The waters surrounding the Wokaa Kingdom in the New World surged with tension as Kaido's booming proclamation echoed across the sea. The atmosphere, already thick with the threat of violence, became electric.
"Hey, did you hear that?" one pirate whispered to his crewmate. "What are these 'God's Knights'? Are they really that powerful?"
"So the Marines were just a distraction?" another added, looking toward the massive warships. "They didn't even plan to fight Kaido—they're just here to stall for time while someone else moves on Wano!"
While the common soldiers and lesser pirates were baffled by the mention of the God's Knights—figures mostly considered myths—the heavy hitters of the underworld knew better. Sir Crocodile, Dracule Mihawk, and Donquixote Doflamingo stood on their respective vessels, their expressions shifting as the gravity of the situation sank in.
"I see," muttered Morgans, the President of the World Economic Journal, his feathers rustling as he scribbled notes. "The God's Knights were sent to invade Wano while the Marines drew Kaido out. It's a clever play, but it looks like the plan has already crumbled. No wonder the Beasts Pirates' three All-Stars stayed behind." Morgans was usually the best-informed man in the world, but even his gaze turned solemn when discussing the secret elite of the World Government.
Nearby, Stussy had been staring intently at the young girls flanking Kaido—girls who shared her exact likeness. The mention of the God's Knights finally broke her trance. She turned her eyes toward Mihawk.
"Mihawk," Stussy said, her voice light but probing. "If my information is right, didn't you start hunting Marines because of those guys?"
The question hung in the air, bringing back memories of "Hawkeye" Mihawk's notorious past. Though now known as a former Warlord, he hadn't always been a pirate. Years ago, he had earned the nickname "Marine Hunter." Rumors suggested he had been provoked by a group within the World Government, and since the Marines served as the Government's public face, they became the primary targets of his legendary blade.
Mihawk gave Stussy a sharp, warning look that signaled he had no interest in discussing his history. He remained silent, causing Stussy to chuckle behind her hand.
"What terrifying eyes!" she teased.
Crocodile, leaning against the railing of his ship, looked over at Mihawk. "So, just how strong are these 'Knights'?"
"Not much," Mihawk replied simply.
It was a classic Mihawk answer—short and dismissive. However, coming from a man who stood on equal footing with the Yonko "Red-Haired" Shanks, his definition of "strong" was skewed.
Doflamingo broke into his signature, unsettling laugh. "Fufufufu! They're a very troublesome bunch, Crocodile, but that's about it."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Crocodile pressed, his brow furrowing.
"It means exactly what I said," Doflamingo continued, his grin widening. "Every individual handpicked for the God's Knights is a monster. They have access to everything—the rarest Devil Fruits, top-tier martial arts, and cutting-edge technology. But think about it: how could someone with true ambition and a king's will ever be content as a servant?"
Crocodile blew a cloud of cigar smoke, looking unimpressed. "Then they're nothing to worry about."
"Don't be a fool," Doflamingo countered. "When I say 'that's all,' I'm talking about monsters like Kaido, Big Mom, Whitebeard, or Roger. For people like you and me, 'Stinky Alligator,' they are still plenty dangerous. Don't forget, one of them was skilled enough to leave a permanent scar on Whitebeard himself."
Crocodile's eyes narrowed. Whitebeard was a legend he had once failed to surpass—the idea that a member of this group could wound the "Strongest Man in the World" changed things.
"More importantly," Doflamingo added, "they rarely leave Mary Geoise. And when they do, they never travel alone."
The realization hit the observers: while most Knights might only reach the level of a high-ranking commander or a Warlord, their true danger lay in their numbers and resources.
Mihawk looked at Doflamingo with a hint of curiosity. "You're being quite talkative today, Doflamingo."
"Fufufufu! I can't help it. My business currently relies on Kaido's success and our little cooperation, after all," Doflamingo replied.
In the past, the other underworld emperors might have ignored him, but Doflamingo's status had skyrocketed. He wasn't just a broker anymore; Kaido had entrusted him with the Wano Sea Stone trade. Standing as a partner to an alliance between two Emperors—Kaido and Charlotte Linlin—gave Doflamingo a level of influence he had never possessed before.
As the truth of the World Government's failed plot set in, the pressure shifted entirely onto the Marines. Fleet Admiral Akainu stood at the helm of the lead warship, his face a mask of simmering fury.
The Marines were in a desperate dilemma. If they retreated now, after Kaido had publicly exposed their "cowardly" plan, their reputation would be destroyed. The world's faith in Marine justice would vanish, and the sea would descend into total lawlessness. But if they attacked, could they truly hope to defeat two Yonko at once?
Former Fleet Admiral Sengoku walked up beside his successor. "The seat of Fleet Admiral isn't so comfortable when the world is watching, is it, Sakazuki?" Sengoku wanted to help, but he knew the burden of the final decision belonged to Akainu alone.
Akainu stared up at Kaido, who circled the sky like a god of destruction. He spoke in a low, gravelly tone. "Are you afraid?"
The question wasn't just for Sengoku, but for every Marine officer within earshot.
"Hmph. I still owe that dragon a debt for the beating he gave me last time," Admiral Kizaru said, stepping forward with his usual lazy drawl, though his eyes were sharp.
Garp, the Marine Hero, cracked his knuckles, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "I'll take Kaido. Sengoku, you handle Charlotte Linlin."
"No, Garp," Sengoku corrected, his own golden aura beginning to shimmer. "I'll join you against Kaido. We're his old rivals, after all. It's only fitting."
Kizaru shrugged, light beginning to gather in his fingertips. "Then I suppose the old man will have to deal with Big Mom."
"Hey, hey," another voice chimed in. "Since everyone has a dance partner, I'll just have to find someone random to crush."
Seeing his men ready to put their lives on the line, Akainu's resolve solidified. He would not let Marine justice be mocked.
"Then, as Fleet Admiral, I will uphold the justice of the Marines," Akainu growled. He thrust both fists toward the sky, his arms transforming into churning, molten slag.
"Meteor Volcano!!!"
Massive fists of lava erupted from his arms, screaming into the atmosphere like a rain of fire, signaling the official start of the greatest war the New World had ever seen.
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