The Shackles of Balance

Marine Headquarters, Marineford Harbor

The Warships in the Harbor slowly approached the shore, and the naval soldiers on the decks stood in neat rows, cheering loudly to celebrate the perfect victory in the Hachinosu Battle.

The sea breeze carried cheers throughout the port area, and the soldiers' smiles radiated pride and excitement.

Sengoku, along with Tsuru, Zephyr, Garp, and Roy, stood in the center of the Harbor, awaiting the triumphant return of their warriors.

The gangway slowly descended, and Kuzan, walking at the front, lazily put his hands in his pockets, raising his hand to Sengoku as he walked, giving a very casual military salute:

"Ara la la~ Mission accomplished."

Gion followed closely behind, her expression solemn, and gave a crisp, standard military salute. "Reporting to the Fleet Admiral, the Hachinosu Pirates have been completely annihilated!"

Sengoku nodded slightly, and said with satisfaction, "Well done."

Roy stepped forward, smiling as he patted Kuzan on the shoulder, "Senior, you've worked hard."

Kuzan scratched the back of his head, still looking nonchalant. "Well, it was just on the way. I haven't had much to do lately anyway."

No sooner had he finished speaking than two familiar figures suddenly sprang out from behind him—

"Roy!!"

Ace and Luffy's eyes lit up. "We need to train harder! We need to get stronger!!"

Roy raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Oh? Suddenly so motivated? What triggered it?"

Luffy clenched his fist, his voice firm. "We want to become as strong as the Admirals!"

Ace nodded solemnly. "This battle has made us realize... we still have a long way to go!"

Roy chuckled and turned to the side, pointing behind him—revealing Garp and Zephyr grinning mischievously.

"Then you've come to the wrong person,"

"These two are the ones who can be of the most help to you."

Ace and Luffy looked in the direction Roy was pointing, and their expressions instantly froze:

"Chicken... Grandpa?! Teacher Zephyr?!"

With a raucous chuckle, Garp strode forward, moving with the speed of a cheetah, instantly grabbing both brothers by the back of their collars. "I heard everything you just said!"

"Come on! Train with me for an extra week!!"

"I guarantee I'll completely transform you!!"

"Wait! We're not ready yet!!"

"Help--!"

However, the resistance was futile.

The two brothers kicked and screamed, their cries echoing throughout the Harbor, but Garp ignored them completely, dragging them straight to the Training Ground, with Zephyr following calmly beside them.

The naval soldiers couldn't help but chuckle along the way.

Sengoku watched the receding figure and shook his head helplessly. "Those two brats, they're so energetic."

Looking at the two brothers' protesting faces, Tsuru curled her lips slightly. "With Garp's 'special care,' they'll soon be different."

Just as Ace and Luffy were being dragged away by Garp, and their screams gradually faded into the distance at the end of the Harbor, a female intelligence officer strode over.

With a serious expression, she stood at attention and saluted before handing a sealed document stamped with "Top Secret" to He. Then she leaned down and whispered a few words in her ear.

Crane's previously calm and composed expression instantly changed, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. She slowly raised her head, her gaze falling on Sengoku and Roy.

The three exchanged glances briefly, understanding each other perfectly.

Sengoku acted decisively, instructing his adjutant to take over the Harbor's cleanup efforts, while Roy merely raised his hand, and the space around him suddenly rippled like water—

The next moment, the three of them appeared silently in the Fleet Admiral's Office.

Sengoku sat down, his brows slightly furrowed. "He, what happened?"

He didn't answer immediately, but instead solemnly placed the sealed document on the table, his tone carrying a hint of gravity and hesitation:

"The Five Elders have replied, but..."

She paused, as if choosing her words carefully, then pushed the document towards Sengoku and Roy: "You two should see it yourselves."

Sengoku opened the document, and Roy turned slightly to his side to read it with him.

