On the other side of the world, as whispers of an impending great war spread, Marine moved swiftly into action — and once again, the Shichibukai were summoned.
But the current lineup was very different from the one before the war at Marineford.
Of the original members, only Mihawk, Hancock, and Doflamingo remained — though both Hancock and Doflamingo now served under Elior's banner.
Four others had been added to fill the void left by the fallen or dismissed: Moria had been erased from the world, and Jinbe had long been stripped of his title.
When the summons arrived, Mihawk was the first to agree to fight — not for the World Government, but for Shanks, the man he still called a friend.
Doflamingo, on the other hand, laughed when he received the message. Before the Marines could even finish explaining the situation, he was already speaking to Elior through the Den Den Mushi.
Elior's order was simple: "Go. Blend in. When the time comes… turn your blade."
And so, the Heavenly Yaksha would march under Marine colors — a serpent hidden in their own ranks, ready to strike when the moment was right.
As for Hancock, she refused outright.
Even if the World Government stripped her of the title of Shichibukai, she couldn't care less. The Shichibukai title meant nothing to her now.
She was Elior's woman, bound to no throne but his.
To raise her hand against him, even under orders from the Government, was unthinkable.
Her refusal sent Akainu into a fury — but even he couldn't afford to act rashly, not with war on the horizon. He swallowed his rage and made a note to "settle the matter later".
In the end, Hancock's title would be formally revoked — something both she and Elior had already anticipated.
The remaining four Shichibukai, all newer recruits unknown even to Elior, answered the Government's call. They would soon regret it.
Because for them, this battle would be their last.
While Marine gathered every ounce of power it could muster, two enormous shadows loomed on the horizon.
The Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates arrived at Paradise almost simultaneously — a sight so massive that it blackened the sea itself.
Tens of thousands of men, dozens of colossal ships, and two of the mightiest Yonko stood at their helm.
Even the people of Paradise — long accustomed to Elior's presence — trembled when they saw them.
Many had only heard of Big Mom and Kaido through stories. To see them in person was to witness the embodiment of myth and terror.
Compared to Elior, whose charm and calm demeanor could deceive anyone into mistaking him for harmless, the other two Yonko were pure monstrosity.
Kaido, towering over ten meters tall, and Big Mom, nearly as immense herself, radiated an aura so heavy that it felt like the sky might split apart.
"That old hag… I didn't expect to see her again," Kaido growled, glaring at Big Mom from across the shore.
The young Kaido had once admired her — back in the days of the Rocks Pirates. She'd already been a mother of many, but to him, she had embodied power itself.
It was Big Mom who had given Kaido the Devil Fruit that transformed him into the so-called strongest creature in the world.
Without it, he might never have become one of the Yonko. In a sense, Kaido owed her everything.
"Kaido!" Big Mom's laughter was thunderous. "We haven't seen each other in decades!"
"Linlin," Kaido sneered. "Didn't expect our reunion to be like this."
Their rivalry was infamous — the fiercest feud among the Yonko.
Big Mom smirked, baring teeth like a beast. "You owe me a favor, Kaido. Don't think I've forgotten."
Kaido's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
Their crews watched in uneasy silence. What kind of relationship had these two monsters shared in the past? Kaido calling her by her first name — Linlin— was shockingly familiar, even if his tone was venomous.
Before the tension could snap, another presence approached.
A calm voice broke the rising storm.
"You two," Elior said lightly as he appeared, "long time no see."
He strode across the shore as if the world itself made way for him — the sea wind catching his coat, his expression unreadable yet commanding.
Kaido's eyes narrowed. "Elior… tell me you didn't lay a hand on my daughter."
Kaido's tone was sharp with suspicion. He knew men — and he knew Elior was one.
Elior didn't even blink. "How could I possibly do such a thing?" he said smoothly, his face calm as still water.
Kaido snorted, not entirely convinced but unwilling to press further. "You'd better not."
Big Mom arched a brow. "You have a daughter, Kaido? How interesting."
The Charlotte children behind her murmured in surprise. None of them had ever heard of such a thing.
Kaido grunted. "Compared to you, I'm nothing. At least I care about mine."
Big Mom only laughed — a sound that could curdle blood. Everyone knew she saw her countless children as pawns in her twisted ambition.
"You two can reminisce later," Elior interrupted, his tone sharp but composed. "We have guests arriving soon — and plans to finalize."
He gestured inland, toward the heart of his dominion. "Let's hold a small meeting before the battle begins."
Without another word, the three Yonko Elior entered Paradise together, their massive fleets following behind like a tidal wave of destruction.
The people watching from the coast could only stare in awe and terror.
Three Yonko — side by side.
A sight the world had never seen.
And no one knew whether the next dawn would bring the end of an era — or the birth of a new one.