At Marine Headquarters — Marineford.
The moment news arrived of Vice Admiral Red King's death and Barrett's brazen declaration of war, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's expression darkened to a terrifying degree.
With a thunderous crash, he slammed his desk—splintering it into powdered wood.
"Damn Barrett! Damn the Souta Kiryuu Pirates!!"
His furious roar echoed throughout the Marshal's Office, his Conqueror's Haki flooding the room like a storm.
Not far away, inside the Admirals' office, Admiral Borsalino (Kizaru) paused mid–nail trim—his usually lazy hand trembling slightly.
"…Yare yare…
How frightening…"
He sighed deeply, a rare heaviness settling in his voice.
"Another turbulent era… It seems the days of relaxing are coming to an end."
Dangerous missions were increasing.
Even Admirals couldn't guarantee survival.
After all—Akainu Sakazuki, the most ruthless of them all, had already been hunted down by the Souta Kiryuu Pirates…
and even now, his fate remained unknown.
In the Strategy Office, Vice Admiral Tsuru frowned deeply.
She could not find a way to suppress the growing power of the Souta Kiryuu Pirates.
The Red-Haired Pirates appeared ready to ally with the Whitebeard Pirates, trying to stabilize the balance of the New World.
Meanwhile, Big Mom's Pirates were working to ally with Kaido's Beast Pirates, forming a united front alongside Souta Kiryuu to resist the World Government.
If not for the Souta Kiryuu Pirates' airborne fleet, the World Government and Marine Headquarters would not be so passive.
The Five Elders did not fear Yonko who controlled territories.
They feared an enemy whose base could not be located.
The Government never feared Big Mom's Totto Land, nor Kaido's Wano—they had spies embedded everywhere.
But Souta Kiryuu's fleet?
The Revolutionary Army?
Their bases were ghosts.
"We might have to let Shanks act as mediator," Tsuru murmured.
"Arrange a secret pact between the Marines, the Red-Haired Pirates, and the Whitebeard Pirates… to suppress the New World uprising."
Based on her understanding of Shanks, this held a high chance of success.
Shanks would not want the New World to fall into chaos.
But Whitebeard…
Whitebeard would not agree easily.
How could they force his hand?
Perhaps…
frame Souta Kiryuu for attacking one of Whitebeard's sons.
Tsuru weighed probabilities, revising plan after plan.
But just then—
Word arrived: The Five Elders themselves were already en route to the New World.
Garp and Kuzan had also begun a secret mission.
The Government was making its move.
If the Five Elders succeeded, Tsuru's concerns would fade—
but she continued preparing backup plans, just in case.
Meanwhile — At the Mars Kingdom's Largest Port, Soaring Dragon Harbor
Here, slave trade flourished more ruthlessly than even Sabaody Archipelago.
Auction halls, slave markets, organ dealers, and underground loan-sharks lined the massive port city.
Every major underworld faction held influence here.
When Kumadori "Kuma", Jewelry Bonney, and Wiper's Sky Island Forces descended upon the harbor—
they were stunned speechless.
Slaves in collars and shackles filled the streets—
every race imaginable.
"Disgusting. Filthy. This country is inhuman."
Bonney's pink hair rippled in rage.
Her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"Father Kuma, steel your heart today.
We avenge them."
Tears shimmered in her eyes.
These nobles, merchants, and traffickers deserved nothing less than annihilation.
"...Understood."
Kuma removed his white gloves—revealing his massive paw-shaped hands.
A wave of violent killing intent surged outward.
Today, the Tyrant would judge this land.
"ATTACK!"
With Bonney's cry, Wiper transformed into a sword-scaled dragon, leading Enforcers from Skypiea and Shandian warriors straight into the slave market district.
The nobles' guards panicked under the assault.
Kuma's Ursus Shock blasted entire compounds apart.
Even hardened underworld enforcers abandoned their territories and ran.
"You're free now!
The Souta Kiryuu Pirates will spread light across the world!"
Bonney kicked away a bloated noble and freed a group of enslaved girls—shouting passionately as their chains shattered.
At that moment—
they were the side of justice.
This "holy kingdom" protected by the World Government was nothing but a rotting pit of sin.
"We… we're saved…"
The dead-eyed slaves looked up—
and life returned to their gaze.
When they saw the crimson flag of the Souta Kiryuu Pirates fluttering overhead—
they would never forget it.
Many freed slaves joined the fight immediately—
spreading liberation across the port.
Meanwhile—
Morgans' reporters recorded every moment for the world.
But the Other Two Ports Were Different.
There was no mercy there.
Only slaughter and plunder.
Moria, Shiryu of the Rain, and the monsters from Impel Down stormed Shinjin Port and True Heaven Port.
Treasures destined for Mariejois, weapons meant for Marine Headquarters—
all fell into carnage.
The seas ran red.
Cries echoed everywhere.
Even with Marine and CP forces stationed in Mars Kingdom, resistance crumbled in hours.
Morgans broadcast the invasion across the underworld.
Spies leaked it worldwide.
The scene resembled the fall of a nation.
The kings of the underworld fell silent.
Souta Kiryuu's vengeance was absolute.
To strike back at the World Government and the Five Elders—
he chose to destroy a Celestial Dragon ancestral kingdom.
A nation that had survived the Void Century War—
now wiped out in a single campaign.
The neighboring Celestial Dragon homeland, Adams Kingdom, trembled in terror.
Its royals began packing for escape—
praying they would not be next.
They begged the World Government for protection.
Meanwhile, Red-Haired Shanks heard the news.
His heart filled with grim resolve.
Souta Kiryuu was a dangerous destabilizing force—and the one who had murdered his father.
Shanks intensified contact with Whitebeard—
and even the Five Elders—
His goal now was unmistakable:
Eliminate Souta Kiryuu.