In a certain sea area just a few hours away from Lodestar Island:
A large number of warships with navy flags, predominantly blue and white, are quietly anchored on the calm sea. This area serves as a temporary anchorage for the Navy's grand fleet. The environment is naturally peaceful, and the sea surface is so still it resembles a mirror. Waiting for the perfect moment to enter the battlefield, these elite fleets from Navy headquarters and branches in the New World are in no rush to show up at Lodestar Island.
This particular location allows the fleet to remain hidden while still being able to reach the island within a very short time.
Inside the meeting room of the largest warship at the center of the fleet:
A projection transponder snail is displaying a live broadcast of Lodestar Island on the cabin wall. Leading the operation are Sakazuki and Chief Staff Officer Tsuru, along with other naval commanders, who are watching the live broadcast closely.
"Even Dragon from the Revolutionary Army has shown up. Things are getting complicated," Sakazuki said with a serious expression, a cigar in his mouth, as he watched Dragon blocking Red-Haired Shanks on the broadcast.
To many in the Navy, pirates aren't a major threat. Even if a pirate becomes a king in the New World and commands many subordinate crews, they still can't shake the World Government's rule. However, the Revolutionary Army is different. Unlike pirates drifting on the sea, the Revolutionary Army liberates countries one by one, establishing bases and freeing them from the World Government's control. Their potential for war is terrifying due to having solid strongholds.
"That kid Dragon is indeed doing well. After several naval attacks recently, it's the Revolutionary Army that stepped in to protect the towns and civilians," Tsuru said, smiling as she watched Dragon on the screen.
"But compared to Dragon, that Nicholas is still as frightening as ever... Defeating a Yonko on Lodestar Island—just the thought is chilling. And the chaos among those monsters is quite something," Kizaru added with a serious expression as he stroked his chin, watching Nicholas in action.
As an old rival, the Navy is well aware of the Yonko's strength. If the Yonko weren't so formidable, the Navy and World Government would have taken them out long ago instead of allowing them to control territories in the New World.
Kizaru's phrase "Kowai ne" (so scary) is usually his catchphrase, often used when mocking pirates in battle. But watching the fight on Lodestar Island, there's no mockery in his tone this time. Those fighting on the island are all top-tier forces of the sea. If they teamed up, this navy fleet wouldn't stand a chance.
"Hahaha, the pirates are tearing each other apart. As expected, these lowlifes of the sea are always scum," scoffed Aramaki, the World Government's envoy, his tone filled with disdain as he watched the broadcast.
"Slurp..." Fujitora, meanwhile, was quietly enjoying a bowl of ramen. Since he couldn't see the broadcast, he focused more on his meal than the ongoing discussion.
Kuzan sat silently, eyes closed, seemingly resting. He had nothing to say and didn't want to say anything. In truth, he felt lost amid the upcoming global turmoil, uncertain of his place. No matter how things unfold on Lodestar Island, the Navy plans to show up only at the end to clean up the mess—a strategy they've often employed to achieve maximum victory with minimal losses.
The Navy's been doing this since the days of the Rocks Pirates, when they allied with the Roger Pirates, and also when they dealt with the World Destroyer, Bundy Waldo, by planting spies and turning some of Waldo's men against him.
"By the way, Sentomaru, aren't you supposed to be guarding Dr. Vegapunk?" Tsuru asked, drawing everyone's attention to the figure standing behind Kizaru.
Sentomaru glanced at the broadcast and then at the people in the room. "The doctor's safety is temporarily handled by the World Government. My main task this time is to test the Pacifistas modeled after Bartholomew Kuma on Lodestar Island." He gripped his axe handle tightly and stood tall.
Suddenly, he noticed that almost everyone in the room was looking at him at the same time. "What's wrong?" Sentomaru asked, confused and a bit stunned. He wondered if he had said something wrong.
The others exchanged looks, first at Sentomaru, then at Kizaru. Originally, the task of protecting Vegapunk was Kizaru's responsibility, but over time, the World Government gradually took over the SSG department, leaving only Sentomaru as the Navy's high-ranking member in the division. Clearly, the World Government has always been wary of the Navy.
"Sentomaru, what do you think of the Pacifistas' capabilities?" Tsuru asked kindly.
"The Pacifistas are almost complete. According to internal assessments, a single Pacifista can rival an average vice admiral, and they can easily handle pirates with bounties over 100 million," Sentomaru replied, sharing confidential SSG information.
Hearing this, many vice admirals in the room had sour expressions. The idea that their decades of hard training could be outmatched by mass-produced technology was hard to accept. Admirals like Sakazuki, Borsalino, and others were deep in thought. Mass-produced weapons could mean the Navy's importance to the World Government would be greatly diminished.
Meanwhile, in a different sea area opposite the Navy's fleet:
A massive island made of hundreds of large snail ships remained steady amidst the waves. This is the mobile fortress of the Vinsmoke family, a formidable military stronghold.
The core members of the Vinsmoke family were also watching the live broadcast of Lodestar Island.
"Father, are we really going to interfere in this kind of battle?" Reiju asked hesitantly as she watched the scenes of mountains being shattered with punches and magma rivers being created by blasts.
Sanji also looked worriedly at Judge. Even though he was confident in his strength, he knew this level of warfare was beyond their capability. Even with the Vinsmoke family's forces, entering that battlefield would be disastrous.
Judge, watching Nicholas single-handedly suppress Big Mom and Bullet in the broadcast, swallowed hard. The ambitions he had nurtured after expanding his army with Gild Tesoro's help were quietly extinguished. Such monsters cannot be defeated by numbers alone.
"Of course not. We have no business meddling in a fight between such monsters. Our target is the possible arrival of the Navy's grand fleet," Judge replied seriously to Reiju.