One Piece: Deriving All Things

The Marines' movements quickly triggered responses from all sides.

Everyone was somewhat shocked.

Speculation ran rampant about what had prompted the Marines to make such large-scale moves.

After all, while the World Government did have member nations in the New World,

most of the territory there was still occupied by pirates.

The Four Emperors—or rather, the Five Emperors now—held the most territory.

In other words, in the New World, the power of pirates far outweighed that of the Marines.

Even beyond the sea emperors,

the pirates who made it to the New World were not to be trifled with.

Each of them was strong, lawless, and had zero respect for the Marines or the World Government.

As such, the Marine presence in the New World had never been particularly strong.

There weren't many Marine bases either.

Even the Admirals—only one had ever been stationed there at a time.

But now, things were different.

Two Marine Admirals had arrived at the Marine base in the New World,

and Marine hero Garp had led a fleet there as well.

The mass mobilization of the Marines stunned many,

and no one knew exactly what was going on.

All of a sudden, it felt like a storm was brewing—

unease spread across the sea.

Before long, newspapers from the World Economic Journal and other presses,

delivered by News Coo birds, reached hands across the Grand Line.

[The Thunder God Pirates suspected of forming alliance with the Whitebeard Pirates and the Beasts Pirates!]

[Three Sea Emperors forming an alliance?! What fate awaits the seas?]

[Phoenix Marco and Wildfire King have arrived in Dressrosa—suspected to be allying with the Thunder God Pirates!]

[Pirates declare war on the Marines and the World Government?! Chaos looms over the Grand Line!]

[Massive Marine mobilization—believed to be aimed at stopping alliance between three emperors!]

Each headline was more shocking than the last.

Some reports were factual and objective.

Of course, others were alarmist and exaggerated.

Whether one believed the contents or not depended on the reader.

But regardless, the combination of the news and the Marines' movements caused an uproar across the sea.

The over-the-top headlines made people break into cold sweat.

"Hey, hey, did I read that right? Whitebeard and Kaido teaming up with Thunder God Sanders?"

"Weren't those three just fighting not long ago?"

"Didn't Kaido and Whitebeard go all-out in a territorial war?"

"Who knows what's really going on—probably just another tabloid blowing things out of proportion.

These people will say anything for sales; someone ought to teach them a lesson."

Some people, naturally, didn't believe the exaggerated claims.

"You've gotta be kidding. No way they'd form an alliance!

Sanders just beat Whitebeard and ruined his prestige, and Whitebeard and Kaido just fought over territory.

No way they'd team up."

"Then what were Marco and King doing in Dressrosa?"

"Didn't the papers say Marco was giving territory to Sanders?

As for King—who knows, maybe he wants to team up with Sanders to go after Whitebeard?"

"If these three pirate crews really did ally, they could sweep the New World.

Even Shanks and Big Mom wouldn't stand a chance.

And with the Admirals and Hero Garp heading to the New World,

Looks like the seas are about to plunge into chaos again."

"Ever since Sanders broke out of prison, the world hasn't had a moment of peace…"

Ordinary citizens were deeply worried about the storm that might be brewing.

But for pirates—symbols of chaos and darkness—the news brought nothing but delight.

"Boys, set sail! Head for the New World immediately! How could we miss out on a war like this?!"

"Hahaha! A war of the century! It's time we taught the Marines and the World Government a lesson! Get to the New World!"

"Charge into the New World! Defeat those so-called Sea Emperors! This is our time to make a name for ourselves!"

Countless pirates who thrived on chaos began flooding toward the New World.

Some were warmongers eager to join the three great pirate crews in waging war against the Marines and the World Government.

Others were ambitious challengers, unwilling to let Sanders and the others monopolize the title of Sea Emperor.

They wanted to take them down and claim that glory for themselves.

The entire sea seemed to erupt in turmoil as news of Marco and King's arrival in Dressrosa spread—

especially when coupled with the Marines' recent large-scale actions.

At the same time, in a mysterious sea region...

A twin-masted sailing ship glided across the waters.

Above, the sky was shrouded in dark clouds,

thunder rumbled ominously,

and heavy raindrops began to fall from the gloom.

Strong winds battered the ship, rocking it back and forth violently.

And at the ship's bow...

Stood one of the Five Emperors—Red-Haired Shanks.

No matter how the ship swayed,his sandal-clad feet stood rooted like the base of a tree, unmoved.

His bright red hair fluttered wildly in the wind, and a long black cape billowed behind him.

Footsteps approached from behind, light but steady.

Without turning around, Shanks asked softly:

"Beckman, something happen?"

Ben Beckman, first mate of the Red-Haired Pirates, came to stand beside Shanks.

A cigarette dangled from his lips as he handed Shanks a newspaper, leaning against the railing.

"Marco and King have gone to Dressrosa."

"Dressrosa?"

Shanks took the paper and murmured:

"That's Sanders' territory, isn't it?"

"What are they doing there?"

"And the Marines didn't stop them?"

Beckman exhaled a stream of smoke and said calmly:

"It is Thunder God Pirates' territory."

"The Marines tried to stop the two of them—but failed."

Shanks laughed lightly.

"Ha, makes sense. Unless it's an Admiral, trying to stop two guys who can fly is basically impossible."

He wasn't surprised the Marines failed to stop Marco and King.

Lowering his gaze to the newspaper in his hand,Shanks studied the headlines in silence for a long moment.

Finally, with a thoughtful expression and a hand on his chin, he muttered:

"Why would Marco hand territory over to Sanders?"

"What's Kaido up to now?"

"Could they really be planning an alliance?"

Among the former Four Emperors, Shanks was likely the one least inclined toward stirring up global conflict.

Maintaining the current balance of power was what he preferred most.

"What do you think?"

He turned to Beckman.

Shanks trusted his vice-captain's judgment deeply.

Beckman replied firmly:

"All three joining forces? Not gonna happen."

"I think so too," Shanks nodded.

"Old man Whitebeard doesn't seem like the type to stir up trouble on purpose."

"All he cares about is protecting his family."

"But still... why send Marco to give land to Sanders?"

"Was he intimidated into it?"

"Doesn't seem likely," Beckman replied coolly.

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T/N:

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