Rolan naturally understood what Whitebeard meant.
Whitebeard simply wanted to spare the lives of Charlotte Linlin and Kaido.
Rolan found this request perfectly reasonable. Whitebeard was someone who valued bonds and emotions deeply. The three of them had once sailed under the same banner as members of the Rocks Pirates. They had faced countless storms and bloody battles together on the seas.
Although their paths had long diverged and their ideals were completely different, Whitebeard still retained a trace of sentiment for those former comrades.
Rolan gave a slight nod.
"That depends on whether they listen."
In truth, he had never intended to let those two unstable forces continue existing in this world.
Not long after he left the island called Peach Garden, the two of them had already attempted to ambush him. Whether it was for the stability of the future or simply because of their actions, Rolan had no reason to spare them.
However, since Whitebeard had spoken, he was willing to give them one opportunity.
Still, Rolan was almost certain that neither Kaido nor Charlotte Linlin would cherish such mercy.
...
More than half a month had passed since the Paramount War at Marineford.
Newspapers filled with detailed reports about the war were distributed across every corner of the seas.
The entire world was shaken by the news.
South Blue, Torusimi Island.
"Extra! Extra! Sea level rises three meters! Marineford disappears!"
A young news vendor wearing a leather hat ran down the street while shouting loudly. A satchel filled with newspapers hung from his shoulder.
"One copy please."
"I'll take one too."
"Give me one!"
Within moments, every newspaper in his bag had been sold.
The buyers immediately opened the papers and began reading eagerly.
"What? The island where Marineford stood has completely disappeared?"
"What is this abyss they are talking about?"
"The sea level really rose by three meters? No wonder the shoreline looked different earlier."
"Is the world coming to an end?"
Shocked voices filled the street.
Fear and confusion spread through the crowd.
...
East Blue, Shimotsuki Village.
Isshin Dojo.
Genzo held a stack of newspapers in his hands. The headline on the front page read:
"Shocking! Marineford Vanishes! A Mysterious Abyss Appears!"
A deep worry appeared on his face.
"So it has finally come to this..."
Rolan's declaration during the Marineford War had been fully printed in the newspaper.
On one side stood the Ion Tempest Pirates, led by the strongest man in the world.
On the other side stood the World Government, an organization that had ruled the world for more than eight hundred years.
If these two enormous powers truly clashed, the result would be far more terrifying than the war that had just ended at Marineford.
No matter who won, the entire world would suffer the consequences.
Genzo slowly raised his head and looked toward the dojo.
"Haa!"
"Ha!"
"Hya!"
"Haa!"
A group of young children stood in the courtyard, swinging wooden swords as they practiced their forms.
Their voices were energetic and filled with determination.
Yet Genzo could not help but wonder how long such peaceful days would continue.
He lowered his gaze and picked up a wanted poster lying beside him.
Looking at the familiar face printed on it, he murmured softly.
"Lord Zoro, you are already caught in this great whirlpool. No matter how fate turns, I only hope you remain safe."
Just then, a small boy approached him.
The boy had short green hair and three wooden swords tied to his waist.
His eyes were shining with excitement.
"Master! Is that Senior Brother Zoro's wanted poster?"
Koushirou looked down at the boy and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
This child was his newest disciple, Wosheng Yatu Siru.
Not only did the boy resemble Zoro when he was young, he had also become completely obsessed with him.
Koushirou nodded.
"Yes, this is Zoro."
Siru's eyes widened instantly.
"Then... can I see it?"
Koushirou smiled faintly and handed him the poster.
Siru carefully took it with trembling hands, as if he were holding a priceless treasure.
"This is my idol!"
...
Grand Line, Water 7.
A middle aged man with short hair and a formal suit stood on the rooftop of a tall building, staring at the restless sea surrounding the island.
Iceburg, the mayor of Water 7, looked troubled.
"It feels like the sea level has risen by a few meters."
Standing beside him was a small girl with black hair holding a folder. She tilted her head in confusion.
"Really? I didn't notice anything."
In truth, the residents of Water 7 would have difficulty noticing such a change.
Every year the city suffered from a terrifying natural disaster known as Aqua Laguna.
Each year the tides grew higher and more dangerous.
Because of that threat, Iceburg had long planned to transform Water 7 into a massive floating ship.
If the city could float on the sea, then even Aqua Laguna would no longer threaten its survival.
When Rolan had visited previously, he had used his Devil Fruit ability to separate the island from the seabed. Afterward, Nami used Island Clouds to lift the entire city.
Iceburg had gladly accepted the plan.
As one of the greatest shipwrights in the world, Iceburg understood the sea extremely well. In only a few hours, he had already noticed that the ocean level had risen significantly.
At the same time, he could not help feeling relieved.
If Water 7 had not been turned into a floating island, many districts would already be underwater.
"Iceburg san, the inspection tour of Water 7 is almost finished," the young secretary said as she opened the folder. "Next you have a meeting with officials from Enies Lobby. They want to discuss constructing a new sea train route."
Iceburg rubbed his forehead with a tired expression.
"Ah... how troublesome."
His tone sounded relaxed, but his thoughts were far from calm.
He had personally heard every word Rolan spoke during the Marineford War.
It was practically a declaration of war against the World Government.
Iceburg did not believe the government was unaware of Water 7's connection to Rolan.
The officials arriving from Enies Lobby were probably not here simply to discuss sea trains.
A small white mouse poked its head out from Iceburg's left chest pocket and squeaked.
Buruburu.
Buruburu.
At that moment, a Den Den Mushi began ringing.
The little secretary took out a small Den Den Mushi from her pocket and held it to her ear.
"Moshi Moshi. This is Iceburg, Mayor of Water 7."
"Yes... I understand."
She listened for a moment while nodding repeatedly.
After ending the call, she turned toward Iceburg.
"The World Government officials have already arrived. They are waiting in your office."
Iceburg sighed softly.
"Then let's go meet them."
After speaking, he turned and walked toward the mayor's building.
The young secretary quietly followed behind him.
When the two entered the office, they discovered that seven people were already inside.
A mysterious man dressed entirely in white clothing sat in the mayor's chair.
A mask covered his face.
Standing on each side of him were three government agents dressed in black suits and top hats.
Seeing someone occupying Iceburg's seat immediately angered the young secretary.
"Hey! That's Mayor Iceburg's chair! You can't sit there!"
One of the agents with a hawk like nose stepped forward aggressively, preparing to rush toward her.
However, the masked man raised a hand and stopped him.
The secretary was about to protest again when Iceburg spoke first.
"It's just a chair. Let them sit for a while."
The masked man slowly lifted his head.
Through the eyeholes of the mask, a pair of cold and piercing eyes locked onto Iceburg.
"Iceburg," he said coldly. "We suspect you are collaborating with Rolan, the world's most dangerous criminal. You will come with us."
Iceburg scratched the side of his head calmly.
"I expected something like this."
However, the young secretary was not intimidated at all.
"Aren't you supposed to be here to discuss the sea train?" she said angrily. "So you came all this way just to accuse people?"
The masked man's expression darkened beneath his mask.
He gestured toward the agent standing on his left.
The agent nodded.
In the next instant, he used Soru and vanished.
He reappeared directly in front of the secretary, reaching out to grab her throat.
At that moment, a voice suddenly echoed through the room.