— — — — — —
East Blue, aboard a Marine warship shaped like a dog's head
Garp lounged in his chair, grumbling loudly. "Damn Roger… because of him, I've gotta work overtime chasing down pirates. So exhausting!" He sighed, then reached for a donut and bit into it slowly.
"Enemy spotted!"
Garp shot upright. His Observation Haki had just picked up a powerful presence barreling toward them.
The ship rocked violently—then stopped dead in the water.
"What's going on? Why aren't we moving?"
"No idea! Engines are running full power, but… maybe something's broken?"
"It's not a malfunction."
The voice came from the deck itself. A man stood there as if he had always been present.
"Who are you?" The officer at Garp's side nearly choked, eyes wide. His Haki hadn't sensed a thing.
Within moments, every Marine on deck had rifles trained on the stranger.
"So this is how the Marines welcome guests?" the man mused to himself, unbothered by the weapons pointed his way.
"Who are you?" Garp strode forward, his tone hard.
"You must be Vice Admiral Garp?" The man's lips curled into a polite smile. "Lord Rimuru spoke highly of you. Said you were a Marine worthy of respect. Allow me to introduce myself—Diablo, Rimuru's first secretary. I apologize for arriving uninvited."
The name Rimuru immediately triggered recognition. Garp's brows furrowed. "You're one of Rimuru's people? Like this damn Milim Nava?"
"Indeed," Diablo replied smoothly. "I came here on his behalf, to discuss something with you."
"What kind of thing?"
"We would like the Navy to withdraw from the World Government—and help us overthrow it."
The Marines froze. Shock and fear rippled through the crew. Overthrow the World Government? The entity that had ruled for 800 years? Madness.
Even Garp had to draw a deep, steadying breath. Diablo's words carried a weight that shook him to the core. "You're seriously planning to topple the World Government? And you want the Navy to help you? Do you realize that means turning the entire world against you?"
"The World Government doesn't represent the world," Diablo said calmly, his smile unchanging. "Besides, I don't see how that pitiful thing could ever stand against us. The only reason it still exists is because Lord Rimuru fears sudden collapse would throw the world into chaos and cause needless suffering. Otherwise, the World Government would already be gone."
Garp fell silent. His jaw tightened. "Do you even understand what the World Government really means?" he asked, though inwardly he suspected these lunatics didn't have a clue.
Diablo tilted his head slightly. "And do you understand what kind of beings we are? To us, the so-called World Government is nothing. As Lord Rimuru said, it's nothing but a rotting husk, clinging to survival on the edge of destruction."
"…I can't." Garp let out a long sigh. "This isn't something I can decide. If it were just me… maybe. But I have family, comrades. I can't gamble everything on your words, and I can't shoulder the price of failure."
But Diablo only smiled, as though he had expected this answer. "That's fine. Soon enough, you'll see our strength for yourself. The World Government won't last much longer. When it falls, you'll still have the choice to stand with us."
With that, Diablo vanished as suddenly as he had appeared.
Garp slumped back into his chair, staring blankly at the deck. He stayed there for a long, long time, silent.
And while Garp was busy dealing with Diablo, Sengoku—fresh from capturing a notorious pirate—was facing a similar situation of his own.
The so-called "enemy" in front of him looked like a frail young girl. But Sengoku's Haki was screaming at him. This wasn't some harmless girl. This was a terrifyingly powerful being.
"That's all there is to it," Shuna said with a calm smile, as though she hadn't just outlined something insane.
Sengoku stayed silent for a long moment, weighing her words. Finally, he asked, "Why? Why do you people want to overthrow the World Government?"
Shuna blinked, as if taken aback by the simplicity of the question. Then her voice softened. "Because this world has been shackled under the oppression of the World Government. We want to set it free."
"And what do you stand to gain from that?" Sengoku pressed, his gaze locking with hers, searching for cracks in her answer.
"Nothing at all," Shuna said without hesitation, shaking her head.
"Then why risk everything?"
