Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1522.
The protagonist of this era, Monkey D. Luffy, the Straw Hat boy, reunited with his crew at the Sabaody Archipelago.
After two years of relentless training, the Straw Hat Pirates reappeared before the world in spectacular fashion.
Soon afterward, their ship was coated and descended beneath the waves, officially setting sail toward the dreamlike kingdom hidden deep beneath the sea—Fish-Man Island—thus opening the curtain on the next great stage of the journey toward the latter half of the New World.
At the same time, another figure of the Worst Generation, Eustass "Captain" Kid, and the Kid Pirates under his command were rapidly gaining notoriety.
Previously, during a fierce clash with the Red-Haired Pirates led by Red-Haired Shanks, Kid had paid a brutal price—losing his left arm.
Yet his momentum had not diminished in the slightest.
Seeking to rebuild his strength and vent his fury, Kid shifted his focus toward the Big Mom Pirates, who had been severely weakened after Gern's assault.
With thunderous force, Kid launched a sudden attack against two of Big Mom's key pirate ships.
The result was a decisive victory.
The already-wounded Totto Land suffered another blow.
Meanwhile, in preparation for his eventual revenge against Shanks, the Kid Pirates formed an alliance with two other notorious members of the Worst Generation: the On Air Pirates led by Scratchmen Apoo, and the Hawkins Pirates commanded by Basil Hawkins.
The World Economic Journal seized upon this alliance and sensationalized it across the globe.
They dubbed it—
"The Thunder of the New Era."
The world's eyes turned toward this coalition.
A newborn storm—one capable of challenging the rule of the old Emperors—seemed to be forming.
Unfortunately…
One of the Four Emperors, "Hundred Beasts" Kaido, descended from the sky like a catastrophe.
With absolute, overwhelming power, he crushed the so-called alliance without mercy.
Faced with an enemy they could not possibly resist, Apoo and Hawkins immediately surrendered.
Only the most stubborn and defiant among them—Eustass Kid—refused to yield.
Leading his crew, Kid fought until the very last moment.
But in the end, exhausted and overwhelmed, he was captured.
Together with several of his key officers, he was imprisoned in the Prisoner Quarry of Wano Country, forced into hard labor.
Thus, the storm of the New Era was extinguished once again.
While the Great Age of Pirates churned with rising tides and violent clashes between old and new powers…
Within the Marines, a profound and systematic transformation was quietly unfolding.
Driven jointly by Gern Reginald Sigmar and Sengoku, the reform had officially begun.
Marine Admiral "White Kirin," Gern Reginald Sigmar—Supreme Commander of New World Strategy and Grand Marshal of the Marines—together with the nominal Fleet Admiral Sengoku, bypassed the World Government and jointly signed and issued a document known as:
"Marine Reform Document No. 133."
Its publication marked the beginning of an entirely new chapter in Marine history.
The core objective of the first phase of this reform struck directly at the foundation:
Reshaping Marine ideology and reconstructing Marine culture.
Radical extremes would be abandoned.
Core principles would be clarified.
For the first time in official documentation, the Marines formally declared:
The highest justice of the Marines lies in maintaining the stability of the entire world and protecting the safety and interests of all islands, nations, and peoples.
Member nations of the World Government would no longer enjoy privileged priority protection.
Instead, the Marines' mission would be to protect all people living upon the seas, regardless of political affiliation.
The ultimate objective was clear:
To eliminate all maritime threats and establish a truly safe and orderly oceanic world.
Secondly—
A campaign of "Responsibility and Honor" education would be implemented across the entire Marine force.
Large-scale, systematic ideological training would be introduced.
The program emphasized:
Discipline as the backbone of the Marines.
Teamwork as the multiplier of combat effectiveness.
Mission completion as the sacred duty of every soldier.
At the same time, an internal purge known as the "Eradication Operation" was launched.
Corrupt officers—"rats" who abused their authority for evil—were systematically exposed and executed.
Holy Land Mary Geoise.
The Hall of Authority.
The document jointly signed by Gern and Sengoku—Marine Reform Document No.133—spread across the world as if it had grown wings.
Naturally, it arrived before the Five Elders almost immediately.
