"The Big Mom Pirates are moving too. Several of Linlin's kids have clashed with our patrol fleets multiple times in the seas around Totto Land, and they're extremely hardline—like they're certain we won't dare pick a fight with them at a time like this!"
"And Kaido's Beasts Pirates, too! That lunatic has already left Wano, personally smashed two forward observation posts near Wano, and even put out word saying he'll make the Marines get the hell out of the New World!"
"These three forces are taking advantage of our empty hands and expanding their turf like crazy! The pressure on our frontline commanders is enormous. Our line keeps shrinking—if this keeps up, the defensive line we've built in the New World over so many years could collapse!"
Tsuru closed the file, looked straight at Sengoku, and spoke with unmistakable gravity:
"Sengoku, our situation now is being attacked from both sides. On one side, we have to take down the Lulusia Kingdom, which has resistance beyond imagination. On the other, we have those overlords of the New World—restless, ready to pounce and tear at our rear at any moment. Our troops and our top-end combat power have been scattered far too thin."
Hearing Tsuru's analysis, how could Sengoku not know?
To hold the New World line, Sengoku had already gathered as much mid-tier Marine strength as possible from the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line, sending them to the New World. He'd even dispatched the retired former Admiral Zephyr to the New World.
All to stabilize the situation there.
Sengoku understood it clearly: if the New World line collapsed, the damage would be far, far worse than three Lulusia Kingdoms put together.
A long silence settled over the office.
Both high-ranking Marines felt it plainly—the Marines, and even the entire World Government, had been dragged into a dangerous mire by the decisions of the Gorosei and the Celestial Dragons.
"The Gorosei's orders can't be defied. All we can do is order the frontline bases to shrink the line and avoid large-scale conflicts with those forces as much as possible. Everything can wait until after we deal with Lulusia." Sengoku's voice was heavy with exhaustion.
"As for Lulusia… I can only hope the outcome won't be that bad." Sengoku let out a long sigh.
Tsuru watched his back. She knew nothing could be changed now, but the worry in her eyes for the Marines' future didn't lessen in the slightest.
This war against Lulusia had already pushed the Marines to the edge of a cliff. Win or lose, the price would be terrifying.
Lulusia Kingdom, Royal palace.
Several days had passed since the world-shaking execution of the Celestial Dragons. Scars of battle still lingered at the harbor. Damaged buildings were being repaired. In contrast, the kingdom's people carried the relief of surviving disaster—and when their eyes turned toward the palace, there was a burning, steadfast reverence.
King Ronan had withstood the World Government's assault—and even counterkilled.
For everyone who had chosen to stay and live or die with the kingdom, it was a shot of pure courage. Throughout the kingdom, the voices of the people were filled with praise for Ronan, along with anticipation for the future. Ronan's prestige had reached an unprecedented peak.
Inside the side-hall study, Ronan finished handling the postwar government work from the past few days. He rubbed between his brows, then finally had time to turn his awareness inward and check the panel in the depths of his mind.
Holder: Ronan
Quest Points: 1800
Abilities:
Armament Haki (Mastery; 1200 points to upgrade to Perfect)
Physical Arts (Mastery; 1200 points to upgrade to Perfect)
Observation Haki (Proficient; 700 points to upgrade to Mastery)
Special Skill:
Lucky Roulette (1000 points per use)
Staring at those points—more than a thousand—Ronan couldn't help feeling it: earning them really hadn't been easy.
And he didn't hesitate for even a second.
In high-end clashes, Armament Haki was absolutely critical. He focused his awareness directly on the Armament Haki option.
"Spend 1200 Quest Points. Upgrade Armament Haki to Perfect!"
Boom!
A torrent of insight—about the essence of Haki, its condensation and outward release—surged into his mind, fusing seamlessly with everything he'd trained before.
In reality, a thick, pitch-black sheen already coated Ronan's body. Not just his skin—he could even feel that immense power sinking into his organs and bones, giving him a solidity he'd never felt before.
Perfect-grade Armament Haki.
With it covering his entire body, both defense and offense leapt forward in a qualitative jump.
Just as Ronan was immersed in the sensation Perfect Armament Haki brought him, a report came from outside the study.
"Heika, King Judge of the Germa Kingdom requests an audience."
"Let him in."
Soon, Judge entered the room.
Unlike his attitude at the Golden City a few days ago, Judge's face now carried a fervent excitement. The moment he stepped inside, he bowed deeply to Ronan, his tone brimming with a different kind of respect.
