"Fuffuffuffu… what a convenient little trick. So this is the legendary Golden Lion's nest, huh?" Doflamingo said with a wicked grin.
He had kept silent for most of the meeting so far. After all, this was his first time joining Rosinante's war council. Saying too much too soon—especially among such powerful figures—was a sure way to make enemies. Better to observe, calculate, and wait for the right moment.
"From the location where the Third Division was ambushed, and based on the survivors' accounts of the Golden Lion's retreat path, Denissa and I followed his trail," Enel explained, electricity dancing lazily across his shoulders. "We finally found him near the border of the New World."
He raised a finger, and a glowing projection flickered into being—a cluster of floating islands suspended high above the clouds.
"They call this place Stronrld. Originally, it was a chain of islands in the New World, but the Golden Lion used his Devil Fruit power to lift them into the sky."
Doflamingo's grin widened as he leaned back, eyes gleaming. "Fuffuffu… magnificent! To think he could lift entire islands—calling him a monster doesn't even begin to cover it! Rosinante, you were right. The Float-Float Fruit is definitely a power worth having!"
Rosinante's tone was calm, but his eyes were sharp. "After the Battle of Edd War, half of the Golden Lion's fleet was destroyed. When he was captured and thrown into Impel Down, most of his followers abandoned ship. But don't underestimate him. Even a dying lion still has fangs. The Golden Lion never gave up on his dream of ruling the seas. In Stronrld, he's been conducting secret experiments—using a drug called 'IQ' to force the evolution of beasts. Those experiments have created countless monstrous creatures that now inhabit those islands. During the assault, you must be wary. Those beasts are his trump card… and they may be far more dangerous than you think."
Everyone's gaze fixed on the projected image, studying the floating fortress.
"This," Rosinante continued, "is the operation plan prepared by the BloodSworn Guard. Your task is to annihilate the Flying Sky Pirates. As for the Golden Lion himself—leave him to me and the Guard."
Lightning flashed briefly around Enel as he transmitted the full battle plan to Raelmann and the others.
As the commanders scanned through the files, their expressions grew tense.
The Flying Sky Pirates still had over ten captains with bounties exceeding five hundred million Berries, and two or three dozen more worth over one hundred million. And that didn't even include whatever unknown monsters the Golden Lion might have hiding in his ranks.
Even after their crushing defeat at Edd War—after losing half their ships—this level of power was still enough to shake the seas.
Yet compared to their former glory, it was clear: Edd War had dealt them a devastating blow.
Jack and the other captains nodded after reading the plan carefully. "Understood."
It was a simple but ruthless strategy. Before the battle began, Rosinante would infiltrate Stronrld and lure the Golden Lion away. Once he was gone, the four major divisions would strike from four directions, crushing the Flying Sky Pirates completely.
To ensure the assault went smoothly, Rosinante placed Katakuri in charge of coordinating the divisions. The Flying Sky Pirates were stronger than anticipated, and with Borsalino lurking somewhere nearby, Rosinante needed someone capable of steadying the battlefield should anything unexpected occur.
"Then the operation begins," Rosinante said quietly, standing up as his cloak rustled. "Remember—this is a war of extermination. No prisoners. Let this be a warning to all who dare raise their hands against the Gray Country's banners."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the captains replied, excitement surging through their voices.
…
Meanwhile, high above the sea in Stronrld—
Though the Flying Sky Pirates had heard whispers that the Gray Country might come for them, they remained their usual selves: reckless, arrogant, and loud.
Still, a few had grown wary, posting hidden scouts around the islands' edges.
But most of the crew? They were drinking.
The Flying Sky Pirates were famous for it—small feasts every three days, grand banquets every five. Now that they had nothing to do but drift in their floating fortress, the drinking never stopped.
Tonight, every officer and captain was gathered in the great hall, drinking and laughing as if the world below didn't exist.
Each one of these men was once infamous across the New World.
Just looking at the ten captains seated closest to the Golden Lion was enough to send chills down the spines of lesser pirates.
At the head sat Emperor Croc Bolly, once the Third Division Captain of the Flying Sky Pirates, now promoted to the First Division. His bounty: 810 million Berries. A user of the Ancient Zoan—Crocodilian King Model. His strength was monstrous.
The original First and Second Division Captains had perished in the Battle of Edd War.
They weren't simply lost to the storm, either. They had faced Roger's right-hand men—Silvers Rayleigh and Scopper Gaban. After being severely injured in battle, the storm finished what those two legends started.
Had those two survived, the Flying Sky Pirates might still have stood shoulder to shoulder with the Pirate King himself.
Even so, their remaining force was terrifying enough.
Each of the ten division captains still alive carried a bounty above 500 million—a power formidable enough to carve out an empire in the New World once again.
"Oi, Boss Shiki!" one of them shouted between gulps of rum. "It's been days, and that so-called Gray Country still hasn't shown up! Guess that 'Dragon King' Rosinante's just another coward hiding behind his title, eh?"
That was Mokushu the Drunkard, current Third Division Captain. Bounty: 670 million.
"Yeah!" another roared with a grin. "I thought they'd come storming in by now. Been waiting for days for some action—but it seems all that hype about them was nothing but hot air!"
That was Heavy Blade Kaen, Second Division Captain, bounty 720 million.
"Hmph, 'Dragon King' Rosinante, my ass," sneered another, slamming his mug down. "The world praises him like he's some kind of god, but when he meets us, the Flying Sky Pirates, he turns into a trembling shrimp."
That was Evil Knight Sibang, Fifth Division Captain. Bounty: 600 million.
Another laughed, pounding the table. "You can't really blame him! We're the Flying Sky Pirates—if he's got any sense, he'll stay far away!"
That was Ghost Sword Cantel, Fourth Division Captain, bounty 610 million.
Their laughter rolled through the hall, wild and drunken.
"Gahahahaha! Exactly!" bellowed the Golden Lion himself, tearing a hunk of roast meat from the bone. "Never believe rumors, boys! Only what you see with your own eyes has any worth!"
"Then, Captain Shiki," one of his officers said, grinning, "why don't we drop the alert? That brat's never coming here anyway!"
Shiki chuckled, a smug glint in his eye—
But before he could reply, his laughter stopped.
His head snapped toward the great doors of the hall.
The other captains froze mid-drink, following his gaze.
BANG!
The doors exploded inward, splintering off their hinges.
From the doorway came a calm, cold voice that cut through the hall like a blade:
"Just a bunch of washed-up pirates, bragging in their own filth. You should be careful… or you'll bite your tongues off."
The laughter died instantly.
The era's predators had just realized—
the Gray Country had arrived.