Chapter 123: The Fall of the Holy Land

The massive incident that occurred that day spread across the globe in the blink of an eye.

"Extra! Extra—read all about it!!"

"No way...!! This can’t be real…!!"

From the East Blue, West Blue, South Blue, North Blue, and the Grand Line—news reached people regardless of their location. The world-shaking change was delivered to nearly everyone in a matter of moments.

The news, spread through newspapers and word of mouth, reported the results of the war—and the consequential upheaval that followed.

"Whitebeard's dead!! He died in the Summit War!!!"

"Marine Headquarters and the Seven Warlords... have collapsed!?"

"The victors… were the Beasts Pirates!!! The Big Mom Pirates!!! The Golden Lion Pirates!!! A pirate alliance of those three crews!?"

Those who received the news even a little late widened their eyes and were left speechless at the names of the victors.

The war that took place at Marineford between the Whitebeard Pirates and the combined forces of Marine HQ and the Seven Warlords had escalated into a chaotic battlefield with the entry of many factions.

First to join were the escaped convicts from Impel Down, led by the pirates "Buggy the Clown" and "Straw Hat Luffy."

Next came the alliance of victors—the Beasts Pirates and Big Mom Pirates, both Emperors of the Sea, and the Golden Lion Pirates, led by the legendary pirate "Golden Lion Shiki."

The Blackbeard Pirates entered mid-way, only to flee soon after.

By that point, both the Whitebeard Pirates and Marine HQ were virtually annihilated. As the survivors attempted a desperate retreat, the Red-Haired Pirates and the Revolutionary Army arrived.

In the end, the Red-Haired Pirates, the Revolutionary Army, and Buggy’s group of Impel Down convicts fought fiercely against the pirate alliance. But along with the retreating remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates and Marines, they too withdrew from the battlefield.

Thus the Summit War came to an end. The pirate alliance emerged victorious—but that was only the beginning.

News that made nations doubt their ears began to circulate—

"The World Government… has fallen!!!?"

"The Celestial Dragons were massacred… the Holy Land has fallen into pirate hands…!!"

—The World Government, fallen.

With influence spanning the four seas and the Grand Line, and over 170 member nations—

"What’s going to happen to the world now!?"

"If the Navy’s destroyed, there’s no one left to stop the pirates…!!"

"Confirm with the naval branch now!! What’s going to happen to our national defense!?"

The enormous organization founded by twenty kings around 800 years ago had finally come to the end of its long history.

It was the pirate alliance who accomplished this. According to the newspapers, they were a coalition of former members of the once-feared Rocks Pirates, who had once terrorized the seas of the world.

"R-Rocks, you say…!?"

"V-Village chief!! Who exactly is this ‘Rocks’...?"

A forbidden name, known only to those who heard of or directly experienced that era of dread.

Once information deemed dangerous by the World Government and kept under tight control—now, there was no one left to silence the voices or pens of the people.

Thus, the truth about the Rocks Pirates too would soon become common knowledge. But for now, all were consumed by shock and fear at what had just occurred.

Whitebeard had died, the World Government had fallen—though still a small ripple, this change had already begun to swell throughout the world.

"H-Hey, stop right there!! This is restricted military property!!"

"Bahaha… yeah, I know. This is a naval branch, right? I saw the news. HQ’s been destroyed—tough break, huh?"

"And now the World Government’s collapsed too... Poor guys. You've lost every last bit of backing you ever had!!"

The flag bearing the seagull—once a symbol of "justice"—was also a mark of order, declaring that no misdeeds would be tolerated wherever it flew.

"Whitebeard’s territory is finished!!! From today, this island belongs to ME!!!"

"That mark doesn’t mean a damn thing anymore!!!"

Even in the New World, the skull of Whitebeard, once a protector of many peace-loving islands, could no longer guarantee safety—

"The peaceful age of hiding and running from the Navy and the Government is OVER!!! From today, the seas of the world belong to pirates!!!"

"Whitebeard said it himself before he died!!! ‘One Piece’ is real!!! And with the Navy out of the way, no one’s left to stop us!!! We can search for it freely now!!!"

—The flags of order no longer held meaning.

With Whitebeard and the Navy defeated, and the World Government fallen, the world had been seeded with conflict. Those seeds soon began to sprout.

The seas, stripped of justice and order, grew wild—bringing fear and strife to the people, and slowly transforming the world into one ruled by violence.

—A week earlier, the day that cataclysmic event took place.

Atop the massive red wall dividing the world—the Red Line—there lay the Holy Land, where the "gods" of this world resided.

Since 800 years ago, laws dictated by these "gods" had ruled this world alongside the establishment of their massive organization—none were ever to defy the gods.

The gods controlled the world, using their power to intimidate, oppress, and torment those outside their sanctum. They lived in utter luxury—physically and emotionally unbound, enjoying absolute comfort.

The Holy Land, Mariejois, was home to the Celestial Dragons, the so-called gods of this world. Alongside them were government officials and guards who obeyed them and reaped the rewards—and slaves, stripped of all rights, subject to the Celestial Dragons’ whims and cruelty.

"—Well then, shall we begin?"

But—on the day of the gods’ sunset—the power structure reversed.

"Guards!! Guards!!"

"W-What are you doing, you fool!! Kill those filthy commoners at once!!"

"If something happens to us, who will answer for it, amas!? We don’t care what happens to you—just get us out of here, amas!!"

"B-But… Ugh!!"

"Hiii…!!?"

The Celestial Dragons didn’t understand.

Even when islands fell upon the Holy Land, when castles burned, when the city was engulfed in flames—

They remained oblivious. Until the very end, they never realized the danger they were in. They genuinely believed they would be spared. That was the way the world had always worked—the law of their universe.

And so, they trembled—most for the first time in their lives. Even the few who had once known fear trembled anew.

Not even the incident thirteen years ago had reached this level of devastation.

"Hey, over there!! It’s a Celestial Dragon!!"

"Gyaahahaha!! This is my first time seeing one!!"

"…!! Y-You mongrels!! Leave at once!! If you do, I might just forgive you!!"

They were finally learning what fear was.

"Don’t kill them. Our orders are to take them alive and gather them in the plaza."

