"Shanks, latest intel from Morgans."
Beckman tossed a newspaper over to Shanks, who caught it with ease. After scanning the headlines, Shanks fell silent, a rare flicker of concern crossing his face.
"Who the hell is this Elior? And why is he making waves now of all times?"
Shanks frowned. It wasn't fear that clouded his expression, but worry—worry for the delicate balance of power in the world.
"Set course for Hachinosu Island. That bastard Kaido is probably headed there."
According to the latest reports, Kaido had already set his sights on Hachinosu, looking to crush Elior. But Shanks wasn't going there to rescue Elior—he was going to stop Kaido. Again.
If Elior knew what Shanks was thinking, he might laugh. Shanks had failed to stop Whitebeard, and now he was trying to stop Kaido from doing the same thing? Was that support for Whitebeard? Even Shanks himself wasn't sure anymore. The line between peacekeeping and interference was starting to blur.
Meanwhile, on what was once known as Hachinosu — now renamed Paradise — a new power had risen.
This was Elior's kingdom, one he intended to model after Totto Land. A place ruled not just by strength, but by fear, charm, and cunning.
"The weather's not bad today."
Crocodile stood on the balcony of a skull-shaped tower, cigar between his fingers as he gazed out at the horizon. But in the distance, dark clouds were gathering—electricity crackled through the sky. Thunder rumbled.
And hidden in those clouds… was that a serpent?
Crocodile's expression hardened. That could only mean one thing—the Beasts Pirates were coming.
He immediately ordered someone to alert Elior.
Elior casually tossed a sword back at a woman who was fixing her uniform.
"From now on, when I call, you answer. And keep our little arrangement a secret."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Gion, let out a deep sigh once he was gone. There was both helplessness and… something else in her expression. Regret, maybe?
If she hadn't investigated Elior that day, she might not have fallen into his trap. Or maybe she would have anyway. Either way, there was no going back—unless she could kill him. But that seemed impossible.
Only she knew the truth — Gion, once one of the Marine's most respected warriors, had fallen. Her strength rivaled that of any Vice Admiral, perhaps even more than the aging Tsuru. Yet now… she belonged to Elior, body and soul.
She still wore the cloak of justice, but beneath it, everything else had changed.
A few minutes later, she met up with the Marine scouts, Tokikake among them.
The moment he saw her, he was stunned.
"You're back! We've been searching for you for days!"
Everyone was shocked by her sudden reappearance. Especially Tokikake. He'd confessed to her over a hundred times, yet she'd never accepted him.
The whole Marine knew he was head-over-heels for Gion. But she'd never shown him the slightest interest. If not for protocol, she'd never even tolerate his company.
He couldn't help but notice—she looked even more beautiful than before. More mature. More radiant. Even her uniform had changed. What he didn't know was that her old clothes had been shredded… by Elior. What she wore now had been given to her by him.
He stepped forward, but she cut him off coldly.
"Please address me properly, Vice Admiral Tokikake"
"Ah… right, of course. We were just worried. You disappeared for three whole days… What happened?"
Tokikake sounded concerned, but Gion didn't flinch. Her lie was already prepared.
"That bastard Elior used some space-time ability to knock me out. I just came to this morning."
Tokikake fumed, stomping like a child throwing a tantrum. "But Fleet Admiral Sengoku told us not to make a move just yet. Once the Whitebeard situation is over, we'll deploy forces to bring Elior and his crew down. They're too dangerous to be left alone—but it's not the right time for open conflict."
Gion nodded, though inwardly she made a mental note to warn Elior immediately. Tokikake had no idea — she was already Elior's inside agent, embedded within Marine HQ. And when the time came, she would play her part.
Romance had no place in this world. She had accepted that. Her role was to serve Elior — like the others.
Elior stood atop the highest tower in Paradise, gazing up at the roiling thunderclouds above. The sky darkened as a storm approached—Kaido's arrival was imminent.
"As expected. I messed with his business here. Same with Doflamingo. Though that clown probably doesn't have the guts to confront me himself. Maybe he's counting on Kaido to take revenge for him."
Elior smirked, eyes gleaming as lightning split the sky. The game had begun.