After the arrival of the Straw Hat Pirates in Wanokuni, it became clear that the final countdown to the ultimate confrontation with the World Government had begun. The seas, which had enjoyed a brief period of calm following the Entei Pirates' crushing defeat of the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates, were now stirring with the ominous tension of impending war.
Wanokuni, once known for its unparalleled production of weapons, had suddenly ceased all exports of its deadly goods to the outside world. This once vibrant hub of commerce and industry had turned inward, closing its borders to outsiders. At the same time, Dressrosa and other territories under the protection of the Entei Pirates' Grand Fleet followed suit, further isolating themselves from the rest of the world.
In a bold and defiant move, Alabasta, and other former member nations of the World Government announced their secession and pledged their allegiance to the Entei Pirates' Grand Fleet. With the power of the Space-Space Fruit, resources were covertly funneled to the Entei Pirates, strengthening their position in ways that were not immediately apparent to the rest of the world. However, the World Government, with its vast and intricate intelligence network, quickly took notice of these developments and began to mobilize its forces in response.
Across the globe, Marine elites and government agents were summoned to Naval Headquarters and the Holy Land of Mariejois. War supplies were transported from every corner of the World Government's domain, pouring into these strongholds in preparation for the inevitable conflict. In the midst of this massive mobilization, the World Government and Naval Headquarters seemed to turn a blind eye to the rest of the pirates on the sea, focusing all their efforts on this looming confrontation.
Yet, surprisingly, law and order on the seas did not deteriorate. In fact, the seas became more peaceful than ever before. Many pirates, sensing the gravity of the situation, refrained from reckless behavior, understanding that any misstep could draw the ire of either of the two titanic forces preparing for war. The seas, usually teeming with chaos, had entered a strange, eerie calm.
Despite the World Government's efforts to maintain the illusion of stability by promoting the idea of a return to the era of the Five Emperors—Ace, Whitebeard, Buggy, Straw Hat Luffy, and Red-Haired Shanks—the truth was evident to all. These titles were mere distractions, a desperate attempt by the World Government to save face. In reality, there was only one true overlord on the seas, and that was the Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace.
Ace had risen to become the undisputed sovereign of the pirate world, a force so powerful that he stood on equal footing with the World Government itself. The other veteran overlord, the World Government, now found itself facing a formidable adversary, one that could challenge its centuries-old dominance.
The world was now on the brink of a colossal clash between these two titans, and the tension was palpable. Pirates and bounty hunters, once bold and reckless, now hesitated to make any moves that could draw the attention of these two powers. They knew that any misstep could lead to their swift and utter annihilation.
For the ordinary people living on the seas, this period of calm was a welcome respite, yet they could feel the tension in the air. It was the calm before the storm—a storm that would soon engulf the world in a battle of unprecedented scale. Meanwhile, war materials continued to flow into Wanokuni, Naval Headquarters, and the Holy Land of Mariejois, as both sides prepared for the inevitable clash that would decide the fate of the world.
In the heart of Wanokuni, Ace led Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates to a secluded room, its entrance sealed by a massive door. The air was thick with anticipation, and Luffy's curiosity was palpable as he glanced around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.
"Ace, where is this place?" Luffy asked, his usual inquisitiveness laced with excitement.
Ace turned to face his younger brother, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "This place is specially prepared for you," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of warmth and mystery.
The members of the Entei Pirates, all standing in neat formation behind Ace, exchanged knowing smiles. The camaraderie and respect they had for their captain were evident in their expressions. On the opposite side, the Straw Hat Pirates mirrored the formation, their eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and excitement as they waited to see what Ace had in store for them.
Sabo, standing next to Luffy, couldn't help but smile as he observed his younger brother's childlike enthusiasm. There was a twinkle in his eyes, a sign that he too was in on whatever surprise Ace had planned.
"What is it? Is it meat that never runs out?!" Luffy blurted out, his eyes lighting up at the thought. The memory of the recent banquet, with its array of mouthwatering dishes, still lingered in his mind, and he could almost taste the delicious food again. The culinary delights prepared by Ace's chef had left such an impression that Luffy was convinced nothing could top it—not even Sanji's cooking.
Ace chuckled at Luffy's predictable reaction. "Come in and see for yourself," he said, his smile widening as he reached for the door.
With a slow, deliberate motion, Ace pushed open the heavy door, the sound of it creaking echoing through the quiet hallway. The door revealed a room beyond, its contents hidden in shadow, waiting to be discovered. Luffy and the others leaned in, their curiosity reaching its peak as they prepared to step into the unknown.