"Yes sir!!"

"Gyaahaha!! Move it!! The show’s about to start!!"

"…!!"

Their authority meant nothing. Their guards were slain. They were tied up and dragged away.

The strong commoners—pirates—outmatched them in strength and speed. Not one managed to escape. One after another, they were taken.

Their destination: the plaza of Mariejois, where countless pirates trampled the sacred ground.

"Hey!! Where’s the guest of honor!?"

"This should be all of them, Lord Queen!!"

“Hurry it up, you dumbass!! The show’s gonna be late!! What about the slaves!?”

“They’re probably all accounted for over here too!!”

Gathered in the plaza weren’t just the Celestial Dragons. The slaves were also lined up, still bound in shackles.

Guards had been slaughtered, the town and castle engulfed in flames. Pirates responsible for the chaos reveled in their plunder, grabbing booze and treasure, repeatedly uttering the word “show.”

Neither the Celestial Dragons nor the slaves could shake the ominous feeling looming over them—and then, the initiator of this so-called show finally made their appearance, materializing as a strange sphere of light.

“—Sorry to keep you waiting. Ready to begin?”

“! Ah, of course we’re fully prepped, Nue-san!!”

“Okay. …So, any word on the one we’re looking for?”

“Ah~... no reports on that so far, looks like.”

“...I see. Well, they weren’t in the castle, and I doubt they’re in the town either.”

Cold sweat poured from the pores of both the Celestial Dragons and the slaves as they stared at the girl who had suddenly appeared, hovering mid-air with peculiar wings. No one could remain unaffected.

After all, if you didn’t know her, it would seem bizarre that those brawny pirates were obeying a small girl. But if you did know her, then not being terrified at the sight of her would be even stranger.

“Alright, looks like everything’s ready, so let’s switch gears... and start the show!!”

“OK!! All hands, standby!!”

“Activating the video Den-Den Mushi!!”

“Nue-san!! Here’s the front-facing feed!!”

“Okaaay~”

“We’re going live!! Live in 3 seconds!!”

With the girl’s command, the pirates sprang into action. As the show neared launch, they fell silent in unison. The man behind the video Den-Den Mushi gave a nod to a rotund man for confirmation and then signaled to the girl with his fingers.

He called out “3” aloud, then counted “2” and “1” silently—finally folding all fingers into a fist at “0,” and the video Den-Den Mushi and lights flared to life all at once.

“Helloooo everyone!! Goooood evening, Nue~n♡ — I’m the world’s number one idol!! Vice Governor of the Beasts Pirates and the ‘Phantom Beast’ Nue of the Four Emperors!! Today, I’ll be bringing you a super fun, exciting, cruel, and cute livestream!!!”

“UOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!”

“Goooood evening, Nue~n!!!”

“Kyaaah♡ Nue-samaaaaa!!!”

Once the show began, the girl twirled in front of the camera, threw a wink, and flashed a peace sign in a cute pose. Cheers erupted from the surrounding pirates.

If that were all, it would’ve looked like the start of a vibrant, cheerful show—nothing scary at all.

But the backdrop was a burning town. People bound in rope, trembling in fear. Corpses. Chunks of flesh. Severed parts. Blood.

And more than anything else, it was the girl’s identity—as the Vice Governor of the Beasts Pirates, the “Mystic Beast” Nue—that struck terror into everyone.

She was the elder sibling-figure to “Kaido of the Beasts,” one of the Four Emperors, a mysterious embodiment of terror who’d drenched the New World in blood time and time again. One of the ringleaders behind the pirates who brought down the World Government. Those unfamiliar feared her for her uncanny, unknowable presence—those familiar feared her even more. Knowing didn’t help. Even known, she remained unknowable. That’s who Nue was.

“And today’s a commemorative stream!! Did everyone catch the news? ...Well, maybe it hasn’t reached you yet? But the sharp ones might’ve figured it out… Today is—can you believe it!!—the glorious day we destroyed the World Government!!! We wiped out the Whitebeard Pirates and Marine Headquarters, and won the war~~~~!!! Yaaay!!!”

“UWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!”

“Though, yeah, some annoying folks showed up and things weren’t fully settled… but whatever! Today’s a victory celebration, and we’re streaming straight from the Holy Land of Mary Geoise!!! That’s right, the holy land you rarely get to see!!! That building in the back is Pangaea Castle, and this town is where the Celestial Dragons live!! …Well, it’s all kind of on fire, but don’t hold that against us, okay♡”

And as for the kind of “show” Nue did—those who knew her, knew: a brutal splatter show.

Her streams were infamous in the underworld. Many were cute and upbeat idol lives or talk shows. Fun, energetic, and full of entertainment. But sometimes, she’d host gruesome “cooking” shows that crossed every imaginable line.

These shows, depending on content, were streamed to the residents of the Beasts Pirates’ New World territory, underworld lords, brokers—people of the dark. Sometimes, they’d be surprise guerrilla broadcasts, forcibly streamed like acts of terror.

Many fans got hooked just by her idol streams. But those who dove deeper into her content—stumbling upon her “underground” shows—were either traumatized by the horror or drawn in even further by her dangerous allure. Either way, the show risked your sanity.

...In fact, even the “Celestial Dragons” had fans among them. The splatter shows were thrilling entertainment to them. A form of grotesque amusement.

“But don’t worry, we made sure to capture all the Celestial Dragons!!! And guess what—the guests of honor tonight are the gods of this world, the ones who live right here in the Holy Land!! The Celestial Dragons, and their slaves!!! We’ll be putting on the most amazing show ever, using these VIPs!!!”

“…!!”

But of course, even their enjoyment came with conditions—as long as they weren’t the ones being sacrificed.

Because they believed they could never be victims. That conviction was exactly why they never saw a reason to object.

They didn’t consider cruelty to others to be evil—because they didn’t view others as equals. They truly believed they were superior beings, and saw other humans as little more than beasts.

And so, only when they were forced onto the stage like livestock did they finally realize—it could happen to them too.

“Mmmmmmmmmmmm!!!”

“Whoa!! Hey, don’t start thrashing around!!”

“Uh-oh!! Looks like the Celestial Dragons are starting to panic!! Took them long enough to realize their situation, huh? —There we go.”

