The official recognition of the title "Four Emperors" brought great joy to the crews of these four pirate groups — it confirmed that they had reached the very peak of the pirate world, and that their standing was now formally acknowledged.
But where some rejoiced, others were far from pleased. Without a doubt, the Whitebeard Pirates, who ruled the second half of the New World, were among the most displeased, even deeply frustrated and angered.
"Grimm, Kaido, Big Mom… which of those three should we deal with first?"
This had become the most talked‑about topic among the crew in private.
Ever since the news of the "Four Emperors" was published a few days earlier, Whitebeard's main fleet and his twenty‑eight subordinate crews had been seething with resentment.
Why?
Whitebeard was a legend who had stood alongside the Pirate King Gol D. Roger — how could he now be grouped together and compared to younger upstarts like Grimm and Kaido?
The more his men thought about it, the more bitter they felt. Eventually, many reached the same conclusion: they should launch an attack against one of the other three Emperors, to prove once and for all that Whitebeard stood far above all other pirates.
"Hey — hold those thoughts right there!!"
Just as a group of crew members were gathered discussing this, Marco, commander of the First Division, stepped forward.
"Commander Marco?" Everyone looked at him in surprise.
Marco simply raised his thumb and nodded toward the figure on the deck. Whitebeard was now hooked up to far more tubes and medical equipment than before, yet he continued to drink heavily, ignoring the nurses' pleas.
His condition had deteriorated drastically ever since his clash with Grimm.
"Setting aside how Father's health is doing, he himself would never agree to such a reckless move," Marco said, his expression serious.
Though he wanted to stop Whitebeard from drinking so much, he knew it was useless.
Whitebeard himself cared little for titles or status. Watching his sons bicker and debate, he simply smiled, content in his own way.
In the central region of the New World — Amazon Lily, within the Empress's private chambers
"Everyone has done well during this expedition. As for the new recruits, you two will handle their arrangements," Hancock said from her throne, addressing her two sisters standing below. "Sandersonia, Marigold."
"Yawn…"
Beside Hancock, Shirahoshi let out a soft yawn and rubbed her large, sleepy eyes.
Guided by her attendants, she walked familiarly into a side chamber, flopped onto the bed, and fell fast asleep.
At heart, she was still just a five‑year‑old child.
Standing on the red carpet below, a woman with shoulder‑length hair watched this scene, a flicker of curiosity crossing her face.
She looked up and asked Hancock, "Empress Boa, ever since I joined the Kuja Pirates, I have been wondering… who exactly is Lady Shirahoshi?"
Her name was Horiaka Lalia. She had once been a member of another all‑female pirate crew with a bounty of 27 million Berries, before being defeated and recruited by the Kuja during their recent voyage.
In fact, it was not just Lalia — most of the crew had no idea why Hancock kept Shirahoshi constantly by her side.
She was a fish‑man, and only five years old — even if she was unusually large for her age.
What possible reason was there to keep her so close? Was Hancock planning to train her as a future successor?
Hancock rested her cheek on one hand, her expression turning cold and displeased at the question.
"You are new, so I shall overlook this for now. But never ask about her again."
As she spoke, a heavy wave of Haki washed over the room, making everyone present break out in cold sweat. Lalia quickly bowed her head in apology. "I am deeply sorry, Your Majesty!"
Conqueror's Haki… she thought to herself in shock.
Hancock's gaze shifted, and she suddenly noticed someone was missing. "Where is Violet?"
Over the past four months, Violet had naturally risen to become one of the Kuja's senior officers.
Aside from her formidable natural abilities as a vampire, her Devil Fruit power had been altered and enhanced by Grimm, granting her the new ability of the Shadow Dancer.
However, she had never fully explored or developed this new power, so her displayed strength still fell far short of Hancock's. For now, she served as the crew's chief sniper.
She should have been present for this meeting, but she was nowhere to be seen.
"Your Majesty!"
Another officer stepped forward and replied, "Lady Violet went ashore just moments ago and immediately headed toward Artemis Island."
"What?!"
Hancock stood up from her throne, her face darkening with jealousy and irritation. "That little minx — going off to pester Lord Grimm again! I should have locked her up long ago!"
Artemis was the main island Grimm had developed over the years, serving as his new headquarters — even more important than the former Sacred Land. He spent most of his time there, usually at its main ports.
Anyone could guess what Violet hoped to find there.
Without another word, Hancock stormed out of the chamber, her pet snake Salome gliding quickly behind her, and vanished from sight.
Sandersonia rolled her eyes and waved her hand. "Very well, since Her Majesty has left, let us assign the remaining tasks."
She quickly outlined the duties for each officer, then dismissed the gathering, and everyone began to leave.
As Lalia walked past Shirahoshi's side chamber, she glanced toward the door. She noticed that guards were posted every few steps, and the security was even tighter than around Hancock's own quarters.
"May I have a look at Princess Shirahoshi?" Lalia asked one of the guards standing at the entrance.
"I am sorry, Lady Lalia," the female guard replied firmly. "By the Empress's orders, no one may enter unless Princess Shirahoshi chooses to come out on her own."
"Not even me?" Lalia frowned.
"Not even Lady Sandersonia or Lady Marigold are allowed inside," the guard added.
Seeing there was no way past, Lalia sighed and turned away, already thinking of other ways to find out more.
Once she was outside the palace grounds and certain no one was watching, she slipped into the bushes, pulled out a tiny Den Den Mushi, and whispered into it:
"This is Golden Python. Shirahoshi is being held in the east side chamber of Hancock's quarters. I repeat — Shirahoshi is in the east side chamber of the Empress's chambers."
Marine Headquarters — Marineford
On the path between the Science Division and the main headquarters building
"The condition is worsening… the stronger this power grows, the more it alters your body, makes you crave blood, and eventually drives you to lose your mind. This is the latest sedative we have developed — use it with great care."
Zephyr walked along the path, staring at the vial in his hand and recalling what Dr. Vegapunk had just told him, along with the results of his latest medical examination.
Nowadays, whenever Zephyr caught sight of blood, he felt a violent urge to lose control.
As he made his way from the laboratory toward the main building, he felt a strange, unsettling sensation — though he could not quite put his finger on what felt wrong.
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