Revolutionary Army Headquarters
"Dragon-san! I believe your decision was the correct one!" Sabo said solemnly during the conference.
"Yeah! At the time, I didn't hold much hope. I only provided the Revolutionary Army an optional escape route. Now it seems that choice may save us," Dragon replied, sighing with relief.
"Exactly! The BIGMOM Pirates were a major threat, and now they're gone. Tsk, tsk… it seems that in the entire New World, only Whitebeard's territory remains outside his control," Sabo said with a hint of envy.
After years of operating in secrecy, the Revolutionary Army had remained largely irrelevant to the World Government. If they had posed a real threat, the World Government would have eliminated them long ago.
Now, Kaito's power had grown beyond them—he was truly the number one force in the New World.
"Dragon-san, are you saying that Kaito will actually challenge the Whitebeard Pirates?" Sabo asked, a note of worry in his voice.
Since Ace's execution, Kaito had regained full memory and was moving to confront Whitebeard, which meant Ace was in danger. As a sworn brother, he had no choice but to protect him.
"There will be a war. But do not worry. Whitebeard will consider it carefully; he won't put his sons in danger," Dragon said flatly.
"The priority right now is the North Blue revolution. Get everything in order by the end of the year."
"Understood, Dragon-san!"
---
Cake Island – Kaito's Command
In a massive wooden hall, Kaito sat at the main seat, flanked by Stuzy, the Queen of the Pleasure District and one of the six kings of the underground world.
Nearby, Page One waited nervously, trying to curry favor.
"Kaito-san! I promise! Happy Street will surrender to you just like the other six kings. Why leave me behind?" Stuzy asked cautiously.
"You don't need to ask. The captain is naturally interested in you," Page One said smoothly.
Bang! Two heavy iron fists landed on Page One's head. Yamato and Ulti glared at him.
Realizing his mistake, Page One fell silent, embarrassed.
Ignoring the commotion, Kaito turned to Stuzy with a half-smile.
"You can retain your underground holdings, but that's not what I'm concerned with now. There's something else."
"What is it?" Stuzy's heart raced.
"Don't be nervous. It's simple. Tell me, what is the World Government planning? Or what mission have the Five Elders assigned to you?"
Stuzy trembled. Her confidence wavered as if she had fallen into an icy abyss.
"Kaito-san! I don't know what you mean. I've heard of the World Government and the Five Elders, but I'm not part of them!" she stammered.
"Let me clarify. All World Government agents in the top battle were eliminated by me. I wonder if you, a hidden spy, can still make a difference," Kaito said, his voice sharp.
"I… I really don't know what you mean," Stuzy replied, refusing again. She knew that admitting the truth could mean death, while denial might save her.
"Lock her up. Wait until she talks," Kaito waved.
"Understood, boss!" Ulti and Yamato stepped forward, seizing Stuzy with seastone handcuffs. Their movements were precise and lightning-fast, leaving Kaito momentarily impressed.
---
Alert on the Waters
"Boss! Trouble! Someone has entered our waters!" Queen ran up, face troubled.
"Invading our waters? Strange. Everyone knows our power in the New World. Who dares to be reckless?" Kaito asked, curiosity piqued.
"Who is it?"
"A large slave merchant ship!"
"Slave merchants? That counts as an invasion? What else?"
"This ship carries Celestial Dragons! And Marine Admiral Kizaru is protecting it!" Queen added after a pause, hesitation in his voice.
"These Celestial Dragons are connected to you—they're the descendants of the ones you killed before," Queen explained.
"Oh? Coming for revenge?" Kaito said, his tone deceptively calm but cold.
"Where are they now?"
"They were passing through this area and were heading back to Marine Station, G5 base. Fozfu and Sasaki discovered them while patrolling and are confronting them. Nearby, King has already rushed to assist," Queen reported.
"Then I'll go as well. I'll deal with them today," Kaito said coldly, rising from his seat.
"Boss! I'm going too! I want in!" Bullet shouted excitedly.
"You're too slow," Kaito frowned.
"Really cap?" Bullet protested.
"I doubt you can make a difference there. You and Issho should focus on subduing Katakuri and the others. This is the third day; let's see how they handle it," Kaito said, dismissing Bullet.
With that, Kaito's figure blurred, moving like a shadow across the room, disappearing from sight.
---
Sea of Nations – Confrontation
Two ships faced off.
"Kizaru! Why did the Marines enter our territory and provoke us?" Fuzzefer sneered.
Kizaru's face darkened, dread pooling in his chest. He had been resting at G5 base when a call from Marshal Sengoku summoned him to protect a Celestial Dragon traveling through Wano.
Upon arrival, he realized the Celestial Dragon in question was one of Kaito's targets—the descendants of those he had eliminated. The merchant ship carried Celestial Dragons seeking protection.
Kizaru felt helpless. Disaster had arrived from above. Facing Kaito, even under Sengoku's authority, he had no leverage.
"You're underestimating him, old man. Kizaru is just a bodyguard. I'm the one making the decisions here!" Rosward shouted beside him, frustrated.
Fuzfu and Sasaki ignored the yelling, focusing entirely on Kizaru. For them, Kizaru's decisions mattered; the elder beside him was irrelevant, disposable.
Celestial Dragons may still have influence in the Grand Line, but in the New World, they were nothing more than paper tigers.
___
Happy New Month