"One day, when every island in the Four Blues has gathered here, I'll use them to construct a perfect formation called the Heavenly Vault Array.
"When that day comes, the Divine Kingdom we protect will become a city that can never fall. No matter what storms rage outside, no one will ever shake it."
Every gaze settled on him.
Surprise, uncertainty, and a faint trace of awe filled their eyes as they watched his almost feverish expression.
This was an obsession carved into his very bones, as though the entire world had ceased to exist beyond this single goal.
Only then did everyone fully understand.
This seemingly absurd and nearly insane plan was not some impulsive idea Shiki had developed overnight.
It was the dream he had waited his entire life to realize.
A faint smile touched Ron's lips as he shook his head, both understanding and resignation in his expression.
"Then begin, Shiki. Since this is the dream you've always wanted, let's make it real."
His calm, steady words echoed through the silence with an almost magical weight.
Shiki's entire body jolted.
Brilliant light immediately blazed in his eyes, filled with the excitement of finally watching his dream become reality.
Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee, striking the ground hard enough to send up a small cloud of dust.
His voice trembled under the weight of his emotions, yet carried absolute conviction.
"As the Divine Oracle commands! I'm going to bring the East Blue here right now!"
The vow rang in everyone's ears like a great bell.
Before the final echo had faded, dazzling golden light erupted around Shiki and rapidly intensified until it swallowed him completely.
A golden streak then tore through the air like lightning and raced into the distance.
He moved so quickly that no one had time to react, leaving only a fading trail of gold behind him.
Whitebeard watched the disappearing figure with a complicated expression.
After a long silence, he released a deep sigh.
"Gurararara… That old madman has finally found where he belongs."
His words carried both admiration for Shiki's determination and a touch of quiet emotion.
...
The following day, out on the open sea, Pluton stood proudly upon the waves like a colossal black mountain.
Ron stood alone at the highest observation deck.
The fierce sea wind pulled wildly at his clothes, yet his steady figure remained as immovable as stone.
He slowly raised one hand and touched the mysterious blood-red mark upon his chest, his fingers carrying an almost imperceptible trace of gravity and resolve.
The mark seemed to possess a life of its own.
It writhed slowly against his skin, every line whispering some unknown secret.
The instant his fingertips made contact, the mark erupted with an eerie crimson glow.
The light flickered like flames rising from the depths of hell, bathing the surrounding air in a blood-red haze.
...
"Redfield."
Ron lifted his head slightly, his gaze piercing the layers of cloud as he looked toward the distant horizon.
Through the strangely glowing blood-red mark, his voice became an invisible pulse that crossed the vast distance like a message traveling through space itself.
"The East Blue needs you. Shiki is already carrying out his grand—and extremely dangerous—plan to relocate its islands.
"But that sea has always hidden more than it appears. There may be powerful recluses living there whose existence remains unknown to the rest of the world."
Ron paused, caution and concern entering his eyes.
"To ensure nothing goes wrong, I need Red the Aloof himself overseeing the operation."
...
Deep within the New World stood an ancient castle bathed in blood-red moonlight.
It rose from the barren landscape like a ghost born from the darkness, surrounded by a mysterious and oppressive silence.
Inside, the Red Count, Patrick Redfield, sat elegantly before a warm fireplace.
Firelight played across his cold, handsome features, creating an image that was both captivating and deeply unsettling.
He held an exquisite crystal glass in one hand, the red wine inside swirling like fresh blood and releasing a rich fragrance.
Suddenly, the blood-red mark on his chest grew warm.
A strange power spread from it through his entire body, and Ron's calm, unwavering voice sounded directly inside his mind like a summons from another world.
"Oh?"
Redfield's dark crimson pupils contracted slightly, resembling twin flames flickering in his eyes.
The corner of his mouth slowly curved into a knowing smile.
"So they've finally reached the East Blue…"
The cursed blade Grimm, resting on a nearby sword rack, seemed to sense the change in its master's mood and began humming eagerly.
Blood-red patterns pulsed rhythmically along the blade like a network of veins, echoing Redfield's excitement.
He reached out and gently ran his fingers across the sword.
"Are you growing impatient too, old friend?"
Redfield slowly rose, revealing his tall, slender figure.
The dark-red cloak around his shoulders began fluttering despite the absence of wind, twisting around him as though it possessed a life of its own.
He drained the remaining wine in one smooth motion before placing the crystal glass lightly onto the table.
Its clear ring echoed through the silent castle.
"Hidden masters…"
A trace of anticipation flashed through his eerie eyes, and an excited smile touched his lips.
"Let's hope the East Blue has someone interesting enough to entertain me."
Before the last word had completely left his mouth, his body transformed into a brilliant blood-red streak.
It shot straight through the castle's crystalline window and vanished into the endless night, leaving behind only the gently trembling flames in the fireplace and the crystal glass that still held the warmth of his hand.
...
Across the New World, a crimson trail tore through the sky like the whip of a death god emerging from the deepest reaches of hell.
It moved at a speed far beyond ordinary understanding.
Even the soft, snow-white clouds along its path were stained a faint scarlet, as though soaked in the glow of sunset.
The strange phenomenon naturally drew the attention of several powerful figures with exceptional senses.
They raised their heads and tried to follow the mysterious light, but everything happened too quickly.
All they managed to catch was a fleeting red shadow that disappeared before they could understand what they had seen.
On a distant, isolated island, Dracule Mihawk stood silently beneath the sky.
His hawk-like eyes narrowed, and his right hand instinctively settled against the black blade trembling faintly at his side.
Yoru seemed to have sensed the passing presence as well, releasing a low, quiet hum.
"That direction is…"
Gravity and confusion entered Mihawk's gaze as he considered what secret might lie behind the sudden disturbance.
After a moment, he added softly,
"Even he has decided to make a move…"
His voice carried caution toward the unknown, but also a faint excitement that he could not entirely conceal.