New World.
IWC, Totto Land.
The headquarters of the Four Emperors Big Mom Pirates.
Cake Island, Castle Hall.
Atop the throne sat Four Emperors Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, her presence as imposing as the very island itself.
Below her, Katakuri, Smoothie, and Cracker stood in line, silent but alert.
Further down, the eldest son Perospero, fourth son Owen, and other ministers and cadres of the Big Mom Pirates awaited orders.
"Mom, with the Whitebeard Pirates and Marines locked in all-out war, defenses are weak. This is the perfect moment for us to expand our territory, Pellorin," Perospero urged.
"Brother Peros is right!"
"In my view, this war will leave Whitebeard vulnerable!"
"When Whitebeard falls, his territory will be exposed!"
"We should act first!"
Owen, Baron Dandan, and other ministers echoed in agreement.
"Brothers, we cannot be sure if Whitebeard will actually fight. After all, that Fire Fist Ace has only been with him for a few years!"
The nineteenth son, Mundol, remarked cautiously.
"Indeed," Smoothie added. "Starting a war with the Marines is gambling everything. It's not worth risking the foundation Whitebeard built for one person."
If any of their crew were captured and executed, the Big Mom Pirates wouldn't wage war against the Marines—they might only destroy a few Marine bases in retaliation.
"No, that old man Whitebeard will definitely act! Hahaha!"
Charlotte Linlin laughed heartily.
"So… mother, we—"
Perospero didn't finish before a deafening bang shook Cake Island.
Shouts of shock echoed among the Big Mom Pirates and the surrounding fishmen.
"What just happened?!" Smoothie exclaimed, eyes wide.
"Beckmus, check it out!" Baron Eggy shouted, sprinting with his long legs.
Before they could even step outside—BOOM!
The gates of Cake Castle were violently blasted open, sending Baron Eggy and Beckmus flying backward.
"Linlin! The world is on the brink of chaos! The Marine–Whitebeard war will ignite a new era. Will you stay content with the status quo… or join me to seize a treasure of unprecedented power?"
Four Emperors Kaido of the Beasts strode into the hall, a massive kanabo resting on his shoulder. Behind him, Flame Calamity Ember followed, every step shaking the floor.
"NANI?!"
"Kaido?!"
"Kaido of the Beasts and Flame Ember?!"
"This guy… Kaido is alive?!"
"No one reported Kaido's death!"
"But… if he lives, what about the green dragon of Fairy Tail… the pink dragon?"
"There can't be two identical Devil Fruit powers in one world!"
The ministers and cadres of Big Mom Pirates could barely speak, stunned at the intrusion.
Clang! Pat!
The sounds of guns cocking and swords unsheathing filled the hall.
Even against the former Four Emperors Kaido, the Big Mom Pirates were fearless, ready to fight.
"Everyone, stop!" Katakuri shouted, stepping forward.
"Kaido, Jhin, what are you doing trespassing on Big Mom territory?"
Perospero's voice cut sharply through the tension.
Kaido ignored him, eyes locked solely on Big Mom.
"Well, well… Kaido. Looks like you, like that redhead, have become a one-armed man," Charlotte Linlin finally spoke.
"I'm curious… where's your left arm?"
Kaido's expression darkened.
"Oh, right! Your left arm was removed by that little ghost from Fairy Tail, wasn't it? Hahaha!" Linlin laughed wantonly.
"Linlin, I'm not here to banter!" Kaido growled deeply.
"Smelly brother, what's your attitude?" Big Mom's gaze darkened, a glint of steel flashing in her eyes.
"Last time I tried to help you, and you didn't appreciate it. You suffered a crushing defeat, hid like a turtle for six months, and now you come to my territory to talk nonsense? Your base camp captured? You think you can join forces with me now?"
"That's right! What Mom says is correct!" the cadres shouted.
"You're no longer a Four Emperor!"
"You lost to Fairy Tail, now you're nothing but a stray dog!"
"You have no right to join our Big Mom Pirates!"
"Quiet!" Kaido slammed his kanabo into the ground with an earth-shattering BOOM!
A massive crater exploded. His presence radiated with the authority of an unrivaled overlord, silencing the hall instantly.
"Getting bolder, Kaido," Big Mom said, rising from her throne.
She raised her hand. Napoleon Homiz, the two-cornered hat, transformed into a sword and landed in her palm.
Thundercloud Zeus and little sun Prometheus rose into the air, crackling with immense power.
"Let's see if you have the qualifications to join forces with me!" she declared.
Half a day later…
At the Cake Island Tea Party Venue, Kaido of the Beasts and Big Mom Charlotte Linlin stood shoulder to shoulder, exuding power and camaraderie.
"Little ones," they announced in unison, "the Big Mom Pirates and Beasts Pirates…"
"…have decided to form a pirate alliance!"
"First, we cooperate to dominate the world!"
"The fight between us comes later!"
The new era had begun.