The next day.
Eastern Territory - Atlantis.
Advanced Medical Center
Morning
------
Harald stood in front of the large mirror in his hospital room, staring at his reflection.
The bandages had been removed. His wounds were healing at an unnatural rate, his ribs were mending, his burns were fading into faint scars, and his muscles were recovering. He could move without pain for the first time since he was treated.
But the face staring back at him felt like a stranger's.
[God's Sword].
The tattoo on his lower arm seemed to burn under his gaze. A mark of honor. A symbol of slavery. Or perhaps...a mark of slavery?
"God's Sword is nothing more than a broken tool discarded by its master."
Madara's words echoed in his mind, cold and piercing.
Harald clenched his fists.
"A naive man willing to become the enemy's dog."
His jaw tightened. Anger burned in his chest, but something darker churned behind it.
Doubt.
Had he really saved Elbaf? Or had he merely exchanged one form of slavery for another by putting chains around the necks of his people for the false promises of the Sky Dragon?
Knock, knock.
The door slid open. It was the same young nurse who had greeted him when he first woke up.
"Good morning, King Harald," she said with a warm smile. "Doctor Tsunade has given you permission to go home. You may leave the medical center whenever you are ready."
Harald turned slowly. "Free?"
"Of course." The nurse handed him a neatly folded set of clothes that were simple yet good quality and designed to fit his current and original heights. "However, once you pass through the main gate of the hospital, the size adjustment field will be deactivated. Your body will return to its natural height of sixty-five meters."
She pointed toward the window.
"Every city is designed to accommodate beings of all sizes. Including Atlantis. The streets are wide and the buildings are reinforced. You won't cause any damage just by walking through them."
Harald stared at the clothes in his hands.
Free.
The word felt foreign.
"What happens now?" he asked softly.
The nurse tilted her head. "It's up to you, sir. You are a guest of the Federation. You may stay, explore the city, or..." She hesitated. "If you want to leave Atlantis, though, you'll need to speak with the Department of Foreign Affairs."
She bowed politely and left the room.
Harald stood alone in the silence.
For the first time in years, no one was giving him orders. No mission. No sign to protect. There was no Gorosei watching his every move.
Only... freedom.
It frightened him.
---
Atlantis - City Streets, Daytime
As Harald stepped through the hospital's main gate, the world changed.
His body rapidly expanded from five meters to sixty-five meters in a matter of seconds. The sudden growth was disorienting, as if he were being stretched on an invisible rack. However, it didn't hurt. It was just strange.
When the sensation faded, Harald stood upright, towering above the surrounding buildings.
However, no one panicked.
Pedestrians on the street glanced at him with mild curiosity, then continued on their way. A mother with her child pointed at him and smiled. A street vendor waved cheerfully and called out in a language Harald didn't understand.
It was as if seeing a sixty-five-meter-tall giant walking through the city were a common occurrence.
Harald stepped forward cautiously.
The road beneath his feet was made of a reinforced material, stronger than stone or wood. The road did not crack under his weight. The tall buildings lining the street had foundations clearly designed to withstand impacts far more powerful than a giant's footsteps.
Above, sleek vehicles glided silently through the air on elevated bridges. Below, automated police cars patrolled the streets, their sensors moving back and forth.
Everything was orderly. Clean. Efficient.
Unlike the chaotic ports found in some areas of the Grand Line, or the grandeur of Mariejois that conceals darkness.
Harald walked slowly, observing his surroundings.
To his left was a large digital screen displaying news broadcasts. He couldn't read the text, but he could make out the images maps showing rising sea levels and footage of flooded coastal cities and crowds of people evacuating in panic.
His chest tightened.
"Hey! Giant!"
Harald turned around.
A young man stood on the second-floor balcony, waving at him. He was dressed casually and grinned amiably.
"First time in Atlantis?" the man exclaimed in everyday language.
Harald nodded slowly.
"I thought so! You've got the look of a 'lost tourist'!" The man laughed. "If you're looking for food, there's a great place two blocks from here called Titan's Table. They specialize in giant-sized portions, like for tailed monsters!"
Before Harald could reply, the man gave a cheerful salute and went back inside.
Harald stood there, confused.
"They're not afraid of me."
