The Sabaody Archipelago was in total chaos. Being the closest point to both the World Government and Marine Headquarters, and with only two escape routes from Mary Geoise — one leading here, the other straight to Marineford — it didn't take a genius to guess where nearly a thousand freed slaves would run.
The Marines could have pursued them and brought them all back — had they not fallen right into Dragon's diversion trap.
Most of their strongest forces were drawn away to Karakuri Island and hadn't returned yet.
With what little strength remained, Kong dared not order a pursuit; what if another crisis erupted and left him defenseless?
But now the situation had shifted completely. The main culprit wasn't the Revolutionary Army at all — it was Grimm, the man who had vanished for three months.
A terrifying thought began to form in Kong's mind… one he was almost afraid to acknowledge.
---
Near a bar in Area 13 of the archipelago stood a woman in her thirties, with short neat black hair and a slender figure. She exhaled cigarette smoke as she watched the disorderly streets.
"I never imagined the World Nobles held so many slaves captive."
Her name was Shakky. Formerly a pirate, she had once been hunted by Garp before retiring.
Now she lived quietly in Sabaody, running Shakky's Rip‑Off Bar — a place that looked like a tavern, but was really a front for her information business.
"Yo — brought three young ladies along, have you?"
Rayleigh sat on an overturned barrel nearby, watching Hancock and her sisters sip drinks. "Guess who asked me to bring them here?"
Shakky glanced sideways at him and set down her cigarette. "Hmm… let me guess. Was it Grimm?"
Rayleigh's eyes widened in shock, as if he'd seen a ghost. He knew Shakky was sharp and often made brilliant deductions — but those were usually based on existing intelligence. There was no way she could've known about this.
"I take it I guessed right," Shakky grinned mischievously. "Fine then — no going out for you for a whole month as punishment."
Rayleigh slumped like a deflated balloon. "Alright — tell me how you figured it out."
"Simple," she replied. "One of those girls just called out 'Lord Grimm!' loud and clear."
Rayleigh face‑palmed. He'd been lost in thought and hadn't even noticed. I really did this to myself…
Just then, the three sisters stood up, looking anxious. Shakky tilted her head. "Hey girls — care to come inside and have a proper drink?"
They looked surprised at her friendliness. Mary tugged at her older sister's sleeve. "Nee‑san… I'm thirsty."
"But… we have no money," Hancock said quietly.
"No worries at all," Shakky smiled warmly. "I run a tab for children — you can pay me back later."
Hancock wondered why this stranger was being so kind, but she was desperate for water. After a while, she spoke up again.
"You… you are the Dark King Silvers Rayleigh, aren't you?"
Rayleigh coughed awkwardly. "Ahem… nowadays I'm just a ship‑coating craftsman. Please — just call me Master Rayleigh. Let's leave that old title in the past, eh?"
"Then… Master Rayleigh… will Lord Grimm be alright?" Her voice was full of genuine worry.
"Lord Grimm?" Shakky repeated. She knew that title was reserved only for his most trusted inner circle. Others simply called him Lord Grimm or The Pontiff.
"He's far stronger than I am now — nothing's going to happen to him," Rayleigh sighed. "Rarely comes out of hiding… and the first thing he does is stir up this much trouble."
"That's just how life goes, old friend."
A familiar voice drew all their eyes. Grimm was walking slowly toward them from the steps below.
"Lord Grimm!" Hancock cried out joyfully. Sonia and Mary looked on with awe and reverence.
"Looks like you've added three more lovely ladies to your crew, eh?" Rayleigh teased.
Grimm didn't bother with small talk. "Rayleigh, I'll be off now. Won't intrude on your quiet retirement any longer."
With that, he signaled the sisters and they left together.
---
How exactly did the era of the Four Emperors come to be?
Just like right now — four powerful pirate lords had carved out vast territories and islands in the New World, ruling like kings over the sea.
But why didn't such a system exist back in the days of Roger, Shiki, or Whitebeard?
Having lived in this world for over a decade, Grimm was finally beginning to understand why.
Back then, those three great pirates simply refused to bow to anyone, and each was determined to crush the other.
In his prime, Whitebeard was not the benevolent "Old Man" everyone knew later on.
Dig deeper into Edward Newgate's history, and you'd find he only formed the Whitebeard Pirates well into his middle age.
Unlike Roger or Luffy, who set sail and became captain immediately, Whitebeard had served on the ship of Rocks D. Xebec.
That was when he was at his most ambitious. It wasn't until later, when he began to value the idea of family, that he built his crew — recruiting former members of the Rocks Pirates, and later adopting men like Marco and Ace as his "sons."
In short: there were no "Three Emperors" in Roger's day because those men never settled down or held fixed territory. Wherever they met, they simply fought.
Whitebeard only became one of the "Four Emperors" in his later years — after he lost his drive for conquest and chose stability instead.
Now, the era had arrived early. Grimm himself, Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, and Kaido were already recognized as the Four Emperors.
Whether Shanks would sail into the New World later and turn it into the "Five Emperors"… remained to be seen.
But Grimm knew: if he wanted to stand firm here, one stronghold — his Sanctuary — was nowhere near enough. He had to expand his territory.
And his forces were still too few. Though he had many followers, outside the Sanctuary and its churches, they lacked real combat strength.
"Hancock!"
She was chatting with her sisters when she heard his call. She hurried over and stood respectfully before him. "Yes, Lord Grimm?"
"What is the nearest major island from here?"
She quickly checked her log pose and map. After a moment she replied, "There is a kingdom called Dressrosa nearby."
She leaned close and pointed it out on the chart.
"Good — that's where we're going."
Hancock hesitated, then gathered her courage. "Lord Grimm… what do you intend to do there?"
"Meet the other three Emperors."
"But… you have your Sanctuary. Why not return there instead?"
"The Sanctuary is too far away. Besides… I plan to expand my territory. I've taken quite a liking to Dressrosa. But most importantly… its location is perfect. Exactly what I need."
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