Holy Land, Mariejois
"Boom!"
Saint Saturn struck the ground hard with his crutch, his face contorted with rage.
"Doflamingo was killed, Dressrosa withdrew from the World Government, and it has become the territory of the Entei Pirates. The culprits? The captain of the second division of the Entei Pirates, 'Dark Ranger' Fujitora, and Kuzan, who quit the Marines and is now the captain of the Entei Pirates Grand Fleet First Division! Bastard! Such a powerful warrior has joined the Entei Pirates!"
The room was tense as the other Four Elders shared Saint Saturn's fury. They already hated Ace with a burning passion. The Entei Incident had brought unprecedented trouble for the World Government. The Celestial Dragons, who had been shaped as descendants of the Creator with supreme privileges, were publicly executed with ordinary bullets in front of the entire world. This act revived the troublesome "D" will globally.
During this period, the revolutionary army's frequent movements drained the World Government's resources. Many countries were "liberated" by the revolutionary army, standing in opposition to the World Government.
At the climax of the Entei Incident, the Flame Emperor's skill and strength forced the Five Elders to make an unprecedented decision: to halt the Buster Call, a symbol of the World Government's absolute justice. This wasn't just any Buster Call, but a Super Buster Call, initiated by the Five Elders themselves, gathering over 100 battleships. The Flame Emperor had shattered the World Government's notion of absolute justice.
Though the live broadcast to the world had ended before this decision, the fact remained that the Buster Call had been suspended. The World Government imposed a gag order on the people of the Sabaody Archipelago, forbidding them from speaking about the Entei Incident.
While they could suppress public opinion and discussion, the damage to the morale and confidence of the Marine elites who participated in the Entei Incident was irreparable. The World Government's constructed value of absolute justice, bestowed upon the Marines, was now in jeopardy. If this notion were subverted, the consequences could be catastrophic.
The Five Elders knew that their grip on power was weakening, and the flames of rebellion were spreading faster than ever.
But now, something else had happened that further tarnished the concept of justice. After painstakingly replenishing the Seven Warlords of the Sea, another member had been killed—Donquixote Doflamingo. The former Celestial Dragon had been mercilessly destroyed by two of the strongest warriors under the Entei Fleet in Dressrosa. The identity of one of the murderers made the Five Elders livid with rage.
Originally one of the top combat forces within the World Government, the former Admiral of Headquarters, 'Aokiji' Kuzan, had defected. The World Government didn't have many such powerful combatants. In the history of the sea, the ceiling of combat power was the "King" level: the sun god Nika eight hundred years ago, the former pirate king Gol D. Roger, Whitebeard at his peak, the overlord Rocks D. Xebec, and now, the absolute overlord of the sea, Flame Emperor Portgas D. Ace. These individuals represented the pinnacle of combat power in the history of the sea.
Below them were those who had mastered Conqueror's Haki-entanglement, possessing powerful Devil Fruit abilities or extraordinary swordsmanship. They formed a terrifying combat power second only to the "King" level, reaching other peak combat abilities—the Four Emperors. Below the Four Emperors was Kuzan's level of fighting force. Although not as strong as the Four Emperors, he could still engage them head-on for a short period. Compared to other Admiral of Headquarters-level combatants, such as Green Bull and Tea Dolphin who had been promoted to Admirals, Kuzan's combat capabilities were on a higher tier.
Such powerful combat forces were scarce and could significantly influence the outcome of large-scale wars. Dealing with such powerhouses required immense effort from the World Government. And now, a formidable combat force that once belonged to the World Government had defected and joined their greatest enemy—Ace. This shift, adding one powerful ally to Ace and losing one for themselves, spelled a tragic loss for the World Government.
In the Entei Incident, the World Government hadn't lost such a strong combat force. What infuriated the Five Elders even more was that Dressrosa, a nation that joined the World Government, and one of the twenty kings who created the Donquixote family eight hundred years ago, had chosen to abandon the World Government. They now flew the pirate flag of the Entei Pirates, becoming part of their territory. One of the World Government's important member nations had turned into pirate territory, tarnishing the World Government's reputation.
Flame Emperor Portgas D. Ace had once again challenged their bottom line. Yet, they found themselves helpless against him. Ace's ability to use all Devil Fruit powers was terrifying. The Door-Door Fruit allowed him to travel to any corner of the world quietly. After Kuzan left the Marines, encountering Smoker and the others, the Five Elders learned from them that Fujitora had descended directly from the Entei Pirates via an air gate. This ability, coupled with Ace's combat prowess, allowed him to come and go freely anywhere in the world, even beyond the World Government's reach.