Their eyes simultaneously swept over the few lines of text, which, though brief, carried an extremely strong meaning—

Sengoku's brows furrowed instantly, and he looked up, saying in a deep voice:

"How could this be? Logically speaking, they have no reason to refuse the Navy's request for full jurisdiction... Why did they suddenly change their minds?"

Roy did not respond immediately, but slowly closed the document, his fingers tapping lightly on the cover, a deep and wary look appearing in his eyes.

"This condition..." he murmured softly, as if talking to himself.

In an instant, the word "balance" suddenly appeared in his mind, like icy seawater pouring down his spine from the back of his neck, making his heart sink.

"Ha... It really is you again."

Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged glances, both seemingly sensing something amiss from Roy's reaction.

"Roy," Sengoku asked in a low voice, "Have you already guessed who's behind this?"

Roy raised his head, his gaze slowly sweeping between the two men. "I can't say I'm completely sure, but I have a rough idea of who made this move."

He paused, his voice lowering. "The so-called 'balance' is perhaps the biggest problem on this sea."

The air froze instantly, becoming as still as the surface of the sea before a storm.

Meanwhile, Wano Country

The sky above Onigashima was swallowed by thick, dark clouds, and Thunder Snakes raged among them, their low rumbles like the prelude to a war drum for some uninvited guest.

The sea breeze, carrying the saltiness and stench of blood, rushed in, and the waves crashed against the Harbor Reef, turning into silvery foam.

A fierce wind howled in through the gaps, and a lone figure came against the wind.

One arm, his black cloak Hunting Roar.

Under the dim sky, that fiery Red-Hair was like a burning battle flag, accompanied by steady and fearless footsteps, striking the heartstrings of every Beasts Pirate.

Along the way, the Pleasures Legion initially burst into loud, mocking laughter, attempting to mask their inner unease with ridicule.

But as that figure drew closer step by step, the laughter was abruptly cut off, as if choked by an invisible hand.

The Gifters instinctively gripped their weapons, their eyes wary, but their feet seemed rooted to the spot, and not one dared to take a single step forward.

He strolled through the ranks of the Headliners as if walking in a garden, past the cold gaze of the Flying Six, his steps calm yet carrying an unstoppable pressure.

Finally, he stood before the Throne where the All-Stars of the Beasts stood.

The All-Stars were filled with murderous intent, their weapons sharp and cold, yet that red figure remained unmoved—single-handedly withstood the pressure of the entire Beasts Pirates!

High above, Kaido lounged lazily on the massive skull Throne, a sake jug in his hand swaying slightly.

Those Twin Dragons eyes slowly opened, and a thunderous gaze crashed down, as if to crush the newcomer.

A deep, muffled voice rolled from the depths of his chest, making the air tremble. "Red-Haired Shanks... you've come to Onigashima..."

What can I do for you?!

Shanks raised his head, his gaze as calm as the deep sea, his aura no less imposing than that of the "World's Strongest Creature" seated high on his Throne.

His voice was indifferent, yet it Sky Splitter like Razor, exceptionally clear in the silence.

I'm here...

"... I wanted to help you."

--boom!!

Instantly, the entire Beasts Pirates erupted in uproar, with gasps, whispers, and killing intent merging into a surging wave.

"Help... the Governor?!"

"Red-Hair coming to help us? Are you kidding me?!"

"This must be a trap!!"

Kaido just snorted coldly when he heard this, and a war-loving smile appeared on the ferocious face under the dragon's horns, "What do I need your help with?"

Before he finished speaking, the Haki within him, as powerful as a collapsing mountain, erupted and, along with the momentum of the Beasts Pirates, transformed into a massive wave that swept across the heavens and earth, pressing down on Shanks!

The air was compressed instantly, the ground made a dull cracking sound, and the stone chips were crushed into powder.

Red-Hair simply stood upright, his feet not moving an inch— his Conqueror's Haki surged forth, colliding fiercely with Kaido's aura in mid-air!

Lightning flashed and intertwined with black and red arcs of electricity, like two ancient beasts roaring across the sky, tearing apart the dark clouds Onigashima!

The entire Onigashima held its breath at that moment.