New World, Moby Dick.
The whale-shaped ship, carrying the pride and family of the Whitebeard Pirates, sailed across a relatively calm stretch of sea.
On deck, crew members were either training or gathered drinking and laughing.
"Pops! It's Ace the Flame Emperor's ship!" A lookout in the crow's nest suddenly shouted.
"Ace the Flame Emperor!" The crew on deck stopped what they were doing, their wary gazes turning towards the sea.
Though the Gourmet Navigation Group had lost their linchpin, after two years of development, coupled with the legacy left by their former captain, their strength had not diminished but arguably grown, making them the strongest force on the seas.
The visit of such a powerful faction's vice-captain warranted their serious attention.
On the massive seat at the bow, Whitebeard put down his giant sake bowl and looked at the small boat speeding towards them.
He had little connection with this vice-captain of the Gourmet Navigation Group, but for some reason, looking at him, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
The flames subsided, and Ace leaped lightly onto the Moby Dick's deck.
"Yo, Captain Whitebeard, everyone." Ace waved casually, greeting Whitebeard and the surrounding division commanders.
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard laughed heartily. "Ace the Flame Emperor, what wind blows you to my ship? You couldn't be lost, could you?"
Marco, Jozu, Vista, and the other commanders nodded in greeting, their gazes curious.
They had met Ace a few times, but this was the first time he had visited alone like this.
Ace walked up to Whitebeard, his smile fading, his expression turning serious: "Captain Whitebeard, I've come on our captain's orders to deliver something to you."
"Setsuna's orders?" Whitebeard raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
The surrounding Whitebeard Pirates' members also showed confused expressions, 'Hadn't Captain Setsuna fallen two years ago?'
Ace didn't explain. Instead, he took a delicate box from his chest.
He opened the box, revealing a small, pale green pill inside.
"This is the specific medicine our captain promised you back then, for your heart condition," Ace explained.
His words caused an excited stir among the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Captain Setsuna actually remembered that!"
"He must have arranged this before the final battle."
"Wah, Captain Setsuna was such a good man!"
"Yeah, he didn't forget to send Pops medicine even after he died! So loyal!"
The crew wailed, their voices filled with gratitude towards Setsuna.
Whitebeard solemnly accepted the box, sighing with emotion: "That young fellow Setsuna is truly a righteous man."
Ace cleared his throat: "Though Captain passed away, he is now about to return."
Whitebeard's eyes widened: "What do you mean by 'return'?"
Ace said with pride: "Captain has broken the bonds of death and returned from the underworld. He will revive in three months."
"Captain Whitebeard, and everyone here, if you're interested, you're welcome to come to Wano Country for the ceremony."
"Our captain will personally usher in a new era for this chaotic world!"
He finished speaking and, ignoring the stunned crowd, flames rose from his feet as he gracefully leaped back to his small boat like a firebird.
Moments later, an uproar erupted on the Moby Dick.
"Return from the underworld? Can anyone actually do that?"
"Of course not for ordinary people, but Captain Chiaki is the man who defeated God!"
"Gurarara, Wano Country, huh? It's been a long time since I was there." Whitebeard laughed. "Boys, set sail! Head for Wano Country!"
…
The news that the man who had single-handedly ended the World Government, hailed as the [Great Sage] and [Great Prophet], would revive in three months spread like wildfire across the globe.
On a nameless island in the New World.
"Worororo..." A frenzied howl, part cry, part laugh, echoed from a cave, shaking the entire island.
Inside the cave, Kaido clutched a giant sake gourd, guzzling its contents while clenching his other fist, veins bulging.
His eyes were a mixture of tears and rage.
"Chiaki Setsuna, you really aren't dead. That's great!" he sobbed and roared. Those unaware might think he was on good terms with the person he was speaking about.
But his next words were: "Now I finally have a chance to kill you with my own hands! I'll take back everything that's mine!"
King and Queen beside him also stirred with excitement. Though they were no match for the Gourmet Navigation Group, the powerful figures of these seas might not all be eager to see another 'God' return.
As for Setsuna himself, they weren't particularly concerned. The fact that he was appearing after two years likely meant he had been severely injured in that battle and was only now recovering.
And Kaido had been training relentlessly these past two years. His strength had grown to unimaginable levels.
…
Whole Cake Island, Totto Land.
"Mamamamama~" Big Mom held the latest issue of the World Economy News Paper, shrieking with twisted excitement.
"Young fellow Setsuna! You really are alive! Mamamamama~ How wonderful!" She trembled with excitement, drool uncontrollably dripping from her mouth.
"Returning from the underworld, you must have brought back lots and lots of delicious underworld specialties, right?"
"Just thinking about it makes me impatient... Katakuri, prepare the ingredients and gifts for the most magnificent tea party. We're setting out for Wano Country."
…
Red Hair Pirates, Red Force.
Shanks put down the intelligence report. He raised his cup with his one arm but didn't drink immediately.
"Revive, huh?" He muttered to himself. "Though it sounds absurd, if it's that man..."
"I must go and warn them immediately. Be careful of Imu!" Shanks's expression was grave. As someone who had once signed the Shallow Sea Contract with Imu, no one knew better than him how powerful Imu was.
Even an explosion of that magnitude might not have killed Imu.
That viper was likely lurking in the shadows, waiting to reclaim this world.
"Beckman, we set sail immediately. Head for Wano Country."
…
Revolutionary Army's Headquarters, Baltigo.
"Usher in a new era, huh? It's something to look forward to." Dragon quietly repeated Ace's transmitted words.
Having overthrown the World Government, these seas had not experienced the anticipated peace.
On one hand, the world was simply too vast. Islands were isolated, communication and transportation extremely difficult.
The Revolutionary Army's power was limited. They would overthrow the rule of old nobles on one island, establishing a new order, but as soon as they moved their forces to liberate other islands, the remnants of the old forces would resurge.
Establishing a stable new order was hundreds or thousands of times harder than mere destruction.
On the other hand, the Great Pirate Era Roger had begun had become a new source of chaos.
The Marine still existed, but it no longer held its former authority or deterrent power.
Countless ambitious individuals and the oppressed poured into the seas, plundering, fighting, causing chaos... The whole world suffered from the aftermath of systemic collapse.
Freedom sometimes brought not just good things, but also disorderly violence and the law of the jungle.
He looked towards the distant sea: "Chiaki-sama, I hope you can provide the right answer for this world."