The next morning, Hiyori took Reiju and Bonney out to the east coast of Paradise Island to train and get familiar with their abilities.
Bonney, being a veteran Devil Fruit user herself, naturally understood how important the development of a Fruit's power was. When she and Reiju learned that Elior had given Hiyori the wind Fruit — both women felt a pang of envy.
It wasn't because they desired the power itself, but because Elior had bestowed such an incredible gift upon Hiyori. Although Elior forbade them from openly competing for his favor, that didn't stop a little rivalry from simmering in private.
"When do you think our husband will give us gifts?" Bonney muttered as the three of them rested after training.
Reiju gave a small sigh. "There are four of us now. Gion and Hiyori have both received something from him. That leaves only you and me, Bonney."
Currently, Elior's Palace had four core members: Reiju, Bonney, and Hiyori.
Hiyori tilted her head curiously. "What's this Sister Gion like? I haven't met her before."
Reiju smiled faintly. "One of the Marine's top candidates for Admiral — and a woman of unmatched strength. She's as beautiful as she is powerful. Honestly, aside from Big Mom, I doubt there's another woman alive who could match her."
Hiyori's eyes widened. "That powerful!?"
"Of course" Reiju replied.
"Then if you two fought her…" Hiyori hesitated. "Would you stand a chance?"
Bonney gave a dry laugh. "We'd be crushed in minutes."
That shocked Hiyori even more — but it also ignited something inside her. She clenched her fists, silently vowing to master the wind fruit and prove she could stand among them.
Of course, both Reiju and Bonney were too polite to mention another source of quiet tension: Hiyori's beauty. Under her elegant kimono, she had a stunning figure that even they couldn't help but notice.
Reiju sighed inwardly. "How are we supposed to compete with that…?"
Bonney grumbled, "Maybe he gave her that fruit because of it."
They both laughed, though a touch of resignation lingered in their eyes. Elior's thoughts were impossible to predict — and neither dared to question him directly.
"By the way," Hiyori asked after a moment, "do you think Hancock will become one of us too?"
That question immediately changed the atmosphere. The Pirate Empress was legendary — not only breathtakingly beautiful but also possessing the rare Conqueror Haki.
Reiju answered quietly, "She probably already has."
Bonney nodded. "Yeah… if not yet, then soon. She's not with us here in Paradise, but I'm sure Elior has already met her."
Hiyori sighed. "Our husband really is irresistible."
Reiju chuckled. "What woman wouldn't fall for a man like him?"
Hiyori smiled, half in pride and half in unease. "That's true, I suppose."
Meanwhile, news of the Revolutionary Army's destruction spread like wildfire across the New World, then to the first half of the Grand Line, and finally across all four seas.
The world shook.
Big Mom and Kaido — separated by oceans, yet reacting almost in unison — both widened their eyes as they read Morgans' headlines.
"Good thing he's not our enemy" Kaido growled, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "If he can destroy Dragon and the Revolutionaries… even we wouldn't be safe."
Big Mom's face twisted with a nervous laugh.
"That man… he's a monster. I fought him myself — he's beyond reason!"
Both Yonko understood the same terrifying truth: if Elior could crush the Revolutionary Army, then no one — not even another Yonko crew — was safe.
Across the sea, aboard the Red Force, the Red-Haired Pirates were gathered around their captain. Shanks' expression was unusually grim.
"So it's true" he muttered. "The Revolutionary Army… gone. And Dragon… dead, by Elior's own hand."
"This monster doesn't follow any logic" Beckman said, arms folded. "If he can do that, there's no telling what he'll do next."
"Who do you think he'll target now?" Yasopp asked, unease creeping into his voice.
Beckman exhaled smoke from his cigar. "If I had to guess… us."
"What!?" the crew shouted.
Shanks fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. "It's possible. He visited Wano before all this, and that's Kaido's territory. Yet there was no conflict. Later, he visited Big Mom's territory, fought her — and she still threw him a banquet afterward."
"Which means," Beckman continued, "he's already formed understandings with two of the Yonko. If he moves next, it won't be against them."
The crew fell into uneasy silence.
"That bastard's strong enough to back up his arrogance" Yasopp muttered.
Lucky Roux crossed his arms. "Even so, we're not pushovers. We're the Red Hair Pirates for a reason."
"That's right!" several shouted, trying to lift the tension.
But Lucky Roux, always the blunt one, frowned. "Still… Dragon was Luffy's father. His death will destroy that kid."
Everyone fell quiet. They all remembered how Luffy had shattered after Ace's death.
Shanks closed his eyes, voice heavy. "I just hope he can overcome this one too."
At Marine Headquarters, the news had already reached the highest ranks. But instead of relief, the mood was grim.
Even though the Marine had long sought to crush the Revolutionary Army, the fact that Elior had done it instead… changed everything.
If the Elior Pirates could annihilate Dragon's entire force, they were now more dangerous than any pirate crew in history.
To confirm the truth, the Marine dispatched a team to the site — led by none other than Garp himself.
When he arrived and saw the ruins of Baltigo with his own eyes, Garp fell silent.
His son was gone.
For the first time in decades, the legendary hero of the Marines felt powerless.
Back at Headquarters, an emergency meeting was called. The atmosphere was suffocatingly heavy.
Akainu slammed his fist on the table.
"That bastard Elior… he's gone too far. If we don't act soon, the balance of the world will collapse."
Kizaru leaned back lazily, though his voice carried a rare seriousness.
"Ara… but who exactly can stop him now?"
Silence filled the room. None of them had an answer.
Because deep down, they all knew —the world had entered a new era.