With a thunderous boom, the once-calm sea instantly turned turbulent, surging with towering waves.
The Red Haki rocked violently on the water's surface, nearly being overturned by a massive wave crashing toward the shore.
This was a desolate island in the vast ocean, originally uninhabited, but now, it was the stage for a battle so fierce it shook the heavens and earth.
Standing on the shoreline, Hyuga Hakumen activated his Byakugan, intently gazing at the distant battlefield.
Beside him, a group of pirates had gathered.
Leading them was a man holding a flintlock rifle, draped in a deep-blue swirling-patterned cloak, a cigarette clamped between his lips, his expression solemn as he watched Hakumen with vigilance.
Hakumen, however, had his full attention on the battle ahead.
Without even glancing at the man, he said indifferently,
"No need to be so wary. I have no interest in you right now."
Ben Beckman remained silent, his sharp gaze also fixed on the distant jungle and low mountains.
The ocean here was raging, yet over there, flames had ignited the land.
It had been a long time since he'd seen Shanks in such a hard-fought battle.
Who exactly were these two opponents…?
Suddenly, dark clouds surged in the sky, the winds howled fiercely, and it seemed as though a torrential downpour could descend at any moment.
BOOM!
A massive bolt of lightning, as thick as a water barrel, crashed down.
To those watching, it was a dazzling pillar of white light, piercing the sky like a divine spear splitting the heavens!
Who could wield lightning like this?
In Beckman and the others' minds, only a Devil Fruit user should have the power to summon such storms.
The humid air, thick with ocean mist, sent waves of stinging pain through their bodies. Powerful electric currents crackled through the atmosphere, even causing arcs of electricity to dance across the ground.
"Thunder Dragon Halberd!"
BOOM!
Another earth-shaking explosion resounded!
The pillar of white light that connected the heavens and earth suddenly moved, slicing straight through the entire island—splitting it cleanly in two!
The ground trembled violently.
Half of the island was engulfed by the endless white light, reduced to nothingness.
The sea itself was parted, leaving a vacuum stretching dozens of meters wide, only for the waters to come rushing back in, surging forward like an unstoppable force.
Everyone held their breath, focusing intently on the scene unfolding within the island.
Two figures emerged from the devastation.
Shanks appeared uninjured, but his cloak was tattered, his right hand gripping his longsword tightly, and his red hair damp from the seawater.
Opposite him, Kakashi stood with Raikiri in hand.
Dark markings spread across the black mask covering his face, and electric currents crackled around his body.
"Truly an incredible power," Shanks praised.
"There are probably only a handful of people on this sea who could withstand that attack."
Kakashi replied calmly, "And yet, you blocked it."
Shanks chuckled twice. "Seems like today's not your lucky day—you ran into a tough opponent."
Kakashi's voice remained steady: "Shanks, I've said all that needs to be said. Must someone as strong as you insist on opposing the Empire?"
Shanks burst into laughter. "We were never anyone's enemy. It's just that so many people see us as one. We've always lived freely, wandering as we please. Even if the world has changed, just as you claim…"
He paused, then grinned. "The only thing that's changed is the world—not us."
Kakashi furrowed his brows, silent for a moment.
Another one like Whitebeard, huh?
Drifting across the sea for so long, he had encountered many pirates.
Most were just ruthless thugs, wreaking havoc while clinging desperately to their own lives.
But Whitebeard… and now Shanks… were different.
What about the remaining two Emperors?
Were they the same?
Why would such powerful people choose to be pirates?
Kakashi couldn't understand.
If they wanted power and wealth, it would be effortless.
So why keep sailing across this empty ocean?
What was there to gain?
He sighed inwardly—His Majesty's mission was proving far more difficult than expected.
If his task were simply to eradicate these people, he wouldn't hesitate.
But after meeting Whitebeard and Shanks, he couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for them.
Seeing Kakashi hesitate, Shanks smirked and asked,
"What's wrong? Not going to fight anymore?"
Kakashi glanced at him and replied,
"If I don't attack, does that mean you won't either? This is a battle where our fates are on the line—you talk as if you're only fighting because I made the first move."
They were the ones who had sought out Shanks, and when negotiations failed, they initiated the battle.
How could any ordinary person tolerate such behavior?
Shanks chuckled, "It's been a long time since I've had a good fight. This battle was exhilarating. Besides, you weren't really trying to kill me, were you?"
His gaze shifted toward Hakumen and his own crewmates in the distance.
"Your companion over there—he never made a move. He didn't attack my crew either. If we're not sworn enemies, then there's always the possibility of becoming friends."
"A fight is just a fight. I don't care about the reason behind it. Let's just say you came to find me for a little warm-up."