Ace, who could use multiple Devil Fruit abilities, represented the strongest Demon fruit power in history. Even the legendary Nika had limitations, using his unique "imagination" to fight but relying mainly on rubber. The gap between Nika's powers and actual Devil Fruit abilities was vast. However, Ace could use multiple Devil Fruit powers directly, consuming only physical strength, which was no issue for a Logia Devil Fruit user like him. Essentially, he was an upgraded version of Nika, making the World Government feel completely powerless for the first time in centuries.
Even the former maritime overlord, Rocks D. Xebec, and the Valley of the Gods incident didn't make them this passive. Saint Saturn, in particular, harbored a deep hatred for Ace. In front of the entire world, Ace had smashed his head and immediately turned off the live broadcast, erasing his majesty as one of the world's highest power holders. The humiliation burned in his mind, turning his eyes blood red with rage.
"Not only that," Saint Mars, his long hair and beard flowing, added, "one of the Shichibukai, Pirate Empress Boa Hancock, has also been confirmed to join the Entei Pirates. Amazon Lily, her daughter country, now flies the pirate flag of the Entei Pirates and has become their territory. This news has spread globally, publicly slapping our World Government in the face!"
The formation of the Seven Warlords of the Sea had been a strategic move by the Five Elders, albeit at great cost and pressure. The resignation of "Black Arm" Zephyr from the Marines was one such cost. Despite this, the Seven Warlords of the Sea had maintained a balance in the sea for a long time. This balance was shattered when Entei and Portgas D. Ace set sail.
Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords, became Ace's first stepping stone to fame. Later, during the Entei Incident, the Seven Warlords' internal strife, orchestrated by the Red Hair Pirates and Beckman, embarrassed the World Government. After the Entei Incident, they filled the vacancies in the Shichibukai to maintain their combat power. Yet now, with Doflamingo killed by Ace's men and Boa Hancock joining the Entei Pirates, the Seven Warlords of the Sea had become a colossal joke on the sea, thanks to Ace.
"Seven Warlords of the Sea is just a force in our hands, but turning our franchised countries into the territory of the Entei Pirates touches upon our core interests. The Flame Emperor wants to compete with our World Government for the world!" Saint Peter's face twisted with frustration.
"Just him? Can our eight hundred years of preparation be matched by his arrogance? If he hadn't been able to use the power of the Gate-Gate Fruit..." Saint Warcury, irritated and sporting a prominent birthmark on his forehead, was seething with rage.
"Being able to use it means being able to use it. These assumptions don't make any sense," Saint Nusjuro, wielding a samurai sword, said as he struck the scabbard against the ground with a deep, resonant thud.
"The good news for us is that the Beasts Pirates and BIG-MOM Pirates have publicly announced the establishment of a pirate alliance. They have joined forces on Onigashima to fight against the Entei Pirates together," Saint Mars interjected, a flash of intrigue in his eyes.
In the past, the formation of an alliance between two Four Emperors pirate groups would have been a significant concern for the World Government. But today's circumstances were vastly different. The Entei Pirates, under Ace's leadership, had become a colossal force on the sea, unmatched by any other pirate group. This new reality was far more threatening than the former Rocks Pirates, who had been plagued by internal strife and constant conflict among their crew.
The Entei Pirates, however, were a disciplined and unified group, wholly obedient to Ace's commands. Such a monolithic entity was a dire threat to the balance of power on the seas. The alliance between the Beasts Pirates and BIG-MOM Pirates to combat this giant was a development the World Government welcomed.
The concept of maintaining the balance of the sea was now obsolete. Ace had shattered this balance, ushering in an era of unprecedented chaos. Even the World Government couldn't halt this tidal wave of violence. Their goal now was to ensure they emerged victorious in this era of turmoil.
"Do you want to get involved? But it is very likely that it will turn into a full-scale war," Peter Saint said solemnly. The battle between the two Four Emperors and the Entei Pirates was already a world-class conflict with far-reaching implications. Intervening in such a war would necessitate deploying the three Admirals of Naval Headquarters and even Marshal Akainu. This would require a coordinated effort with the World Government's forces.