It was a very simple thing. However, it shook him to his core.
In the outside world, giants were feared. Perhaps respected, but kept at a distance. Even in Elbaf, giants weren't fully accepted as Loki had experienced.
But here...
Here, he was just an ordinary citizen.
Harald kept walking, his mind filled with questions.
"What kind of people are these?"
---
Meanwhile,
Naval Headquarters, Marineford.
Admiral's Office.
Note: Kong has just been appointed Commander of the World Government's Three Armies. However, he hasn't moved yet, and only the upper echelons know of his appointment (such as Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, and Zephyr).
Kong slammed his fist on the table, breaking the thick teak wood in the middle.
"NOTHING?!" His voice boomed through the office like a cannon blast. "You're telling me that every observation post, every lookout post, and every scout ship in the West Blue found nothing?"
The Communications Officer standing before him trembled, sweat pouring down his face.
"Fleet Admiral, sir, the area where the new land appeared is completely blocked. There's some kind of interference. Our Den Den Mushi lost signal as soon as they were within fifty kilometers. The reconnaissance ships reported navigation equipment failure. Even our best long-range observers couldn't penetrate the barrier."
Kong's eyes twitched.
"Barrier?"
"Yes, sir. It's not a physical wall, but some kind of electromagnetic field. It interferes with all our technology."
Behind Kong, Sengoku stood with his arms crossed and a grim expression.
"This is intentional," Sengoku said quietly. "Whoever controls that land doesn't want us to get close."
Kong turned to face him. "What's your assessment?"
Sengoku walked over to the world map pinned to the wall. He placed his finger on West Blue, where a large red circle had been drawn.
"A landmass five times the size of Alabasta didn't appear overnight," he said. This was planned. It was calculated." He tapped the map. "The timing is too perfect. Rising sea levels, global panic, and the disruption of trade routes are all aimed at destabilizing the World Government's control."
Tsuru, standing near the window, spoke without turning around.
"There's another problem."
Kong and Sengoku looked at her.
Tsuru's voice was cold. "Harald is missing."
The room fell silent.
"What?" Kong whispered.
"The Holy Land sent an encrypted communication this morning," Tsuru continued. "King Harald of Elbaf was reported missing four days ago. His last known location was the Valley of the Gods. He appears to have been conducting some kind of inspection."
Sengoku's eyebrows furrowed. "Inspection?" Why would the king of Elbaf be inspecting the Valley of the Gods? Wasn't that place erased from the map?"
Tsuru's eyes narrowed. "The message was deliberately vague. But, come to think of it... I'm sure Harald was working for the World Government in some capacity."
Kong's hands clenched. "Working for them? In what capacity?"
"It's unknown," Tsuru said cautiously. "But the urgency of their message indicates that he's valuable. Very valuable."
"Correction," Tsuru continued. "We don't know if he's missing. He could have been captured. Or interrogated. Or..." Finally, She turned to face them. "He could have defected."
"Defect?" Sengoku frowned. "From what? He's a king, not a soldier."
Tsuru didn't answer directly. "The World Government is hiding something about Harald. Whatever it is, they desperately want to find it before anyone else does."
"Loyalty born of desperation is fragile," Tsuru said softly. "If someone offers him a better deal..."
Sengoku shook his head. "We're speculating. The priority is to find him or ensure his death."
Kong walked to the window and stared out at the bay.
"Send a secret bulletin to all vice admirals and above. Code: Silent Hound. We are searching for King Harald of Elbaf. Last known location: Valley of the Gods. Status: Missing, presumed lost at sea."
He turned to his officers.
"Send word to the Holy Land. Tell them we need more information. If they want us to find their missing partner, they must stop hiding behind their damned secrecy."
"Sir," the communications officer interrupted nervously. "There's one more thing."
Kong's piercing gaze could melt steel. "What?"
"The Morgans' Big News released a special edition this morning. The headline..." The officer swallowed hard. "It's about the Holy Land."
He handed over the crumpled newspaper.
Kong grabbed it and read the bold headline.
"Mariejois Burns! Fisher Tiger Frees Slaves! Thousands Set Free!"
Below it was a photo. Fisher Tiger, the Fish-Man, stood on the burning sacred ground of Mariejois, holding a lit torch while freed slaves fled into the night.