Shanks grinned. "Kakashi, if you don't feel like fighting anymore, I'd love to treat you a drink."
Kakashi: "..."
Without a word, he dispelled the Raikiri in his hand.
The Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi: Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi returned to its ordinary black-bladed form and was smoothly sheathed.
The black markings on his face slowly faded away.
Seeing this, Shanks' smile widened.
But before anything more could be said, Kakashi suddenly pressed a hand to his ear, as if listening to someone.
Shanks raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Kakashi replied calmly, "His Majesty has given the order. We can return. There's no need to continue the fight."
From afar, Hakumen also received the message.
He exchanged a glance with Kakashi, confirming their next move.
Shanks tilted his head, then asked, "So… how about that drink?"
"No need," Kakashi refused outright.
"Shanks, you have rejected the Empire's goodwill. The next time we meet… we may truly be enemies."
Shanks let out a long sigh. "What a shame, what a shame."
It was unclear whether he was referring to Kakashi's statement about them becoming enemies or simply lamenting the missed opportunity to share a drink.
The sea gradually returned to calm, and the dark clouds in the sky dissipated.
However, the island was left in complete ruins—half of it had even vanished.
With a flicker, Kakashi appeared beside Hakumen.
"Why did His Majesty suddenly call us back?"
"Probably because there's a more suitable candidate for the task," Hakumen replied.
He paid no attention to the Red-Haired Pirates nearby and instead, without hesitation, took to the sky with Kakashi.
Shanks walked over to Beckman and let out a sigh.
"After drifting across the sea for so long, it looks like the winds have suddenly changed."
Beckman asked, "What now?"
"This so-called Sun Empire… they're probably just like the World Government. They won't let us go so easily."
Shanks pondered for a moment before saying, "The sea is no longer the same as it used to be. Let's head to the mainland and see for ourselves."
His gaze lingered on the direction in which Hakumen and Kakashi had disappeared, his expression unreadable.
.............
Pirate Prison.
The ninjas surrounding Zoro and the others were mostly Chunin, with only two Jonin staying on the outskirts of the battle.
Even so, these Chunin alone were already causing Zoro and his group significant trouble.
Usopp and Nami were practically liabilities, while only Zoro and Sanji were able to maintain an edge over the Chunin.
However, the strength of Chunin varied greatly—some had just barely passed the threshold and were only slightly stronger than Genin, while others were nearly on par with Jonin, yet for various reasons had not been promoted to Tokubetsu Jōnin.
Once Makoto assessed their strength, he immediately signaled for the two Jonin to join the fight.
In just a matter of moments, everyone except Zoro and Sanji had collapsed to the ground.
"Damn it!"
Zoro stood firm, gripping his swords in both hands while clenching a third between his teeth.
His fallen comrades lay around him, with ninjas encircling them.
The two Jonin before him were on a completely different level—it would take real effort to defeat them.
What made the situation even worse was that they were deep inside enemy territory, with no clear idea of how many foes remained.
Luffy's situation was also uncertain.
Just then, a massive black shadow descended from the sky—an enormous green giant landed beside the Solarity Tower, carrying a glowing purple sphere in its hands.
There were already waiting technicians at the site.
As soon as the Tenseigan Weapon was placed back in position, they swiftly began operating the machinery, reactivating the Solarity Tower.
While Makoto was briefly distracted, the battle below suddenly intensified.
In an instant, figures constantly interwove, and flashes of swords and blades flickered.
Zoro and Sanji joined forces to defeat the two Jonin.
Zoro pointed his sword at Makoto, who was seated on the high platform, and asked with a serious expression, "Hey, where's Luffy?"
He had guessed that Makoto held a high status among these people, but he couldn't understand why he remained indifferent despite his subordinates being defeated.
Yagura stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this man is too arrogant—he dares to point a sword at you. Let's just kill him."
Makoto waved his hand casually, signaling him to step back.
At that moment, Zoro's expression suddenly changed.
His gaze swiftly shifted to the side as a shadow, moving so fast it was nearly invisible, flew toward him.
Alarmed, he quickly raised his sword to block, only to hear a sharp clang.
Sparks burst from the blade, and a searing pain tore through his palm.
Yubashiri slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground.
The weapon that had knocked his sword away was merely a single shuriken, now embedded halfway into the floor.
A figure instantly appeared between Zoro and Sanji.
It was Shisui.
He glanced at Zoro and said coldly, "Next time, you won't be so lucky."
His voice was chilling, like the scythe of the Grim Reaper.
A shiver ran down both Zoro's and Sanji's spines.
Thud!
A figure was thrown to the ground.
When they looked, they were shocked to find that it was Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
He seemed to have lost consciousness, lying motionless.
