Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
Since the Summit War, the territories once controlled by the Whitebeard Pirates have become the most chaotic regions in the New World.
However, no one expected what happened next. For weeks, the Sky Kingdom had remained dormant, seemingly uninterested in the struggle for power. Yet, without warning, they launched a swift and overwhelming campaign, seizing most of the Whitebeard Pirates' former territory in a matter of days.
The speed of their conquest was staggering. In just three days, the flag of the Sky Kingdom was raised over Whitebeard's territories, leaving little time for resistance.
Many pirates who had been secretly celebrating the chaos and preparing to claim their piece of the pie found themselves staring at the Sky Kingdom's banner. Reluctantly, and with no other choice, they packed up their ships and fled.
A striking pattern emerged: after Whitebeard's defeat, nearly all of his territories fell to the Sky Kingdom without any significant opposition.
What shocked the world the most, however, was the absence of two key players who were expected to dominate this conflict: Blackbeard Teach, a former member of the Shichibukai, and Edward Weevil, the self-proclaimed "Whitebeard Jr.," along with his allies.
These two were central to the battle for Whitebeard's legacy. Their personal vendettas and incredible power made them pivotal forces in determining the outcome of the struggle. But when the Sky Kingdom entered the fray, both Blackbeard and Weevil seemed to vanish without a trace. No information about their movements surfaced, and not even Morgans' Big News crew could uncover any leads.
The sudden disappearance of these two major players left the New World in stunned silence. Many speculated that their fate had already been sealed.
The news even reached Mariejois, where the Five Elders were left reeling.
"They're not hiding anymore… Alex!"
Stussy's sudden disconnection, the Celestial Dragons' compromised defenses, and now the Sky Kingdom's audacious takeover of Whitebeard's vast territory—everything was spiraling out of control for the World Government.
Seeking answers, the Five Elders reached out to Red-Haired Shanks. His response, however, was far from reassuring:
"No matter what the future holds, we must prepare for a new era, don't we?"
With that, the Den Den Mushi went silent, leaving the Five Elders in grim contemplation.
Shanks' words were clear—he had made his choice. The tides of the New World were shifting, and the era to come would belong to Alexband the Sky Kingdom.
"It seems we must prepare. This challenge might be even greater than the threat posed by the Rocks Pirates in the past."
"And it's not just this Alex causing us problems. This marks the second time a Shichibukai has willingly betrayed the system!"
"Hmph! The flaws in the Shichibukai system are becoming more obvious, and it's about time we consider dismantling it entirely!"
"And if that weren't enough, the Revolutionary Army is becoming bolder and more arrogant by the day. Truly, this is the turbulent era we feared would come."
"I wonder if the great lord will regain consciousness soon. If he were here, perhaps we wouldn't have to worry about these matters."
As one of the Five Elders spoke, he glanced toward the depths of Pangaea Castle, the heart of the Celestial Dragons' power. His gaze held a mixture of respect and a tinge of fear.
"This era of prophecy," he continued, "it is the test given to us by that one. Don't forget the goal we Five Elders have sworn to pursue!"
At the words of the blond Elder, the others fell silent, the weight of his statement sinking in.
Deep within the celestial city of Mariejois, past the imposing Gate and its three heavily guarded barriers, lies Pangaea Castle—the core of Celestial Dragon authority. This grand fortress houses the descendants of the twenty founding monarchs who created the World Government.
But even they dare not tread upon one particular area, hidden within the castle's innermost sanctum. A room unlike any other: a tranquil garden bathed in warm sunlight streaming through ornate glass panels. Plants grow up the walls, their roots climbing to heights of five meters, filling the air with the scent of flowers and the quiet flutter of butterflies.
In this ethereal chamber, a figure sat upon a throne made of interwoven tree branches. Butterflies danced around the figure, who wore a slender, elegant crown. Though the sunlight obscured their features, their presence exuded both majesty and mystery.
This was the true ruler of the World Government: Im.
For many years, Im had slumbered in this serene haven. But now, as if responding to the chaos brewing across the seas, their fingers twitched ever so slightly—a subtle but undeniable sign of awakening.
Grand Line, the Island of White Soil: Baltigo.
The Revolutionary Army's headquarters stood strong, hidden from the eyes of the World Government. Ever since Bartholomew Kuma rescued the Straw Hat Crew and delivered them to safety, they had remained under the care and guidance of the Revolutionary Army.
For two years, Luffy and his crew worked tirelessly to prepare for their journey into the New World, just as Silvers Rayleigh had once instructed.
The Revolutionary Army, a shadowy organization opposing the World Government, had spent decades amassing resources and knowledge. Their base was a treasure trove of expertise, offering everything from medical knowledge to advanced cooking techniques, detailed nautical charts, and the shipwright skills needed for their crews to thrive.
But for Luffy, the most important thing was reuniting with his brother, Sabo. Their meeting brought him out of the grief and despair caused by Ace's death, reigniting his fighting spirit.
After a grueling day of Haki training, Hughes, the Straw Hat Crew's navigators, trudged back to the living quarters assigned to them by the Revolutionary Army. Passing through the lower floor's conference hall, he felt a strange tension in the air.
Curious, Hughes moved to the corner where the Revolutionary Army kept their collection of recent newspapers. As a navigator, he made it a point to stay informed about the outside world, ensuring he could avoid unexpected dangers.
Scanning through the pages, Hughes' eyes widened in shock as he came across an article detailing the latest news about the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates. His heart raced.
"This can't be…" he muttered, staring at the paper.
The sound of footsteps behind him caused him to turn. It was Luffy and Sabo, who had just entered the room.
"Luffy," Hughes called out, his voice trembling. "Something's wrong… the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates…"
"What?!" Luffy exclaimed, freezing in his tracks.
Before Luffy could fully process the news, Sabo stepped forward, his expression grim as he quickly scanned the article.