“!!!”

One by one, those who understood began to resist. Even bound in rope, they struggled desperately to survive. A biological instinct. Not something that could be easily suppressed.

—But they stopped.

“Ta-daaa!! It’s the surprise Nue-chan Show!! The Celestial Dragon’s legs have... completely va-ni-shed♡”

“~~~~~~~~gh!!!”

“Oopsie. No writhing now. Hurts, huh? But hey, it’s okay. You’re lucky. You’re not gonna be used in the show—so off you go backstage.”

“Got it.”

“Jaggigi!! Jaggigi!!”

“Juky~~!!”

“Hyachachachaaaa!!”

“Hey! You guys—this is a livestream, so you’ve gotta clean up quietly. No fighting over the scraps. I’ll make sure to give you the leftovers later, so behave, okay~? …Anyway, anyone who causes trouble or disrupts the stream will be forcibly removed, so stay quiet, ‘kay?”

“…………!!”

Off-camera—a Celestial Dragon who had lost their legs at Nue’s hands was carried away. As monstrous screeches and strange noises echoed outside the frame, Nue gave a gentle warning. Then, in front of the camera, a piece of paper was shown with a handwritten message:

“The staff enjoyed the leftovers after the show.”

Its meaning was crystal clear—both to regular viewers and to those seeing the show for the first time. The Celestial Dragons watching from the scene immediately ceased their resistance.

“Thanks for waiting~!! Now that our guests have calmed down, let’s kick off the show for real!! We’ll start with the slaves~~… Hmm, okay, let’s go with that girl over there!! Come on up!!!”

“...!”

The livestream resumed—not that it had ever technically stopped. Nue returned, casually browsing the slaves, and pointed to one particular girl, telling her to come forward.

One of the Beasts Pirates crew guarding the slaves gave the girl a push from behind. Unlike the Celestial Dragons, the slaves weren’t bound with ropes due to their shackles. Their mouths were also free.

Yet the girl made no attempt to cry out, nor did she struggle or resist.

“Okay, good evening. Thanks for coming forward so obediently♡ Mind telling us your name?”

“…Fran.”

“Fran-chan!! What a lovely name—makes me feel like we’re already friends!! By any chance, does it come with a ‘Doll’ at the end? Or maybe… ‘Scarlet’!!”

“…It does… not.”

“Aww, too bad♡ So you’re just plain little Fran-chan, the blonde girl with the same name as someone adorable I know—and you’re a slave, huh?”

“…Yes.”

The slave girl offered no resistance. Perhaps because Nue resembled someone familiar, she continued asking about the girl’s name with an air of playful madness, phrasing her questions in bizarre ways. Yet, Fran only nodded each time.

But it wouldn’t have made a difference who the girl was. That’s simply the nature of a slave.

After all, the slaves of the Celestial Dragons often have their minds broken beyond recognition.

It’s something akin to a survival instinct. They shatter their own sanity, numb themselves to pain and fear, or—as in Fran’s case—reactively obey every command in a desperate attempt at self-preservation.

They know from the start: resistance only leads to something far worse. And so, the slaves never fight back. Tragically, that decision has always been the correct one.

“I see. So you’ve probably been forced to do all sorts of things, haven’t you?”

“…Yes.”

“Yeah, I figured. Mind if I ask what kinds of things?”

“…That is…”

“Ah—sorry, sorry. No need to answer. I get the picture from your reaction. My bad for asking something so tactless, okay?”

“…!”

Slaves who’d tried to escape had been killed. Everyone knew that. So no one resisted. They just did as they were told.

The trauma of living as a slave doesn’t disappear easily. Full recovery is all but impossible.

“Okay then. Now it’s time for the Celestial Dragon. Alriight—the Celestial Dragon who owned this little Fran-chan, please step forward!”

“!!?”

While the slaves resigned themselves and waited quietly for Nue to continue, she turned to face the Celestial Dragons, demanding that the one who had owned the girl step forward.

Her words caused a stir among the Celestial Dragons—especially the one being called out.

“Huh? Not coming out? You know… if you don’t come out, I think you’re going to suffer something just awful later… Hmm… Oh well. If you won’t, I guess I’ll move on to someone el—”

“…!!”

“Oh, there you are. See? You can show up. Next time, try to be quicker, okay? Because next time, it’ll be a one-way trip out. Now then—untie him!”

“Yes, ma’am!!”

Frozen by fear at Nue’s command, the Celestial Dragon had initially refused to budge. But the primal terror evoked by her later words overwhelmed him. Instinct sounded every alarm in his brain, and he stepped forward at once, sweat pouring down like rain. A member of the Beasts Pirates untied the ropes restraining him, and the man was set free to walk on his own feet—toward Nue.

“And there we have it. A Celestial Dragon and his slave. The world’s most exalted being and the lowest creature with no rights whatsoever, standing face to face!! I mean, Fran-chan, even you must be feeling a little shaken up inside, huh?”

“…!”

“…………”

Fran and the man were made to face each other a few meters apart, with Nue standing beside them. It was still unclear what she intended. Neither of the two could make sense of it—they just listened.

But as Nue said, Fran’s heart was far from calm. Right in front of her stood a Celestial Dragon—the very same man who had tormented her day and night, year after year. Her heart screamed in terror. She fought desperately to suppress any outward reaction. That was a slave’s survival tactic—living through obedience, minimizing pain however possible.

“Scary, isn’t it? Of course it is. We’re talking about a Celestial Dragon. They’re like gods who rule the world, right? You can’t escape them. And even if you do, there’s nothing you can do. If you resist, they’ll send guards, Marines, and they’ll kill you. The whole world belongs to them, so no matter where you go, that fear follows.”

Yes. In her heart, the girl agreed. It was hopeless.

That’s why she never resisted. Because she couldn’t. Because she knew it was futile, and so she compromised. She stopped fighting and instinctively chose whatever path led to less pain.

“If you could change things, you would’ve already, right? …But hey, it’s not your fault. The problem is that they’ve got power. And you’re just too weak to do anything about it.”

Exactly. If she’d had the means, she would have acted long ago. But she didn’t. So she gave up.

