Carlo, sitting by the office desk, removed the earpiece from his left ear and said, "Could they be gathering strength? After all, the next Reverie isn't far away."
His hand didn't stop moving as he kept sorting through papers, jotting down notes on classified government information. On the desk sat the device containing years of secret recordings from the former Commander-in-Chief.
Sakazuki shook his head. "I don't think so. The Revolutionary Army has spread itself too wide. Dragon's being pushed forward by his own people. This sudden halt… probably means he's realized there's a problem and is looking for a way out."
Carlo thought for a moment. "A problem, huh… then what should we do?"
Sakazuki glanced at him. "What do you think?"
He considered the current global situation. "Do nothing?"
A faint smirk crossed Sakazuki's face. "Then we do nothing."
* * *
The world had fallen into a strange situation. The three major forces showed no direct conflict on the surface.
In the pirate world, the New World was in chaos. Red-Haired Shanks was advancing rapidly, having just escaped Big Mom's pursuit and stirring up the seas. Many followers were now rallying to him, and his rise as a new Emperor was becoming more certain by the day. If he truly became one, the chaos in the New World would continue for years.
To become a new Emperor, one must either defeat an existing one, or carve out power directly from the others. Either way, it would ensure years of turmoil.
As for the government, its eight centuries of history and immense intelligence network had exposed the Revolutionary Army's vast network of bases. Other than concealing a few suspected headquarters, countless smaller, less significant bases were handed over to Marine Headquarters for Sengoku to monitor closely. After the man learned Dragon's true identity, he quietly informed Garp but ultimately chose to keep the Marines still.
Meanwhile, the reorganization of the Marines' intelligence and special forces divisions had begun under the suggestion of veteran officers like Zephyr and Morris.
Sakazuki continued patrolling the Grand Line, his hawkish vice admirals striking tirelessly across the seas, just as they had for decades.
The Revolutionary Army, on the other hand, had abruptly slowed its expansion throughout the Four Blues, seemingly building strength. Dragon was still deep in thought, seeking a way to break the stalemate, yet his preparations for launching a global revolution during the next Reverie continued in steady order.
At the same time, the Marine Headquarters' younger recruits, the seeds raised from childhood, were expanding their ranks quietly. Before anyone realized it, their numbers had multiplied several times over.
* * *
At Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Strawberry, dressed in casual clothes, walked leisurely through the base town. Serving directly under Borsalino left him with far too much free time.
"Strawberry!"
He turned his head. "Oh, it's you. Just back from a mission?"
Yamakaji was still in full uniform, with several soldiers following behind. "Yeah," he said with a grin. "You're off duty again, huh? Always so relaxed. How about we grab a drink tonight?"
Strawberry smiled. "Sure."
"Anyone else around headquarters?" Yamakaji asked.
Different ranks had different circles, and theirs consisted of the generation of newly risen vice admirals.
Strawberry let out a small, helpless laugh. "There's barely anyone left. Doberman, Onigumo, and Dalmatian are all working under Admiral Sakazuki, constantly out on campaigns. I haven't seen them in ages. Momonga was just assigned as commander of G-1 Branch, so we probably won't be seeing him much either. Right now, only Gion's here. Want to invite her? The others are all out on separate missions and not here."
Yamakaji scratched his head. "Ah, Gion, huh. Forget it. Just the two of us will do. I'll go report in first. Six o'clock, same place."
Strawberry nodded. "Got it."
* * *
In the New World, at the Steam Pirates' stronghold.
Knox took the documents from his subordinate and started flipping through them.
Beside him, his second-in-command, the Twinkle-Twinkle Fruit user Bin Black, spoke up. "Red-Haired Shanks escaped from Big Mom's pursuit, and is heading in our direction. Should we prepare for his arrival? After all, that guy's been getting a lot of praise from those rats lately. They're almost calling him the new Emperor."
Knox glanced through Shanks' recent actions, then tossed the papers aside. "Ignore him. It's the other two we should worry about. Tell our men not to start any fights. If they meet him, show a bit of courtesy, nothing more. So what if the rats call him a new Emperor? It has nothing to do with us. Their scattered territories lie in those two's domains anyway. Besides, we could use an ally right about now."
The relationship between Big Mom and Kaido could be traced back to the Rocks era, when they once shared the same ship. Even if they'd fallen out later due to Kaido's rise and the scramble for territory, Knox hadn't made a move. Without absolute certainty and solid intelligence, he would never act. That was his way.
Even as one of the Three Emperors, free to act as he pleased, he never underestimated anyone. With this steady, cautious approach, he had gradually seized control over most of the New World's underground trade. Not even Big Mom or Kaido could interfere.
Power was useful, but when it came to rule, neither of them could compare to Knox.
He had no grand ideals like creating a world of equality or freedom. He had risen purely through the underworld: by controlling sea transport, arms deals, loan sharks, and slave trading.
With countless well-trained subordinates and command over nearly half the New World's weapon circulation, Knox had already become the undisputed leader of the world's criminal underworld.
* * *
On the Grand Line, at the Revolutionary Army headquarters in Baltigo.
A young Sabo stood on the rooftop, a metal pipe strapped to his back, arms crossed, smiling proudly as he watched the rows of children training below.
These were the ones Dragon had recently selected and transferred in.
Sabo nodded from time to time, clearly pleased. "They're our future."
Thud!
A fist slammed down on his head, making him stumble forward. Koala had appeared behind him without warning.
"What was that for, Koala?!" Sabo shouted, rubbing his head.
Koala looked at him in exasperation. "What kind of dream are you having this time? 'Our future'? Do you think you're the Supreme Commander now?"
Sabo pouted. "Of course not. But…" He grinned, raising his chin. "Standing before you is the future Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army!"
He burst out laughing, hands on his hips.
Koala could only sigh, pressing a hand to her forehead.
Just then, a sudden whirlwind appeared on the rooftop, swirling and condensing into shape…
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