"This world, which Shirogai Yamikuro calls a makeshift order, is finally approaching another critical turning point, one that may completely alter the balance of the seas."
Benn Beckman stared at the intelligence report in his hand, the dense lines of information reflected in his sharp eyes as he waited for a response.
"..."
The figure beside him remained standing in silence, offering neither movement nor words.
"Captain?" Beckman asked again, a cigarette slowly burning between his lips. "Did you hear what I said?"
"..."
The one-armed man, a sword resting at his waist, gazed toward the distant sea. His expression was as deep as the ocean itself, calm on the surface yet hiding something dangerous beneath.
"..."
Beckman's heart tightened.
This situation was clearly more serious than he had anticipated. Otherwise, the Captain would not be standing there in such heavy silence, lost in thought without replying.
"Hoo… snore… gurgle…"
A deep snoring sound suddenly echoed.
Beckman froze.
The Red Hair Captain was asleep with his eyes open, a massive snot bubble swelling and shrinking with each breath.
"You idiot!"
Beckman's composure shattered instantly. Veins bulged on his forehead as he clenched the intelligence report.
"If you're going to sleep, at least do it properly!"
Without hesitation, he kicked the idiotic Captain straight off the ship.
Plop.
"Pfft!"
Shanks resurfaced from the sea moments later, treading water with a blank, innocent expression. He looked up at Beckman, who had already turned away, and asked pitifully, "What happened? What's going on?"
When Shanks finally climbed back onto the deck, soaked from head to toe, he sprawled on his back without any dignity and muttered thoughtfully, "Beckman, do you think the clash between the Whitebeard Pirates and Marine Headquarters is the climax of all this?"
He paused, eyes narrowing slightly.
"No. This might only be the beginning."
Shanks did not tell Beckman that the unease in his heart was far worse than he let on.
The true source of that unease was The Plunderer, Shirogai Yamikuro.
A man with power rivaling the Four Emperors, who at the Sabaody Archipelago could have easily protected his crew, yet deliberately chose to scatter them across the world.
"Shirogai Yamikuro," Shanks murmured, his gaze darkening. "A pirate whose origins are unknown, whose intentions remain a mystery."
He exhaled slowly.
"Just like Roger used his death to ignite the Great Age of Pirates, driving the world into madness and pushing everyone out to sea… whatever that man is planning, it's probably an era even more insane."
…
It's only a spider web.
As long as I don't mind dirtying my hands, the collapse of this world is inevitable.
…
Shanks was unsure whether Shirogai, the man who likened the world to a fragile web, had truly prepared himself to tear it all apart.
Especially with that obsessive sense of order he carried.
…
Marineford.
Mariejois.
"You're telling me you've completely lost track of Shirogai Yamikuro?"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku stared at the intelligence officer kneeling before him.
"Yes," the officer replied shamefully, lowering his head. "We lost him entirely."
"There's no need to blame yourself," Sengoku said calmly. "With his strength, it would be abnormal if you could still track him."
He turned toward the figures seated behind him.
"As expected, Shirogai vanished at Sabaody. From this moment on, we must be prepared to face two individuals capable of destroying the world."
His expression was grim.
Gathered around the strategy table were the Marine's greatest minds. Admiral Kizaru, Admiral Aokiji, Admiral Akainu, the Hero of the Marines Garp, Staff Officer Tsuru, and several elite Vice Admirals.
"Didn't the World Government claim everything was already arranged?" Garp asked, loudly chewing a senbei and spraying crumbs across Akainu's uniform.
"..."
Akainu stared at the crumbs, took a slow breath, and turned away without a word.
This old man had been pushing his patience to its limits recently, especially after the events at Sabaody and Akainu's insistence on executing Ace publicly.
"Ufufu," Kizaru chuckled softly, watching the scene with amusement but wisely choosing not to comment.
The tension between these two was thick enough to ignite.
As for Garp, no one dared question his loyalty.
His grandsons had both been targeted by the Marines, yet no one suspected him of betrayal. His reputation was simply too absolute.
As long as Monkey D. Garp remained within the Marine ranks, recruitment would never be a concern.
"Is the World Government afraid Shirogai might side with the Whitebeard Pirates?" Aokiji asked lazily, leaning back in his chair and yawning.
"Relax," he added. "That man won't act for outsiders."
"Kuzan," Sengoku said, frowning. "Explain yourself."
"You've dealt with Shirogai before," Aokiji replied. "Do you really think he's the type to act out of enthusiasm?"
"..."
Sengoku fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. "I can't be sure. I haven't seen through his way of thinking."
The words echoed again in his mind.
Justice of being born equal.
A justice that allows ordinary people to live peacefully.
Sengoku sighed inwardly.
If only the man who spoke those words wore a Marine uniform instead of flying a pirate flag.
With such conviction, even a low-ranking soldier would inevitably rise to the highest position.
"That guy is lazy, too," Aokiji added casually.
The room fell silent as the admirals waited for further explanation.
Instead, they watched as Aokiji pulled his eye mask down, found a comfortable position, and promptly fell asleep.
Sengoku clutched his forehead. He truly had no control over this group anymore.
"Hmph," Akainu snorted. "In my view, Shirogai will not intervene in this war."
That statement drew immediate attention.
"Explain," Sengoku said sharply.
…
Impel Down.
The Minotaurus dragged its bloodstained spiked club away, heavy footsteps echoing through the corridor.
Behind it, a battered figure knelt on the ground, gasping for breath.
"Justice?" he laughed bitterly. "So this is Marine justice, where the strong decide everything."
"Ace," a deep voice came from the adjacent cell.
Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea, watched him with concern. "Were you beaten again?"
"I'm fine," Ace replied, breathing heavily.
Sea Prism Stone chains hung from the ceiling, swaying gently with his movements.
"Those beasts are nothing but failures who lost control of their Devil Fruits," Ace sneered.
He shook his head slowly. "Shirogai warned me."
Jinbe frowned. "The Plunderer?"
"Yes," Ace said bitterly. "He told me my stubbornness would drag the Whitebeard Pirates into hell."
He laughed quietly. "Turns out he was right."
Jinbe sighed deeply, his expression heavy.
"Ace, your pride blinded you."
Silence followed.
Ace finally lowered his head.
"…No wonder he looked down on me."
He understood now.
His arrogance had led them here.
"Oh?" a familiar voice echoed from outside the cell. "Missing me already?"
Ace and Jinbe's eyes widened as they looked toward the bars.
"Heh," the voice continued with a calm, amused tone. "At least before you die, you finally figured yourself out."