The crew of the Araryu Pirates successfully seized control of the Kingdom of Adams and G-9 Fortress, raising their crimson dragon flag high above both.
Together with the seas surrounding Hive Island and G-14 Fortress, these regions had now been fully absorbed into the territory of the Araryu Pirates.
With the New World Navy withdrawing in full and the kings and nobles of the affiliated kingdoms fleeing, the New World was officially proclaimed a realm of pirates.
Previously, after a preliminary division of spoils among Kiryuu Souta, Kaido, and Big Mom, the world's power map shifted dramatically.
Big Mom's Totland Empire took over one-third of Whitebeard's former territories along their shared border.
Kaido of the Beasts seized half of the area adjoining Red-Haired Shanks' domain.
Everything else fell under the vast control of the Araryu Pirates.
In short, the Araryu Pirates now nominally ruled two-thirds of Whitebeard's former territory and half of the Red-Haired Pirates' domain—making them, without question, the largest and most dominant force in the New World.
As for Red-Haired Shanks, he had become an Emperor in name only, a Yonko without any territory.
Still, since the Red-Haired Pirates retained their formidable overall strength, the world's powers continued to acknowledge Shanks as one of the Four Emperors.
After several weeks of sensational headlines and relentless coverage, the old era of the Four Emperors came to an end.
A new order emerged across the seas—"One God and Three Emperors."
Those who ruled the New World were:
The Dragon God Souta Kiryuu, Kaido of the Beasts, Big Mom Charlotte Linlin, and Red-Haired Shanks.
These were the sovereigns whose power pressed upon the entire ocean.
Meanwhile, the World Government launched a second global conscription campaign, strengthening its forces on an unprecedented scale.
The World King, Nerona Imu, finally stepped forward, assuming the mantle of the world's highest authority.
For the first time, the public learned his full name through an official announcement:
Nerona Imu—the "Nerona" written as ネロナ, a name derived from the character for "god."
He was revealed to be the true deity among the Celestial Dragons—the God of the World Nobles.
The World Government's upper command shifted from the Five Elders to a new order known as "One God and Four Stars."
Saint Nasujuro, wielder of the demon blade Kitetsu and a master swordsman of slaughter, became both the leader of the Four Stars and the Commander of the Knights of God.
Saint Pains, the former acting leader, was demoted to deputy commander, serving under probation in hopes of redemption.
The Navy Headquarters also underwent a massive restructuring.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku the Buddha, under orders from the Four Stars, succeeded Steel Bone Kong as Supreme Commander of all Armed Forces, overseeing every branch of the military.
The position of Fleet Admiral was officially passed to Aokiji Kuzan.
Kizaru Borsalino retained his post as Admiral, while Aramaki the Green Bull was promoted to full Admiral.
Black Horse Amamasa, Director of the Naval Criminal Investigation Bureau, was laterally transferred to the rank of Admiral as well.
His previous position as Director was filled by Bogart, who received the codename Sword Serpent, with the corresponding animal symbol of the snake.
Vice Admiral Tsuru, the Navy's Grand Strategist, tendered her resignation after her sister Momousagi Gion and granddaughter Peacock were captured. The World Government rejected her request, ordering her to remain and assist Fleet Admiral Aokiji in stabilizing the Navy's internal order.
During this restructuring, another formidable officer distinguished himself and earned a nomination for Admiral—Spandam, codenamed Wild Boar, animal symbol: pig. He replaced the fallen Tea Dolphin Chajin.
Spandam's growing reputation became undeniable. The Cross Guild placed a bounty of one crown (1 billion Berries) on his head.
To put this in perspective, Garp the Fist was valued at three crowns (3 billion Berries)—and since the Cross Guild's bounties were notoriously stingy compared to those issued by the World Government, Spandam's price spoke volumes.
It meant his threat level was now comparable to one of Kaido's Three Calamities.
The names Sword Serpent Bogart and Wild Boar Spandam began to spread across the seas like wildfire.
