Above the azure sky, within a fairyland shrouded in drifting clouds, a massive ship tore through the tranquil mist, sweeping forward amid howling winds.
"Wooohoo~ We're taking off~!"
Standing at the prow of the Going Merry, Monkey D. Luffy spread his arms wide, gazing down at the unobstructed scenery below. A long-absent, carefree grin bloomed across his face.
Behind him, the members of the Straw Hat Pirates were scattered across the deck, each occupied with their own business.
Though they were racing through the sky at high speed, with Little Merry's precise control, the ship moved as steadily as if gliding across flat ground—more stable, even, than sailing the open sea.
In a corner, Usopp and several of the men huddled together mysteriously, apparently preparing special props and outfits for the festival. Laughter burst out from time to time.
Even the ever-steady old Jinbe had been dragged into it and reluctantly changed into a flashy Hawaiian shirt.
On the second level of the deck, within Nami's exclusive orange grove, Nico Robin, Nami, and Uta reclined comfortably on lounge chairs, savoring rare leisure time.
Sanji, hearts practically shining pink in his eyes, stood nearby like a devoted attendant, a towel draped over one arm as he served the three ladies.
As for his eternal rival Roronoa Zoro, he sat cross-legged quietly in a corner. Before him rested three elegant sword racks holding his prized blades. With professional tools, he carefully maintained each one.
"Looks like everyone's been suppressing themselves for quite a while…"
Red observed the crew's state and let out a quiet sigh in his heart.
It was true.
Ever since they defeated the Big Mom Pirates and seized control of Totto Land's former territory, they hadn't had a single moment of rest.
After battling an Emperor of the Sea, before they could even familiarize themselves with their new domain, they were thrown straight into war against the World Government and the Marines' joint forces.
Once the World Government was dealt with, everyone became busy again—some starting companies, others diving into research…
Even Luffy and Zoro had practically locked themselves inside the Room of Spirit and Time, undergoing training that stretched to three times the normal duration.
To the outside world, only two or three months had passed.
But for them, it had been nearly a full year without contact with the outside.
"I overlooked that…"
Red shook his head slightly.
With Luffy's resolve and clarity of purpose, a year of harsh training was nothing.
But…
There was no need for it anymore!!!
With strength that could crush any obstacle head-on, why bother sneaking around?
The upper ranks of the Marines were already his people.
The World Government, after two devastating wars, had grown cautious and now shifted its focus toward the Revolutionary Army, who stirred trouble across the globe.
In the underworld, with Stussy and the Akatsuki, no intelligence could escape their eyes and ears.
Aside from natural disasters, the world was practically theirs to roam freely.
"For a while, nothing major should happen."
"Perfect."
"Then let's use this time to truly experience the wonders of the New World!"
Because they had raided Holy Land · Mary Geoise at the very beginning and landed on the government's kill list, even Red had nearly forgotten—
The reason they set sail in the first place was adventure!
Now that everything had settled, let this pirate festival—organized by a former member of the Pirate King's crew—be the official first step of their true journey through the New World!
Red took a sip of orange juice. A long-lost smile tugged at his lips.
It wasn't just Luffy and the others who had felt suppressed.
Red himself—who had inexplicably become the Straw Hats' "big dad" and led them to such heights in such a short time—had been carrying pressure all along.
...
...
"Captain Cavendish, we've arrived!"
An elegant pirate ship with a white horse-shaped figurehead slowly docked along the shore.
Suleiman, vice-captain of the Beautiful Pirates, promptly knocked on the captain's cabin door to report to Cavendish, who was inside adjusting his attire.
"Ah, I heard~"
Cavendish waved casually, admiring his handsome reflection in the mirror.
But the next second, after straightening his collar, he curled his lips into a sharp grin and burst into laughter.
"The legendary treasure of the Pirate King!?"
"Whether it's true or false doesn't matter but if I seize it from among countless pirates, I'll dominate tomorrow's headlines!"
"My name, Cavendish, shall once again resound across the seas!"
Swish!
His sharp rapier flashed, slicing a newspaper on the desk cleanly in half.
A newspaper that didn't mention his name had no reason to exist!!!
"Let's go! I want to see what kind of rabble showed up today!"
Bang!
He threw open the cabin door and strode onto the deck.
Immediately, cries of astonishment erupted from nearby pirate ships.
"W-Whoa! Isn't that the Pirate Prince, Cavendish, with a bounty of 330 million Beli?! He's here too?!"
"Well, if we can come, of course he can!"
"Handsome or not, he's still a pirate!"
"Damn it! Doesn't that lower our chances of winning the treasure?!"
...
...
"What a delightful atmosphere!!!"
Hearing the praise around him, Cavendish wore a faintly smug smile.
In that moment, he felt as if he stood within a blooming garden, butterflies dancing around him, carrying flowers and admiration.
