The heavy stone gate slowly rumbled open.
Under the vigilant watch of numerous black-clad guards, a tall figure in a dark green hooded cloak strode inside.
No bow.
No fear.
The newcomer stopped before Imu, raised a hand, and tore off the hood.
A resolute face was revealed—marked by red, square tattoos and eyes as firm as iron.
"It's you."
Even Imu, who had lived for eight hundred years, showed unmistakable surprise.
"Monkey D. Dragon."
"The world's most heinous criminal… the leader of the Revolutionary Army."
"To think you'd dare come before me alone."
"Under normal circumstances," Imu continued coldly,
"this meeting would end only in death."
Dragon met Imu's ripple-patterned eyes head-on, his voice low and hoarse.
"But now, the world itself stands on the brink of destruction."
"In the face of an alien invasion and the survival of the world, ideological struggles are meaningless."
He stepped forward, his aura colliding with Imu's without yielding an inch.
"Against that otherworldly invader called Uchiha Tobirama, should I rely on kings who can do nothing but tremble?"
"For the future of this world, I had to come personally."
Imu fell silent for a moment, then let out a chilling, suppressed laugh.
"Hehehe… You're right."
"A rebel of the D. clan has become the clearest-headed person of all."
"Speak," Imu said.
"What do you want?"
Dragon drew a deep breath and presented a proposal capable of overturning the world itself.
"An alliance."
"Not just between us."
"A three-way, absolute alliance—between the Revolutionary Army, the remnants of the World Government, and all pirate forces across the seas."
"Put aside all grudges. End all civil wars."
"Turn every gun, every blade, toward the Uchiha Empire!"
"Only by uniting the world's full strength—and using our familiarity with terrain, currents, and climate for endless guerrilla and attrition warfare—will we have even the slightest chance of survival!"
Imu listened in silence, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest.
He wanted nothing more than to kill Dragon on the spot.
But he understood far too well how terrifying Uchiha Tobirama was.
That man intended to herd them like pigs and dogs.
"…Fine."
A ruthless glint flashed through Imu's eyes.
"I will activate all remaining CP intelligence networks under my control."
"All agents hidden in the shadows."
"All armies of loyal member nations."
"They will fully cooperate with your actions."
"I will grant you top-level intelligence sharing."
"I can even…" Imu paused briefly.
"…place the Ancient Weapon Uranus under your command as the final trump card."
"But I have one condition."
Imu fixed Dragon with a piercing stare.
"The Four Emperors must also join."
"Even that lunatic Kaido."
"Don't worry," Dragon replied, nodding firmly.
"I'll handle the pirates."
"They understand the truth of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will freeze' better than anyone."
"And…"
Dragon clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms.
"I have my own reason why I must fight."
The deal was sealed.
…
Outside the base, along a desolate coastline.
Dragon emerged from the Underworld and looked up at a sky overshadowed by the looming presence of the Ninja World's army.
The sea breeze stirred his long hair.
"Chief, are we really cooperating with that demon?"
The figure behind him gritted his teeth.
"The World Government is our enemy too!"
"Iva."
Dragon didn't turn around. His gaze remained fixed on the distant horizon.
"That Uchiha… captured the Old Man."
"He slaughtered many of our comrades."
"He even wants to turn this entire world into his backyard."
His voice trembled slightly, heavy with restrained fury.
"As long as we can drive him out—or kill him…"
"Even if I have to make a deal with the devil."
"Even if I must bear eternal infamy…"
"I will not hesitate."
"Father… wait for me."
"I will rescue you. No matter what."
"Move out!" Dragon commanded sharply.
"Contact Red-Hair! Contact the other Four Emperors!"
"Contact every powerhouse still breathing!"
"The counterattack begins!"
…
Time passed quickly. One week later.
This single week felt like purgatory for the Pirate World.
With Sengoku's cooperation, more than half of Marine Headquarters was peacefully absorbed, reduced to auxiliary police forces maintaining order for the Uchiha Empire.
Yet some Marines—loyal to Absolute Justice or secretly controlled by Imu—deserted and joined the resistance.
War ignited across the Four Seas.
The Ninja army, relying on high-tech armor and near-immortal bodies, was undeniably overwhelming.
But local resistance proved unexpectedly fierce.
Once the Revolutionary Army, remaining government forces, and pirates united, the bizarre coordination of Devil Fruit abilities—combined with intimate knowledge of terrain, currents, and climate—caused considerable trouble for Ninja units in localized engagements.
Still, on a global scale, it was merely the final struggle of the dying.
Because the hunt for top-tier combatants had already begun.
…
In a storm-lashed sea of the New World.
A massive red battleship lay anchored amid towering waves.
Red Force.
On the deck, Red-Haired Shanks sat alone at the bow, a bowl of sake in hand—but untouched.
His Observation Haki was fully unleashed, enveloping a hundred miles of sea.
Behind him, Beckman, Yasopp, and the others rested their hands on their weapons, expressions grim beyond words.
"They're here," Shanks said suddenly, setting the bowl down gently.
"How many?" Lucky Roux asked while gnawing on a chunk of meat.
"Two."
Shanks rose to his feet, his single arm resting on the hilt of Gryphon.
"Only two people."
"But…"
For the first time, unmistakable wariness appeared in the eyes of the youngest Emperor.
"Their aura… is abnormal."
"It's as if space itself ceases to exist in front of them."
Before he could finish—
Buzz!!!
The space above the Red Force twisted violently, forming two spiraling distortions.