Among the current Admirals, only Kizaru was deemed powerful enough to engage the Four Emperors head-on, even if only for a short time. Green Bull and Tea Dolphin, newly promoted to Admirals, had only just crossed the threshold of Admiral-level strength. Tea Dolphin's promotion was largely due to the Devil Fruit granted by the World Government—the Snake-Snake Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Snake Belt. While formidable, their combat prowess was insufficient against the likes of the Flame Emperor and his allies.
"When they decide the outcome, we will take action based on the situation. But we should first deploy Kizaru and the others near Onigashima. It's time for our human weapons to appear on the sea," Saint Saturn, overseeing the scientific research unit, suggested with a gleam in his eye.
"Agreed!" the other Elders chorused.
"Then it's settled!" Saint Peter concluded.
Soon, orders were dispatched to Naval Headquarters. The wheels of the World Government's formidable military machine began to turn, gearing up for a confrontation that would shake the very foundations of the world.
Saobaody Archipelago, the unique island where the first half of the Grand Line meets the second half, the New World, has undergone a tremendous transformation. Traditionally, there were only two ways to traverse from the first half of the Grand Line to the New World: passing directly over the Red Line through Mariejois, the holy land at the Red Continent's peak—a route that, for pirates, was a death sentence—or coating ships with Argman mangrove resin in the Sabaody Archipelago to dive 10,000 meters into the deep sea, passing through a vast hole beneath the Red Line and navigating the "undersea line" to Fish-Men Island, before emerging in the New World.
Because of its strategic location, the Sabaody Archipelago became a hub for pirates who had successfully navigated the first half of the Grand Line. This led to the development of numerous black and gray market operations, concentrated in the illegal zones of GROVE-1 to GROVE-29. These zones also housed facilities for the Celestial Dragons, such as population auction houses, making the archipelago their playground.
Celestial Dragons, known as the true nobles of the world, often visited Sabaody Archipelago to patrol their territory and indulge in their cruelties. Even the most notorious pirates were forced to kneel before the Celestial Dragons, alongside the people of the archipelago. But that was before the Entei Incident changed everything.
The illegal zones from GROVE-1 to GROVE-29 were utterly decimated in the epic battle of the Entei Incident. Many of the illicit industries and Celestial Dragon facilities were obliterated by the legendary Flame Emperor, Ace. His Mera-Mera Fruit powers turned the area into a lava hell. If not for Ace's ability to revert the natural elements and Fujitora's use of the Gravity Fruit to summon a meteorite to fill the ocean cavity Ace created, the Sabaody Archipelago would have been permanently transformed into a purgatory more terrifying than the earth's core.
Marine and World Government propaganda claimed credit for changing the climate and ensuring the restoration of the archipelago, but those who witnessed the Entei Incident knew the truth. Despite a comprehensive blockade and strict control, with CP agents omnipresent, the people of Sabaody Archipelago lived under constant surveillance and were forbidden from discussing the incident. Yet, a seed of resistance had been planted in their hearts, waiting to take root.
Since the Entei Incident, Celestial Dragons have been conspicuously absent from the Sabaody Archipelago, turning it into a de facto restricted zone for them. The supreme privileges they once flaunted no longer extended to this island. This was all due to Ace, a man they loathed but could not confront, for even the highest authorities, the Five Elders, had no answer for him. To prevent further losses, the Celestial Dragons' activities were confined to Mariejois, restricting their movements to avoid Ace's wrath.
Over time, as the World Government's propaganda machine worked tirelessly, the impact of the Entei Incident began to fade. Impatient Celestial Dragons petitioned the Five Elders to lift their restrictions, eager to resume their slave trade and other activities. However, the Five Elders, wary of Ace's threat, suppressed these requests, understanding that another public humiliation would severely undermine their authority.
Despite ongoing restrictions, some Celestial Dragons used their influence to rebuild recreational facilities on Sabaody Archipelago, rationalizing that during this period of confinement, they could at least restore the island to its former glory. The Five Elders permitted this, as it kept the Celestial Dragons occupied and out of trouble.
For the Five Elders, the Celestial Dragons were merely "people"—breeding grounds for the elite members of the Knights of God. The rest of the world's population, to them, were insignificant bugs. Under the orders of some Celestial Dragons, the reconstruction of the illegal zones from GROVE-1 to GROVE-29 began, supervised by CP0, the Celestial Dragons' enforcers. These CP0 agents, wielding their masters' orders, often treated everyone else, including the stationed Marines, with disdain.
