Aftermath
The entire screen immediately fell quiet again, leaving only the Jianying video of Luffy fighting CP9's Blueno.
Even so, the outrageously extravagant conversation between the two Four Emperors had left the world staring in astonishment.
But what shocked them even more was the content of their conversation, namely—
The two Four Emperors knew each other and were even very familiar with each other. Not only that, but judging from their conversation, they had worked together before. Big Mom had even done Kaido an enormous favor, though Kaido refused to admit it. It couldn't help but give people a strong impression—that the two of them might have had some improper relationship.
For a time, countless people became intensely curious about the pasts of the two Four Emperors.
Curious as they were, however, no one dared ask. After all, the wrath of two Four Emperors was more than they could bear.
Unlike most people in the world, who were curious about the gossip, the vast majority of the major figures around the world were still caught up in the aftermath of the system's earlier words.
The Holy Land, Mary Geoise, inside the Fleet Admiral's Office.
"Aside from the forces we'll need for what's coming, draw some troops from the other Marine Branches. Have every Marine Branch remain on the defensive for the time being, and disperse the troops we've drawn out to keep watch on the infamous pirates at sea, apart from the Four Emperors. If any of them make an unusual move, report to me immediately. Keep a close eye on the Shichibukai too. Those people can't be trusted, but we can't move against them yet. In any case, we absolutely cannot allow an organization like the Cross Guild to appear in the future. We must never let anyone put bounties on Marines in reverse. Otherwise, it will overturn the balance of offense and defense between the Marines and pirates, and bring 'justice' into disgrace," Sengoku instructed the Meeting King, Brannew, who had been urgently summoned before him.
"Understood, Fleet Admiral! I'll see to it right away." The Meeting King, Brannew, saluted Sengoku, turned, and hurried out of the office.
"Sengoku, is there really any need to go to all that trouble?! Isn't it just an organization that won't appear until the future? Is there any need to be this nervous already?!" Garp asked, taking a bite of a rice cracker.
"Of course there is." Sengoku glanced at him and said, "It would be best if we could nip it in the bud now. Unfortunately, there's far too little useful information!"
"In that case, you... Never mind! Whatever!" Garp had been about to say something more, but took the words back as they reached his lips. He shrugged and changed the subject. "Anyway, you're the Fleet Admiral, not me. As long as it doesn't affect the big event coming up!!"
At that, he suddenly thought of something and cried out, "Ah! Right! Sengoku, how many Beli do you think my life would be worth?! I think it should be at least two billion! Otherwise, it wouldn't do my title of 'Marine Hero' justice! Hahaha."
"Shut up, Garp, you bastard! Get out of here!" Sengoku flew into a rage, pointed at the office door, and roared.
"All right!! I'm leaving." Garp stood up with a helpless look, casually picked up the last rice cracker on the table, and said as he walked toward the door, "Oh! Right, Sengoku, I'm going to Impel Down. Just letting you know."
"All right! But don't go causing trouble! Otherwise, even I won't be able to protect you," Sengoku reminded him, watching his retreating back.
"Got it!" Garp waved a hand and promptly disappeared through the office doorway.
"Sigh! There's really not a moment's peace!" Sengoku said helplessly, holding his head.
A room in Marine Headquarters.
"Hee hee hee hee, there seem to be more Marines outside! Looks like the Marines are even more wary of us now!" Gecko Moria glanced at the guards who had suddenly appeared at the door, drinking black tea as he laughed. "But speaking of which, I wonder who the two Shichibukai who work with a Four Emperor in the future will be?! One of them wouldn't happen to be you, would it, Doflamingo?"
As he spoke, he looked at Doflamingo, who was sitting on the windowsill, silently watching the Marines deploying troops below.
"Fufufufu." Doflamingo withdrew his gaze and laughed. "Moria, you don't think I'm the kind of person who'd serve under someone else, do you? Even if I were to form an organization, I'd be the one in charge. Besides, I'm not interested in the Marines. On the other hand..."
He looked toward Hawkeye, who had been sitting quietly in a chair on the other side of the room, reading. "Mihawk, I seem to remember you used to be called the 'Marine Hunter' or something! You wouldn't be one of the Shichibukai who join the Cross Guild in the future, would you?"
"Hmph! I'm not interested in joining any organization. Don't drag me into this, Doflamingo," Mihawk said coldly, looking up and glancing at him.
"Fufufufu, you might not be interested now, but who knows about the future!" Doflamingo said as he walked out of the room. "I need to make some preparations for the coming future myself! I don't want to fall behind the new era that's about to arrive! Fufufufu, and I don't like having so many people watching me, either."
The New World, aboard the Red Force.
"Putting bounties on Marines in reverse, huh?! This future organization, the Cross Guild, really has done something incredible!!" Benn Beckman said, tossing the cigarette butt in his hand into the ashtray on the table before him.
"With the roles of hunter and hunted reversed, not only will the Marines lose their advantage, but they'll also have to be on guard at all times against being stabbed in the back by the civilians they protect. When that happens, they'll become even more hesitant to act!" Shanks finished the last mouthful of liquor in his cup and laughed. "Looks like this storm has only just begun!"
"Yeah!" Benn Beckman agreed, lighting himself another cigarette.
"Hey! Boss, look at the screen! Luffy... Luffy's whole body has turned red!"
Just then, Lucky Roux pointed at what was playing in the video and shouted.
"Huh?!"