Nearly three months had passed since the first summit of the Kingdom of Joy.
After that meeting concluded, the entire world seemed to enter a period of silence.
Whether it was the Marines, the World Government, or the newly restored Kingdom of D, all sides appeared to be in some kind of honeymoon period.
But peace… was only temporary.
When a Donquixote family transport ship was hijacked by pirates, the friction began.
Although the World Government had disguised themselves as pirates, anyone with eyes could tell—this was nothing more than a pre-war probe.
What they didn't expect was that Ghidorah would seize the opportunity like a furious lion, unleashing his forces to sweep across the seas.
Especially in the Grand Line, pirate crews were being destroyed or disbanded daily.
It infuriated many pirates—but what could they do?
Even the Marines, backed by the World Government, now cowered in the New World, unwilling to engage.
And the one responsible for all this?
He had now descended to 10,000 meters below the sea.
"Emergency! Emergency! A giant creature has breached our perimeter—!"
Within the Ryugu Palace, a terrified messenger burst into Neptune's office.
Since the founding of Fish-Man Island, there had never been a case of Sea Kings invading. Alarmed, Neptune grabbed his trident and rushed outside.
But when he stepped beyond the palace walls and saw the massive figure descending from the sky, he froze.
Compared to the true Sea Kings that ruled the deep sea, this figure wasn't exactly colossal—almost unimpressive in size.
Yet the moment its golden form fully revealed itself, Neptune's heart dropped in terror.
> That was the Sky King—
Uranus.
The only one of its kind.
Equal in legend to Poseidon, the Sea King, and Pluton, the Land King.
If they failed to show the proper respect, Fish-Man Island would be annihilated.
"Lord Ghidorah… may I ask why you've come to Fish-Man Island?"
Neptune asked with grave seriousness as he stared at the towering beast.
"Neptune?"
"I'm here to fulfill an old promise… and to take a look."
Ghidorah's gaze swept across the island.
When he didn't see Shirahoshi, the mermaid princess, he continued:
"To see this generation's Sea King."
At the mention of the Sea King, Neptune's heart clenched.
Everyone knew what Ghidorah meant.
To put it nicely: revenge.
To put it bluntly: rebellion.
And he wanted to pull Shirahoshi into it?
Neptune could never agree to such a thing.
Even faced with a monster, he wouldn't yield—not when it came to his daughter.
"I'm sorry, Lord Ghidorah. This generation's Sea King is… unique. I'm afraid she's not suited for battle."
Neptune stood firm, steeling himself for the beast's wrath.
"The promise made 800 years ago… have you forgotten?"
Ghidorah's voice turned cold.
"Even if the last one didn't keep their word, the agreement still stands. And now, I will see it fulfilled."
"Also—bring out that apology text you've got hidden in your palace."
"Only a fool would seek redemption for something that never needed to be repented for."
Neptune's expression shifted uneasily.
After a moment's hesitation, he ordered his soldiers to retrieve the Poneglyph hidden deep in Ryugu Palace.
"You may take the Poneglyph," he told Ghidorah, "but regarding Shirahoshi—there is no room for negotiation. She is my only daughter. I will not risk her."
"Tch. You really don't understand what a Sea King is, Neptune."
"As one of the Ancient Weapons—something even the World Government fears—do you really think a Sea King could be killed so easily?"
"Your daughter is just… too soft."
Ghidorah's tone was frosty.
If Neptune weren't Shirahoshi's father, Ghidorah might've already crushed him on the spot.
As for whether Shirahoshi would willingly join the war, Ghidorah didn't care. Dragging the Fish-Man Kingdom into the conflict was enough.
Whether she liked it or not, once involved—they'd be trapped in the coming storm.
Compared to Sea Kings of the past, this generation's was truly disappointing.
Blessed with immense power, yet little more than a naive, sheltered girl—a true "silly sweetheart."
But even that wouldn't stop Ghidorah.
As he contemplated, a group of soldiers emerged from the palace, escorted by several massive sea creatures.
They carried a huge, square black stone slab—etched in ancient script, worn yet enduring.
The Poneglyph.
The sacred texts that even the World Government had failed to destroy.
Ghidorah, however, gazed at it with great interest, muttering to himself:
"What a fool… to record this nonsense."
"Did that fruit really affect their brain?"
He recalled the previous bearers of a certain Devil Fruit—
And wondered if it had somehow turned their brains into fruit as well.
"Y-You can read that text?"
Neptune asked in astonishment, watching Ghidorah critique the ancient writing.
"Read it?"
"How could someone forget the language of their own homeland?"
Ghidorah ran his claws gently across the surface of the Poneglyph, sighing softly.
Then—before anyone could stop him—he lifted a single clawed foot and slammed it down.
CRACK!
The supposedly indestructible stone shattered like tofu.
Even the World Government had been unable to destroy Poneglyphs.
And yet, here, Ghidorah had crushed it underfoot.
"Neptune…" Ghidorah turned, his gaze drifting to the dark waters beyond the palace.
"I'll do you a favor and get rid of another nuisance while I'm here."
"In exchange—on the day the war begins, I want your daughter to restrain every version of Pluton."
"Don't even think about refusing. You can't afford the consequences."
"I'm not one to care about pacts or promises."
"All of them?"
Neptune's hand trembled on his trident.
The Ancient Weapons—Uranus, Poseidon, and Pluton.
He knew his daughter was Poseidon.
After Marineford fell, the whole world had come to know Uranus, too.
That left only Pluton, the one no one had seen.
But from Ghidorah's words…
There's more than one?
That monster—he'd seen them. Perhaps even commanded them.
"But…"
The thought of sending his gentle daughter to face Pluton—the legendary warship—filled Neptune with dread.
"There is no but."
Ghidorah's voice was as cold as the abyss.
"You have only two choices."
"One—join the revival of the Clan of D."
"Two—I destroy Fish-Man Island. Right now."
Silence.
A chill ran through the onlookers.
They understood immediately—if Neptune said "no," Fish-Man Island would be obliterated.
Even with a Sea King present, they wouldn't be able to stop it.
After a long pause, Neptune clenched his jaw, face grim.
"I accept your terms. When the time comes—Shirahoshi and I will go to war."
"Good."
Ghidorah gave a satisfied nod.
"Then allow me to offer a reward for your… loyalty."
"After we win the war, all the islands surrounding Fish-Man Island will become part of your kingdom."
It was an easy promise to make.
Words cost nothing.
And if they really did win the war…
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