Thus, Saobaody Archipelago, once the playground of the world's most powerful and corrupt, stood at the intersection of a past marred by tyranny and a future simmering with potential rebellion.
However, on this day, the usually arrogant CP agents and the pirates gathered from the first half of the Grand Line found themselves drenched in cold sweat, staring in horror at the ships docked at the port.
"Th-That pirate flag...," stammered a CP agent, his voice trembling with fear as he dared not approach any closer.
"No, it can't be... but it is! It's the Entei Pirates! That's the Merry, the flagship of the Entei Pirates!!!" cried another agent, swallowing hard in terror.
"Quick! Report this immediately! The Entei Pirates have appeared in the Sabaody Archipelago!"
"Stay away! Do not, under any circumstances, provoke that legendary man!"
Panic spread among the CP agents and Marines, causing utter chaos.
...
"Is this the coating process, Rayleigh?" Merry tilted her head cutely, watching Rayleigh as he coated the Merry and the ships of Division 0 and Division 6 with Algiferian mangrove resin.
"That's right, Merry," Rayleigh smiled at the inquisitive ship. "Only with this resin can the ships withstand the water pressure at a depth of 10,000 meters to reach Fish-Men Island."
"It's incredible to think about diving 10,000 meters under the sea, but also a little scary," Vivi sighed, her worry evident.
Hearing Vivi's concerns, the other girls exchanged uneasy glances. They were all Devil Fruit users, powerful on land but vulnerable to the sea. The ocean, the mother of nature, despised Devil Fruit powers, rendering them helpless and leading them to sink if submerged without rescue.
Despite the immense power granted by Devil Fruits, the sea remained their greatest weakness. This vulnerability was a nagging concern as they prepared for their first journey into the deep ocean.
"Don't worry," Ace reassured them, smiling warmly as he ruffled their hair one by one, except for Nami. "Rayleigh's coating skills are unparalleled. With Nami's navigation and Merry's assistance, reaching Fish-Men Island will be a breeze."
"That's right! I'm Ace's navigator. As long as there's a current, there's nowhere I can't reach," Nami declared confidently, standing tall before the group. Since awakening her Conqueror's Haki, Nami had transformed, shedding her past timidness. As the de facto second-in-command of the Entei Pirates, she was now a pillar of strength.
"You're so reliable, Nami," Vivi admired, her eyes shining as she clung to Nami's arm. In the early days, both she and Nami had been known as the timid duo despite their powerful Logia Devil Fruits. Now, with Nami's transformation, Vivi felt inspired to keep up. As Ace's "desert princess," she had reached an Admiral-level strength, capable of standing toe-to-toe with Marine Admirals like Green Bull and Tea Dolphin.
No longer would she be part of the timid duo. Vivi clenched her fists, determined to prove herself.
"Even if something goes wrong, my Door-Door Fruit power can get us back to the surface," Ace assured, his lips curling into a confident smile. His Observation Haki allowed him to foresee short-term futures, making it easy to use his abilities to safeguard the crew, ensuring their journey was merely a tour.
"Ace, we're counting on you," Kaya said softly, leaning against Ace, her large eyes blinking pitifully. Despite being a formidable fighter capable of challenging a Marine Admiral, she remained the "little girl saved by Ace" in his presence.
"Kaya...," Vivi muttered, feeling a familiar exasperation. Despite Kaya's formidable combat skills, she reverted to a more delicate demeanor around Ace. In training, Kaya's relentless fighting style, particularly her terrifying "Black Flash" move, was something Vivi dreaded. Yet here she was, acting demure and vulnerable.
"I'm scared too, Ace," Vivi added, her expression shifting to mimic Kaya's as she nestled against Ace. In front of him, they reverted to their former timid selves.
Nami, watching the scene unfold, felt a mixture of helplessness and admiration. As the second-in-command, she needed to set an example. But seeing Ace's affectionate smile, she couldn't resist.
With a playful leap, Nami jumped onto Ace's back, inhaling his familiar scent, her face radiating happiness. Despite her newfound strength and status, her love for Ace remained unchanged.
Thus, even as the Entei Pirates prepared for their daunting journey into the deep sea, their bond and Ace's unwavering leadership ensured that they faced the challenges ahead with confidence and unity.