted their resignations.
Free from burdens, he felt lighter. He truly was getting old—it was time to rest.
"Enough about that, Supreme Commander Kong."
Sengoku straightened, determination flashing in his eyes. "I recommend Akainu as the next Fleet Admiral!"
"That's unexpected. I thought you'd recommend Aokiji."
Kong was surprised.
The World Government also favored Akainu's promotion, but the biggest obstacle had been Sengoku's recommendation.
For the Fleet Admiral succession, Sengoku's endorsement was crucial—it at least ensured the recommended candidate could compete for the position.
"The Navy must undergo changes."
Sengoku sighed.
He would have preferred to recommend Kuzan, but reason told him that facing the increasingly dominant Beasts, the Navy needed a hardliner like Sakazuki.
Kuzan was too mild-mannered to contend with Calamity Gurd.
Aside from selecting the next Fleet Admiral, recruitment for the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea was also underway.
Hancock, Jimbei, Crocodile.
And the pending Gekko Moria.
Losing three Royal Seven Warlords in succession was a major headache for the World Government, forcing them to postpone their original plan to eliminate Gekko Moria.
The immediate priority was finding successors.
On a remote island in the Grand Line.
"Woo-hoo! Captain Buggy, we've been searching for you forever!"
"You guys!"
Buggy looked at his former subordinates, moved to tears.
Just as the Buggy Pirates were happily reuniting with their imprisoned crewmates, a World Government Message Bat flew over, delivering a letter to Mr.3.
The letter contained only one thing:
"An invitation to join the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
Meanwhile, the Supernovas were making their moves.
On an island in the New World.
Hawkins sat atop a wooden crate, multiple Tarot Cards spread before him. Frowning at the divination results, he spoke:
"My apologies, could you repeat what you just said? I didn't quite catch it."
"Guhahaha! Listen up, I'm the great Tea Beard, a Pirate with a bounty over 80 million berries! This is my territory!"
Tea Beard snarled viciously, his crew surrounding Hawkins.
Hawkins' frown deepened.
He'd performed multiple divinations, yet this fool's death rate never reached zero, which puzzled him deeply.
Where was this lifeline coming from?
"What a stupid title."
Hawkins drew his sword as his body became covered in straw, transforming into a massive Straw Man in moments.
He wanted to know what was preventing this man's death!
"Waaahhh!!!"
Screams rose one after another.
Fifteen minutes later, a bloodied Tea Beard fled into the Fortuna Community, looking back fearfully at Hawkins.
Monster!
Seeing the Fortuna Community sign, Hawkins' crew quickly stopped their captain, afraid he might charge in recklessly.
Blackbeard's death was still fresh in their minds!
"Captain, don't go any further!"
"I understand."
Hawkins reverted to human form and drew his Tarot Cards again, divining the outcome of entering Fortuna Community to kill Tea Beard.
[Death Rate: 100%!]
"I see."
Darkness clouded Hawkins' eyes as he pulled a business card from his pocket.
This was the source of his lifeline!
Now he finally understood what Calamity Gurd had told them—even in the perilous New World, Fortuna Community could be considered a true sanctuary.
A veritable safe zone!
"Let's go!"
"Aye, Captain!"
"..."
"Captain Hawkins, should we buy a property here as a safe base?"
"..."
Other Supernovas faced similar situations. When confronted with unbeatable Supernovas, Pirates fled to Fortuna Community without hesitation.
"Kid, calm down!"
Killer and the crew struggled to restrain their captain: "We're not ready to clash with a Four Emperor yet!"
"Damn it!"
Kid's veins bulged in fury.
Defeating his challengers only to have them escape into Fortuna Community, unable to pursue—this humiliation was unbearable.
But even if he couldn't bear it, he had to endure!
He had witnessed the might of the Four Emperors. With their current strength, they truly weren't prepared to wage open war against the Four Emperors yet.
However, he wouldn't let those old relics remain arrogant for long. A new era had begun, and the outdated rule would be overthrown by him!
"Just you wait!"
"Kaido! Big Mom! Gurd!"
"Hah~hahaha~~!"
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