This world is cruel, offering no salvation. The World Government that’s supposed to uphold justice, the Navy that claims to protect the people—they don’t lift a finger for the unfortunate and weak.

In this world, birth and power are everything. Where you’re born decides your worth.

She wasn’t a Celestial Dragon, a royal, or a noble. She didn’t come from a wealthy family. She wasn’t even a citizen of a World Government member nation. She was born and raised in a destitute, lawless town in a non-member country. Her parents and siblings were dead. There was no one left to save her.

If only she’d had power. Enough power to shake off all those shackles.

…But such power didn’t exist. Not really. Even if you had some, it would be crushed quickly. This world can’t be changed by force alone. Those born strong remain strong without effort. Everyone else has no choice but to kneel.

“Unfair, isn’t it? You’re struggling to survive, doing your best through all the pain, while your oppressor never lacked anything. No effort needed. They live in luxurious homes, eat all the delicious food they want, and drag home any lover they fancy. They don’t care about others—they just give orders to their underlings and get what they want. No effort, no action—just words that bend the whole world. …Having that from birth? That’s insane, right?”

Yes. Yes, it is. She had tried. Tried so hard to live.

Even though she was born with nothing, even without anyone to rely on, she used her wits, gained strength, and clawed her way through each day.

But this world mercilessly crushes people like that.

It’s despicable. Too much so.

Sure, there are others who steal and take. But at least they use strength they earned.

They bleed, sweat, take risks, face danger, all to survive.

When they steal, they do so at their own risk—hated by others, at risk of retaliation. To survive, they must hide or become stronger.

And even those who command others and live comfortably—they still had to struggle to get there. If they worked for it, earned their place, gained real strength… that’s something you can respect.

If that were the case, then maybe she could accept being oppressed. But—

“This world right now… is full of restriction and inequality.”

Yes. Inequality.

It’s impossible to accept. Why should someone lucky enough to be born into privilege get to live so easily, while everyone else must suffer? Aren’t we all sentient beings? Isn’t that obvious?

Compared to that, beasts—creatures lower than humans—still follow a truer logic. In many animal groups, the leader isn’t chosen by birth, but by strength. Sharper claws, stronger jaws, faster legs—the strongest leads. That applies even between species. Strength determines status.

Of course, some animals are born strong, and maybe that’s unfair too… but it’s still better than a world where the idle lucky ones rule everything.

If only things could be that way. If only the world could be like that.

So—

“I’ll make it equal.”

“…Huh?”

So that it can be.

The young girl looked down to confirm the sharpness of the fangs handed to her.

“Do you know what this is?”

“…That’s… a knife.”

“Correct. A knife. Just an ordinary one you can find anywhere… but sharp enough, nonetheless.”

She realized she had a weapon. Something given to her. Borrowed power. A gift from the heavens, even.

But that power could be honed. Learned. Trained. Wielded.

“There are no laws here. No bindings.”

“No… laws…?”

“You mustn’t hurt people. You mustn’t kill. All those rules—we’re outside all of them now. This is a lawless land. That twisted government that forced unfair laws on the world—we just smashed it to pieces.”

She was told what this place was. No chains. No punishment for killing or being killed. A land without laws.

“There’s only one rule—one that’s existed since the age of dinosaurs and prehistoric beasts… Survival of the fittest.”

She understood the law. The strong live. The weak die. The law of the wild.

“You can kill the man in front of you—or not. It’s up to you.”

She could do whatever she wanted. No one would stop her.

Only strength mattered now. Her choice. Her responsibility.

If the enemy was strong, if she chose survival by submission—that was fine too. A wise choice. No shame in that.

"But what’s standing before you now... is just a lump of meat—no claws, no fangs, not even the smarts to survive. And yet, full of greed, having gorged itself until it’s swollen with fat."

But what if the opponent is weak? Powerless, helpless?
You’re stronger. They’re weaker. And yet they’re enjoying more than you are. That’s not right. If you’re stronger, you should be the one who gets to enjoy more.
You can take it. With your claws and fangs. They don’t deserve it. It pisses you off. They're weak. Pathetically weak. And yet they trample over someone stronger.
Stab them. You can kill them.
There are no laws. The ones stronger than you permit it.
You can kill.

"This world now... is ruled by violence."

“...!! H-Hey, stop!! Please st—”

—Die.

“—That’s more like it♡”

The fangs sank easily into their prey.
The squeal of a pig—oblivious to its own place in the world—reached her ears.
But fat alone doesn't kill with one stab. Even with fangs, she was still lacking in strength.

Then just stab again. And again. Don’t stop until it dies.

It’s simple. Keep stabbing until they die. Just move your body.
With that alone, she could release everything—the pain she had suffered, her rage, her sorrow, all of it.

Stab. Stab. Stab—
Even after they were dead, she kept going. Until the urges inside her finally began to fade.

“Haah... haah...”

When she came to, the squeals were gone, and her body was soaked in blood.

It was as if madness had finally left her—and with sanity returning, she trembled at what she had done.

And even so, the trauma hadn't left her completely.

Wounds carved into the soul aren't easily healed. Especially those cut deep, over and over.

There are very few who can truly cast off such wounds—

"Well done♡"

“…!!”

—Only one such person exists in this world.

A monster. Unfathomable. Indescribable. Like a yokai—something beyond human.
The one known as the most terrifying being among all living things, whether on land, in sea, or air—
The pirate called Nue the Demon Beast embraced the blood-soaked girl.

It was not the reaction one might expect toward a child shaken from their first kill—
It was a gentle, affectionate praise, like patting a child who had run their first errand alone.

"You were stronger than this Celestial Dragon man. So it’s only natural he died."

“...B-But...”

"Are you thinking, 'killing people is wrong'? Hmm... well, maybe it is, technically. But what can you do? It’s not your fault. It’s his. He was too weak and dared to anger someone as strong as you♡"

Nue gently stroked the girl's cheek, now slick with blood, and licked the blood off her own fingers with the tip of her tongue.
There was no madness in her eyes. Nue was entirely sane. She wasn’t broken or insane—she was simply doing what she wanted, by her own will.

"Besides, starting today, this world is lawless."

"Lawless..."

