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Onigashima, Wano Country.
The headquarters of the Beasts Pirates, led by the Emperor Kaido, now served as a joint base of operations with the Big Mom Pirates. After the events of Whole Cake Island, the Big Mom Pirates had fractured.
However, as a deeply entrenched Yonko crew in the New World, their territory extended beyond a single island. The combined forces from their other territories still numbered in the tens of thousands.
While the loss of several of her children was a significant blow, Big Mom still retained a considerable force, including those spared by Ian, such as Katakuri and Pudding, who weren't inherently malicious. Some of her key fighters remained.
They had made their decision. Though their mother had seemingly abandoned them, they understood the circumstances and chose to regroup at Onigashima.
Despite their weakened state, the Big Mom Pirates' overall strength remained formidable. With the arrival of their main force, the atmosphere on Onigashima shifted subtly.
Using her Devil Fruit powers, Charlotte Linlin had created a new legion of Homies, much to the annoyance of many, who found them noisy and bothersome.
Queen the Plague, one of the Beasts Pirates' All-Stars, however, was ecstatic, embracing the newfound musical accompaniment for his bizarre antics.
"If I were skinnier, I'd be even more handsome, so… should I lose weight?" Queen, a morbidly obese man, sang and danced with a group of Homies, drawing glares from the assembled pirates of both crews.
"Queen is so annoying, always prancing around. He's ugly... yet confident…" The Beasts Pirates were accustomed to their eccentric comrade, but the children of Charlotte Linlin merely whispered amongst themselves, their gazes fixed on the rotund figure.
"Oooh, are you lovely ladies talking about my handsomeness?" Queen perked up his ears, feigning attentiveness.
"Fat pig…" One of Big Mom's children muttered, but was silenced by a sharp glare.
"Katakuri-nii…"
They bowed their heads respectfully.
"What are you waiting for? The meeting is about to begin." Katakuri's voice was stern.
"Yo, yo, yo! Come on, little bro, let's get this party started!" Queen called out.
"Idiot, Queen!" A voice boomed from the sky. King the Wildfire, wreathed in flames, descended from above. "Stop your foolish antics. Kaido-san is waiting."
"This is the first joint meeting between the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates."
Within the spacious meeting hall of Onigashima, Emperors Charlotte Linlin and Kaido sat upon their respective thrones. To Big Mom's right stood Katakuri, Daifuku, and Perospero, the new Sweet Commanders, along with her remaining children.
Facing them were the Beasts Pirates, led by King and the Tobiroppo, the Flying Six, the original inhabitants of this land.
"I hereby declare the joint meeting between the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates officially commenced!"
Kaido's booming voice silenced the murmuring crowd. Allying with Kaido was Big Mom's best option. After her defeat at Ian's hands, she knew that the Big Mom Pirates, in their current state, couldn't withstand another such attack.
While she still had a considerable force, her top-tier fighters were few. Aside from herself, only Katakuri possessed significant strength, though he wasn't quite at the Admiral level. He could be considered a high-tier commander at best.
Compared to the other Yonko crews, the Big Mom Pirates were relatively weak. This was due to their structure, centered around Big Mom and her bloodline.
Such a crew was prone to inconsistencies in strength and loyalty. In essence, the only true heavy hitters were Big Mom herself and Katakuri. And she wouldn't let Ian's actions go unpunished.
Driven by revenge, Big Mom sought to form an alliance, and the most suitable candidate was Kaido of the Beasts, another Emperor.
Firstly, Kaido was a fellow Yonko, equal in status and power. Secondly, both he and Big Mom had been members of the legendary Rocks Pirates decades ago.
They shared a history, a connection. And most importantly, Kaido owed Big Mom a significant debt. The very Devil Fruit that granted him his immense power was a gift from her. This alone should make him consider her proposal.
Big Mom had carefully considered her approach, deliberately omitting any mention of their past romantic entanglement and the children it had produced. Enraging Kaido by reminding him of that humiliating period would be unwise, especially in her current weakened state. She was a fugitive, a defeated Emperor.
She had little leverage in this situation. However, an alliance between two Yonko crews was a force to be reckoned with, even for the Marines. Together, they could finally defeat Whitebeard and Shanks, claim their territories, and divide the world between them.
Now that Whitebeard had arrived in Wano, he would serve as a perfect example, a warning to all who dared oppose them. However, there was another player in this game, a figure they both feared, whose presence remained hidden, a lurking shadow yet to be revealed.
...
Marineford, Marine Headquarters.
The bastion of justice. As a classified report arrived, the entire headquarters was thrown into a state of high alert. Within the war room, the atmosphere was tense.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Chief of Staff Tsuru, the Admirals, and numerous Vice Admirals were gathered, their faces grim.
"It appears that the Whitebeard Pirates are preparing to declare war on the Beasts Pirates in Wano. The remnants of the Big Mom Pirates have joined forces with Kaido. They will likely fight together."
Vice Admiral Tsuru's words hung in the air, silencing the room.
"This is… troubling. A war between Emperors." Admiral Kizaru drawled, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced by a flicker of concern. "But why? Why would Whitebeard suddenly attack Kaido?"
"They're both Yonko crews. Even if Whitebeard wins, it will be a pyrrhic victory. And with another Emperor involved… the world is about to be turned upside down."
Vice Admirals Dalmatian, Stainless, and others voiced their confusion, unable to comprehend Whitebeard's motives.
"Is it possible that Whitebeard is feigning a declaration of war to secretly form an alliance with Kaido? After all, they were crewmates on the same ship."
Vice Admiral Gion, the Pink Rabbit, a candidate for Admiral, offered a different perspective. Her words were met with stunned silence, followed by a chorus of gasps. If she was right, the situation was far more dire than they had imagined.
