ONE PIECE: THE GREAT VOYAGE

The State of the New World After the War

The New World has always been a region where the World Government's influence is weak. For centuries, its control has been tenuous at best, dominated instead by the rule of strength. As long as Caesar's influence remains beyond their reach, the situation remains unchanged.

After all, from one perspective, the New World is a lawless domain—the most dangerous sea in the world. Whether it is the World Government or the Marines, they have no reason to act recklessly just to settle a score with Caesar.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at Marine Headquarters was oppressive. A heavy gloom hung over the entire base, and everyone carried themselves with caution.

The high-ranking officers all had dark expressions, their eyes downcast in frustration. Such an obvious mood shift was impossible to ignore.

The Marines, though filled with unwillingness, could only endure in silence. They avoided unnecessary conversations and diligently performed their duties, not daring to provoke their superiors. The entire headquarters seemed lifeless, burdened by defeat.

To handle the fallout, the Marines took a passive approach, attempting to downplay the war's impact as much as possible.

Despite the magnitude of the battle, Caesar's bounty—along with his forces—remained unchanged. Not a single berri was added.

In the current climate, with public sentiment beyond their control, suppressing discussion and avoiding escalation seemed the best course of action.

Reactions from the Pirate World

The pirate factions displayed starkly different reactions.

Those who remained outside the New World were both astonished by the war and gleeful at the World Government's humiliation.

"Hahaha! The Marines had all those forces, yet they still couldn't take down one pirate?"

"The legend is still a legend! Did you see the look on Sengoku's face? Hahaha, priceless!"

"To see the Marines suffer such a crushing loss… Caesar really is something else!"

On many pirate-occupied islands, this war became a favorite topic of discussion. Loud laughter filled taverns as they celebrated the embarrassment of the Navy.

To them, the Navy's failure was proof of its incompetence, while Caesar had become a symbol of defiance. Many even sought to emulate him.

But those imitators were quickly silenced.

Without Caesar's strength, who would dare challenge the Navy so brazenly?

Unlike their inability to deal with Caesar directly, the Marines had no reservations about executing these reckless imitators on sight.

When this reaction played out at sea, it became clear that the Marine Headquarters had adopted a cold, calculated stance: they couldn't touch Caesar, but they would swiftly eliminate weaker troublemakers.

The New World's Uncertainty

However, within the New World, the reactions were different.

The same shock gripped many, but seasoned pirates felt an underlying concern.

The Navy and pirates are natural enemies, yet Caesar—once a pirate—had established a powerful force, the Central Navy, right in the New World.

Would they still be safe if they crossed paths in the future?

The World Government's inability to control the New World stemmed from its forces being spread across Paradise and the Four Seas.

But Caesar's Central Navy was concentrated entirely within the New World.

Although the World Government still branded them as pirates, the results of the war spoke for themselves.

The Government could do nothing to Caesar.

And his military power would only continue to grow.

If he ever sought to expand further, would that mean the end of independent pirates in the New World?

Would the Central Navy construct large bases across the seas, hunting down those who were insignificant to Caesar's plans?

These were pressing concerns. The balance of power in the New World was shifting.

Here, only the strong could survive.

The Reaction of the Great Pirates

The most powerful pirate crews took a cautious stance.

After witnessing the outcome of the war, many of the top pirates decided to avoid Caesar's domain altogether.

With the exception of the Roger Pirates and Caesar's faction—now officially known as the Middle Kingdom—no other crew had the strength to challenge this emerging force.

No one wanted to provoke them.

At this moment, Caesar's influence in the New World was second to none.

A new belief took root:

A force stronger than the Rocks Pirates now exists.

Big Mom and the Golden Lion's Confusion

Even among the great pirates, some struggled to understand how things had reached this point.

Charlotte Linlin and Shiki, the Golden Lion, were both deeply unsettled.

They knew the Marines well.

The Admirals were no weaklings. So how had they failed so spectacularly?

Big Mom, in particular, found herself comparing her own power structure to Caesar's.

Like him, she had a nation-like territory.

Like him, she had considerable influence over the seas.

Yet somehow, Caesar's power continued to grow, leaving her further and further behind.

No matter how much she pondered, she couldn't figure out why.

Middle Kingdom's Triumph

But while the outside world reeled, the Middle Kingdom celebrated.

The Central Navy had cemented its foothold in a region where even the World Government struggled.

Now, their focus shifted to consolidation and gradual expansion.

After this battle, one thing became clear:

If the Central Navy set sail on a mission, few in the New World would dare oppose them.

In the coming months, pirates would instinctively avoid their fleets rather than challenge them.

Year 1497: The Tides of Change

With Admiral Issho (Fujitora) now leading the Central Navy, Caesar had turned his attention to nation-building—relocating islands and rescuing civilians to strengthen the Middle Kingdom's population.

As time passed, the year 1497 in the Sea Calendar arrived.

It was a year of tremendous change.

The Marine Admirals' roster had dwindled. Only Sengoku remained in active service.

Under mounting pressure from the New World's Central Navy, Garp was once again nominated for promotion to Admiral.

As expected, he refused.

The World Government was visibly frustrated.

Garp had declined multiple times, and they were running out of patience.

Ordinarily, promotions were highly sought after.

Yet Garp, despite his qualifications, repeatedly rejected the offer.

At Marine Headquarters, opinions were divided.

Many believed Garp deserved the rank of Admiral but couldn't understand his reluctance.

However, those familiar with him found it unsurprising.

The Reasons Behind Garp's Decision

Garp had two reasons for his refusal:

1. His Disdain for the Celestial Dragons – Admirals were directly subordinate to the Celestial Dragons. Garp, who had openly expressed his contempt for them, wanted no part in that system. This was evident in the Sabaody Archipelago incident, where the Celestial Dragon's orders summoned an Admiral to crush the Straw Hat Pirates. Garp detested such subservience.

2. His Love for Freedom – Becoming an Admiral meant stricter regulations and less freedom. Garp, much like Monkey D. Luffy, valued his autonomy. Admirals were required to be stationed at key locations, ready to act at a moment's notice. Garp preferred his current status—free to act as he wished.

Thus, he remained a Vice Admiral, as he had for decades.

The Central Navy's Advances

Meanwhile, the Central Navy was thriving.

The seas surrounding their territory had been purged of pirates, thanks to repeated missions and strict control.

Caesar followed a patient strategy:

"Build high walls, store grain, and rule slowly."

For now, an unspoken truce remained with the World Government.

But in truth, this was just a gradual conquest—a slow, inevitable takeover of the New World.

The Next Crisis: Roger vs. Shiki

Far away, on the open sea, an urgent transmission came through to Caesar.

"Captain Caesar! Our naval scouts just reported something major about Roger!"

Caesar's eyes sharpened.

"Speak."

"Our warships encountered something unusual during patrol…"

"We spotted the Roger Pirates."

"And the Golden Lion's fleet—nearly a hundred ships—has completely surrounded them."

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