"That’s right. A world where violence is everything.
If you’re strong, you survive and get what you want. If you’re weak, you lose everything and die.
A perfectly equal and free world!!!"

And Nue truly believed this.

She knew right from wrong, and even so—this was the world she wanted. This was what she had chosen.

"So! Everyone! Were you watching closely~~?"

That belief would never change. No one could talk her down.

True pirates fly a flag of their own will.

"This is the blueprint for the world to come—where birth and background mean nothing!
Only one thing rules… the world of violence!!!"

“Violence”—that is the will that flies beneath the banner of the Beasts.

Once, it was a dream she shared with her siblings—a grand ambition they swore to uphold together.
That dream would not be stopped.

"And now we begin—a deathmatch between Celestial Dragons and slaves, the very symbols of the old world♡
Only the victor survives in this equal-opportunity show!!!
Soon, strife will erupt all over the world, and scenes like this will only increase!
So as a dress rehearsal, even those of you who don’t usually like conflict—sit back, enjoy the spectacle of a real, live bloodbath!!!
—Well, even if no one else starts the fights, we will!!!"

And all those who watched the show—or even just heard what it contained—
The good, the kind-hearted, they trembled in terror.
Even those who weren’t could not help but brace themselves.

No matter what anyone wished—
In this age that was now beginning, peace would vanish.
And far more blood than ever before would soak the earth.

---

“Mmmm!! That’s a wrap!”

The show live had ended, and with both hands in the air, I gave a big stretch. Normally, something like that wouldn’t tire me out—I’m not that weak physically—but today had been so intense in so many ways that I felt drained both physically and mentally.

The Summit War, and then the assault on Mariejois. That’s all it is when you put it into words, but what we accomplished went far beyond just words.

“Alriiiiight!! Boys!! Time to partyyyyy!!! FUUUUNK!!”

“UWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!”

Naturally, coming off a massive victory, the crew’s excitement was through the roof.

With Queen’s toast ringing out, the underlings howled at the sky. As they drank to heal their wounded bodies and raise what they’d gained, they celebrated survival and got drunk on victory.

For pirates, a feast is essential—our crew is no exception. Pirates love booze, noise, and getting rowdy.

Normally, I’d be the first one to leap up and belt out a song and dance for the OP intro or something, but…

“In the end, the Red-Haired Pirates and the Revolutionary Army got away with the Whitebeard and Navy survivors… And on top of that, the Holy Land had no Gorosei or anything above them present. As for the treasure… yeah, piles of gold and jewels, but none of those precious i-tems we were looking for. Even a cheerful and always-smiling cutie like Nue-chan gets a little gloomy sometimes, you know?”

“‘CP0’ wasn’t there either. I was wondering if my betrayal had already been exposed.”

“Ah—nah, it’s fine. Joker, you did great. Besides, you’ve already set up the next move, haven’t you?”

“But of course ♡”

“Then we’re good… huh.”

I let out a sigh as I grumbled to Joker beside me about the outcome of the war. Mainly, that the Red-Haired Pirates and the Revolutionaries managed to slip away clean. You could say the unexpected battle was thrilling, but having them escape in the end really pisses me off. The wounds I got from Red-Hair are healing, sure, but they still sting a bit.

That’s why, even though Queen’s concert had already started up on stage again, I was feeling a little melancholic. And since I still had things to take care of, I decided to quietly have a BBQ. While grilling meat, I was also tossing darts at a target for fun.

By the way, I’m not the one grilling the meat. It’s a former comrade who’s gotten quite old.

“Honestly… Making me grill meat…”

“Huh? It’s your first time grilling this kind of meat, Head Chef? It’s really tasty, you know?”

“Forgive me, but this is my first time cooking a ‘god.’”

Grilling my requested cut of meat with a slightly exasperated air was the head chef of the Big Mom Pirates, and former Rocks Pirates chef—the “Gourmet Knight,” Streusen.

Normally, I’d ask King to do it, but King was busy doing his King thing, so I figured I’d leave it to the specialist. Streusen was the perfect fit. Even though he complained about the unusual meat I brought, he still cooked it up properly—exactly what I’d expect from him. The Numbers were partying behind me, clearly enjoying themselves.

“Mmm~ ♡ So good!! Hey Streusen, you should try it too! It tastes divine!”

“I’ll pass.”

“Ehhh~? You shouldn’t knock it before you try it!”

“…It’s not that I’m avoiding it without knowing. I do know what it tastes like—that’s why I’m declining.”

“The flavor really changes depending on breed, though. And things like sex, body shape, the balance between muscle and fat, all make a difference too. ──By the way, this particular meat is really fatty and sweet. For some, it might even be a bit too rich.”

I added that it might be a bit much for an older person, then popped another piece into my mouth. The flavor and fat melted on my tongue.

“Mmm~ ♡ Delicious~ ♡ Goes great with rice and booze!!”

“…That, I didn’t expect.”

“Hm? What didn’t you?”

As I happily munched on the premium meat, Streusen looked at me and narrowed his eyes.

Those eyes seemed to be remembering the past… tinged with bitterness. Then, with that expression, Streusen spoke frankly.

“That little apprentice kid would turn into such a powerful and troublesome figure… None of the crew back then… not even Rocks himself… would’ve ever imagined that.”

“!”

I froze mid-bite.

It was a blunt mix of surprise and admiration from a former comrade. A trace of resentment too—over the fact that I’d overturned the old hierarchy.

To many of those who used to look down on me when I was just an apprentice, my growth must’ve been unimaginable. Someone like Streusen, who placed his hopes in Linlin’s ambition, might feel a little proud—but also just a bit bitter.

And he was probably right—even Captain Rocks himself likely didn’t see this coming.

“…If that’s true──”

…Well, who knows for sure.

But if I really did grow in a way that even he couldn’t predict──

“──Then I’m happy!!”

“…You haven’t changed a bit in that way.”

“Ehh, why the sigh? I even gave you my cutest Nue-chan smile just now, you know? ──Take that!”