"Denka! You truly created a miracle!"
He lifted his head, the shock still lingering in his eyes.
"I knew you might be able to bear the pressure, but I never imagined the World Government would dispatch the God Knights and Admiral Kizaru! And I never imagined you would drive them back! You even executed the Celestial Dragons!"
The instant Judge learned the full details of the Lulusia war, it felt like his worldview—built over decades—had been overturned. Killing members of the God Knights, forcing back a Marine Admiral, publicly executing world nobles… any one of those was enough to shake the world.
Ronan did all of it. And he succeeded.
This wasn't just "strong." This was absurdly, outrageously beyond reason.
Even the great pirates who ruled the New World didn't have strength like this. Judge understood he'd placed the right bet.
In that moment, the last trace of doubt in Judge's heart completely vanished. He decided to bind himself—bind the entire Germa Kingdom's future—fully to Ronan's warship of limitless potential.
No… it wasn't even "potential" anymore.
Ronan was already terrifyingly strong.
"It was luck." Ronan replied calmly. "Judge, you didn't come here just to say all that, did you?"
Hearing that, Judge straightened, his tone turning serious.
"My main reason for coming is this: our eyes and ears in the New World sent back urgent intelligence."
"Oh?" Ronan's gaze sharpened.
"Marine Headquarters is mobilizing the New World garrisons on a massive scale," Judge said gravely. "Elites from key branches like G-1 and G-5, and several Vice Admirals who were originally assigned to monitor the movements of the major pirates—they've all received emergency orders and returned to Marineford. The scale of the transfer is so huge it's practically hollowing out more than half of the Marines' strength in the New World."
Ronan's eyes turned thoughtful.
He'd expected retaliation from the World Government. Executing Celestial Dragons was the same as declaring war—there was no way they'd let it go. He'd also prepared himself to face a larger Marine operation.
But pulling out more than half the garrison strength from the New World?
That was a staggering move.
Did the World Government and Marine Headquarters really not fear the New World spiraling completely out of control?
Even though the "Four Emperors" pattern hadn't fully formed like in the canon story, Whitebeard, Linlin, and Kaido had already carved out their territories in the New World.
In that situation, the Marines' balance in the New World was already fragile. If they did this just to deal with him… did they really not worry the whole New World structure would collapse?
"…So they're going all-in?" Ronan murmured.
To wipe out Lulusia, the World Government would rather risk the New World's order crumbling, just to gather overwhelming force and seek a single decisive kill.
That resolve—and that ruthlessness—fit the Gorosei perfectly.
"Looks like they've made up their minds," Ronan said coldly. "No matter the cost, they want to crush us completely."
The pressure was unlike anything before, yet there wasn't even a trace of fear in his eyes. If anything, his fighting spirit burned hotter.
"Heika, should we…" Judge asked cautiously—hinting at seeking outside help, or taking more aggressive action.
Ronan waved his hand, cutting him off.
"No need to worry. This time, we're not fighting alone anymore. But on this side, I need you to gather the remaining clone soldiers. This time, the main body of our troops will probably have to rely on you."
"Yes! Denka!" Judge answered at once.
Not long after Judge left, an unexpected visitor appeared in Ronan's room—soundlessly.
A dark green hooded cloak. A face marked with a red, square-pattern tattoo.
It was Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army.
Ronan wasn't surprised at Dragon's appearance at all. If anything, to avoid misunderstandings, Dragon had already sent word in advance.
"Dragon-san." Ronan looked at him calmly. "Showing up at a time like this… you're not here for sightseeing, are you?"
Dragon gave a slight nod and got straight to the point.
"Heika must already know the Marines' movements."
Ronan nodded, signaling him to continue.
"I came today on behalf of the Revolutionary Army to formally propose cooperation to Heika—cooperation with the Lulusia Kingdom."
"Cooperation?" Ronan chuckled. "I remember a few years ago, in Lulusia's royal palace, Dragon-san also invited me. Back then, I refused."
Dragon admitted it openly.
"That was then. This is now. At the time, Heika was still a prince, and your situation was completely different. But now, Heika, you have no road left to retreat. This time, the World Government will definitely use its full strength."
"And our Revolutionary Army's goal is to overthrow the World Government and the brutal rule of the Celestial Dragons behind it. Fundamentally, that aligns with the predicament Heika faces now."
"More importantly, cooperation between us isn't one side attaching itself to the other. It's a strategic union between two forces with a shared goal—joining hands for survival and victory."
(End of Chapter)
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