But then—
"Hey, hey! What's that?!"
Rumble!
A sudden tremor shook the waters.
A massive ship crashed straight into the gathering of smaller vessels, plowing forward recklessly. The waves it generated flipped several pirate ships outright.
"T-That's!!!"
A pirate nearby raised his arm in horror.
"That's the flag of the New Giant Warrior Pirates!!!"
"What!? The giant mercenaries who suddenly became pirates?!"
"Yes! It's them!"
"Move! They're going to ram us!"
"Wait! Look—there are more ships appearing!"
"That's the Yonta Maria Grand Fleet!"
"They're here too?! How many ships is that?!"
"Not just them! Over there! The Happo Navy from Kano Country!"
"The Ideo Pirates… the Phoenix Pirates… the Caribou Pirates…"
"So this is a pirate festival!? The strong are everywhere!!!"
As renowned names emerged one after another, the pirates descended into a frenzy.
This—this was how a pirate celebration should be!
A true carnival for pirates!
However—
Just as the cheers rose to a peak, a shadow suddenly roared across the sky above them.
Whoosh!
A fierce gust swept down, snapping open every sail below and jolting ships violently.
"Ahh—!"
Many pirates lost their footing and fell.
But more were captivated by the dark silhouette flying overhead.
"I… I'm not seeing things, am I?!"
On the Caribou Pirates' ship, a long-faced man rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
He frantically pulled out a stack of Bounty Posters and flipped through them.
Soon, his gaze froze on the strangest one of all.
It wasn't a bounty on a person.
It was on a ship.
Yes.
A pirate ship.
And its bounty reached a staggering 1.3 billion Beli.
"No mistake… that's the ship of the Four Emperors—the Straw Hat Pirates!!!"
Caribou lifted his head, greed flickering in his eyes.
"Didn't expect even a Yonko crew to show up…"
"With so many pirates gathered here… maybe…"
"Kehihihihi…"
...
...
"Wooohoo~ This is amazing!!!"
At Luffy's special seat at the bow of the Going Merry, he stood firmly, watching pirate ships and flags flash beneath them, excitement overflowing from his grin.
This feeling—
It was incredible!
"Hey, Red! That's the festival venue over there, right?!"
Usopp, now dressed in a colorful celebration outfit, pointed into the distance.
"Yep. The opening ceremony should be held there."
"But there's still plenty of time before it starts. Let's head to the market stalls first—see if there's anything fun."
"Treasure hunting!? I'm going! I'm going!"
Tony Tony Chopper bounced excitedly, hooves gripping the railing as he leaned over.
"Merry, Nika, you two coming too?"
Seeing everyone's excitement, Red smiled sincerely and invited the crew's two special members.
With higher levels, ghost-form Merry could now leave the ship freely—within a certain range, of course.
As long as the Going Merry stayed within that range—hovering overhead if necessary—Merry could explore with them.
"Yay~ Yay~"
Little Merry and Little Nika flew over joyfully.
Perhaps because they were both ghost-like entities, the two had grown especially close.
"Well then…"
Red spread one arm with a smile.
"A rare day to relax—so let's enjoy it to the fullest!!!"
"Yeah!!!"
The Straw Hats responded in unison.
Even Zoro, who cared little for festivals, found himself anticipating the fine liquor that might be sold at the market.
...
...
Meanwhile.
Inside a concealed tower behind the festival grounds.
A soldier wearing a beret burst into a surveillance room overlooking the island.
"T-This is bad, Boss Festa!"
"A… a Yonko has arrived on the island!!!"
"What!?!?"
A sharp scream echoed through the dim command room.
But contrary to the soldier's expectations, panic didn't appear on Festa's face.
Instead, he leapt onto the table and rushed to the one-way observation glass, raising a telescope.
Soon, he spotted the Going Merry—and the pirate flag fluttering from its mast.
"It's real! It's real!!!"
"My festival actually attracted a Yonko crew!!!"
"Hahahahaha—!"
"My plan… is going to succeed!!!"
His hoarse laughter echoed through the tower.
A pirate carnival?
That was merely bait to lure these fools together.
Damn Roger, for starting this era of pirates!
Dreams? Freedom?
All lies!!!
In this world—
Only war is real!!!
"I will surpass you, Roger!"
"And then…"
"I will create an era filled with war!!!"
"Yehehehehe…"
Festa—a pirate from Roger's era.
Back then, he had shone briefly.
But in that age of legends, he was nothing more than a battered failure.
The world had long believed him dead.
Yet now, he had returned—
To bring something new to the world.
War.
Not skirmishes between dozens of pirates.
But conflicts engulfing nations—plunging the world into chaos and bloodshed.
"The era of pirates is over!!!"
Suppressing his racing heartbeat, Festa began plotting madly—
How to turn even a Yonko into one of his pawns.
(End of Chapter)