A few days later. In the New World, on an unnamed island.
The Revolutionary Army sent a very small delegation, composed of Dragon, Sabo, Yukino, Issho and Smoker, to hold secret negotiations with the Red Hair Pirates.
On the sea, a black pirate ship slowly approached the shore. On its sail were three red scratch marks, the emblem of the Red Hair Pirates.
Shanks stood at the bow, his red hair fluttering in the sea breeze.
His left sleeve was empty, swaying gently in the wind.
A rapier hung at his waist, and a relaxed smile played on his lips.
Behind him stood his core crew members: Benn Beckman, Yasopp, Lucky Roux, and others.
The two sides faced off on the sandy beach.
"Red Hair, what business do you have with our Revolutionary Army?" Dragon spoke first, his voice low and steady.
Shanks smiled and didn't beat around the bush. "I heard your Revolutionary Army is preparing to go to war with the Marine."
Dragon's brow furrowed slightly. "You called us here just for something the whole world already knows?"
"Don't be impatient, Mr. Commander," Shanks said, stepping forward and planting his feet in the sand. "What I want to say is, if the Revolutionary Army is preparing to launch an all-out war with the Marine, our Red Hair Pirates are willing to lend a hand."
At these words, everyone on the Revolutionary Army's side except Dragon changed expression.
Yukino was also stunned for a moment, but quickly regained her composure.
"Reason?" She stared at Shanks, her gaze sharp as a torch. "You shouldn't have any reason to get involved, should you?"
Shanks was silent for a moment.
Then, he raised his right hand and placed it on his severed left shoulder.
"I just want to protect the seedlings of the new era."
Yukino's brow furrowed even tighter.
'Seedlings of the new era? What did that mean?'
She wanted to press further, but Shanks clearly had no intention of explaining further.
"You can think it over," Shanks said, turning and walking toward his ship. "Let me know when you've decided."
The Revolutionary Army's ship sailed back.
Inside the cabin, the atmosphere was even heavier than when they had arrived.
Yukino leaned against the gunwale, looking out at the sea, saying nothing.
Haruno walked up beside her and asked quietly, "What do you think?"
"I never trust pirates," Yukino's voice was very cold. "And the reason Red Hair gave is nonsensical. I don't trust him."
"But we have to admit," Haruno hesitated, then finally sighed, "If we add an Emperor crew, our chances of victory increase significantly."
Yukino didn't answer.
Of course she knew. But precisely because she knew, she felt even more uneasy.
…
Back at Baltigo, the Revolutionary Army's top brass convened another meeting.
This time, the atmosphere was completely different.
Many who had originally sided with Yukino began to waver.
Belo Betty, the East Army Commander, was the first to state her position.
"I think this is an opportunity." She crossed her arms, her tone firm. "With the Red Hair Pirates joining, we can severely wound the Marine and the World Government. Miss this chance, and it might never come again."
Smoker was silent for a moment, then also nodded. "If Red Hair really is willing to act, our odds do increase considerably."
Issho still had his eyes closed, saying nothing.
Yukino watched as her former 'allies' one by one sided with the pro-war faction. A wave of powerlessness washed over her.
"I disagree."
She stood up, her voice echoing through the meeting room.
"Red Hair won't tell us his real reason. We have no idea what he's scheming. What if he betrays us at a critical moment? We'll be caught in a pincer movement."
She paused, her expression growing even more serious.
"I once heard Nishikawa Makoto and his women talk about the battle forty years ago when I was on his ship. That man himself said that Imu probably didn't use their full power back then. They might still have some trump card in reserve."
She swept her gaze across everyone present.
"With our current strength, even with Red Hair's help, our chance of victory is still less than fifty percent. We would need at least one more Emperor crew, like Whitebeard, to make it about even."
Silence fell over the meeting room.
Everyone knew that what Yukino said was true.
But the question was… why would Whitebeard help them?
Sabo stood up and took a deep breath.
"Army Commander Yukinoshita, everything you say is correct. But," he looked Yukino straight in the eye, "Luffy is my little brother and Mr. Dragon's son. We cannot stand by and watch him be executed."
"Moreover, with the Red Hair Pirates joining, our odds have already increased significantly. Even if it's only fifty percent, it's worth a try."
Yukino looked at Sabo's young, stubborn face, and a complex feeling welled up in her heart.
She thought of Ginny.
She thought of that woman who had been captured by the Celestial Dragons and died in agony.
Back then, she had pleaded with Dragon like this too.
But Dragon had refused.
Now, for his own son, he was willing to stake the entire Revolutionary Army.
Even with her typically indifferent personality, Yukino almost couldn't help cursing him out.
She returned to her seat and closed her eyes.
She knew this battle was no longer something she could stop.
After the meeting, Koala caught up with Yukino and asked cautiously, "Yukino-nee, with the Red Hair Pirates joining, how much do our chances increase?"
Yukino was silent for a moment, then said, "In this situation, I can't make a prediction either. We'll just have to stake everything on one roll."
Koala bit her lip, hesitated, then said, "Yukino-nee, I want to go to the New Amazon Lily."
Yukino and Haruno both froze.
"You want to go see Nishikawa Makoto?" Haruno's eyes widened. "Impossible. That man can't be bothered with this kind of thing."
Koala shook her head. "I'm not going to see the King of the World. I want to go see Jinbei."
"Jinbei?"
"Yes." Koala's gaze grew increasingly determined. "Back then, the captain of the Sun Pirates, Fisher Tiger, died because of the World Government's machinations. Although Nishikawa-sama is ninety-nine percent unlikely to get involved, Jinbei and the remnants of the Sun Pirates should be very eager for revenge."
Koala looked at Yukino. "Every bit of combat strength counts, doesn't it?"
Yukino was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Then I leave it to you."
"Thank you, Yukino-nee!" Koala bowed and ran off.
Haruno looked at her sister and asked softly, "Do you want to take this opportunity to go back to the New Amazon Lily too?"
Yukino was silent for a long time.
Then she shook her head. "No."
"Why?"
"I..." Yukino's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible. "I haven't accomplished anything yet. At the very least... I want to win this war before I go see that man."
Haruno looked at her sister's profile and said nothing more.
Soon after, the news that the Revolutionary Army and the Red Hair Pirates were massing their forces shocked the entire world.
Newspapers ran nonstop coverage, Den Den Mushi broadcasts replayed endlessly, and taverns buzzed with gossip.
No one understood… how had the Red Hair Pirates gotten involved?
Makoto sat on the bow of Otherworlder-Go, reading the newspaper reports, and couldn't help but laugh.
"As expected, handing over Luffy was the right move."
He put down the newspaper and took a sip of tea.
"Not only his father, the Sweat King, but even the [Face King] has mobilized."
"Come to think of it, Garp... would he be a traitor?"
He recalled the old man from the original work who shouted 'I am a Marine' while protecting his pirate grandson. That was a man who could argue with both sides of his brain.
Once upon a time, people thought the Pirate King's story was about a small-town youth's passion struggle. But after watching for a while, it turned out to be a story about a rich second son on a sightseeing trip in the countryside.
Indeed, the most terrifying figure in this world is the Background King.