I’m not sure how it looked to him, but from my side, I felt like I’d given an almost embarrassingly pure smile. Yet Streusen just furrowed his brows and sighed. Hmm, maybe he’s freaked out by the contrast? Like, a cute girl who helps people but is also strong and casually capable of terrible things? That’s both terrifying and dangerously attractive, right? I mean, I’m not oblivious—I do understand my own selling points. Which is why I know exactly how to market myself. Truly, I’m the ideal idol.

“──Mamamamama… Looks like it’s already begun, huh.”

"Ah, Kaido, Linlin. Welcome back!"

As I reappreciated my own charm while indulging in meat, booze, and entertainment, Kaido and Linlin returned, so I greeted them and asked what they thought.

"How was it?"

"They weren’t weak... but it was a boring opponent. —Hey, display that head later."

"Yes, sir!"

"Ha~hahaha! Only small fry left, it got boring real fast!"

Kaido ordered one of his subordinates to put the severed head he brought on display. Nothing special—he’d simply ended another decorated old soldier. Even if the man had held the title of Supreme Commander of the World Government's entire military, it meant little. None of their remaining troops were any match for us either.

The two of them dropped down heavily into their seats and started helping themselves to drinks, food, and sweets.

"Nue, that looks tasty. I’ve never had it myself—how is it?"

"It’s delicious!! I usually have King grill it or do it myself, but it’s been a while since I had Stroysen’s seasoning. Brings back memories!!"

"That so!! Maybe I’ll give it a try later. …By the way, seeing them up close like this, they’re really something… You call them the Numbers, right? Those failed Ancient Giant experiments—mind letting me have one? I can trade something for it if you want."

"Juki!?"

"No way!! They’re my favorites!! I know you’ve got a thing for rare creatures, Linlin, but I’m not giving them up!!"

"Ha~hahama ma ma!! I was joking, Nue!! If I want one, I’ll go get it myself. Got away from me this time, but maybe I’ll just snatch Vegapunk... or better yet, make him restart his research!!"

"Hey Linlin!! We agreed to share if we ever got our hands on Vegapunk. Don’t go hiding him if you find him, yeah?"

"I know, I know. I’m not trying to cut ahead at this point!! Let’s just keep working together—like the old days...!! You two are like a cute little brother and sister to me, I swear. Ma ma ma ma..."

"Let’s hope it stays that way."

"Ahaha, Linlin really hasn’t changed at all!!"

The three of us enjoyed the feast in the center of the hall, surrounded by our respective crews. The banter felt nostalgic. The atmosphere we create together is something truly unique—you won’t find it anywhere else. It reminds me of the old days, when we’d be at each other’s throats over a single word. No one held back, so from the outside it probably looked terrifying.

And even now, we don’t hold back. We speak our minds, fully exposing our desires while laughing with arms slung over each other’s shoulders.

No matter how much we’ve fought in the past, as long as our goals align, we can cooperate—such is the pirate way.

"Mom!! Should we really be sitting around partying like this!?"

"Perosbro’s right, Mom!! We need to save Brûlée as soon as possible...!! Let us go after Blackbeard now!!"

But just as we were enjoying the feast, the executives of the Big Mom Pirates—Linlin’s children—grew restless. Since Brûlée was kidnapped, they clearly want to get her back quickly. Perospero, the eldest of the children, spoke up, and Katakuri—probably the one most worried about Brûlée—also asked to go save her.

However, Linlin’s expression turned stern as she took control as the matriarch and chastised her impatient children.

"Calm down, all of you!!"

"But—!!"

"Charging in blindly won’t find her!! We wait, and eventually they’ll slip up. That’s when we make them pay!!"

"...! That’s… true, but still...!!"

"Hahaha... I get being worried about family, but panicking won’t solve anything. Just sit tight and enjoy the feast!!"

"…………"

Linlin’s words silenced the children. They couldn’t argue—she was their mother, the captain of the crew, and she made sense. A calm and rational call.

Still, it was probably hard for them to accept. Katakuri, especially, clenched his fists tight, visibly frustrated with himself and the situation. He clearly wasn’t in the mood for partying.

But that was the Big Mom Pirates’ problem, not ours. Or so I thought—until my top officer snorted through his nose.

"Hmph... dragging everyone down..."

"Hah!? What did you just say, King!?"

The mutter drew a reaction from the Charlotte kids. The hotheaded older brothers like Daifuku and Oven immediately raised their voices.

But of course, King wasn’t the type to back down just because someone got loud.

"If that woman hadn’t been so easily taken, we wouldn’t have lost our supplies or let Blackbeard escape."

"...! Brûlée got kidnapped because your side screwed up her protection!!"

"That’s on you too. ...Not like I expected anything from your lot to begin with."

"You son of a—!!"

"Say that again...!!"

King's sharp jab further enraged them. Oven and the others flared up, and even usually composed Katakuri stepped forward with a glare. King didn’t back down.

"What, you want to fight? Need to be reminded of your place...?"

"Those are our words...!! The alliance might be equal, but maybe it’s time we settle who’s really on top...!!"

"Yeah!! Show him, Katakuri!!"

"You idiots!! Like King-sama would ever lose!!"

With King and Katakuri squaring off, their entourages egged them on. It was a fun scene—but obviously I couldn’t just let it slide, so I stepped in and raised my voice to stop them.

"Hey hey, what are you two doing? Knock it off, King. You too, Katakuri."

"...Fine."

"Tch..."

When I spoke, King nodded and Katakuri clicked his tongue but backed down. Neither looked happy about it, but they weren’t about to ignore a direct order. I let out my thoughts with a small sigh.

"This is an alliance, so try to get along, yeah? Both of you did great today—why not try complimenting each other?"

"...Like hell I would."

"...Sorry, Nue-san, but that’s impossible. Just like that idiot Queen, there’s nothing about this guy worth praising."

"—Hey, I heard that!! Why am I getting dragged into this!?"

They were hopeless. And right on cue, Queen—our resident party clown—yelled from the stage in response to King’s insult. That helped... well, not improve the mood, but it made it funnier. That’s Queen for you!!

"Kaido-san, Nue-san, I have a report..."

"? What is it, Jack?"

"Want some meat? Or play a game? Both are fun!!"

After breaking up the fight, Jack came over to us. Judging by the tone, it was business-related. Even now, he’s out there working hard. I’ll need to reward him later.

