Dressrosa,
A massive Marine warship slowly approached the shore, its imposing presence casting a shadow over the bustling port. As it drew close, six figures clad in Marine cloaks leaped down onto the dock with precise, controlled movements.
The crowd froze.
Then, as recognition set in, shock rippled through the onlookers like a wave.
"That... that is Admiral Sakazuki!"
"And Admiral Borsalino, Admiral Kuzan... they are all Admirals!"
"Six Admirals at once? What is happening here?"
Murmurs turned into a frenzy of disbelief, but the spectacle was far from over.
Moments after the six Admirals landed, a group of guards arrived swiftly, forcing their way through the gathering crowd and clearing a path. They lined up in perfect formation, their posture rigid with respect.
Then, another figure appeared.
A man draped in a Marine cloak walked forward with calm, measured steps. Behind him followed the King of Dressrosa himself, Donquixote Doflamingo.
The crowd erupted.
"Admiral Black Dragon!"
"He is here too?! That makes seven Admirals!"
"Even the King is following him... just what is going on?!"
"I knew it, Admiral Black Dragon must have summoned them all!"
Voices overlapped in astonishment, yet none dared step too close.
Lloyd walked forward, his expression indifferent, his cloak swaying slightly with each step. His presence alone seemed to weigh heavily on the air, pressing down on everyone present.
One by one, the seven Admirals stood together.
Even Doflamingo, flamboyant in his pink feathered coat, appeared out of place among them. For once, even he could not hide the tension beneath his grin.
Sakazuki cast a glance at Doflamingo before turning to Lloyd.
"Lloyd, are you bringing him along?"
Lloyd gave a slight nod.
"Doflamingo's situation is complicated. We will discuss it once we are aboard."
Sakazuki did not press further.
Borsalino scratched his head lazily, a faint smirk on his lips.
"Oh, how troublesome. With Doflamingo here, I suppose I will not have to steer the ship, right?"
Lloyd paused briefly, then looked at him.
"You did not bring a helmsman from Marine Headquarters?"
Lucia stepped forward calmly.
"Young Master, you specifically instructed that only the seven of us would go. You also said not to mobilize any troops, so no additional personnel were assigned."
Lloyd fell silent for a moment, then exhaled lightly.
"So Borsalino is steering."
Sakazuki crossed his arms.
"He is capable. His speed alone is enough to compensate for multiple men."
Borsalino shot him a mildly annoyed look but said nothing.
Nearby, Kuzan clenched his fists, a rare spark of excitement in his usually lazy demeanor.
"Lloyd Senpai, it has been a while. I am looking forward to fighting alongside you again."
Aramaki rolled his eyes.
"You are getting worked up already. Typical."
Lloyd ignored them, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touching his lips.
"Enough. We are leaving."
His gaze shifted to Doflamingo.
"You know the way to Onigashima."
Doflamingo nodded immediately, his usual arrogance subdued in Lloyd's presence.
Without another word, Lloyd's figure blurred, and he appeared aboard the warship in an instant.
The others followed just as swiftly.
Once on deck, Doflamingo crouched and placed his hand against the surface. His ability activated seamlessly.
The warship trembled.
Then, under the stunned gazes of everyone at the port, the massive vessel began to rise into the sky, ascending higher and higher until it vanished into the clouds.
The crowd stared upward, their voices hushed with unease.
"Something big is about to happen..."
...
Onigashima,
A white-haired woman gripped a massive black kanabo, her stance firm as she faced Kaido.
"I do not care about anything else. If Admiral Black Dragon comes, you must let me fight him."
Kaido glanced at her, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"Oh? Standing with me for once, Yamato? How rare, my foolish daughter."
Yamato snorted, her expression cold.
"Do not misunderstand. Lloyd is my enemy. I will kill him myself."
King and the others exchanged glances, their expressions turning strange.
Kaido burst into laughter.
"Kill him? With you? You are as foolish as Kozuki Oden."
Yamato's grip tightened, anger flashing across her face.
"You are not allowed to insult him. He was a true man."
Kaido laughed even harder.
"The man you admire is long dead, reduced to nothing."
Yamato gritted her teeth but said no more.
Kaido turned his attention to Jack, who stood with his head lowered.
"After we crush Dressrosa, Doflamingo is yours."
Jack's eyes darkened with hatred as he nodded.
King spoke in a low, serious tone.
"Kaido, Lloyd is extremely dangerous. We should not underestimate him."
Kaido slowly rose to his full height, his presence overwhelming.
"There is nothing to fear. Do you think I am weaker than Roger?"
Before King could respond, Jack clenched his fists and shouted,
"Kaido is the strongest!"
The others quickly joined in, their voices echoing through the cavern.
Only Yamato stood apart, shouting stubbornly,
"Kozuki Oden is the strongest!"
Her voice was drowned out completely.
As the noise died down, Kaido picked up his kanabo, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"If Lloyd does not come, I will go to Marineford myself. I want to see if the man who killed Roger can kill me as well."
Yamato scoffed.
"If you want to die so badly, eat another Devil Fruit."
Kaido frowned, irritation rising, but before he could respond, a subordinate rushed in, panic evident on his face.
"Kaido! The Marines have arrived!"
The entire cave fell silent.
Kaido raised an eyebrow.
"So they came. Faster than expected. Is Lloyd leading them?"
The subordinate swallowed nervously.
"I... I cannot see clearly. There is only one warship, but..."
Kaido's impatience flared.
"But what?"
"It is flying... from the sky!"
King's eyes narrowed.
"From the sky... then Doflamingo is with them."
Before he could say more, a series of deafening explosions erupted outside, accompanied by screams.
Kaido's expression shifted instantly.
Without hesitation, he strode out, the others following closely behind.
Outside, the battlefield was already in chaos.
Crimson magma surged across the ground, swallowing everything in its path, while charred craters scarred the land.
The war had begun.