BIG MOM Pirates, Totto Land
"Candy Minister" Perospero leaned heavily on his cane as he hurried into the private resting quarters reserved for women, clutching a freshly delivered newspaper in his hand.
"Mama, something's happened! A massive change has occurred within the World Government!"
"Mm?!"
Within the dimly lit room, the gigantic figure occupying most of the space slowly opened her eyes.
"Mamamama~~"
Those bloodshot eyes locked onto Perospero as a rough, greedy voice emerged from her throat, still lingering in the remnants of a beautiful dream.
"Peros, have you come to tell Mama that our beautiful Sky Island in the clouds has finally been completed?!"
"Well..."
Perospero's expression turned awkward under Charlotte Linlin's expectant gaze.
"Mama, we've only just finished building Totto Land. The overall structure of Sky Island is still in its early stages."
"The culinary paradise you've been dreaming of still requires time to perfect. We only finalized the construction plans with the Sky Island Alliance a few days ago."
"It will take considerably longer to complete the Island Clouds and Sea of Clouds."
"..."
The excitement in Linlin's eyes vanished instantly.
"Not finished yet...?"
Bang!
The enormous woman rolled over and sat upright on her specially made giant bed.
Her cold gaze fixed directly on Perospero.
A terrifying pressure began spreading throughout the room.
"Mama didn't receive the news she wanted..."
Charlotte Linlin slowly rose to her feet, her dissatisfaction obvious.
"Then how dare you interrupt Mama's sleep? Disobedient children need to be taught a lesson."
"M-Mama, don't get angry! What I'm about to tell you is extremely important!"
Perospero immediately stiffened under the crushing pressure.
Cold sweat covered his forehead.
"Gulp..."
He swallowed nervously and quickly raised the newspaper.
"Mama, something truly serious has happened! Mary Geoise, the World Government's most heavily protected forbidden land, has been attacked!"
"The God King, Shirogai, personally led several Supernovas in an assault on Mary Geoise!"
"WHAT?!"
Linlin's eyes widened instantly.
"That brat Shirogai actually dared to attack Mary Geoise?!"
---
Whitebeard Pirates, Sphinx Island
"Ace! You fought that bastard Blackbeard again and still couldn't defeat him?!"
The atmosphere aboard the Whitebeard Pirates' ship was grim.
The Blackbeard Pirates had recently attacked members of the Whitebeard Pirates once again, forcing the scattered remnants of Whitebeard's family to unite.
Ace sat sideways on a chair, his expression unusually serious.
"His strength has increased."
"If I hadn't awakened my Devil Fruit powers beforehand, I probably wouldn't have returned alive this time."
His brows tightened.
The memories of that battle flashed through his mind.
The Blackbeard Pirates had become increasingly abnormal.
Even after being burned black by his flames, they continued charging forward without hesitation.
They seemed completely incapable of feeling pain or fear.
It was deeply unsettling.
"Those guys aren't normal anymore. Every one of them is strange."
Vista, the Flower Sword, narrowed his eyes sharply.
"Ace, we can't let this continue."
"That damned traitor turned our former comrades into monsters."
A pale flame flickered within Ace's eyes.
The surrounding air grew noticeably warmer.
"Of course."
"This isn't over."
"But the more desperate we become for revenge, the easier it is to fall into Teach's trap."
"We're dealing with a cunning and ruthless enemy."
"We need a proper plan."
Thud.
Heavy footsteps suddenly echoed from outside.
Bang!
The cabin door burst open and slammed violently against the wall.
"Who is it... Captain Marco?"
Everyone instinctively turned toward the entrance.
Their anger and discussion came to an abrupt halt.
Outside stood the First Division Commander.
Marco.
Holding a newspaper high in the air, his expression was unusually solemn.
"Gentlemen."
"Put thoughts of revenge aside for now."
"Something terrible has happened to the World Government."
"Huh? Captain Marco, what happened?"
Without wasting time, Marco strode to the table and spread the newspaper open.
He pointed directly at the headline.
Then he read it aloud.
"Today, Shirogai, the God King carrying a bounty of ten billion Berries, personally led several Supernovas and their pirate crews in a direct assault on Mary Geoise atop the Red Line."
"Reported by Morgans."
"What?!"
Ace's eyes widened.
"Shirogai attacked Mary Geoise?!"
The other commanders quickly gathered around the table.
Shock spread across every face.
"Marine wasn't prepared at all?"
"Hmph. Against a monster like the God King, who possesses countless Devil Fruit abilities, would preparation even matter?"
"This is a world-shaking event."
"An event powerful enough to alter the course of history."
"This isn't a mere raid."
A commander stared at the newspaper with a grave expression.
"This is war."
"The God King has officially declared war on the World Government."
---
Sky Island Alliance, Sky Island
"Damn it!"
Air Force Admiral Bullet sat with one leg propped on the conference table.
His face was full of dissatisfaction.
"Null only knows how to have fun by himself. He didn't even bring us along!"
"What exactly is he thinking?"
"He charged into Mary Geoise without informing any of us!"
Excitement and battle lust flashed in Bullet's eyes.
He abruptly stood up.
"No."
"I'm heading there right now."
"There's no way I'm missing something this entertaining!"
"Wait."
Whoosh!
A lifelike wax figure wearing a turban shaped like the number three suddenly appeared in front of the doorway, blocking Bullet's path.
Bang!
Bullet smashed it apart with a single punch.
Wax fragments scattered throughout the room.
"Hmph..."
Bullet turned around with a dangerous grin.
His gaze settled on the figure seated at the head of the conference table.
"The famous Puppet Strategist."
"What?"
"You want to fight me?"
"You actually dare stop me from going to Null? Looks like your courage has grown."
"There will be plenty of opportunities to fight later."
The chair at the head of the table gently rocked.
Air Force Marshal Galdino slowly turned around.
His fingers were interlocked beneath his chin.
His expression remained composed.
"There's no need to rush."
"We have more important matters to handle."
"Sky Demon Admiral, the Lord has already discussed this matter with Commander He."
"All we need to do now is follow his instructions."
Years ago, Galdino had merely been a cunning and cowardly pirate.
Now he stood as the Marshal of the Air Force.
After surviving countless assassination attempts by the World Government and carrying the responsibility of hundreds of thousands of lives, he had long since transformed.
The burden of command had changed him.
Yet, in some ways, he remained exactly the same.
He was still despicable.
Still calculating.
Still scheming.
The only difference was that his methods had become far more refined.
In chaotic times, wisdom and scheming often differed only in appearance.
"Hahaha!"
Bullet laughed loudly.
His eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Interesting."
"The little pirate who used to tremble whenever he saw Grandpa He has become quite the important figure in just over a year."
"Don't do anything unnecessary, Bullet."
From the side, Doflamingo leisurely sipped a cup of hot tea.
The former Warlord sat with his legs crossed, wearing his flamboyant pink attire beneath an Air Force Admiral's cloak.
"Hehehe..."
His voice carried his usual mockery.
"Do you really think our God King would fear the trash living in Mary Geoise?"
Bullet glanced at him.
Then he snorted.
"Shut up, Doflamingo."
"Don't forget."
"You're the Celestial Dragon Admiral."
"You came from that same pile of trash."