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The world's one and only king!
The voice was calm, almost as if he were making a joke.
But neither Whitebeard nor Rayleigh believed he was being casual. Given the state of the world, those words—though spoken lightly—were something that could truly happen.
To them, it sounded less like a joke and more like a declaration of the world's future.
Not an alliance of over a hundred nations like the World Government, but the rise of a unified empire under a single ruler.
For a moment, both men were dazed, recalling distant legends that spoke of a great empire that had once ruled for countless years.
"Is this your ambition? Arashi!"
"Do you really think a dictatorship can bring the people happiness and respect?" Whitebeard asked in a low, rumbling voice.
Beside him, Rayleigh's pupils contracted as he listened silently. Though pirates had little interest in politics, a lifetime of experience had given them some understanding of kingdoms and the world's structure.
"Dictatorship?" Arashi smiled faintly.
"I prefer to call this great empire democracy, equality, and freedom. Do you think a world with one king must be a dictatorship? Not necessarily."
After a pause, his tone grew serious, as though he were giving a lecture. "The composition of an empire is complex."
"For a nation to endure, countless factors must align. It's too complicated to explain in full, but consider this: there are too many races in this world."
"Where there are many races, there is discrimination. To eliminate it, to let all peoples live together in equality, there must first exist a complete whole—a single empire spanning the globe."
He leaned forward, voice calm yet filled with conviction. "My ambition does not end with unification. That is only the beginning. But in this era, an empire is the best choice."
"Only when all races share these things will they develop a sense of identity and belonging to this vast empire. In time, their way of thinking will change. They will truly coexist in equality and freedom."
"This is nothing but a fantasy, Arashi," Rayleigh sighed.
In his eyes, a world ruled by a single emperor meant nothing more than the will of one man forced upon all.
History was filled with tyrants whose ambition brought only disaster and suffering. Arashi, with his overwhelming power, would be no different.
An emperor so mighty that the entire world trembled at his presence—once he chose to act, who could stop him?
"A fantasy? That's because history never created it, and I want to create such history." Arashi raised an eyebrow and chuckled, unfazed by the rebuttal.
"Soon you will see whether it's fantasy or reality. What's more, in the new empire I am building, the crimes of old-era pirates like you will be washed away."
"You will live as ordinary citizens, with rights of your own. You'll no longer fear being arrested simply for walking the streets."
Rayleigh froze, then let out a quiet laugh and shook his head. "Then I suppose I should thank you."
Arashi rose to his feet, his voice resounding with power. "What you should be thankful for is that you have survived to see this new era. That is your destiny!"
With those words, Arashi turned and left. Mary Geoise had fallen, the world war had begun, and his responsibilities were heavier than ever.
.....
On the Sabaody Archipelago, the situation was quickly stabilised with the arrival of Kizaru, Arashi, Whitebeard, and others.
The World Government's garrison was obliterated, their forces surrendering and taken prisoner. Arashi immediately returned to Marineford.
In the Fleet Admiral's office, reports filled his desk. "Remarkable efficiency. Since my order to attack yesterday, Marine Corps branches worldwide have launched operations."
"As of now, eighty-six islands and towns are completely under our control," Arashi said with a satisfied smile as he reviewed the documents.
Of course, the world was far larger than these eighty-six islands. On a planet dominated by oceans, the number of islands was countless.
This war of unprecedented scale was destined to drag on. The real test lay in the combined strength of the hundred kingdoms still under the World Government's banner.
The twenty nations of the Reverie were but a fraction of the world. True dominance was still a distance away.
"In the Four Blues and the first half of the Grand Line, every fortress and base has mobilised."
"Massive armies are being assembled. It's estimated that within three days, our fleets will number over one million soldiers," Smoker reported, barely containing his excitement.
Even an Admiral could not help but feel stirred. For what lay before them was the entire world—and it was already within their grasp.
"And what of those who escaped from Mary Geoise?" Arashi asked, narrowing his eyes.
"No clues yet," came the answer. "But they won't stay hidden for long. With each passing day, more of the world falls under our control."
"If they remain in hiding for a month, the entire globe will be ours—and by then, the World Government will be powerless to resist."
Smoker took a deep breath before continuing. "The fall of Mary Geoise was devastating for the Celestial Dragons."
"Nearly all the pillars of their rule were wiped out. How could they possibly rally a force strong enough to oppose us?"
"Pay close attention to any trace of the Celestial Dragons," Arashi ordered coldly. "If any are found, arrest them immediately."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!" Smoker replied, standing firm.
Arashi lowered his gaze back to the reports. They detailed Marine troop deployments, victories, stalemates, and defeats across the globe.
Some branches had secured quick control, others were locked in even battles, and some had suffered losses against the coalition. The world was in complete chaos.
Yet there was one piece of good news: during this time of turmoil, no pirates had risen to prominence.
The arrogance of the pirate era had been crushed. Now, the world's eyes were fixed solely on the great war between the Marines and the World Government.
Even more heartening was the wave of civilians eager to enlist. All across the seas, commoners were flocking to join the Marines.
