On a lonely island located about a hundred nautical miles south-southeast of the Sabaody Archipelago.
After finishing today's newspaper, Rayleigh's expression turned utterly grave. He called out to Luffy, who was standing on a stone cliff, battling a giant crocodile to practice his Haki: "Luffy, let's pause today's training."
Luffy was taken aback, and in that split second of distraction, he was sent flying by a tail-swipe from the giant crocodile. He carved a long furrow into the sandy beach before Rayleigh swiftly caught him, preventing him from being tossed into the sea.
Thanks to the properties of the Gum-Gum Fruit, Luffy didn't feel much pain. He looked at Rayleigh blankly. "What did you mean just now, Rayleigh?"
Rayleigh stroked his beard and led Luffy toward a small wooden raft. As the two began to row away from the isolated island, he spoke: "This sea area is likely about to become a battlefield. To avoid being caught in the crossfire, we have to leave."
"A battlefield? Whose battlefield?" Luffy asked, bewildered.
"Don't worry about that. For these two years, all you need to do is focus entirely on your training."
Rayleigh avoided the question. Behind them, the newspaper he had discarded on the beach was whipped up by the sea breeze. The headline flickered into view: "World Government Assembles Navy: Largest Military Garrison in History, Surpassing the War at the Summit."
The Pirate King, Roger, once held the power of the Ancient Weapons, but he ultimately did not overthrow the Government. Even so, he had touched upon the deepest secrets of the World Government, though his body was failing him by then.
As Roger's first mate, Rayleigh knew certain inside details that peripheral members like Shanks or Buggy were never privy to. He understood exactly why Alucard was destroying so many major islands in succession, and he knew why the World Government was massing the Navy at St. Poplar.
They could no longer sit idly by while Alucard acted; they intended to cut the Gordian knot.
This one battle will decide the history of the next several hundred years, Rayleigh thought grimly as he rowed.
…
St. Poplar, Spring Queen Island.
Under Marine control, the island had been completely transformed into an empty city. Under the direction of the Navy, massive waves of citizens were being evacuated via the Sea Train to nearby islands like Water 7 and Long Ring Long Land.
Inside a top-tier hotel within the deserted city, a robust, ape-like old man was drinking heavily, flanked by two scantily clad women. This man had previously crossed paths with Alucard in Alabasta.
He was Oseinofica, the head of one of the three ruling families of the Celestial Dragons, the man who wielded the Supreme Grade blade, Oodenta Mitsuyo.
Sitting opposite him was another elderly man dressed in a white suit. Though he had no beauties by his side, he was surrounded by countless attendants standing ready for his every command. This was Nedseo, another of the three ruling patriarchs.
Click.
The door opened, and a tall man in a white suit wearing a mask entered. He spoke in a raspy voice: "We just received word. The Immortal Pirates have returned from the West Blue to the Grand Line. Based on their current log trajectory, they are approaching this location."
"Very well," Nedseo said coldly. "Out of the twenty Royal Domains, he has already destroyed ten. We cannot allow him to continue."
"It's a good thing I came up with that plan, remembering there was a scapegoat left in Alabasta. It's a pity we couldn't capture his daughter as well," Oseinofica said, shaking his head with regret.
Outside, the city was swarming with Government forces. Kong, Momousagi, Shirokitsune, Chaton, and others were present, alongside various Knight Orders directly serving the Celestial Dragons. In the surrounding waters, over three thousand warships had the island completely blockaded.
Less than a year after the war with Whitebeard, they were heading into a clash with the Yonko's Immortal Pirates. The heart of every Marine was heavy with apprehension.
At that moment, a broadcast rang out across the lead warships: "Seven Warlords of the Sea, Dracule Mihawk has arrived. Vice Admiral Momonga is currently receiving him."
Indeed, just as during the Summit War, the Seven Warlords had been summoned. However, with the departure of Jinbe and Blackbeard, the current lineup consisted of, "Hawk-Eyes" Mihawk, two of the "Three Heroes" of the Donquixote Alliance: Donquixote Doflamingo and Treasure, Weevil, the self-proclaimed "Whitebeard Jr.," Gecko Moria, who, despite his lackluster strength, remained because they were short on numbers, and Buggy the Clown, who had been exceptionally recruited as a new Warlord due to his "glittering performance" during the War at the Summit.
As Momonga led the way, Mihawk joined the five other Warlords already gathered on the ship of Great Staff Officer Tsuru.
Mihawk's eyes locked onto Buggy. "Your Chop-Chop Fruit is quite interesting. I'd like to test my blade against your body later," he said calmly.
Buggy, who had been trying to stay out of the spotlight in a corner, felt his snot run from pure terror. His expression crumbled as he thought: I-I've been marked by a monster!!
"Whoa, Buggy-sama, just how amazing are you?!"
"To think the World's Greatest Swordsman would challenge you based solely on your Devil Fruit ability!"
"Please show us your true power as a Warlord in this war!"
The pirates Buggy had brought from Impel Down clasped their hands in prayer-like worship, shouting: "Our Great Captain, the Immortal Buggy!"
What are you idiots getting so moved for?! Being targeted by Hawk-Eyes is NOT a good thing! Mr. 3, the only one in Buggy's new crew with a functioning brain, screamed internally.
Buggy, meanwhile, stroked his chin, plotting: I can't draw too much attention in this war, but as a new Warlord, I have to show some results... Fine! I'll just pick off the small fry from the Immortal Pirates.
On the ship led by Admiral Fujitora Issho, after giving instructions to his subordinates, Issho turned and walked toward the ship where Sengoku was stationed.