Kong's face flushed red.
"When did this happen?!"
"Three days ago, sir. On the same night the land appeared."
Sengoku closed his eyes. "This is coordinated."
Tsuru nodded grimly. "Someone is making a move. A big move. And we're already two steps behind."
Kong crumpled the newspaper in his hand.
"Call Garp. Sengoku, prepare a task force. Tsuru, start analyzing patterns, trade disruptions, pirate movements anything unusual."
He threw the crumpled newspaper into the trash.
"We won't sit here blindly while the world burns."
---
Meanwhile.
The Holy Land of Mariejois.
In Pangea Castle's Hall of Power.
The five old stars, who were known for saying this and that and sometimes suffering from amnesia, were silent.
The room was dark, lit only by the dim light of a Den Den Mushi on the table.
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn stared at the device with cold, unblinking eyes.
"Harald hasn't reported in seventy-two hours," he said flatly.
Saint Marcus Mars leaned back in his chair. "The Abyss Mark in the Valley of the Gods was destroyed in the tidal wave. Without it, he has no way to return via the Holy Teleportation Route."
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro slowly polished his sword. "Then he's either dead or stranded."
"Or captured," added Saint Topman Warcury gloomily.
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter tapped his fingers on the armrest. "The timing is too perfect. A new land has appeared. The sea has risen. Our teleportation network is disrupted. One of our valuable assets has also vanished without a trace."
He looked at the others.
"This is an attack."
Saturnus's expression did not change. "Who would dare?"
"Someone with resources," said Mars. "Someone who knows our system. Someone who knows where the Abyss Mark is located."
Nusjuro stopped polishing his sword. "An inside job?"
"Or someone from the Age of Emptiness," Warcury muttered.
The room fell silent.
Peter stood up and walked to the window, staring at the partially burned eastern sector.
"The Fisher Tiger attack is just a diversion. The slave rebellion, the fires, and the chaos are all meant to distract us while something else happens in the Western Sea."
He turned to the others.
"We need to send someone to investigate that land."
"The Navy can't get through that barrier," Mars said. "Kong has already tried."
Saturn's jaw clenched tightly. "Harald is our greatest asset. He's a God Sword capable of fighting threats on the level of an admiral. If he is captured and interrogated..."
"Then our secrets will be revealed," Warcury concluded grimly.
"The Navy doesn't know Harald's true status," Nusjuro said cautiously. "To them, he is simply the 'King of Elbaf' who is cooperating with us. Many giants have joined the Navy because of Harald's status. They don't know about his title as the Sword of God or his relationship with us."
"And it must remain that way," Saturnus said coldly. "If the world finds out that the Sky Dragon uses giants as secret weapons..."
He didn't need to finish. They all understood the implications.
Peter turned away from the window. "Then we won't send the Navy."
Saturnus pressed a button on the Den Den Mushi.
A voice answered immediately. "Yes, Saint Saturn?"
"Tell Saint Figarland Garling to send several members of the Holy Knights to the Western Sea. Their mission is to find Harald discreetly and gather intelligence about the new land."
"What if they encounter resistance?"
Saturn's eyes glowed faintly red.
"Eliminate them. But make sure there are no survivors."
---
New World.
Beehive Island.
Wang Zhi's Fortress.
The massive stone fortress loomed over the jagged coastline like a sleeping beast. Inside the grand hall sat Wang Zhi, the self-proclaimed "Lord of the Beehive," on his throne made from a ship's hull and molten gold.
He was a tall man with wild, graying dark hair and a body covered in scars from decades of battle. A large broadsword rested against his throne.
Before him stood his intelligence officer, a thin man who held a newspaper with trembling hands.
"Boss, you have to see this."
Wang Zhi snatched the newspaper and read the headline about rising sea levels and mysterious new land.
His eyes narrowed.
"Five times the size of Alabasta..." he muttered. "Appearing out of nowhere..."
He crumpled the newspaper in his fist.
"This changes everything. A powerful new player right in the middle of the board."
His intelligence officer swallowed nervously. "Should we investigate?"
Wang Zhi leaned back with a calculating glint in his eyes. "Not yet. But send word to Captain John. Tell him I want to meet. If there's new territory to be claimed, I want first dibs, but I need allies."
