When Sentomaru returned to Navy Headquarters with the news, chaos erupted instantly.
An uproar swept through the entire base.
Admiral Kizaru—defeated!?
Captured alive!?
And the man who did it was none other than Mundo, the same pirate who made a scene at the navy headquarters ten years ago!
No one could believe it. After a decade of disappearance, Mundo had returned with power great enough to crush an admiral.
Worse still, he had killed a Celestial Dragon once again.
This was no longer rebellion—it was outright provocation against the World Government itself.
Navy Headquarters, inside an office.
"What did you just say!? That brat Mundo reappeared!? And he defeated Kizaru?"
The booming voice rattled the walls, echoing beyond the office doors. Only one man in the entire headquarters carried such a roar—the Navy Hero, Garp.
Ten years had left their mark on him. His hair and beard were now completely white, and his face carried the wear of time. But his spirit remained unshaken.
"And he killed another Celestial Dragon!?" Garp's tone grew grave. His sharp gaze fixed on the captain before him. "You mean, from the fleet that went to Sabaody, only Sentomaru returned—with the head of Saint Charlos!?"
"Y-Yes, Vice Admiral Garp!" the officer stammered.
Garp's brows furrowed deeply. "This is trouble… Big trouble. That brat Akainu must be pulling his hair out by now."
And he wasn't wrong.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office.
Akainu's fury boiled like a volcano. Lava dripped from his fists, scorching deep pits into the stone floor.
"Borsalino… losing to a mere junior," he growled, molten heat distorting the air around him. "You've shamed the Navy!"
The lieutenant colonel delivering the report trembled, head bowed low.
"Where is Sentomaru!?" Akainu demanded.
"Marshal, Captain Sentomaru is being treated at the infirmary!"
"Tell him to drag himself here—immediately!" Akainu snapped.
The officer nearly stumbled in his haste to leave, as if fleeing a beast's den.
Left alone, Akainu slammed the latest report onto his desk. His jaw clenched.
"MUNDO!!"
Elsewhere, Smoker, newly promoted to colonel, sat in silence. His face was clouded with complicated emotions as he read the report.
"Mundo…"
The hotheaded youth he once knew had vanished. Ten years had hardened both of them. Smoker, now a middle-aged man, clenched his jaw.
"So, you've finally returned. Then between us—ten years in the making—it's time we settled things."
Resolute, he hefted his sea-stone tipped weapon and strode toward the Marshal's office. He would personally request to join the fleet bound for Sabaody. If Fenric was back, then Smoker would be the one to bring him in.
—--
Meanwhile, across the seas, news spread like wildfire.
Ever since Luffy's assault on a Celestial Dragon, the Sabaody Archipelago had drawn the eyes of countless powers. But this… this was far greater.
A pirate who defeated an admiral, captured two Celestial Dragons, and openly declared war on the Navy. Every major force took notice.
Totto Land, in Big Mom's Castle hall.
"Mundo?" Charlotte Linlin—Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors—stuffed her mouth full of sweets as she spoke. "Who is this brat strong enough to beat the Kizaru?"
Her eldest son, Perospero, licked his candy cane and chuckled. "Mama, don't you recall? Ten years ago, a pirate infiltrated Navy Headquarters disguised as a marine. A Celestial Dragon was killed, and the culprit, Mundo, received a bounty of two billion berries."
"Ohhh, that one!" Big Mom laughed between bites of cake. "Interesting… Keep an eye on him."
"Yes, Mama."
—--
Somewhere in the New World, aboard a massive ship.
A towering figure drank heartily, his crescent mustache gleaming beneath the sun. Despite his failing health and the IV drip at his side, his presence radiated unmatched strength.
Edward Newgate—Whitebeard. The strongest man in the world.
"Dad, please slow down," urged Marco, first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Gurararara! Marco, a little sickness won't kill me." Whitebeard's booming laugh shook the deck. "Now, tell me more about this Mundo. I like this brat already!"
Marco sighed, then reported, "According to our intel, Mundo captured Admiral Kizaru and now controls the Sabaody Archipelago. He's also holding two Celestial Dragons. And it seems Dark King Rayleigh is by his side, supporting him."
"Rayleigh?" Whitebeard's grin widened. "Didn't expect that old man to crawl out of retirement. Guess he couldn't sit still after all! Gurararara!"
Just then, a pirate rushed onto the deck. "Dad! A newcomer requests an audience—he says he carries Mundo's words."
"Oh?" Whitebeard's brow rose. "Bring him in."
Moments later, a young man was escorted before the emperor. His presence was calm but wary—the pressure of Whitebeard's aura was suffocating.
It was Trafalgar Law.
"Well, brat?" Whitebeard asked, voice booming like a lion's roar. "What message does Mundo send me?"
Law took a steadying breath. Even as a pirate captain, standing before Whitebeard was overwhelming.
"Senior Whitebeard," he said, voice respectful. "Uncle Mundo wishes me to tell you—now is the best time to rescue Ace."
"..!"
Whitebeard's expression sharpened. His eyes blazed with light.