"Because Lord Rimuru once did the same for us." Her smile turned tender, her voice almost reverent. "That's just who he is—always willing to help others without asking for anything in return. That kindness…it's etched into his very soul. Being near him, you can't help but want to follow."
She raised her head and met Sengoku's eyes. "You don't have to believe me. But you must never doubt Rimuru's sincerity. He never expects repayment. The ogres, the orcs, and so many others—he's given them all a second chance. And we're willing to give everything to carry out his will."
Sengoku was quiet for a long time before sighing. "If such a man truly exists, he'd make a good king."
"He isn't just a king," Shuna replied firmly. "He's our Demon Lord. Our eternal Demon Lord."
"…I can't give you an answer. And I'll pretend this conversation never happened." Sengoku turned and walked away without another word.
Shuna watched his retreating back, nodded faintly, and a glowing white magic circle flared beneath her feet. In a flash of light, she was gone.
Her next targets were Monkey D. Dragon and Bartholomew Kuma. Remuir gave her healing potions that should cure the Sapphire Scales.
---
The same situation was similar in the New World.
Right now, on the deck of the Moby Dick, Whitebeard sat across from Rimuru with a baffled expression.
"You? A tiny brat? You think you can topple the World Government? Did you skip your medicine today, or has rescuing Roger gone straight to your head?"
"You're the one who forgot your medicine, you stubborn old man!" Rimuru shot back, golden eyes blazing. "I hope you stay single forever and never find a wife!"
Whitebeard roared with laughter. "Gurararara… like you'd ever find one yourself! And at least men don't feel attracted to me."
"You—you—you… damn it!" Rimuru was practically steaming.
"Alright, enough joking around." Rimuru sucked in a deep breath, forcing his temper down. "I'm serious. Help me overthrow the World Government."
Whitebeard's face turned grave. "Are you serious, boy? That's not something to throw around lightly. The Government's stood for centuries. You don't topple that with words alone. You'll need men, resources, power. Do you have them?"
"Maybe not. But you do." Rimuru grinned innocently. He wasn't wrong—Whitebeard had one of the strongest crews in the world, countless allies, and entire nations under his protection.
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes. "And how certain are you of victory?"
"One hundred percent. Guaranteed," Rimuru said without wavering.
Whitebeard stared at him, then broke into booming laughter. "Gurararara! That's the fire of youth! Oy, lads, are you afraid?"
"Not a chance!"
"Damn the World Government, I've wanted to crush them for years!"
"Count me in! Let's turn the world upside down!"
"Quiet!" Whitebeard's voice silenced the ship in an instant. "If you're not afraid, then how could your old man ever be? Prepare yourselves—we're going to raise hell!"
(Don't be fooled by this old man… the moment he was alone with Rimuru, he made him spill his plans, his power, and even his allies—ensuring a so-called '100% win.' But that was Whitebeard: brave and fearless, yet his sons' safety was his main.)
"We are gonna crush the World Government."
"Hell yeah!"
"..."
Rimuru looked around at the cheering pirates, his chest swelling with an odd warmth. Sure, some of them had tried hitting on him earlier, but now they were throwing their full support behind him. Maybe he could forgive them. He would perhaps erase their names in his black notebook.
Maybe he will.
But then someone ruined it.
"Hey, Rimuru, quick question—if we do overthrow the World Government, will you put on a dress for us?"
The deck fell silent for one heartbeat. Then it erupted.
"Ohhh, why didn't I think of that?"
"Crossdressing Rimuru! Crossdressing Rimuru!"
"Yeah, let's make it official! We can't quit until we see it happen!"
"Hmm. I'd actually be curious myself," Whitebeard added with a grin, rubbing his chin.
"You damn bastards!" Rimuru's face twitched, black lines practically etching across his forehead. "I never agreed to that! I'll never agree to that! Not now, not ever!"
"…Eh? Well, without that, I'm not really feeling motivated anymore."
"Yeah, same here."
"Honestly, overthrowing the Government sounds kinda boring now."
That was the last straw. Rimuru exploded. "Die, you rotten bastards! I'll kill every last one of you!"
"Raphael, make sure to write these bastards ten times in my blacklist."
.
.
.