"I hope you'll take good care of me from now on, Sister!"
Sari was smart.
She knew that to survive comfortably in this harem, she needed to cling to someone powerful—and Hancock was clearly the thickest thigh to grab.
"Hmph! You have good taste!"
Hancock lifted her chin proudly. "Since you're so sweet-tongued, you'll be in charge of combing my hair from now on."
"No problem at all, Sister!" Sari replied instantly.
Nearby, Karumen sighed and hung her frying pan at her waist.
"Well… what's done is done."
"At least the ingredients here look amazing."
She glanced at the top-quality supplies gathered from across the seas, her chef's spirit reigniting instantly.
Tobirama waved his hand.
"Prepare the meal."
"After eating, we head for the Grand Line."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Cheers erupted across the deck.
Nami and Nojiko were nearly in tears—they were finally free from surviving on rice and oranges.
---
Several hours later.
Reverse Mountain.
The towering Red Line stood before them, seawater flowing upward in violent currents.
"So this is Reverse Mountain…"
Tobirama stood at the bow, watching the raging waters rise into the sky.
For ordinary pirates, this place was a death trap.
For Tobirama—
"Too slow."
He pointed with one finger.
Gravity manipulation.
Buzz!
The massive warship lifted cleanly from the sea, soaring straight into the clouds.
Currents and reefs were ignored entirely.
Like a divine vessel, it crossed the Red Line at altitude, overlooking the sea of clouds below.
"Grand Line…"
"Four Emperors. Admirals. Five Elders."
"Wash your necks and wait."
---
At the same time.
Grand Line — Toledo Kingdom, a World Government member state.
Smoke filled the air.
War raged.
On one side stood the kingdom's well-equipped army.
On the other, a rebel force with crude weapons—but unyielding eyes.
"For freedom!"
"Overthrow tyranny!"
"The wind… is coming."
A deep voice echoed from the edge of the battlefield.
Whoosh—!
A green whirlwind erupted without warning, sweeping across the entire field.
Cannons overturned.
Soldiers were thrown into chaos.
Yet the rebels were shielded by the wind itself, their morale soaring as they charged.
Within half an hour, the palace fell.
The king surrendered.
Amid the ruins stood a man in a dark green cloak, red square tattoos marking his face as he faced the wind.
Dragon.
"It's over," he said quietly.
"Another country has broken its chains."
"One spark can ignite a prairie fire. The World Government's rule will fall."
For days, Dragon had cut off all outside contact to command this uprising.
He had no idea what was happening beyond.
"Mr. Dragon!"
Rapid footsteps approached.
Bello Betty rushed over, pale-faced, clutching a thick stack of newspapers. The usual confidence was gone—cold sweat soaked her back.
"What happened?" Dragon asked, frowning.
"CP0?"
"No…" Betty's hands trembled as she held out the paper.
"It's the East Blue… and your father…"
Dragon's heart sank.
"The East Blue?"
"What happened to the old man?"
He took the newspaper.
The moment he saw the headline—
Boom!
An aura far more terrifying than anything on the battlefield exploded from Dragon's body.
The surrounding rubble was crushed to dust.
Dark clouds rolled in. Thunder roared.
EAST BLUE FALLS!
NAVAL HERO GARP DEFEATED AND CAPTURED!
EMPEROR UCHIHA'S ULTIMATUM — PAY WITH YOUR LIVES!
BUSTER CALL ANNIHILATED! ADMIRAL AKAINU DEAD!
Every word struck like a hammer.
"Old man… captured…"
Dragon crushed the paper in his fist.
That iron-fisted man who beat him since childhood—
That pillar of the Navy—
Thrown down like a dog?
"And Foosha Village…"
"Luffy…"
Dragon's voice turned hoarse.
If a battle of that scale happened there—was his son safe?
Rage, worry, and murderous intent flooded his chest.
For the greater cause, he could endure everything.
But his family—
That was his bottom line.
"Uchiha… Tobirama…"
Dragon stared at the photo of the silver-haired man.
Those eyes seemed to mock him through the page.
"Mr. Dragon!"
Ivankov, Kuma, Karasu, and the others gathered around.
Their leader's expression was darker than storm clouds.
"Give the order!" Ivankov said grimly.
"Even Garp has fallen. This man is challenging the world!"
"Yes!" Betty shouted, banner raised.
"He's right at the Grand Line entrance! Gather the commanders and take him down!"
Dragon closed his eyes.
The wind howled, sharpening into invisible blades that carved the ground.
After a long silence—
He opened them.
Gone was the calm revolutionary leader.
In his place stood an enraged son.
And a desperate father.