"Dragon, you must have seen the news in the papers, right? The world is about to undergo an unprecedented massive transformation."
On a ship filled with self-proclaimed New Humans and transvestites, Ivankov dialed the Revolutionary Army headquarters. He did have Dragon's private number, but that was easily susceptible to eavesdropping.
To prevent eavesdropping on sensitive information, he chose to dial the secured white phone worm's headquarters phone worm.
"I saw it. Whitebeard's declaration of death will inevitably cause more pirates to flood into the sea, and this is also our opportunity to expand."
"No, Dragon, the events at the Summit War are far more than that. The Navy hasn't exposed everything yet, but on the battlefield, my people saw Zephyr died."
"Zephyr... chose such an end, did he..."
During the war, Sengoku did not immediately reveal Zephyr's death, as Zephyr held a very special place at the Headquarter. Currently, over ninety percent of the elite vice admirals, along with countless officers, were his students.
If that news was exposed immediately, the ceasefire order might not even be carried out properly.
"It's not just that, Dragon, tell me, what on earth has happened to Kuma in these years?! Why has that gentle Kuma become like that!"
"I'll discuss this with you once you return to the headquarters, but about the final attack of the war..."
"I also don't know what that was, but Dragon, you weren't on the battlefield at that time, those two attacks were something no human could withstand. If the World Government can frequently use such a weapon... then our revolution is just a joke."
"Let's plan for the long term, at least now we know about this thing. Oh, I forgot to say, congratulations on regaining your freedom."
"Speaking of that, Dragon, your son is really something."
"Is that so?"
Upon hearing Ivankov mention Luffy, even Dragon's unchanging face showed some smiles, but Ivankov could always bring plenty of surprises.
"Yes, except for being as brave as you, there's not a bit of him that resembles you, haha! I didn't expect I'd say this, did you get scared? Haha!"
"Ivankov... you rascal, just come back quickly, everyone's been waiting for you quite a while."
Meanwhile, Sabo was also looking at the newspaper information as Dragon was on a call with Ivankov.
"Fire Fist Ace, Straw Hat Luffy... ASL..."
Sabo felt his head aching, yet couldn't recall what really happened. Ace wasn't dead yet, which meant the impact of the information wasn't enough for Sabo to immediately remember past events.
.....
On Cake Island, Charlotte Linlin was very displeased because Perospero brought her some bad news.
"Mama, it's all that guy Queen's doing, he's deliberately targeting us!"
"Mama~ Mama, is that so?"
"Yes, Mama, that guy refused to sell to me, I had no choice..."
"But why did Smoothie just complete a deal with them?"
"You... you say... completed...."
The not-yet-returned-to-Cake-Island Perospero looked despairing, Queen was setting him up.
First rejecting his deal, then conducting a deal with other brothers and sisters, to make him look incompetent in Charlotte Linlin's eyes.
"Mama! Let me explain, this is all Queen's bastard scheming..."
Listening to the busy tone on the call, Perospero wanted to cry but had no tears. He could already imagine the scolding waiting for him upon returning to Cake Island; accurately speaking, it's already a good situation if Charlotte Linlin doesn't get physical this time.
Meanwhile, on Cake Island, Charlotte Linlin was inquiring about other matters.
"Katakuri, how's the issue with the territories?"
"We've seized a portion, but we acted a bit late. The Hundred Beasts have taken control of most of the territories and were later blocked by Red Hair Shanks..."
They were referring to the competition for Whitebeard's territory during the Summit War period. The Hundred Beasts seized the initiative and had Olga lead her Phantom Army to divert Shanks's attention.
However, the members of the BIG MOM Pirates weren't as successful, being politely deterred by the passing Shanks, resulting in less favorable outcomes.
"Kaidou... that little brat has completely grown up now..."
[World's Strongest - Hundred Beasts Kaidou]
The headline on the newspaper Charlotte Linlin threw to the ground was very eye-catching, and in many people's hearts, Kaidou was now undoubtedly the world's strongest.
...
At the Grand Tesoro, the temporary headquarters of Hundred Beasts Fruit, core personnel previously working on the Red Earth Continent had been transferred here to prevent uncontrollable factors post-Summit War.
Thanks to Arceus's strategic deterrence and the desire for the Elixir of Immortality, Hundred Beasts Fruit remained a legitimate business, but Tesoro hadn't set foot on the Red Earth Continent, purely to avoid unnecessary trouble.
"Mr. Kaidou really is strong, but Shanks isn't bad either. Arseus, look, Luffy and Heracross are also in the papers."
Sitting on a soft sofa, Uta skimmed through the newspaper in front of her, but her focus was entirely different from others.
"War really is detestable, if only there were no wars and no pirates."
"Do you hear what you're saying? Whether it's the people behind this place or your foster father, they're all pirates, and top-tier Great Pirates at that."
"Doesn't matter, others don't know what we're thinking. Being an actor is exhausting work. Our nature is just deceit. Also, you're just a trainee, show more respect to your seniors you haven't debuted yet!"
Beside Uta, prepped for debut after a year of training, was Cavendish, just they couldn't capitalize on the Summit War's momentum. Debuting now wouldn't capture much audience attention, even with Uta and other seniors backing him.
In today's sea, Cavendish's buzz is lesser than that mysterious medical department of the Hundred Beasts Fruit.
At this, Cavendish bit into his newspaper indignantly.
"Damn it, I want that kind of fame too, why can that Straw Hat kid steal the spotlight here, I'm not okay with this!"
"Hmph, Luffy and you are different, work hard, let's go Arseus, let's go play outside."
On Uta's suggestion, her Heracross flew her outside, ignoring Cavendish's red-eyed outbreak.
As people considered the future, calculating gains, or envied popularity, differing perspectives emerged on the war. Meanwhile, on Ghost Island, a group entered a frenzy stage.
Within the monastery, Arceus's intervention was captured by people onboard the Origin with Rotom and sent to Misu, making the display of miracles plunge all believers into a state of frenzy....