Outside the Judicial Tower, Shirogai sat atop Cloud Monarch, observing the chaos below.
"Your partner is about to lose," Aokiji remarked lazily, lounging on the cloud as he took in the battlefield.
"Oh? I beg to differ," Shirogai replied with a calm smile, watching Zoro take a knife in the back while shielding Usopp. "I think my partners are about to win."
Aokiji glanced at him, startled by the expression on Shirogai's face. "Your partner is injured, why are you smiling?"
Shirogai's smirk widened. "Because CP-9's precision in stepping on landmines is breathtaking. They dared to mock Zoro's self-sacrifice in front of Usopp. Excellent—they've triggered one of the crew's most dangerous combat instincts."
He continued, eyes still on the Judicial Tower: "Our pirate crew is fascinating. Every member has a critical point, a state they can reach under extreme conditions. The foolish captain, the treasure-obsessed navigator, the lecherous cook fighting for women…"
Shirogai's gaze shifted to Usopp carrying Zoro, dodging relentlessly pursued by the CP-9 members.
"And the directionally challenged swordsman entering a forced blood-locking state, the cowardly sniper enraged when his friends are threatened…"
"Interesting," Aokiji replied casually. In truth, he did not yet understand where Shirogai's confidence came from. The injured swordsman was nearly incapacitated, and the Sniper King was fleeing in panic. In this state, they should have been doomed—not only unable to defeat the CP-9 members and rescue Nico Robin, but risking their lives.
Shirogai murmured with a half-smile: "Each of their battles is fought to the fullest. Their overall performance seems ordinary, but anyone who dismisses them underestimates the insight gained from life-and-death struggle. I could have enhanced their power myself long ago, but I never forced it. Whether Observation Haki or Armament Haki, they achieved it themselves."
Aokiji's ears twitched, carefully analyzing the words despite appearing relaxed.
"Abilities gained too easily lower a person's true potential," Shirogai continued. "Without enlightenment through life-and-death, one cannot become a true powerhouse."
---
"Zoro! Are you alright?!" Usopp shouted, sword sheath in his mouth as he frantically carried Zoro.
Kaku's recent CP-9 attacks had left Zoro barely able to move.
"Cough… give me a moment, I'll be ready soon," Zoro rasped, his face pale but his resolve unbroken.
"Don't worry! I can actually read their attacks!" Usopp dodged Kaku's Rankyaku, using his Observation Haki even in panic to predict and avoid the strikes.
Zoro's lips curved faintly. "Not bad, Usopp…"
Shirogai's gaze lingered on Zoro. "However, I think I may need to revise my assessment. Their strength, though impressive, is still below the level of top-tier combatants like yours, Aokiji."
Aokiji, reclining lazily, asked: "Are you saying your crew plans to declare war on the Marines?"
"No," Shirogai said, standing tall atop the tower, surveying Enies Lobby with a smile. "We are declaring war on this world—or rather, on the flawed order that governs it."
"Your crew seeks to make the world your enemy?" Aokiji asked, a trace of a smile forming.
"Where there's a will, there's a way," Shirogai replied. "And perhaps we're not limited to one crew. My like-minded allies may be spread across the world."
Aokiji hesitated. Normally, he would dismiss such claims, but from a pirate capable of suppressing Admirals and striking Marineford, he believed it.
"Does this monster truly want to overthrow the World Government?" he wondered, contemplating whether to report this to Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Shirogai chuckled at Aokiji's silence. "I was only joking, of course. But perhaps one day, this might come true… and maybe, you'll even be one of us."
"An Admiral cooperating with pirates to overthrow the World Government?" Aokiji laughed, waving a hand. "What a joke."
Shirogai smiled faintly. "It would be a grand celebration, where all races, nations, and people unite to confront the nightmare that grips this world."
Aokiji was silent, pondering whether such a day could ever come.
---
Inside the Judicial Tower, Zoro held his swords tightly, pale but determined.
"Two-Sword Style: Two Slashes!" he shouted, striking toward Kaku and Jabra.
Jabra, in his Human-Beast form, dodged with a savage grin. "Hmph, do I need you to tell me? This old man sees everything," Kaku said, his long neck not slowing him down.
"Where did that long-nosed guy go?" Jabra sniffed frantically, but could detect nothing.
"Don't worry, he's no threat," Giraffe Kaku sneered, glancing at the scorched ground. "Though that weakling might just cause trouble for you."
"Bastard! Kaku, are you provoking me?!" Jabra snarled, fangs glinting as he wished he could tear the giraffe's neck apart.
---