While Garp was having his unexpected run-in with Diablo, another familiar figure had a very similar encounter. Admiral Sengoku, fresh off capturing a major pirate, found himself face to face with what appeared to be a delicate, innocent-looking young girl.
But he wasn't fooled.
Despite her seemingly harmless appearance, Sengoku's Observation Haki was flaring with alarm—this girl radiated danger.
"That's the situation," Shuna said with a gentle smile, her voice as soft as a breeze, as if she hadn't just proposed something outrageous.
Sengoku had been silent for a long time. The words he'd just heard were echoing in his mind, utterly absurd—unthinkable even.
"Why?" he finally asked, his tone low and serious. "Why would you want to overthrow the World Government?"
Shuna blinked, surprised by the question. It took her a second, but then her expression softened as she spoke, "Because this world—this people's world—is suffering under the oppression of the World Government. That's why we've come to bring it down."
Sengoku stared hard into her eyes. "And what do you get out of that?"
"Nothing," Shuna said simply, shaking her head. "There's no benefit to us."
"Then why even do it?" Sengoku pressed. "If there's no gain, no profit, no benefit… why?"
Shuna's lips curled into a warm smile. "Because Lord Rimuru once helped us the same way."
There was something profoundly moving in her tone.
"He's like that. He always helps people. That kind of kindness… it carves itself into your soul. You can't help but want to follow him."
She looked up, her eyes full of sincerity. "You might not believe what I say, but you must never doubt Lord Rimuru's compassion. He never once expected anything in return. Whether it was the ogres, the orcs, or all of us others who now stand by his side—we were saved by him. And now we fight for his vision."
Sengoku went quiet, processing her words. After a long pause, he muttered, "If someone like that truly exists… then he's not suited to be a king."
"He's not a king," Shuna replied, firm and proud. "He is our Demon Lord—our eternal Demon Lord."
"I can't give you any answer to that," Sengoku said finally. "I'll pretend I never heard any of this."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Shuna alone. She merely nodded, then a glowing white magic circle lit up beneath her feet. A flash of light—she was gone.
…
In the New World, aboard the Moby Dick—
Whitebeard squinted down at the small figure standing before him.
"You? This tiny little thing wants to overthrow the World Government?" he said with a look that was equal parts amusement and disbelief. "Did you forget your meds before leaving home? Or did rescuing Roger go straight to your head?"
"You're the one who forgot your meds, you crusty old geezer!" Rimuru snapped, his golden eyes glaring furiously. "I curse you to remain single forever and never find a wife!"
"Gurararara! Bold of you to assume you'd ever find one!" Whitebeard chuckled, totally unfazed.
"Y-You—!" Rimuru's face puffed up with fury as steam practically poured from his body. "Damn you, old man!"
"Alright, alright, enough jokes." Rimuru took a deep breath and exhaled, calming down. "I'm serious. Help me bring down the World Government."
Whitebeard stared at him, his smile fading. "You're serious? This isn't something you just casually talk about. The World Government's been standing for centuries. You'd need manpower, resources, strength… do you have any of that?"
"Of course not," Rimuru said cheerfully. "But you do."
Whitebeard's brow twitched.
It was true—his influence spanned dozens of nations, his resources were vast, and his power unmatched. If anyone could make the impossible possible, it was him.
He leaned in, his tone suddenly heavy. "How confident are you?"
"Absolutely. 100%. There's no way we lose," Rimuru declared without a shred of doubt.
"Gurararara… youth really is fearless, huh?" Whitebeard stood up and bellowed, "Kids! You scared?"
"HELL NO!"
"SCREW THE WORLD GOVERNMENT! LET'S BREAK THEIR BONES!"
"COUNT ME IN! I WANNA TURN THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN!"
"Quiet!" Whitebeard's voice thundered, and the crew fell silent instantly. "If you're not afraid, then as your father—how could I be? Let's raise hell!"
Rimuru looked around, feeling a weird kind of warmth inside. These rowdy pirates—who not long ago kept trying to flirt with him—were now fired up and ready to fight by his side. Fine. He'd forgive their nonsense… just this once.
Then someone said:
"Hey, I've got a question. After we overthrow the World Government… Rimuru, will you wear a dress for us?"
The entire deck went dead silent.
Then chaos erupted.
"OH MY GOD, WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?!"
"CROSSDRESSING RIMURU! WE NEED THIS!"
"YEAH! WE WON'T REST UNTIL WE SEE HIM IN A DRESS!"
"I'd pay to see that."
Whitebeard scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Huh… now that you mention it, I am kinda curious."
"Y-YOU BASTARDS!!" Rimuru's face darkened, twitching with rage. "I NEVER AGREED TO THAT! AND I NEVER WILL!"
"Aww, really? I suddenly lost all motivation…"
"Same…"
"Guess overthrowing the World Government doesn't sound that cool anymore."
"YOU TRAITORS!!" Rimuru exploded, surrounded by a rising cloud of fury. "You all suck! I'M GONNA KILL YOU, YOU IDIOTS!!"