He grinned savagely. "And if they're hostile, we'll destroy them together."
---
Onigashima.
This is where Kaido's hundred teachers reside.
The sound of thunder echoed across the rocky island. Although he was still in his early forties, Kaido was already huge and terrifying. He swung his kanabo with earth-shaking power.
BOOM!
The ground split open. Large rocks exploded into dust.
Kaido lowered his weapon and panted. Sweat drenched his muscular body. His black hair is tied back, and his eyes burn with ambition.
A subordinate rushes toward him, holding a newspaper.
"Kaido-sensei! Emergency news!"
Kaido takes the newspaper and scans it with uncontrollable interest.
Rising sea levels. New landmasses. Global panic.
His eyes stopped at a particular paragraph.
"Unconfirmed reports indicate that King Harald of Elbaf may have been lost at sea during the phenomenon."
Kaido's lips curved into a savage grin.
"Harald...that giant bastard." He laughed, his voice deep and thunderous. "I fought him ten times, you know. I only won three times!"
"If he's dead, goodbye. One less rival." He turned to his subordinates. "But if he's still alive and involved with this new country..."
Kaido's eyes gleamed dangerously.
"Then I'll go there myself and fight him again. This time, I'll prove once more that I'm stronger!"
He raised his kanabo to the sky.
"Worororo! Let the world tremble! They will soon all know the name of Kaido, the King of the Hundred Teachings!"
---
Whole Cake Island.
Charlotte Linlin's baby room.
The large room was filled with cribs and toys, as well as the sound of babies crying.
Charlotte Linlin, also known as Big Mom, sat in a large rocking chair, cradling her newest baby. In her fifties, she had wild pink hair and a figure that radiated both maternal warmth and terrifying strength.
Unlike the witchy grandmother of the future, Charlotte Linlin was still slim.
"Mama, mama!" she whispered to her baby. "You will grow up to be big and strong, just like your older siblings!"
One of her eldest sons, Charlotte Perospero, entered the room holding a newspaper.
"Mama, there's news."
"Not now, Peros-nii!" snapped Linlin, though her tone was playful. "Can't you see I'm busy?"
"But Mama, sea levels have risen globally. A new landmass has appeared."
Linlin waved her hand dismissively. "So what? The world is always changing. As long as my family is safe and my kingdom is thriving, I don't care."
She looked at her baby with a gentle smile.
"Right now, I'm building the greatest family in history. Politics and power struggles can wait."
Prospero hesitated for a moment, then bowed. "As you wish, Mama."
But as he left, he couldn't shake the feeling that this "new land" would ultimately affect them all.
---
The New World, a certain region.
Moby Dick. Edward Newgate's ship.
The legendary pirate ship sailed calmly through the dangerous waters of the New World.
On deck, Edward Newgate, also known as Whitebeard, stood at the helm. His large body was silhouetted by the setting sun. At the peak of his career, his golden hair blew in the wind, his beard was crescent-moon shaped, his muscles were like steel cables, and his figure was respected by every pirate on the seas.
His coat fluttered in the wind as he stared at the newspaper in his hand.
Behind him, his crew gathered nervously.
"Father, what do you think?" asked Marco, who was still young but already Whitebeard's first mate.
Whitebeard was silent for a long time.
Then, his voice deep and rumbling like distant thunder, he spoke.
"The world is changing. Something big is coming, something that could change the balance of power forever."
He folded the newspaper and looked at his sons.
"But that doesn't matter. We don't fight for territory or treasure. We fight for family."
He slammed his bisento onto the deck with a thunderous bonk.
"As long as my children are safe, I don't care what kingdom rises or falls. Let the Marines panic. Let those who hold power and pretend to be holy be anxious."
His eyes hardened.
"But if anyone threatens my family because of this chaos..."
The air around him trembled with an unseen force.
"I will bury them at the bottom of the sea."
His crew roared in agreement.
"YEAH, AYAH!"
---
The Navy Patrol Ship in certain seas of the New World.
Admiral Zephyr's ship.
The Marine warship cut through the waves with disciplined precision.
Admiral Zephyr, still called "Black Arm" Zephyr and not yet the fragile man he would become, stood on the bridge.