As the door swung fully open, the interior of the room was finally unveiled, and everything inside came into view. The Straw Hat Pirates stared in awe, their expressions shifting from curiosity to astonishment as they took in what Ace had meticulously prepared for them.
The room was filled with an almost palpable silence as Zoro, Sanji, and the others stared in shock at the enormous stone tablets before them. Their eyes were immediately drawn to the three towering red stones, each one emitting an aura of ancient mystery and untold significance.
"These are the Poneglyphs," Robin explained, stepping forward to join Ace. Her voice was calm, but the slight upward curve of her lips hinted at her excitement. "Specifically, the three red ones are known as the Road Poneglyphs. There are four in total, and they are the key to locating Raftel, the final island. Only by acquiring the information from all four of these stones can one uncover the exact location of Raftel. They are, in essence, the map to the end of the Grand Line."
Luffy and the others were stunned. "Road Poneglyphs? The key to reaching the final island?" Luffy repeated, his eyes wide with realization.
Sabo, standing beside Luffy, added, "Ace began searching for these Poneglyphs as soon as he learned you had set out to sea. After a long and arduous journey, he managed to secure three of them not too long ago."
"Three of them?" Zoro asked, his confusion evident as he looked over at Ace. "Where's the fourth one?"
Ace's eyes gleamed with understanding as he met Luffy's gaze. "The last one is for you to find on your own, Luffy. I know you well enough to believe that you'd want to discover that final piece by yourself. The journey to Raftel is something you'd want to complete with your own strength, not by having everything handed to you."
Ace's words were spoken with a knowing smile, one that reflected his deep understanding of his younger brother's spirit. He knew that if he had collected all four Road Poneglyphs and presented them to Luffy, his brother might have lost the drive to continue his adventure. Just like when Rayleigh had offered to reveal the secrets of the final island, Luffy had refused, preferring to find out for himself. Or when, after the festival following Douglas Bullet's defeat, Luffy had crushed the Eternal Pose to Raftel, choosing instead to rely on his own journey and not shortcuts.
Luffy's expression softened into a grin as he processed Ace's words. "Hehehe, Ace, you really do know me too well!" he laughed, his excitement bubbling over at the thought of the challenges still ahead. The promise of adventure, of discovering the final Road Poneglyph and reaching Raftel on his own terms, was exactly what he wanted.
Zoro, Sanji, and the rest of the crew exchanged knowing glances before bursting into laughter. Of course, Ace understood Luffy perfectly—he was his brother, after all. The thought that Ace couldn't retrieve the final Road Poneglyph if he truly wanted to was laughable. They had all witnessed firsthand the incredible power Ace now possessed, with the ability to connect the world through the might of his Devil Fruit. Even if the fourth Poneglyph were hidden in the depths of Mariejois, Ace could retrieve it with ease using the Space Fruit's abilities if he so desired.
"After we help you become the king of the world, Ace, we'll continue our adventure!" Luffy declared, his fists clenched with determination, a bright, infectious smile spreading across his face. "We'll find that final Road Poneglyph and make our way to the last island! By then, I'll be the Pirate King! The freest man on this sea!"
Zoro, Sanji, and the others couldn't help but laugh along with Luffy's infectious enthusiasm.
"Hahaha, that's a given," Ace said, his lips curling into a confident smile as he looked at his younger brother. Just as Luffy believed in his dream of becoming Pirate King, Ace was equally certain of his own destiny—to become the king of the world. And he had no doubt that Luffy would achieve his dream as well.
"Alright then! Let's get ready for the battle!" Luffy shouted, his energy palpable. "Those World Government bastards—I've been itching to take them down for a long time!"
"You're not the only one, Luffy," Sabo chimed in, a smirk playing on his lips. "Ace's right hand isn't just for show."
"Hehe, let's make it a competition then," Luffy grinned at Sabo. "Let's see who ends up being Ace's best right hand!"
Ace couldn't help but smile at his two younger brothers. Their playful rivalry only strengthened the bond they shared, making them even more formidable.
"Hey, stinky cook," Zoro suddenly called out to Sanji, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"What is it, moss head?" Sanji responded, sensing the challenge in Zoro's tone, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smirk.
"I think I've seen it… After this Final battle, I can already picture it…" Zoro said, his grin growing wider as he looked over at Luffy.
"Yeah… I can see it too," Sanji nodded, his own smile broadening as he followed Zoro's gaze.
"Luffy… as the Pirate King!" they both declared, laughing heartily together.
The room was filled with their laughter, the camaraderie between them stronger than ever. They were ready for the final battle, ready to face whatever the World Government threw at them. And most of all, they were ready to help Luffy achieve his dream—because in their hearts, they had already seen it: Luffy, crowned as the Pirate King, the freest man on the seas.