News of Michael's return and the declaration of all-out war spread through the Angel Alliance at breakneck speed.
What had been a stable period for the Alliance suddenly shifted into overdrive.
From top to bottom, everyone seemed to have been holding back for far too long.
After standing against the World Government for so long, most members of the Angel Alliance had grown weary.
At this critical juncture, Michael's return and the renewed declaration of war against the World Government served as a powerful morale boost.
Under this invigorating influence, the colossal entity that was the Angel Alliance finally bared its fangs.
...
In the New World, at the G-1 frontline command post.
Akainu set down the intelligence report in his hand and rubbed his eyes with his fingers.
The moment he received the news of Michael's return, Akainu Sakazuki—the stoic and unemotional Marshal of the Angel Alliance—shed tears for the first time.
Though they never had the chance to fall from his eyes before being evaporated by his Logia magma powers.
Still, the gesture was noticed by his equal in rank, Supreme Commander Monkey D. Dragon.
"Sakazuki, it seems Michael's safe return has made you quite happy."
"Cough, cough... You're overthinking it. I'm just glad we can finally settle the score with the World Government and the Celestial Dragons."
"Tch, tsunderes really aren't in style these days..." Dragon chuckled. "But as far as I recall, the two of you weren't particularly close, were you?"
"Of course not!"
"Then why the hell were you crying?"
"...I wasn't crying."
"Are you sure?"
"...Dragon, let's keep this between us—just you, me, and the heavens." For the first time in a long while, an awkward expression appeared on Akainu's face—even forcing out what could barely pass as a friendly smile.
"Fine, fine, I'll keep it a secret. Just promise me one thing—never smile like that again." Dragon waved his hands hastily, visibly disturbed.
"Your smile is uglier than your scowl."
After Dragon's teasing, the two sat in the command post and turned to serious matters.
And the focus...
Naturally revolved around Michael.
"Though the official notice has already been circulated internally, I still need to confirm... Is it really him?"
"Rest easy, Sakazuki." Dragon nodded. "This information came from my reckless old man and Mr. Sengoku... Even if you doubt me or yourself, you don't need to doubt them."
"...Right. That puts my mind at ease."
Sakazuki exhaled deeply.
Had it been anyone else, he might have harbored some skepticism.
But with Garp and Sengoku? No need.
Those two old men would never joke about something as serious as Michael.
"Seven whole years... Finally, we can settle the score with the Celestial Dragons."
"But we can't let our guard down... Imu's strange powers are still a formidable threat." Dragon frowned. "Don't forget, while the Celestial Dragons' average strength has risen dramatically, that was during the stalemate phase. Who knows if Imu, now desperate, has another trick up their sleeve to further empower them?"
Sakazuki nodded silently.
This... was likely the greatest variable in this all-out war.
"Then... our next priority must be gathering more intelligence." Sakazuki raised his head, his gaze burning as he looked at Dragon.
"Rosinante's undercover operatives... It's time to move them.""I've already sent them the orders... They will officially activate next and transmit all the intelligence they can gather back to us."
"Tell Rosinante that personal safety comes first... I don't want to be hung on a ceiling fan by Michael and beaten at gear three for an entire day."
...
When the internal notice from the Angel Alliance arrived, Whitebeard was visiting Cake Island in Whole Cake Island as a guest.
This visit was ostensibly to meet with old friends... but in reality, there was another matter...
Arranging a marriage for that big oaf Whitebeard Jr.
After much deliberation, among humans, only Charlotte Linlin's descendants might have the physical capacity to withstand that fool's immense strength.
Whitebeard had always been a man of decisive action.
So he directly proposed the idea of a marriage alliance between the Whitebeard Kingdom and Whole Cake Island to Charlotte Linlin.
For Charlotte Linlin, this was absolutely good news.
She had no reason to refuse.
Moreover, she had always held Whitebeard in high regard. To be precise, no one from the former Rocks Pirates had a bad relationship with Whitebeard.
Back then, she simply didn't trust Rocks himself...
"Linlin, I originally just wanted to find a girlfriend for my son, but I never expected to receive even more exciting news," Whitebeard laughed heartily.
"Gurarara! That kid Michael has actually returned... cough cough cough!"
"You old fool... If you're sick at your age, you shouldn't keep staying on the frontlines," said the person sitting across the table, arms crossed, sounding somewhat tsundere.
"Rather than worrying about me, you should focus on your rehabilitation training, Kaido," Whitebeard boomed with laughter.
"After finally recovering from your injuries and gradually regaining your strength... don't go looking for death again!"
"Him? Not seeking death? Do you think that's possible?"
Among the three, Charlotte Linlin had originally been the tallest.
After her Bloodline Regression completely transformed her into a giant, she now towered over both Whitebeard and Kaido by a significant margin.
Her increasingly youthful appearance made her seem like she wasn't even from the same generation as Whitebeard.
"I have to say, Linlin, ever since Michael helped you undergo Bloodline Regression and become a giant... why do you keep getting younger?"
"Because giants are long-lived," Kaido said with a smirk. "Several hundred years of lifespan... converted, she's basically equivalent to an eighteen-year-old human now. You could even call her a young girl if you wanted."
"Kaido... if you don't know how to speak properly, then don't speak at all..." Charlotte Linlin glared sharply, her Conqueror's Haki surging forth.
"Don't think just because you've mostly recovered your peak condition that you can act cocky with me!"
"Tch..."
Kaido clicked his tongue but didn't retort.
After all, as someone as close to Charlotte Linlin as a younger brother, Kaido understood her power better than anyone.
Before her Bloodline Regression, Charlotte Linlin had been relatively weak even among the Yonko/Admiral tier.
Yet he had always maintained respect for her.
Because while others didn't know, he did!
Charlotte Linlin had reached that level purely through natural talent.
Training? Getting stronger?
How could those compare to the importance of having children!
But now...
Charlotte Linlin had become a giant, reversing her aging.
And... she had begun training in earnest.He had no doubt that, even though he had almost fully recovered...
Charlotte Linlin could still wipe the floor with him right now.
When a prodigy with innate talent learns to work hard...
That's the beginning of a legend.