As the suggestion hung in the air, a heavy silence filled the room. Everyone knew who Lindbergh was talking about, but no one wanted to be the first to say it. They cast side-long glances at Yamato before quickly looking away. Only Bonney kept her eyes fixed on the "Ogre Child," her expression a mix of desperate hope and silent pleading.
A soft sea breeze drifted through the window, stirring Yamato's sky-blue hair. It had been two and a half years since she had finally escaped her cage in Wano Country. Two and a half years was a long time to grow up. The wide-eyed innocence that once defined her was gone, replaced by a gaze that held a touch of weariness.
She had seen too much since joining the revolutionaries two years ago. At Ivankov's invitation, she and her crew had dedicated themselves to the cause, but the darkness of the world was vast. She began to realize that compared to the suffering she saw across the ocean, Wano might have actually been a paradise—especially given how much it had changed since her departure.
Despite the weight of the world on her shoulders, her spirit remained unbroken. Seeing the tears welling in Bonney's eyes, Yamato clenched her fists with determination.
"Get ready, Bonney," she said firmly. "I'm taking you to Wano Country!"
Half a day later, the Revolutionary Army watched from the docks of Baltigo as a pirate ship carrying the broken body of Kuma began its long journey toward the New World.
Shortly after the ship vanished over the horizon, a swirl of black feathers descended from the sky. The crows merged together, transforming into the human form of Karasu, the North Army Commander. The leadership of the army tensed up; Karasu handled intelligence, and his sudden arrival rarely meant good news.
Karasu glanced at the wake of the departing ship. "Is Yamato taking Kuma-san?"
"They're heading for Wano," Sabo replied.
Karasu nodded slowly. "I see. If Vegapunk is really gone, the Beasts Pirates are the only ones left with the technology to save him. However, I have some news—both good and bad."
The group leaned in as Karasu got straight to the point. "The bad news is that the World Government and the Marines have just issued a mandatory summons for the Seven Warlords of the Sea. It seems the Beasts Pirates' move against Vegapunk has finally scared the higher-ups into a panic."
"What!?" Ivankov gasped. "Doesn't that put Yamato-chan in even more danger?"
If the World Government was preparing for an all-out war with Kaido, the Beasts Pirates wouldn't have the time or the mercy to help fix a former revolutionary.
Dragon, ever calm, looked at Karasu. "And the good news?"
"According to our contacts in Dressrosa, Trafalgar Law—one of the Warlords—has started a fight with Donquixote Doflamingo."
The room buzzed with confusion. "The Warlords are fighting each other?"
Under World Government rules, the 7 Warlords were strictly forbidden from fighting one another.
"Exactly," Karasu continued. "With Doflamingo's current ties to Kaido and Law's apparent defeat, the Marines' summons is going to be a disaster. Oh, and one more thing..." Karasu's expression turned strange as he looked at Dragon. "Our scouts spotted the Straw Hat Pirates there as well."
A collective gasp echoed through the meeting room.
Meanwhile, on the lush coast of Amazon Lily, the leadership of the Kuja Tribe had gathered. Boa Hancock, the current Empress, stood alongside her predecessor, Shakuyaku, and the elder Nyon. However, the most reassuring presence was the man with the silver hair: the "Dark King" Silvers Rayleigh.
"Are you sure about this, Rayleigh?" Elder Nyon asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Refusing a direct order from the World Government could be dangerous."
"Don't worry," Shakuyaku cut in, blowing a puff of smoke. "The Marines and the World Government have far bigger problems to deal with right now."
Rayleigh's eyes sharpened behind his glasses. "She's right. It's hard to believe, but the Beasts Pirates have reached the same level of power as the old Rocks Pirates. According to Shakky's intel, all five of the Elders from Mary Geoise went to Egghead, and they still couldn't stop them. The most terrifying part? Kaido wasn't even there."
The women of Amazon Lily looked at him in shock. "Has Kaido really become that powerful?"
"It's more than just him," Shakuyaku explained. "Just four of his top subordinates have the kingdoms of the Four Blues too terrified to move. Even Rocks never had that kind of influence. Their officers are monsters, and their regular soldiers are formidable. The power of their Devil Fruits is simply overwhelming."
She leaned against a rock, her expression grim. "Even with artificial Devil Fruits, the Beasts Pirates have an army where almost any soldier could rule the Four Blues or the first half of the Grand Line. Add to that their modified Sea King corps and a flying unit that controls literal dragons... they can destroy a country in an afternoon."
Shakuyaku looked directly at Hancock. "Even Amazon Lily wouldn't stand a chance if they decided to attack. In many ways, the Beasts Pirates are more dangerous than the Government. Even the Calm Belt won't stop their monsters from reaching us."
Hancock bit her lip, looking uncharacteristically uncertain. "Then what is our next move?"
Elder Nyon spoke up, her voice regaining its strength. "Call every warrior to arms. Put the entire country on high alert. This ocean is about to erupt into total chaos."
At Marineford, the headquarters of the Marines, the air was thick with tension.
CRACK!
Fleet Admiral Akainu's fist, coated in smoldering magma, slammed into his desk, charring the wood. "They all refused!?"
The high-ranking officers in the room looked grim. Vice Admiral Momonga, who had been tasked with the recruitment, stepped forward. "Not entirely, sir. But it's a mess."
He began the report. "Excluding Kuma, who is no longer himself, we have six Warlords left. Doflamingo and Trafalgar Law are currently at each other's throats. They won't listen to us until their fight is over, and even then, we'll likely lose one of them. The Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily gave us a flat 'no'."
Momonga sighed. "Then there's Dracule Mihawk, Buggy the Clown, and Edward Weevil. Buggy and Mihawk didn't technically refuse, but they made it clear they won't participate if they have to fight alone. As for Whitebeard Jr., he has a condition: he wants a rare Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit in exchange for his help."
"A Mythical Zoan? The greed of these pirates knows no bounds!" Akainu growled. Even the Marines only possessed a handful of such fruits. He took a deep breath, trying to control his temper. "Fine. Report all of this to the Gorosei. Let them figure it out."
But before he could say another word, a messenger burst into the room. The news he brought left the entire room stunned—and then, absolutely furious.
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