Their numbers swelled rapidly, reaching heights never seen before. For Arashi, this was the greatest sign of all—that his new era had already begun.
As time passed, the Marines only grew stronger. Arashi lowered his head, flipping through the documents spread across his desk while silently planning deployments in his mind.
As Fleet Admiral, he naturally had to take direct command in a conflict as vast as a world war.
Over the next several days, the conference hall in Marineford bustled without pause. Officers entered and exited in a constant stream, and meetings were held with relentless frequency.
Arashi often stood before the great sand table, running war simulations and refining strategies alongside his commanders.
For seven consecutive days, good news poured into headquarters. Reports of victory arrived from every corner of the seas.
"Except for a handful of kingdoms, the West Blue is entirely under our control!"
"In the North Blue, over a dozen World Government kingdoms have banded together into a coalition, but the other towns and islands are already ours!"
"The same holds in the South Blue. Several kingdoms refuse to submit and have formed their own coalition armies."
"In the East Blue, most towns were secured with almost no resistance."
One after another, these reports were compiled and pinned onto the massive world map in Marineford. Red dots marked the islands and territories under Marine control.
At a glance, they formed a dense network spanning nearly the entire globe. It was proof that the Marines already held the preliminary power to govern the world—and this was only after seven days.
"All that remains are the kingdoms still loyal to the World Government," a flag officer said.
"Of these, more than thirty have reached out to us, expressing willingness to surrender to avoid war and preserve peace."
"But over seventy have raised royal armies and coalition fleets, determined to fight us to the bitter end."
"Some of our scouts believe they've sighted the Five Elders among them. At the same time, intelligence reports indicate the leaders of these kingdoms are holding a secret assembly."
"Their movements, however, are so well concealed that even our infiltrators can't yet gather more."
Arashi's eyes narrowed. "So those four old geezers have finally shown themselves. What about Imu? Any trace of him?"
At the mention of the name, confusion flickered across the officers' faces. "Imu? The figure you claim stands above the Five Elders? We have found nothing."
"It's as though he's vanished from the world. But as for the remaining Elders, we expect the intelligence division to confirm their movements soon."
Arashi nodded slowly, brows furrowed. The Elders did not concern him. Their power might be formidable, but the Marines now possessed overwhelming strength.
He might not even need to act personally. But Imu—Imu was different. A shadowy figure he could not afford to underestimate.
In his gut, Arashi knew the war would ultimately come down to a duel between them.
"Have Rob Lucci devote everything to uncovering information on the World Government," Arashi ordered quietly.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral! I'll notify him at once."
The officer's chest tightened under the weight of the command, and he bowed swiftly. Arashi's gaze returned to the world map.
Against the vast field of red marks, the blank patches—the defiant kingdoms—stood out like glaring wounds. "They are our final targets," he said in a low, heavy voice.
The words pressed down upon the room with suffocating weight before slowly lifting. The officers straightened, both anxious and exhilarated. Victory was near.
Once those kingdoms fell, the Marines would truly rule the world. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation.
But fate is ever fickle. While Marineford looked forward with confidence, elsewhere in the world, dark currents stirred.
On a lonely, nameless island in the first half of the Grand Line, close to the Calm Belt and rarely visited, an extraordinary event unfolded.
Though small in size, the island now bore a name: Nirvina, meaning rebirth.
At the island's centre, a newly built palace gleamed with splendour.
Brilliant chandeliers cast light across gilded wallpaper and ornate paintings. Antique vases and lavish decorations glittered in every corner.
Rows of more than seventy seats filled the hall, occupied by figures of grave and solemn bearing. Their gazes were locked on the high platform before them, where four silhouettes stood.
"The situation has reached a critical moment!" an elder voice thundered, echoing through the palace.
"The arrogance and tyranny of the Marines are clear for all to see! They seek to establish a so-called 'new era,' to kill us, and to impose their childish fantasies of equality and fairness upon the world. How laughable!"
"Do you wish to become like those kneeling cowards who surrender and bare their necks to the executioner's blade?" the voice roared.
"If you resist, there is still hope. Your glory, wealth, and extravagant lives can yet be preserved!"
"But if you submit to the Marines, your noble status will be stripped away, your riches seized, and you will be marched to the guillotine one by one!"
"None of us can accept that, can we? You, me, all of us share the same fate!"
Drawing a deep breath, Saint Topman Warcury stepped forward on the dais, his voice booming across the chamber.
"Bring out all of your strength, and fight with your backs against the wall! This war concerns every last one of you here!"
His words weighed heavily on the gathering. Faces turned pale, and sweat dotted the brows of even the most steadfast kings.
The thought of losing their power, their status, their wealth was unbearable.
"Honourable Saint Topman Warcury, what would you have us do?" one ruler asked in a trembling voice.
"Summon every royal army at your command. Assemble the greatest fleet the world has ever seen!" Warcury roared, his voice crashing through the palace like thunder.
The sheer force of his declaration left the hall in stunned silence. And in a shadowed corner of the palace, a soldier clad in full armour stiffened.
Beneath his steel mask, his face had gone pale.
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