The declarations printed in black ink on white paper—
"World Government member nations will no longer enjoy privileged priority protection."
"The highest justice of the Marines lies in maintaining global stability and protecting all peoples."
To the Five Elders, these words felt like a resounding slap across the face.
A merciless one.
Not only striking them personally—
But striking the very foundation of the World Government's eight-hundred-year rule.
Although the document appeared to be merely an internal Marine reform—a small ideological adjustment—
Its symbolic significance and potential chain reactions were enough to shake the entire core of global power.
Especially because…
When the World Government's member nations learned of the announcement, they erupted almost instantly.
For the kingdoms of the world, the logic was simple.
Every year, they paid enormous amounts of Heavenly Tribute to the Celestial Dragons.
And what did they receive in return?
Priority protection from the World Government.
Most importantly—
Protection from its most powerful military force: the Marines.
The entire transaction revolved around security and privilege.
But now?
With a single document, the Marines intended to abolish that priority.
Member nations would now be protected on equal terms with non-member nations…
Even with territories those kingdoms had long dismissed as lawless backwaters.
Then what meaning did the Heavenly Tribute have?
Would the only benefit remaining be a seat at the Reverie, the once-every-four-years world conference where their voices held little real power?
Almost immediately—
Letters of protest and inquiry flooded Mary Geoise like a blizzard.
They piled upon the desks of the Five Elders.
Fear and dissatisfaction among the allied nations placed the World Government under unprecedented pressure.
Inside the Hall of Authority, the atmosphere was suffocating.
"Outrageous!"Saint Marcus Mars, the Warrior God of Environment, trembled with fury.
"That brat Gern has completely lost all restraint! What exactly does he think he's doing?!"
"You think we can't see through his intentions?"Saint Topman Warcury, the Warrior God of Justice, spoke with a face as cold as iron.
"This is an open challenge to the authority of the World Government. He's trying to sever the relationship between the Marines and the Government!"
"And Sengoku!"Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defense, slammed his cane violently against the floor.
"What kind of Fleet Admiral allows something like this? He actually went along with it?!"
"No…" another voice muttered.
"He doesn't have any real authority anymore."
"Just another 'stamp admiral' propped up for show."
"This isn't the time to argue about that," said Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the Warrior God of Finance, his voice cold as ice.
"We must immediately halt this dangerous trend."
"The Marines must remember their subordinate position."
The Five Elders argued fiercely, condemning Gern's "treasonous arrogance" and the "dangerous consequences" of the document.
Their anger threatened to shatter their usual composure.
Yet once the initial fury subsided…
A harsh reality emerged.
How exactly were they supposed to stop him?
Summon Gern to the Holy Land for reprimand?
The moment the idea appeared, it was discarded.
The man possessed terrifying personal power.
He also held unquestioned authority throughout the New World.
More importantly—
He had the temperament of someone bold enough to attack Mary Geoise itself.
Calling him here to lecture him?
At best, it would accomplish nothing.
At worst, it would escalate the conflict and bring humiliation upon themselves.
After all…
A man who dared to kill Celestial Dragons would hardly care about a few harsh words from the Five Elders.
Then summon Sengoku?
That thought only deepened their frustration.
Anyone with eyes could see that Sengoku the Buddha had already lost interest in the position.
He was content being a "stamp admiral," strolling around in floral shirts while contemplating retirement.
Call him here, and what would they get?
Probably nothing more than a halfhearted response:
"Mm-hmm… yes, yes… the document was primarily led by Grand Marshal Gern… I think it makes sense…"
In other words—
A nodding wooden puppet.
For the first time in centuries, the Five Elders felt something they had almost forgotten.
Helplessness.
Loss of control.
They suddenly realized something terrifying.
Compared to the Revolutionary Army, which worked from the shadows…
Someone like Gern was far more dangerous.
He possessed power, authority, resources, an enormous military force, and global prestige.
When someone like that made a move—
The eight-hundred-year foundation of the World Government's supremacy began to tremble.
"We can't allow this to continue…"
At last, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the Warrior God of Agriculture, broke the silence.
His expression was dark and grim.
"He must be reminded…"
"…who the true masters of this world are."
A chilling pause followed.
"Perhaps…"
"…it's time we considered using some unconventional methods."