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In the northeast region of the Florian Triangle, the massive Thriller Bark sailed out of the thick fog.
"Thriller Bark spotted!"
"We've lost contact with Moria, so the target is likely aboard now!"
"Intercept them quickly!"
Upon receiving the news, the warships immediately converged on Thriller Bark's position. Its enormous, island-like size caused great trouble for the Marines.
"Blast open the door!"
Artillery fire roared, shattering the main gate.
Then, the Marines poured onto the island, searching for Daichi's tracks, but there wasn't even a single zombie left on the island.
Thriller Bark was just a decoy.
At this moment, thousands of meters in the sky, Groudon flew through the sea of clouds.
Daichi stood by the ship's rail, looking down at the sea below, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Issho, your ability is really useful!"
"You flatter me."
Fujitora smiled.
He was quite pleased that Daichi was so impressed.
"I see the Red Line."
Daichi looked toward the Red Line ahead.
Soon, Groudon crossed the Red Line, saving several days compared to the route through Fish-Man Island, and it was very safe.
The Marines probably didn't even know they had already arrived in the New World.
Next, it was time to contact Morgans.
Several days later, the newspaper was published.
[Admiral Fujitora resigns from his position, joins Hoenn Navy, and serves as Admiral!]
[Revolutionary Army leader Dragon joins Hoenn Navy and serves as Admiral, codenamed White Dragon!]
[Warlords Moria and Mihawk are suspected to have joined Cross Guild!]
Three major news stories.
In the Grand Line, at Sabaody Archipelago:
"Hey, are you kidding me?!"
"Now Hoenn Navy's strength will greatly increase!"
"Why did Admiral Fujitora betray the Marines like Admiral Kuzan?!"
"What's going on with the Revolutionary Army?!"
The public, nobles, Marines, and people from all walks of life—upon seeing the newspaper, their first reaction was disbelief.
Admiral Fujitora and Revolutionary Army leader Dragon, representing two major forces, were originally enemies. But now they had joined Hoenn for a common ideal.
What kind of appeal did Hoenn possess?
At Marine Headquarters, in the Fleet Admiral's office:
"CRACK!"
Akainu's fist embedded into the desk, and flames flared up.
"Damn it!"
An unprecedented loss of composure!
At this moment, the atmosphere at Marine Headquarters was extremely oppressive, and the already turbulent morale was once again tormented.
Even Admiral Fujitora had left.
Before, there were rumors that Instructor Zephyr had gone to Hoenn, but this news was only known to captains and above, and Hoenn had not used it for publicity.
Kuzan, Zephyr, Fujitora.
Three admirals had successively abandoned the Marines, which made the officers question the Marines' justice and also made them increasingly fear Hoenn.
They feared knowing too much, that their belief in justice would waver and collapse, ultimately leading them to make the same choice as the three admirals.
Could a Marine without justice still be called a Marine?
Sengoku and Tsuru stayed together.
"Tsuru, I plan to resign and go back to my hometown."
"Why?"
"I don't want to fight Kuzan and the others."
Sengoku sighed.
He could foresee that the Marines' primary goal would no longer be capturing pirates, but confronting Hoenn.
Continuing to stay at Marine Headquarters, he would eventually be drawn in, and he couldn't change the situation, nor did he want to participate in this war.
Tsuru was silent for half a minute.
"I'll go with you."
"Tsuru, you?"
"I'm also old."
Tsuru shook her head and sighed.
She also didn't want to meet her granddaughter in battle.
Having fought for the Marines their entire lives, these old veterans should have let go long ago and left the stage to the younger generation.
Let the younger generation fight for their own justice.
In addition to Hoenn's two new admirals, the news of two former Warlords joining Cross Guild also caused a huge stir.
Although not yet confirmed, the newspaper showed photos of Mihawk and Moria standing at Cross Guild's headquarters.
It was basically confirmed.
In the New World, at Dressrosa, in the Royal Palace's rooftop garden:
"Feh heh heh, what a joke!"
Doflamingo clutched the newspaper, veins throbbing on his forehead.
Mihawk and Moria abandoning their titles meant that only he and the practically dead Kuma remained among the Warlords.
He was the most affected!
Unless new Warlords could be quickly appointed, the system would completely lose its purpose.
But where could they find five sufficiently intimidating pirates in such a short time? This wasn't child's play.
Furthermore, with the continuous problems among the Warlords, they had become a laughingstock in the industry, and the World Government might abandon the system entirely.
"Young Master, it's bad!"
Baby 5 arrived in the garden, anxiously shouting, "The World Government just sent news that they're canceling the Warlord system!"
"..."
Doflamingo sat up, covering his face with his hand.
Veins bulged.
The worst thing had happened!
"Fufufu~ Fufufufufu~~"
Doflamingo's shoulders shook, and his laughter gradually grew louder.
"Don't think you can easily defeat me like this! It's just ten years of accumulation—what does it matter if I abandon it?!"
Losing the Warlord title meant he would be hunted by the Marines again and would have to abandon Dressrosa.
But he hadn't lost yet!
He still had Kaido behind him. Even if he lost his influence in the legitimate world, he was still Joker of the underworld!
Baby 5 took out a letter. "Young Master, the World Government also has a letter, sent by CP0!"
"A letter from CP0?"
Doflamingo took the letter, and a terrible thought surged in his mind. When he finished reading the contents, he became silent, like a stone statue.
The letter fell to the ground.
The officers all rushed over, and seeing Doflamingo's strange state, worry arose in their hearts.
No matter what he faced, the Young Master would always show a confident smile. This silent appearance was the first time they'd seen it.
"Young Master, are you alright?"
"..."
Doflamingo raised his head, his expression incredibly complex—with anger and hatred, but also joy and relief.
The content of the letter was simple.
The Celestial Dragons were inviting him back to the Holy Land!
Not only that—as long as he returned, he would also gain membership in the Knights of God!
"Daichi!"
Doflamingo knew very well that it was Daichi who had forced the hateful Celestial Dragons to the point of needing to recall him.
He'd never dreamed that he could return to the Holy Land in this way.
After being expelled from the Holy Land, his biggest goal in life had been to destroy the world ruled by the Celestial Dragons and pull those high and mighty nobles down from their pedestals.
But now he could go back!
This made his emotions extremely complex—with both hatred for the Celestial Dragons and a craving for their power.
The officers were even more worried.
"Young Master, even if we lose Dressrosa, we will definitely rise again! We'll always follow you!"
"Dressrosa is no longer important."
Doflamingo slowly shook his head.
With the power of the Celestial Dragons, Dressrosa was insignificant—no, everything he currently possessed was insignificant.
Becoming a Celestial Dragon, he would once again stand at the pinnacle of the world.
His lips stretched to his ears.
"Fufufufufu~ Fufufufufu!!!"