In a certain stretch of sea in the New World, aboard the Red Force—
Red-Haired Shanks' expression was dark.
Souta Kiryuu was pushing him into direct opposition with the rest of the New World pirates.
Ever since Souta Kiryuu publicly revealed Shanks' hidden identity as a descendant of the Celestial Dragons, the number of subordinate crews under the Red-Hair Pirates had sharply decreased.
Over a dozen pirate crews in the New World broke ties with Shanks entirely.
They refused to follow the bloodline of a Celestial Dragon.
After all, many pirate crews held grudges against the World Nobles, or simply despised the Celestial Dragons for their cruelty and arrogance.
Especially because Kiryuu's crew, along with Morgans, repeatedly broadcasted and amplified the rumor:
Red-Haired Shanks is the child of "The Leader of the God's Knights"—Figarland Garling.
For a young Yonko crew that already had few territories and few subordinates, this was a devastating blow.
If not for the overwhelming strength of Shanks' core crew, the title of Emperor might have already been stripped from them.
"That damn Souta Kiryuu…!"
Yasopp and Lucky Roo cursed angrily, while Beckman silently smoked beside them, thoughts racing as he searched for a way to break the situation.
Aboard the Moby Dick—
Whitebeard, Newgate, also heard the message behind Souta Kiryuu's words.
It made him angry—but also cautious.
If not for Shanks' now-problematic identity, Newgate truly might have formed a deeper alliance with the Red-Hair Pirates for Ace's sake, giving Ace time to grow safely.
But now, because of Shanks' Celestial Dragon bloodline, Souta Kiryuu was openly targeting him—while dragging much of the New World into suppressing both the Marines and the Red-Hair Pirates.
Newgate had no choice but to carefully consider the consequences of an alliance.
"Old man, besides the scar Roger gave you… did that Figarland Garling really land the other one?"
Ace, brash and direct as always, didn't grasp the political implications.
He was more shocked that someone other than the Pirate King had left a wound on Whitebeard's body.
But the fact that Whitebeard never had a single scar on his back spoke to his power.
"That bastard was strong…"
Whitebeard didn't deny it.
The deepest scars on his chest were from Rocks… from Roger… and from Garling.
Marco frowned slightly.
He knew Shanks was an honorable and upright man—but the blood of a Celestial Dragon would inevitably incite hatred.
Many pirates came from nations destroyed because they could not pay the Heavenly Tribute.
Their homes fell into chaos, forcing them into piracy born from survival, ambition, or vengeance.
Even Whitebeard's homeland, Sphinx, was destroyed by poverty—unable to pay the Tribute.
Order collapsed, crime spread, and a young Newgate took to the seas.
"Don't worry. As long as I still live… no one will lay a hand on you."
Whitebeard waved his hand dismissively.
Even if Kiryuu's entire airborne fleet came, he was not one to back down.
Not even Golden Lion Shiki's Sky Fleet could break him back then—today's fleet would be no different.
"Ace. Training intensifies."
He crushed all further conversation.
He would raise Ace to stand on his own—but time was running short.
On Onigashima, in Wano—
"WURORORORORO! So Souta Kiryuu wants to drive the Marines out of the New World? That suits me perfectly!"
Kaido chugged down alcohol, roaring with laughter.
The fact that Kiryuu hadn't invited him when he attacked the Celestial Dragon Holy Land still irritated him.
But now that Kiryuu was openly attacking Marine bases throughout the New World—there was no way Kaido would stand idle.
And no wonder he always felt irrational disgust toward Shanks.
That red-haired bastard was the son of Figarland Garling.
A Celestial Dragon bloodline standing beside him as an Emperor?
Unacceptable.
Kaido would rather return to the era of Three Emperors.
He would rather recognize Souta Kiryuu as an Emperor—than tolerate Shanks.
But with the terrifying might of Kiryuu's crew, they likely didn't care about the title of Yonko to begin with.
"Boss Kaido, this is clearly Kiryuu trying to drag us into his war. We should plan this more carefully."
Queen looked exhausted already.
They had been used as pawns in Kiryuu's God-Demon Island war.
King had been severely injured.
Kaido lightly injured.
All they got was one Devil Fruit.
Meanwhile Shiki and Big Mom walked away with treasure, ships, and dozens of spoils.
Whitebeard's crew got nothing—purely used as tools.
"Plan nothing! If Kiryuu wants to crush the Marines—then we'll crush the Marines!"
Kaido bellowed, rallying his Ancient Giant Expedition Army, marching toward central New World.
Let the World Government focus on Kiryuu.
Kaido would enjoy the chaos.
If this turned into a world war—even better.
This was the destruction he craved.
Totto Land, Whole Cake Island—
"Mamamama! With Kiryuu causing such a spectacle, the World Government's eyes won't fall on us for now."
Big Mom's eyes gleamed with cruelty and calculation.
She had feared retaliation from the World Government.
She could never abandon the Totto Land territory she had built.
But now?
Souta Kiryuu had taken center stage.
Until his crew was defeated, Totto Land would not be targeted.
"Cracker, Snack—take Baron Tamago and Pekoms.
Lead forces. Destroy one or two Marine bases.
As Emperors, we must set an example."
Her laughter echoed like thunder.
Let Kiryuu and the Government tear each other to pieces.
She would take everything left behind.
"Yes, Mama!"
Cracker and the others left immediately.
Katakuri remained silent, eyes glowing faintly red—deep in thought.
The New World Erupts—
Dozens of ferocious pirate crews surged into action, responding to Kiryuu's call:
Drive the Marines out of the New World.
Forever.
The broadcast had ignited a wildfire.
One crew's defiance became a full-scale pirate uprising.
The New World would become a world ruled only by pirates.
Souta Kiryuu appeared on the live broadcast feed—
grinning, sharp and mocking:
"So, Marines… will you protect the Holy Land?
Or your bases in the New World?"