Souta Kiryuu's declaration—brazen, domineering, and made with absolute confidence—spread across the world like wildfire.
From nobles to Marines, countless onlookers found themselves swallowing hard, their faces pale.
This was madness.
Even in the era of the legendary Rocks Pirates—once the tyrannical overlords of the New World—there had never been a pirate captain who dared to speak so boldly.
"Marines stationed in the New World—this is your last chance to withdraw.
Your lives are your own.
Don't throw them away just to protect the extravagant, wasteful lives of the Celestial Dragons."
A cold smile tugged at the corner of Souta Kiryuu's lips.
His gaze held no warmth.
With one arm around the Pirate Empress, and the other around the Devil's Child, he turned to leave the broadcast den den mushi's field of view.
"Gahaha! Many thanks to Lord God-Slayer for his thoughtful advice and heartfelt concern!"
Big News Morgans immediately chimed in, his voice sickeningly flattering.
"Marines of justice! Think about your lives! Think about your families!
For a monthly salary of a few tens of thousands of Beli—what are you dying for?!
For them?"
His voice, amplified by every broadcast line in the world, tore right into Marine morale.
Tension spread like a plague.
Every Marine branch in the New World was now on high alert.
They could be attacked at any moment—
by the Souta Kiryuu Pirates, the Four Emperors, or the countless crews inspired to revolt.
The New World was seconds away from igniting.
New World — G-14 Marine Fortress
Inside the base, a woman with short black hair and a black choker—Vice Admiral Doll—stood at the center of the war room.
Her expression was grim, urgent.
Without hesitation, she summoned all majors and colonels to an emergency strategy meeting.
G-14's location was dangerously close to Pirate Paradise: Hachinosu—Beehive Island.
Their primary watch target was Wang Zhi's Pirate Crew, one of the fiercest pirate factions of the era.
Now, with Souta Kiryuu's rallying cry echoing across the sea, Doll feared that Beehive Island and countless other pirate forces were on the verge of erupting into full revolt.
If the situation collapsed—
G-14 would become the front line of the storm.
And if Souta Kiryuu himself chose G-14 as the next target…
He would find that Doll and the elite forces stationed here were not easy prey.
This fortress was where SWORD Division elites trained and sharpened themselves against real pirate threats.
Even Vice Admiral Garp had once come here to seek support—only to be refused due to lack of World Government authorization, forcing him to charge Beehive Island alone…
That battle had ended with the fall of a Marine hero.
Inside the fortress war room stood:
Major General Kujaku — wielder of the Whip-Whip Fruit, granddaughter of legendary strategist Tsuru.
Major General Prince Grus — Clay-Clay Fruit user, level-headed and tactical.
Members of SWORD—the Marine unit that moved outside official command.
"Vice Admiral Doll, are we holding G-14? Or should we withdraw and regroup?"
Kujaku asked calmly, though the tension in her voice was unmistakable.
Her strategic judgment leaned toward evacuation. Staying risked total annihilation.
"I will wait for orders from Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Doll said firmly.
"As for you SWORD operatives—leave the base immediately and regroup with the main forces."
She refused to risk losing Tsuru's granddaughter.
Kujaku and Grus exchanged a silent look.
Then shook their heads.
"We remain. If we leave, the fortress may fall before reinforcements arrive."
Grus said quietly.
"As long as it isn't Souta Kiryuu or a Yonko crew—we can hold."
Kujaku added.
Doll clenched her teeth.
"…Do as you choose."
She exhaled heavily. She had no authority to command SWORD.
The fortress moved to maximum defense condition.
If a Yonko or Souta Kiryuu appeared—
They would abandon the island.
New World Naval Command — G-1 Fortress
With Admiral Kuzan leading Green Bull and Garp's fleet to the Adams Kingdom waterways, command now rested with Vice Admiral Onigumo—a fanatic loyal to Admiral Akainu.
He stared coldly at the broadcast image of Souta Kiryuu, hatred burning so intensely it was almost visible.
Souta Kiryuu had captured Akainu—
the symbol and spearhead of Marine extremism.
Of course the hawkish faction despised him.
"Vice Admiral, after the fall of G-5, every New World fortress may be targeted next.
Pirate uprisings are spreading rapidly. We must establish evacuation and defensive plans—"
"No."
Onigumo's tone was deathly calm.
"Until orders come—
We hold. To the last man."
Marineford — Emergency Strategy Conference
Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Chief Strategist Tsuru sat in silence.
What they feared most—
had come true.
Souta Kiryuu's influence was no longer merely personal.
He had united the chaotic pirates of the New World—
into a single direction, a single pressure wave.
Not even Gol D. Roger had done this.
A new era was rising.
And the world was being dragged into it.