Shisui instantly flickered back to Makoto's side, kneeling on one knee.
"Your Majesty, I've brought him back."
Makoto cast a glance at the unconscious Crocodile and said indifferently, "Wake him up."
Shisui immediately lifted the illusion he had cast on Crocodile.
The once-feared Sand Crocodile slowly regained consciousness.
When he saw the Straw Hats nearby, he was momentarily stunned.
Then, as he looked up and caught sight of the figure sitting on the high platform, his face instantly changed.
The Emperor of the Sun Empire!
He had seen this emperor's figure before during the Interdimensional Exchange Conference livestream.
If the Ten Crown Guards were already this terrifying, then what about the emperor himself?
Without a second thought, Crocodile immediately transformed into a mass of sand, attempting to flee.
However, just as his elemental transformation was halfway complete, an invisible force clamped down on him, rendering him completely immobile.
"You stole something and still want to run? Where do you think you're going?" Makoto asked slowly.
Crocodile's former arrogance was nowhere to be seen.
His expression darkened as he stood there, frozen.
Meanwhile, Zoro and the others, after witnessing Shisui's earlier display of power, had also become much more restrained.
Makoto turned his gaze back to Crocodile and asked, "This theft… you must have planned it for quite some time, haven't you?"
"…"
Crocodile's expression shifted.
He seemed to realize that escape was impossible, but what puzzled him was—why had this emperor specifically come to see him?
After a moment, he finally responded, "That's right."
He had gathered extensive intelligence on the Tower of Solarity, thoroughly investigating the entire Misty Water City's security arrangements.
Then, he deliberately got himself imprisoned at an opportune moment, with his subordinates standing by, ready to act at any time.
The Straw Hats' involvement had been completely unexpected, but in a way, their presence had actually increased his chances of success.
Makoto then said, "Judging by your reaction just now, it seems you recognize me."
After a brief silence, Crocodile replied, "…Emperor of the Sun Empire. I watched that exchange conference."
Makoto chuckled. "Impressive. You watched that exchange conference, yet still had the guts to act. For your courage and intelligence—I've decided not to kill you."
Zoro and the others couldn't help but be shocked, turning their gazes toward Makoto on the high platform.
This man is an emperor?
In their understanding, rulers of kingdoms were simply called kings.
The only ones who could be called emperors were the four great powers of the New World in the second half of the Grand Line.
Hearing Makoto's words, Crocodile secretly let out a breath of relief.
Makoto smiled and said, "Not only will I not kill you, but I will also grant you power and authority. Do you have the courage to accept it?"
Crocodile pondered for a moment before asking, "…What do you mean?"
Makoto explained, "I plan to establish a Maritime Guild—an organization that will encompass and govern all pirates. Originally, I intended to appoint one of the Four Emperors as its leader, but they all seem unwilling to accept this offer. So now, I'm offering the position to you. What do you think?"
In Makoto's original plan, one of the Four Emperors would have been the ideal candidate for this role.
They had both the prestige and strength necessary to lead.
However, just as he had initially expected, the stronger someone is, the less likely they are to agree.
Even if he demonstrated overwhelming power, who would willingly place another ruler above themselves?
Kakashi and Hakumen had been gone for quite some time now, which likely meant their mission wasn't going smoothly.
If they won't accept the olive branch… then they can prepare to face the cannons.
Hearing this, Yagura was utterly stunned.
How did a mere thief suddenly get promoted to the leader of a Maritime Guild?!
A Maritime Guild…
Crocodile didn't immediately agree.
Instead, he fell into deep thought for a long while before finally asking, "What exactly is this Maritime Guild?"
At this moment, Shisui took the initiative to answer, "Within the empire's territory, lawless bandits and raiders will not be tolerated. The Maritime Guild exists to regulate and control acts of pillaging, burning, and killing. Within the empire, every person must become a law-abiding citizen."
…Isn't this just the Navy?
Crocodile and the Straw Hat crew had the same thought at that moment.
Isn't this just the Navy?
Crocodile, however, remained composed—he already understood that this world was different now.
But the Straw Hats were puzzled.
If you're doing something like this, then what's the point of the Navy?
After a moment of silence, Crocodile finally spoke. "Forgive me for being blunt…"
He paused before continuing, "Do you really think pirates will obediently follow the rules of this so-called Maritime Guild?"
After all, whoever truly wanted to abide by the law wouldn't have become a pirate in the first place.
Talk of adventuring across the seas and seeking hidden treasures—those were just convenient excuses.
The truth was, most people simply enjoyed living without restraint.
If violence and force could get them everything they desired, who would willingly play by the rules?
Makoto chuckled softly. "That's not a problem."
"Anyone who refuses to obey… will die."
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