"No…" Tsuru shook her head firmly. "Whitebeard wouldn't do that. His only concern is his family."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, a veteran of countless battles against Whitebeard, nodded in agreement.
"An alliance between Whitebeard and Kaido is impossible. If there's a reason for this war, it's likely related to Kozuki Oden."
"The samurai of Wano, the former second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates."
"Whitebeard considered Oden a dear friend, a brother. And Kaido killed him. There's no way they would ally. This is a genuine declaration of war." Sengoku's voice was grave.
"However, such unusual actions often have ulterior motives. Whitebeard has waited for years. Why attack Kaido now? There must be a deeper reason. And to face two Emperors at once… he needs an advantage, a catalyst."
Tsuru continued, her eyes narrowed in thought.
"What kind of catalyst?" Gion asked.
"Perhaps Whitebeard has formed an alliance with someone else, a powerful force that gives him the confidence to take on both Kaido and Big Mom."
Tsuru's gaze was sharp, piercing.
"Who would be powerful enough to ally with Whitebeard? There haven't been any new Emperors or powerful organizations emerging recently. Anyone Whitebeard would acknowledge would have to be on par with a Yonko."
"Could it be Shanks?" The Vice Admirals gasped, but others quickly dismissed the idea.
"It's not Shanks." Sengoku's voice was firm. "That red-haired bastard might be annoying, but he wouldn't jeopardize the fragile peace we have. He wouldn't intentionally disrupt the balance of power in the New World. And he was a member of Roger's crew. Oden sailed with Roger too."
"That's what's so puzzling. Shanks is currently under our surveillance, and we haven't detected anything unusual. But the possibility remains." Admiral Akainu, molten lava dripping from his body, spoke in a low, menacing tone.
"Regardless of the reason, the four years of peace are over. War is coming. We must prepare. Perhaps we can benefit from this conflict." Tsuru said, a thought suddenly striking her. "Could it be… that kid?"
A month prior, news had spread from Whole Cake Island like wildfire. Ian's solo assault on the Big Mom Pirates had become a global sensation, sending shockwaves throughout the world.
Many had whispered that Ian had finally made his move, while others were simply stunned by his audacity. To challenge a Yonko crew single-handedly? It was madness.
While it had been Ian's own decision, Sengoku couldn't simply stand by and watch him be overwhelmed by the Big Mom Pirates in their own territory. He still harbored doubts about Ian's alleged victory over Kaido, despite the testimonies of Fujitora and Kizaru.
But to challenge an entire Yonko crew on their home turf? It seemed like a suicide mission. Even Garp and Zephyr were shocked when they heard about Ian's actions, though they quickly set course for Whole Cake Island, using Weevil's Warlord candidacy and Zephyr's disillusionment with the Marines as justification.
But Sengoku couldn't shake his unease. They wouldn't arrive in time. They weren't Devil Fruit users and had to rely on conventional ships.
Ian, however, could fly. Even he would need several days to reach Whole Cake Island. By then, it might be too late.
He could only hope that Ian, with his strength, could hold his own against the Big Mom Pirates for a few days. He had done everything he could.
Escape was also an option. All that remained was to pray for Ian's safety and anxiously await the outcome. Communication with Ian had been cut off since he entered Big Mom's territory.
Marine intelligence had difficulty penetrating the Yonko's territories, making it nearly impossible to gather information.
To face a Yonko crew alone was an act of unparalleled conceit. Victory was unlikely, and even escaping unscathed seemed impossible. Many had assumed Ian was dead.
Then, days later, news arrived of the Big Mom Pirates' near-annihilation, their territory abandoned, their forces scattered. While not completely destroyed, the crew had been effectively dismantled by a single individual.
The power Ian had displayed silenced not only Sengoku but also the Five Elders, the highest authority in the World Government. He was as troublesome as Kaido, a monster who enjoyed challenging Yonko crews and even the Marines single-handedly, seemingly impervious to death.
To defeat an entire Yonko crew alone… If he hadn't left immediately, the Big Mom Pirates would have been completely eradicated. The world was in an uproar. This was a storm that threatened to reshape the world.
The World Government, the Marines, and even ordinary citizens knew the name "Black Winged Devil." Ian's power was so overwhelming that Marine Headquarters was unsure how to respond.
Even the World Government was at a loss. An individual capable of rivaling an entire Yonko crew? He was a force beyond their control.
"He joined the Marines without hesitation, then resigned to become a Warlord. Where does his justice lie? Is he truly that intolerant of evil?"
Perhaps, after the Four Emperors, the World Government, the greatest evil of all, would be next.
...
On a Deserted Island in the New World!
A lively banquet was underway. The Red Hair Pirates, led by one of the Four Emperors, Shanks, were celebrating.
"Captain! Captain!" A pirate with red spiky hair burst into the scene, his voice filled with urgency.
"What is it, Rockstar?" Benn Beckman, slightly intoxicated, addressed the newcomer, a recent addition to their crew with a 90 million berry bounty.
"It's bad news, Captain! We just received a report. Whitebeard is about to declare war on Kaido and Big Mom!"
"What?!"
"Is this true?!"
"Whitebeard and Kaido?"
Benn Beckman, Lucky Roo, and the other Red Hair Pirates' officers stared in disbelief. Soon, accurate reports were distributed among them. Shanks scratched the back of his head.
"Things are getting interesting."
Shanks' gaze turned serious.
"While I can't forgive what happened to Oden, why does Whitebeard suddenly have the confidence to attack Kaido? He's always been so protective of his family. He must believe he can win. The seas are about to be thrown into chaos again. No time for celebrations. Prepare to set sail!"
"Where to, Captain?" Lucky Roo asked, the others echoing his question.
"Wano Country, of course!"
...
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