"A pirate crew is asking to join us..."

"Already? Sharp bunch—guess they’ve got good instincts."

"Someone of note?"

"Yes, reasonably so."

Hmm, that’s promising. Seems some crews are already rushing to align with us—trying to back the winning side.

The war was broadcast, after all. Some probably made the decision immediately after watching. The age of pirates is upon us—and to go further, we’re now the largest force. Even if we let the Red-Haired or the Revolutionary Army slip away, that fact won’t change.

"Fufufu, multiple groups are already moving to prepare for the next era. According to intel, in some seas, skirmishes are already about to begin."

"The moment the World Government structure collapsed, everything started shifting. It’s fascinating—there!"

Joker had already gathered intel using transponder snails and messenger bats. The government’s spy network hasn’t completely vanished, but she’s likely trying to absorb it fully into ours.

And maybe... even make some of their agents switch sides.

"With this, our forces and subordinates will only continue to grow. That’s a good thing!!"

"Both our crew and Linlin’s will be able to expand massively."

"Indeed. …Speaking of which, now that we’re talking about forces and subordinates... what do you plan to do with those three over there?"

Joker asked, this time clearly directing it at me—eyes on the dartboard.

"Ugh...!"

"Haa... haa..."

"…………"

The three targets on that board were none other than the main culprits of the recent war. Joker was asking what I planned to do with them.

I answered her while throwing a dart at the man in the center—the former Warlord, Donquixote Doflamingo.

"Hmm... Mingo didn’t betray us or anything, and this is just punishment for disabling the Birdcage. So there’s not really any ‘fate’ waiting for him. —You feel the same, don’t you, Mingo?"

"...Yeah... I get it...!!"

"Right~? And the punishment’s suuuper gentle, too—total easy mode!! I didn’t even put Haki into the darts, just tossing them lightly, so it barely even hurts, right? The wounds aren’t serious or anything. It’s kid-level stuff!! —Oh, and if you’re hungry, just say so! I’ll let you eat all the barbecue you want!!"

"...!! ...Yeah..."

Doflamingo nodded, like he was swallowing something down. Yup, seems like this punishment is working just fine.

Honestly, the pain and wounds aren’t anything major. The darts are just lightly stuck into his skin, and Doflamingo’s not weak enough to be broken by that.

──That said… being tied up and forced to watch a barbecue while I throw darts at him might be triggering some old trauma. Just a little.

"After a few more throws, I’ll untie you, and then you can join the party!! Mingo, you're still an important asset, so you have every right to enjoy the victory with us!!"

"...Heh... heheheh... yeah... I’ll take you up on that...!!"

Doflamingo laughed as he said it, but there’s no fire in it. Internally, he's clearly seething—and that’s good. But the fear he has of us is even stronger. Hmm, the balance is tricky. Doflamingo’s the type who performs best when cornered, so I want him to stay just stressed enough to stay sharp… but push too far and he’ll break. Hard to find that sweet spot. His underlings have gone soft lately too, and that won’t cut it in the violent era ahead. If you want to survive under us, you need enough ambition and fire to try and take a bite out of us.

Next up, on the right side—another former Warlord.

The one who sided with us, but interfered for “Straw Hat Luffy.” The Pirate Empress—Boa Hancock.

"So then... what should I do with Hancock-chan~?"

"Ugh...!!"

I threw darts at her too—just a bit harder than I did at Doflamingo—as I thought about it. Unlike him, who just screwed up, Hancock actively stood in our way.

By the way, I don’t usually punish subordinates for simple screw-ups. Doflamingo’s not a subordinate, just a cooperating outsider. If he were under my command, I wouldn’t treat him like this—actually, I’d welcome him with full VIP treatment.

But both Doflamingo and Hancock… they keep rejecting our offer. So then, I’ve got no choice but to break their spirits and convince them to join us.

"You did fight alongside us after Luffy escaped, against the Red-Hair Pirates and the Revolutionary Army… but that doesn’t erase what you did before."

"Haa… haa… I understand…"

Hancock looked like she was enduring even more than Doflamingo. Maybe it was the past coming back to haunt her, but being treated like this clearly terrified her.

And on top of that, we’re in Mary Geoise. A place she probably never wanted to set foot in again. I want her to overcome that trauma… but it’s a tall order. Hancock might not show it, but she’s mentally fragile. Time to really back her into a corner.

"So, here’s what I’m thinking..."

"...What is it...?"

I shared my brilliant idea.

"How about we relocate Amazon Lily soon!!?"

"!? Wha—what…!?"

Hancock was speechless, like she couldn’t even process what she’d just heard.

But I needed her to understand. Knowing what we’re capable of, it’s not far-fetched.

"Kaido or I could use our powers to move Amazon Lily wholesale into the New World. Then your island becomes part of our territory."

"That’s… that’s insane…"

"Or, you could just join us. Your choice. You can either officially join the Beasts Pirates, or let Amazon Lily become our territory. If you do, we’ll forgive the whole betrayal thing!!"

"...!!"

I gave her the kindest choice imaginable. Honestly, this is generous. Betrayal usually ends in immediate execution—or at best, forced conscription.

But here I am, saying I’ll let it go just for territory. That’s more than fair.

"Right, Kaido?"

"Yeah. Hancock. I respect your strength. If you join us, I’ll let it slide. But if you refuse... then handing over your territory is the only way."

"Exactly!! I like you, Hancock-chan, so I’m giving you special treatment!!"

"...That... is..."

"And if by some miracle you refuse even that… well, you know what happens next, right?"

"!!"

I stepped in close, looking up at her beautiful face as I whispered. Her face had gone pale. Fear was taking over.

I didn’t want to scar that beautiful skin or twist that lovely face in terror. But if she refuses... then I kind of do want to. I’m fine either way. Breaking Hancock and forcibly making her mine sounds pretty fun too!!

"...I... understand..."

"Ah, great!! Then it’s settled!! We’ll move the island next time we’ve got a spare moment!!"

So yeah, she gave in pretty quickly. Understandable—nobody wants to be traumatized. Once I untied her, she staggered but managed to stand on her own feet.