He had not yet experienced the tragedy that befell his family, and he was currently at the peak of his glory. He was strong, idealistic, and fiercely loyal to justice.
His right-hand officer approached. "Admiral Zephyr, we have received reports of unusual activity among the pirates of the New World."
"Unusual how?"
"Wang Zhi is seeking an alliance with Captain John. Kaido has been training more aggressively than usual. Big Mom seems indifferent, but Shirohige's crew is on high alert."
Zephyr crossed his arms. "They're all reacting to the new land."
"Should we investigate, sir?"
Zephyr shook his head. "Our orders are clear: monitor the major pirate forces. If they move toward the West Sea, we're ready to intercept."
He gazed at the horizon.
"But something tells me this is bigger than we realize."
---
Elbaf: Village of the Great Trees.
Scopper Gaban's hideout.
Scopper Gaban, a former member of Roger's crew, sat near the fireplace in a small wooden hut built high in the branches of one of Elbaf's great trees, reading the newspaper.
His eyes widened.
"The sea level is rising...new land... Harald is missing..."
He stood up suddenly and grabbed his axe from the wall.
"If Harald is involved in this, then something is seriously wrong."
He looked at the map on his wall and traced the route from Elbaf to West Blue with his finger.
"Roger always said the world would turn upside down one day. It looks like that day has come sooner than I thought."
He grabbed his coat and headed for the door.
"It's time to see what's going on out there."
"Ripley, I'm going out for a bit."
"Please look after Colon. If there are any intruders, tell Elder Jarul immediately."
---
The Grand Line. Sabaody Archipelago.
Shakky's Bar.
Rayleigh was enjoying his rum at the bar when the door suddenly opened.
A cloaked figure staggered in, panting.
Shakky didn't even look up from cleaning his glass. "We're closed."
"Shakky... Rayleigh..." The figure removed his hood.
It was a Fishman with a face covered in burns and bruises.
Rayleigh's eyes sharpened. "You're one of Tiger's crew."
The Fishman nodded weakly. "Tiger...he freed them. Thousands of slaves. But now, the government is hunting us. We need help. We need..."
He collapsed.
Rayleigh caught him before he hit the floor.
Shakky finally looked up, his expression unreadable.
Rayleigh looked at the unconscious Fishman.
"Roger, is this the storm you predicted?"
Rayleigh gently laid the Fishman on the sofa, then took a clean cloth from behind the bar.
"Aren't you going to intervene, Ray?" Shakky asked, lighting a cigarette and staring intently at the door.
Rayleigh slowly shook his head, starting to clean the Fishman's wounds. "No, Shakky. My sword is resting."
He looked at the tired face of the Fishman.
"Our job now is just to provide an umbrella when the storm comes. Let the young ones decide the direction of the wind."
---
Atlantis - Afternoon
Harald sat on the edge of the eastern harbor, his large feet dangling in the water.
The sun was setting, painting the sky with streaks of orange and red.
He had spent the day exploring the city. He had seen things he couldn't explain floating buildings, talking robots, and children of various species playing together without fear.
It felt peaceful.
And that made him angry.
"Why doesn't Elbaf have this? Why do my people have to beg the Sky Dragons for food?"
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Harald turned around.
A man with spiky white hair and a long blue robe stood on his shoulder. He looked to be in his thirties, but his eyes held the weight of decades.
"Who are you?" Harald asked.
The man smiled. "Just someone who's been in your position."
Despite the difference in their sizes, he sat down next to Harald and gazed out at the sea.
"Lost. Angry. Questioning everything you thought you knew."
Harald's jaw tightened. "You don't know anything about me."
"No," the man admitted. "But I know what it's like to serve a master who you thought was just...only to realize that you're just a tool. Disposable."
He looked at Harald.
"My name is Senju Tobirama. I'm the brother of the man you met yesterday, Hashirama."
Harald's eyes widened slightly.
Tobirama stood up and brushed off his cloak.
"If you want answers, King Harald, meet me at Central Plaza tomorrow afternoon. Someone wants to speak with you."
"Who?"
Tobirama smiled faintly.
"The one who built all of this."
With that, he disappeared in a flash of blue light.
Harald sat alone in the fading twilight, his mind racing.