Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Having endured the brutal Paramount War and the successive attacks by numerous monsters, Marineford was now utterly devastated. Buildings, both large and small, had collapsed. The port was almost completely ruined, the shore defenses had crumbled in many places, and most of the coastal cannon towers were destroyed. Deep fissures crisscrossed the ground everywhere, the very fortress of Marine Headquarters was completely flattened, and even the residential areas for military families behind it suffered extensive damage.
Even if a large number of craftsmen were mobilized for reconstruction, it would be impossible to repair it in a short time.
In this war, the Marines, allied with the Warlords of the Sea, defeated the vast pirate armada of the Whitebeard Pirates, slaughtering countless enemies.
However, the Marines also suffered heavy losses. Elite soldiers from the Headquarters, major branches, and sub-branches were decimated, casualties among flag officers at various levels were significant, and one of the main Admirals was severely wounded (Akainu) and one was lightly wounded (Aokiji). Of the fifty battleships, over twenty were sunk, more than ten were damaged, leaving less than a handful intact. Countless military weapons and supplies were destroyed.
Then there were the expenditures for compensating the wounded and the families of the fallen, rewarding the meritorious, salvaging and repairing the battleships, rebuilding the fortress, and a whole range of other costs. Without the support of the World Government behind them, all of the Navy's annual military budget would likely be insufficient to cover the deficit.
"Borsalino, you will go to Marine Base G-1 and hold the New World with Zephyr."
"Kuzan, you will patrol the surrounding sea areas and eliminate those pirates who are looking for trouble!"
"Sakazuki, since you are still injured, you will temporarily take up a post at Mariejois!"
Sengoku sat in his shattered Fleet Admiral's office, rubbing his temples as he gave orders to the three Marine Admirals before him.
Though the Marines had won, the subsequent mess and various problems were headache-inducing for Sengoku.
"Oh well~ It looks like Zephyr-sensei is under a lot of pressure, huh?" Borsalino scratched his head, his face showing a look of helplessness.
"Yawn~"
Kuzan yawned lazily, his eyes half-closed in a sleepy state. He spoke in a listless manner: "Honestly, why do people like tempting death so much?"
"Understood. I will head to Mariejois immediately," Sakazuki replied, his body covered in bandages and his face slightly pale, but still answering with meticulous professionalism.
…
New World, an unnamed island.
In a luxurious manor, a purple-blooded banner flew.
In a hidden underground room, two men with purplish-red hair and a woman with long purplish-red hair stood before an old man dressed in a purple coat and red trousers, draped with a scarlet, high-collared greatcloak. In his hand, he gripped a blue umbrella with a bat-shaped handle.
"We never expected that Redfield-sama would be able to escape from that hellhole. We are ecstatic!" said a middle-aged man in a black suit with purplish-red hair, his face beaming with joy.
The other middle-aged man in a red suit smoothed down his spiky hair and said resentfully, "If not for those despicable Marines, why would you have been thrown into Impel Down, sir? I can't believe Whitebeard didn't blow up Marine Headquarters; they got off easy."
Indeed, this elderly man was Patrick Redfield, who had been captured by Garp and imprisoned in Impel Down two years prior.
At the time, the World Government's Commander-in-Chief of the entire military, Kong, personally took action to settle their score and capture Red the Aloof. The two battled intensely on a deserted island, and ultimately Redfield narrowly won, defeating Kong. However, he was left exhausted and was subsequently captured by Garp, who arrived as backup, and thrown directly into Impel Down.
The news had shocked the world at the time, greatly boosting the morale and prestige of the Marines.
But during the Paramount War, Monkey D. Luffy and his crew caused chaos in Impel Down, and the Blackbeard Pirates invaded simultaneously, destroying the prison and selecting four of the most heinous criminals from Level 6.
Apart from the four who joined the Blackbeard Pirates and a group who died fighting each other, many others escaped afterward, including Redfield.
"I also have that brat Blackbeard to thank. Aside from his boldness, his cunning reminds me of Shiki the Golden Lion," Redfield narrowed his eyes, tapping the ground with the bat-handled long umbrella.
"One Blackbeard stole Newgate's power, and one Golden Ring Aeridar acquired Shiki's power..." Redfield looked at his somewhat withered skin, a rare flash of complex, even lost emotion appearing in his gloomy eyes.
"Redfield-sama..." the beautiful woman with long purplish-red hair on the side glanced at Redfield, as if sensing his thoughts. She said cautiously, "We may have found information on a Devil Fruit you need!"
"Is that true?!"
Redfield's eyes lit up, his heart pounding, and he stood up, barely able to contain his excitement. A shocking, overwhelming aura surged out, sweeping through the entire room.
The beautiful woman with long purplish-red hair couldn't breathe and choked out, "Y-Yes. Just give us a little more time!"
The other two men also trembled and struggled to resist under the terrifying pressure.
Noticing his own excitement, Redfield reined in his aura and said in a deep voice, "I'm leaving this matter to you. So what if it's the New Era? Once I obtain the power to restore my youth, it remains to be seen whose hands the era will truly be in!"
…
The First Half of the Grand Line, Aelodi Kingdom.
A tall, menacing man walked down the main street. He wore a half-broken horn helmet, was wrapped in chains, and had a W-shaped mustache.
World Destroyer, Byrnndi World!
"I can't believe thirty years have passed!" World surveyed the bustling street, a ferocious smile appearing on his face. "Time flies fast. I feel like I just woke up and got out. World Government! Just you wait, I'll turn Mariejois upside down!"
"Quick, get out of the way!"
"The Royal Family is passing through!"
"Quickly hide! Otherwise, the guards will kill you for nothing!"
Suddenly, there was a clamor ahead. The citizens on the street quickly gathered to both sides, clearing the main road.
Banners fluttered, and spears rose like a forest. Hundreds of guards in shining armor marched in neat formation, escorting a luxurious golden carriage pulled by eight steeds.
"The Royal Family of this country, huh? Barororororo... I think this kingdom is affiliated with the World Government!" World sneered. " Barororororo... I'll use you to test out my More-More power after being buried for too long!"
World reached out, grabbed a tall stone monument on the side, and violently hurled the three-meter-high slab of rock.
More-More: Ten-Fold Cannon!
Whoosh!
The stone monument rapidly accelerating in the air suddenly grew massive, looking like a huge artificial mountain plummeting down, crashing heavily onto the ostentatious luxury carriage.
Rumble!!!
The horses, the carriage, and several guards nearby were all crushed beneath the enlarged stone monument. The ground shook, air currents mixed with dust billowed and swept outwards, countless shattered pieces of wood shot out, the street pavement cracked, and blood instantly stained the street.
"Enemy attack!"
"His Royal Highness!"
"He's killing people!"
The entire street instantly descended into chaos.