"Ma ma ma!! Poor thing. If you don’t like Kaido’s crew, how about joining mine? I’ll arrange a marriage right away!! My sons would line up for a chance with you!!"

"! Marry the Pirate Empress…!!"

"...! I must decline…!!"

"Ha~hahaha! That’s too bad. But if you change your mind, just say the word."

"Stop trying to poach our subordinates, Linlin."

Seeing Hancock like that, Linlin tried to tempt her into joining the Big Mom Pirates. Hancock coldly rejected the offer despite the hopeful stares of the Charlotte brothers. The moment they saw her, their eyes lit up—and dropped just as fast.

Figures. Even back on the battlefield, it was obvious—she’s still head over heels for that “Straw Hat Luffy” I’ve heard so much about.

At this point, the chance of Hancock switching to Big Mom’s side is basically zero. She already hates men, and if she’s in love with one already, she definitely won’t marry anyone else.

Now then, just one left. This one’s family.

"So… Musashi, I’ll just be taking you back as-is."

"...I see."

Musashi responded with a blank expression. I’ve tortured her quite a bit too, but honestly, it’s not doing anything. She’s not even afraid. She’ll probably heal from her injuries quickly, too—so it’s all kind of pointless.

"Looks like you’ve grown stronger since Onigashima. You’ll make a decent addition to our forces. I’m excited for your future!!"

"...You think I’ll cooperate so easily?"

Musashi spoke without looking my way. Her tone was defiant... but that’s fair.

"That’s true. You’re not like Yamato. You’re not scared of us either..."

"Tch… that stupid girl… You better quit it!! Want me to beat some sense into you again!?"

"...If you want to hit me, go ahead."

"...!!"

Even Kaido's roar doesn’t shake Musashi. She doesn’t flinch. She isn’t afraid.

And it’s not just because she’s a child.

"Ma ma ma ma!! Acting out, is she? Sounds like you're having a tough time raising her. Want me to give you a few tips on discipline?"

"Shut up, Linlin!! This is our business!!"

"...Well, I suppose we’ll deal with Musashi properly once we’re back on Onigashima. Keep a close eye on her. Anyone who slips up and lets her escape—gets executed."

"Understood. I’ll make sure of it."

Musashi gets a pair of 100% pure seastone cuffs, and we’re taking her home like that. She probably inherited her knack for slipping away from her parents—give her a single opening, and she could vanish in a heartbeat.

...Still...

"...Musashi. One thing I’ll say—"

"...What is it?"

"You’re not cut out for that path."

"...!!"

I tell her straight.

I’ve known Musashi for a long time. I know what she craves, what suits her.

"You’re the same as us."

"...!! Don’t lump me in with you…!! I…"

"...Well, feel free to deny it all you want for now. ──You already know, don’t you? ♡"

Musashi’s face contorts. She furrows her brow, desperate to reject what I just said.

...Looks like even Whitebeard couldn’t straighten her out.

But that’s fine. Kaido gets impatient when it comes to kids, so he might run his mouth, but me? I’m patient.

As long as she eventually accepts what she truly wants, that’s enough. Once that happens, things will naturally fall into place.

"...Anyway, that’s about it for how we’re handling things. I’ll leave the finer details to you."

"Of course, I’ll take care of it."

In our crew, rewards are given for achievements and punishments for failures. That kind of merit-based order is crucial to any organization—but I can leave the micro-management to the All-Stars.

This time, nearly everyone who fought in the war contributed something valuable. Barely anyone truly screwed up. If you had to name someone, it’d be the ones who died—but we don’t punish the dead.

"Now all that’s left is how we handle things going forward with the alliance. I guess we’ll take our time and hammer that out?"

"Yeah, that works... but, if anything—"

"──There’s still one more person we need to talk to."

"Oh, right—HEY!! SHIKI!! Don’t go drinking off by yourself way over there—come over here already!!"

"...Huh?"

And now, the last one.

We’re about to talk over the future of our pirate alliance.

Kaido and Linlin seem to agree with that, so to carry out what we’d decided beforehand, I turn my eyes to the last member of our alliance.

On the rooftop—bathed in the glow of burning Mary Geoise, surrounded by corpses, gazing at the night sky, caught in his own thoughts—stood the captain of the Golden Lion Pirates, Golden Lion Shiki. I wave to him and call out.

And of course, he notices. He immediately begins floating down with his Fuwa Fuwa powers.

"What is it? Already thinking about the next step? The party’s not over yet, is it?"

"Nope, just had something I wanted to talk to you about. Mind hearing me out?"

"Talk? What about?"

Shiki raises an eyebrow, but he still listens. He probably wanted to discuss our next move too—and I’m sure he’s been thinking about it.

With a cigar in his mouth, relaxed as always, Shiki waits. I can’t help but smile.

As expected of a legendary pirate. He once stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Roger and Whitebeard—and to Kaido and me, he was once a real thorn in our side. He carries that presence.

He’s sharp. Has a good sense of humor. Careful, calculating, and deeply driven. He’s got everything a real pirate should have—and he understands the code.

Kaido and Linlin may not feel this way, but me—I’ve always felt a bit of kinship with him.

As a former member of the Rocks Pirates, I see Shiki as one of us.

"This isn’t just a discussion—actually, it’s a request."

"...A request?"

"Yeah, a request ♡"

That’s right—I see him as a comrade.

Which is exactly why—

"──Shiki. Would you become... our subordinate?"

"...Huh?"

──I don’t ambush him. I ask him directly, openly, with sincerity. Let him choose for himself.

"If you say yes, we’ll welcome you with open arms ♡ I want to stay close with you, Shiki, just like before ♡ So please!! Okay?"

"...You... what the hell are you saying...!!"

──I’m asking him to accept that he’s no longer our equal. That it’s time to step down.

"But if you refuse—well, that’s unfortunate..."

──And so, I keep my tone sweet, just like in the old days. Hands clasped under my chin, smiling, playfully pleading.

But I don’t soften the demand.

That’s my way of showing respect to Shiki, a man who lived as a great pirate. The final honor: to be crushed with everything we’ve got.

So even as I smile cutely and ask nicely—I say it without mercy.

"──Then you’ll die for us ♡"

"!!!?"

──Become our stepping stone.