"Do you know who it is?"
"I already have a clue. I only know that it's a young man!" Marco shrugged casually.
"Gurararara! Don't worry! Once Kaido starts digging, we'll find out who it is soon enough!"
The corner of Whitebeard's mouth lifted into a faint grin. "So, to celebrate Kaido's rampage, let's have a banquet, boys!"
"Got it, Pops!"
Laughter and cheers echoed through the Moby Dick as the Whitebeard Pirates began another wild feast.
Totto Land – Cake Island
Inside a dark and lavish palace, a towering, bloated woman with light purple eyeshadow and thick lipstick sat on a throne, her laughter raspy and chilling.
This was Charlotte Linlin, better known as Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors.
"Well, well, well! Jack's such useless trash! Killed by a stranger, of all things!"
"Perospero!" she barked.
"Coming, Mama! What's wrong?"
"Contact Morgans! I want to know who killed Jack! I'll find out who has the guts to murder Kaido's right-hand man!"
"Got it, Mama!"
New World – Scenic Island
On a lush island under the bright sun, a group of pirates sat gathered around a massive roasted boar, devouring it with laughter.
At the head of the group sat a man with fiery red hair and a missing arm — Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors.
"Shanks, have you heard about Jack?" Yasopp asked between bites of meat.
Shanks paused, frowning slightly as he chewed. "You mean Jack's death?"
"Yeah!"
"I've heard. Something that big doesn't stay quiet. Kaido's definitely going to lose his mind this time."
"Can't blame him," Lucky Roux said, gnawing on a pork leg. "Anyone would go berserk if one of their own was killed like that."
"The New World's about to descend into chaos," Beckman said calmly, sipping from his cup.
"So, what's the plan, Captain?"
"For now, we wait," Shanks said seriously. "Leaving the New World now would be foolish. Knowing Kaido, he'll go on a rampage once he finds out who did it."
"When the time comes, do we stop him?" Benn Beckman asked.
Shanks grinned. "That's why you're my first mate — you always get it right. Hahaha!"
Lucky Roux laughed. "The captain never changes!"
Their laughter echoed across the island. To an outsider, they looked like carefree drunks — not one of the most powerful pirate crews in the entire sea.
Marine Headquarters – The Port
Time passed quickly. Seven days later, the early morning sun gleamed off the waters of Marineford's port.
Standing at the dock were several of the Navy's strongest officers — Admiral Aokiji, Vice Admiral Momousagi, Vice Admiral Onigumo, Vice Admiral Doberman, Vice Admiral Weasel, and Vice Admiral Ghost Spider.
Each wore a serious expression as they awaited the Fleet Admiral's arrival.
Around them, curious Marines whispered quietly.
"That's Admiral Aokiji! And all those Vice Admirals — what's going on?"
"Something major must've happened! Why are so many high-rankers here at once?"
"Could it be something from the New World?"
Then, one sharp-eyed Marine gasped, pointing ahead. "Look! That's Fleet Admiral Sengoku — and Staff Officer Tsuru with him!"
Every Marine turned instantly, standing at attention as the two legends approached.
"What's so important that even the Fleet Admiral and Tsuru-san had to come?" a colonel muttered, awe in his voice.
Under a flurry of salutes, Sengoku and Tsuru arrived at the port.
"Marshal Sengoku!" Aokiji and the others greeted respectfully.
"Hm." Sengoku nodded curtly, then turned to Tsuru. "Tsuru, Marine matters are in your hands today."
"Understood," she replied. "Go early and return early."
Sengoku gave a short nod and boarded the massive warship waiting at the dock. The high-ranking officers followed behind him in silence.
Once everyone was aboard, Sengoku raised his voice. "Set sail!"
The ship's horn blared, echoing through the port as the massive warship slowly pulled away, disappearing into the horizon under the gaze of countless Marines.
Sabaody Archipelago – Shakky's Rip-Off Bar
Inside the small bar, Shakky raised an eyebrow when Kaito walked in. Her sharp mind immediately understood what that meant.
According to her intel, Kaito was supposed to be meeting Fleet Admiral Sengoku for a major exchange today — and the location was right here in Sabaody.
Seeing him here early, she couldn't help but ask with a sigh, "You're supposed to meet Sengoku today for that trade. Why are you here so early, Kaito?"
"I've gotten used to your fried rice," Kaito said with an easy smile. "Thought I'd grab breakfast first."
Shakky exhaled, half-laughing. "You scared me for a second. I thought you moved the deal to my bar! I nearly had a heart attack."
"Oh? Didn't expect you to get scared that easily," Kaito teased.
"I just don't want my bar blown to pieces," she muttered.
Kaito finished his breakfast, paid for the meal, and strolled outside.
Sabaody Archipelago – Street No. 1
Kaito found a chair by the roadside and sat quietly. This was the meeting point for his trade with Sengoku.
From nearby alleys, several wanted men peeked out at him — their eyes filled with fear.
They quickly turned away. No one dared to mess with the man sitting there.
Sabaody Archipelago – Marine-Only Port
At the special Marine port, Vice Admiral Dalmesia stood waiting with a solemn expression.
All nearby routes had been sealed off. This was no ordinary meeting — the Fleet Admiral himself was coming. Everything had to be perfect.
A group of pirates hiding nearby watched with mocking grins.
Among them were some of the most infamous rookies of the year — Trafalgar D. Water Law, Basil Hawkins, X Drake, Jewelry Bonney, and Capone Bege.
"Tch, look at that," Bonney scoffed while chewing a slice of pizza. "All that commotion — must be some big shot coming."
"Is it dangerous?" Hawkins murmured, flipping one of his tarot cards, his expression unreadable.
"I'm more curious to see who could make a Marine Vice Admiral wait around like this," Capone Bege said, smoke curling from his cigar.
All across Sabaody, pirates took notice. They found vantage points in trees, rooftops, and balconies, their curiosity burning.
One hour passed. Then two.
Just as impatience began to spread among them, a deep, commanding whistle echoed from the sea.
Every pirate's head turned toward the sound. Their eyes widened.
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