Shiki suddenly spun around again, excitement blazing uncontrollably in his eyes.
His huge, powerful hands seized Ron by the shoulders, pouring every ounce of his anticipation into his grip.
"The moment those islands arrive, I'm starting work on the defensive formation! This won't be some half-assed project—we're going to build an absolutely impenetrable barrier!"
His entire body trembled with enthusiasm as he gestured wildly.
His fingers traced sweeping arcs through the air, already sketching the future formation in his imagination.
"The ecological islands on the seventh layer are missing Wano's unique plant life. Once we transplant those rare species, the whole layer will be bursting with new life!
"And those hot springs! All that steam and energy bubbling from the ground—they're practically gifts from heaven!"
He looked utterly enchanted, completely absorbed in the beautiful future he had imagined.
But while Shiki remained lost in his excitement, Ron's expression abruptly sharpened.
All traces of his earlier ease vanished, replaced by unprecedented seriousness.
His gaze became deep and piercing, as though it could see through the mist and detect the approaching danger.
"Shiki, we need to change the plan."
He turned toward the distant direction of Marine Headquarters, where faint flags seemed to flutter on the horizon like warnings of an approaching storm.
"We've completely broken with the Marines now. They've abandoned all restraint and are determined to destroy us.
"They won't give us another chance to breathe. From this point onward, every moment will be spent planning how to wipe us out."
The smile vanished from Shiki's face like sunlight swallowed by dark clouds.
A fierce gleam entered his eyes, carrying the decisiveness of a veteran who had faced countless powerful enemies.
"So they're finally getting serious? Good. I've been waiting long enough! Those Marines have been getting in our way for years. It's about time they learned what I'm capable of!"
Ron raised one hand and swept it through the air.
A brilliant flash appeared, followed by a holographic projection displaying a detailed map of the entire world.
With a calm but resolute gaze, Ron pressed one finger firmly against the East Blue.
"Our previous cautious approach is no longer enough. From now on, you and your Float-Float Fruit team will begin in the East Blue and bring every island here, one after another!
"We'll establish our own foundation there and leave our enemies with nothing they can use against us."
Shiki's breathing immediately grew heavy, his broad chest rising and falling.
Even Kogarashi at his waist seemed to sense its master's fighting spirit, humming eagerly as though crying out for battle.
Shiki threw back his head and laughed.
"Jihahahaha! Now that's more like it! I've wanted to do this from the beginning!
"I've been holding myself back for far too long. Now I can finally cut loose and go all out!"
...
Ron's next words made everyone present draw a sharp breath.
His finger slowly swept across the entire world map, and wherever it passed, the air seemed to grow heavier.
"Not just the East Blue. After that, we move on to the South Blue, West Blue, and North Blue. Every island in every sea will be brought here.
"We will take control of every corner of this ocean and leave our enemies nowhere to hide."
Whitebeard's enormous hand trembled faintly.
It was only a slight movement, yet it carried tremendous weight.
The heavy barrel slipped from his grip and struck the solid deck with a deep thud.
Golden liquor seeped through the cracks in the wood, flowing across the planks like a glittering stream beneath the sunlight.
Whitebeard slowly rose to his feet.
His towering body, nearly seven meters tall, loomed like a mountain and cast a vast shadow across the deck. Even the surrounding air seemed to grow heavier beneath his presence.
Without a word, his hand tightened around Murakumogiri until the patterns carved into its shaft pressed deeply into his palm.
"Gurararara…"
For the first time, his laughter carried a deep and solemn weight, echoing across the sea like a voice rising from the depths of history.
His hawk-like gaze locked firmly onto Ron.
"Brat, do you understand what that means?"
His voice was low and thunderous, every word striking like a hammer.
"You're talking about turning the entire world upside down. The Four Blues are filled with countless kingdoms, each with its own civilization and order.
"Their cities, their ancient ruins, and their histories have been built over generations.
"And now you intend to tear apart that peace and redraw the map of the entire world!"
Kaido's dragon eyes contracted sharply.
The blue scales covering his body rose slightly under the shock, while the drinking gourd in his grip creaked and threatened to shatter.
His thick tail began striking the deck without his realizing it, each impact making the entire ship tremble.
"Wororororo…"
His laughter had become low and dangerous.
"You're declaring war on the whole damn world!"
His razor-sharp claws swept out and tore apart the railing beside him, sending splinters flying.
"The Marines, the World Government, every kingdom… even the territories we spent our lives building!
"Have you lost your mind?! Do you seriously think you can take on the entire world by yourself?"
A wild intensity filled his stare as he glared at Ron.
The cake in Big Mom's hand dropped onto her skirt with a wet splat, smearing cream across her luxurious dress, but she did not notice.
Her eyes had gone wide, while Zeus and Prometheus shrank together in fear.
"Mamamama…"
For the first time, her voice lacked its usual madness and instead trembled with disbelief.
"You're planning to move my Totto Land too?"
She slammed both hands onto the table and surged to her feet, shattering it beneath her.
"Totto Land is the kingdom I spent my entire life building!"
The three figures stood like towering mountains.
Terrifying Haki erupted from all of them at once, surging outward like a physical tidal wave.
The enormous Pluton trembled violently beneath the impact, its hull groaning as though the combined pressure might tear it apart.
Strange powers intertwined and collided through the air.
The unique vibrations of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit spread outward in rippling waves filled with world-shattering force.
The natural authority of the Azure Dragon pressed down upon everyone like an invisible mountain.
Meanwhile, the chilling presence of the Soul-Soul Fruit pierced straight into the bones, awakening instinctive fear.
A heavy silence settled over the deck.
After a long while, Whitebeard was the first to break it.
"If you empty the Four Blues, then what becomes of the order the World Government spent eight hundred years building?"
His gaze was deep and grim, as though he could already see the chaos that would follow.
Kaido spoke next, his voice cold and decisive.
"And every stronghold the Marines rely on—their fortresses and defensive lines—will collapse the moment your plan begins."
Excitement had already started replacing the shock in his eyes, as though he could hardly wait to witness it.
Big Mom's sharp voice followed.
"And the privileges of those pampered Celestial Dragons sitting above everyone else… They've enjoyed special treatment for centuries without ever giving anything back to the world."
Her face flushed with emotion as both hands curled into fists.
Then all three of them inhaled sharply at the same time.
Fine beads of sweat appeared across their foreheads, and disbelief filled their eyes.
They had suddenly understood.
Ron was not doing any of this merely to seize power or declare himself king.
He intended to completely rebuild a world that had already rotted to its core.
The realization struck them like a bolt of lightning.
Then Shiki's crazed laughter rang out from the distance.
"Jihahahaha! Now that is worthy of being called the Eternal Divine Kingdom!
"Bring the whole damn world here!"
His laughter overflowed with wild ambition, as though the world were already within his grasp.
The rulers of the old era exchanged glances.
For once, none of them could find anything to say.
...