Within the Revolutionary Army, the rise of Sabo had been nothing short of meteoric.
As Chief of Staff, his feats became legendary—his mastery of fire rivaled that of Ace the Fire Fist, and he annihilated several Navy branches along the Grand Line.
Publicly declaring himself Ace's brother and inheritor of his will, Sabo even claimed to bear the Will of D himself.
This audacity earned him the title Flame Emperor, and his bounty skyrocketed from 620 million to 1.17 billion Berries, matching that of a Marine Admiral candidate.
Sabo now stood as the unquestioned second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army, his power surpassing that of the five veteran commanders.
His strength rivaled the likes of Kaido's Three Calamities, Big Mom's Three Sweet Commanders, and even the Navy Admirals themselves.
Sabo, Flame Emperor, Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army.
Bounty: 1.17 billion Berries.
Devil Fruit: Mythical Zoan – Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Vermilion Crow.
In the criminal underworld, following the downfall of Doflamingo, control over black market operations was divided among Gild Tesoro the Golden Emperor, Stussy the Queen of Pleasure Street, and the Revolutionary Army.
The power balance of the underworld settled into a configuration known as the "One Emperor, Six Kings."
Golden Emperor Gild Tesoro
Queen of Pleasure Street Stussy
King of Big News Morgans
Shipping King Umit
Loan Shark King Du Feld
Warehouse King Giberson
Funeral King Drago Piccolo
As time passed, the territorial boundaries of the New World grew increasingly distinct.
Aside from the Wandering Emperor Red-Haired Shanks, every faction in the underworld sought to align itself with the ruling powers—the One God and the Two Emperors.
Above all, none dared to offend Souta Kiryuu, the Dragon God, whose might rivaled that of the so-called World God Imu himself.
Better to provoke Kaido or Big Mom than to cross Kiryuu Souta—such was the new law of the seas.
As Kiryuu's Devil Fruit powers evolved, the artificial "Azure Dragon" fruit he once wielded was nearly forgotten.
His abilities had grown into something entirely unique—a Mythical Zoan on par with the Sun God Nika itself.
He was now recognized throughout the world as Kiryuu Souta, the Dragon God.
Even Imu and Vegapunk had tacitly acknowledged this truth.
Morgans, the king of the news world, spread the legend far and wide, proclaiming that a new god had risen in this age.
In the central New World, on the former Pirate Holy Land of Hachinosu, now renamed Shenryu Island, the Araryu Pirates held their grand headquarters.
The island had shed its reputation as a pirate sanctuary and was now known as the Sacred Land of the Dragon God—the public seat of the Araryu Pirates' power.
Their true base, however, was far above: Baron Island, one of the sky islands drifting over the New World. Several smaller sky islands had been brought close to it, forming a cluster around their aerial stronghold.
At this very moment, the Araryu Pirates were holding a grand celebration on Hachinosu, marking their triumph in the war of conquest.
Most of the former territories of the Whitebeard and Red-Haired Pirates now flew the blood-red flag of the Araryu.
Even allied nations like Dressrosa and Fish-Man Island had voluntarily raised that same banner.
Except for the G-1 Grand Headquarters—secured by overwhelming World Government forces—the vast majority of the central and forward New World now belonged entirely to Souta Kiryuu's dominion.
Inside the great dragon-headed palace atop Hachinosu, Kiryuu and his officers celebrated amid endless feasting.
The old skull-shaped fortress had been reshaped into the likeness of a divine dragon through the powers of the Evil King's Island-Island Fruit.
As Boa Hancock and Baby 5 served him food, Souta Kiryuu took a call from a den den mushi, its small face marked by faint red "shoeprint" tattoos.
"Souta, I need your help this time. Charlotte Linlin won't release my old man!"
The stern voice of Monkey D. Dragon came through, tinged with urgency and anger.
It seemed the Revolutionary Army's leader had discovered that Garp was being subjected to some rather… special treatment by Big Mom herself.