Hawk Eyes! Crocodile!

Meanwhile.

New World, Whitebeard Pirates' territory.

On the Moby Dick, a symbol of the "World's Strongest Man," a "giant" over six meters tall sat at the bow. Various IV tubes hung from his body, and he held the latest newspaper, his gaze focused and intent.

Even without moving, just sitting there, he exuded a kingly aura that looked down upon the world, an invisible pressure that made one afraid to meet his gaze.

Edward Newgate, captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, user of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, known as the World's Strongest Man, was respectfully called "Pops" by his crew.

On deck, the captains and combat personnel of the Whitebeard Pirates were all silent at this moment, as if afraid to disturb their Pops. They moved about with light steps, making no sound.

Closest to Edward Newgate was the first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Marco. With his golden mohawk and the epithet "Phoenix," he was one of the few captains looking towards their Pops.

However, he made no sound, quietly looking on.

Before their Pops had even read the newspaper, they had already seen its contents, knowing that the World Government and its Navy had become extremely tense overnight.

Although they were pirates, and captains under the strongest man in the New World, they wouldn't panic at sudden changes. Nevertheless, they had to take the news delivered by the newspaper today seriously.

The reason was simple: once the World Government and its war machine, the Navy, became tense, it would inevitably affect the world's situation. The currently stable balance in the New World would be unavoidably impacted.

"Gurara~"

After finishing the newspaper, Edward Newgate suddenly burst into laughter, his voice booming with magnanimity. "It seems Sengoku and Garp are getting old. They actually let some brat steal their home."

"But the ones who should be worried now aren't Sengoku and Garp, but the Five Elders in the Chamber of Power in the Holy Land!"

He paused slightly, his expression changing as he picked up the newspaper again, his face solemn. "What exactly does this Vice Admiral named Kaku want? Does he want to start a mutiny, become the Navy Marshal, and continue serving the World Government? Or does he want to lead the Navy, this massive war machine, away from the World Government and become a king ruling over a territory?"

"If it's the former, it won't have much impact on the current situation. If it's the latter, the already turbulent Grand Line will surely be hit by monstrous waves!"

Hearing this, Marco immediately stepped forward and said, "Pops, I've arranged for people to be at Sabaody Archipelago. No matter what happens next, we'll be able to get the information immediately!"

As he spoke, Marco's tone suddenly shifted. "Also, Kaido went to the sky island yesterday to commit suicide. Unlike before, he didn't succeed. He didn't return to Wano Country this time. Instead, the three Calamities of the Beasts Pirates have successively left Wano Country. They must have known this news in advance and want to take this opportunity to start a new war!"

"Don't mind them."

Edward Newgate waved his hand, his gaze fixed on a photo on the newspaper's front page. He said word by word, "Kaku? What a remarkable young man."

A certain sea area in the Grand Line.

On a small boat shaped like a coffin, cutting through the waves, a young man with eyes as sharp as an eagle's sat with his legs crossed on the deck, which could only accommodate him. A massive longsword with a cross-shaped hilt was strapped to his back. Although waves splashed onto the boat as it sailed, they were blocked by an invisible energy just before they could touch him, scattering in the wind.

Dracule Mihawk, nicknamed "Hawk Eyes," the world's greatest swordsman who sat at the pinnacle of swordsmanship. He was a former Marine hunter and is now one of the Shichibukai under the World Government.

Just then, a bird's cry suddenly came from the sky.

When Mihawk looked up, a news bird had lowered its altitude and was flying above him.

Seeing this, Mihawk, who always enjoyed reading the newspaper, didn't hesitate. He tossed a Belly to the news bird and took a newspaper.

"Hmm?"

As soon as he saw the headline of the newspaper, Mihawk, who had been relaxed and leisurely a moment before, stood up abruptly. A flicker of shock flashed in his sharp, eagle-like eyes.

A mutiny at Marine Headquarters?

Vice Admiral Kaku has fully taken over the Navy, and they are at odds with the World Government?

After quickly reading the news, Mihawk collected his thoughts from the shock and looked forward.

The name Kaku was not unfamiliar to him!

During a summons issued by the Navy, he, as one of the Shichibukai, had attended a meeting at Marine Headquarters. Although he hadn't met Kaku at the time, he had heard some news about Kaku from many officers at headquarters.

He wasn't interested in anything else. The reason he remembered the name was that some officers had mentioned a young powerhouse at Marine Headquarters who had mastered all the Navy Six Styles in just six years. Not only that, but this young powerhouse also possessed astonishing talent in swordsmanship, surpassing many swordsmen at Marine Headquarters.

"Vice Admiral Kaku?"

After a moment of silence, a fighting spirit ignited in Mihawk's eyes. "You took full control of the Navy Headquarters in just one day. I didn't expect you to have grown to such an astonishing level!"

"In that case, it's time for us to meet!"

Before his voice faded, the aura of the world's greatest swordsman erupted.

The next second, the coffin-shaped boat beneath him suddenly accelerated, speeding towards Marine Headquarters.

After a brief ten-odd seconds, the boat malfunctioned right after emerging from a giant wave and stopped dead in its tracks.

"???"

Looking at the stopped boat drifting with the waves, Mihawk, who had been full of vigor a moment before, was suddenly covered in question marks.

Then, he let out a sigh of relief.

Quickly scanning the surrounding sea area and confirming that no ships were in sight, he decisively took out his Supreme Grade Sword and used it as an oar, skillfully paddling through the waves.

The first half of the Grand Line.

Within the Alabasta Kingdom, in a dimly lit room in the largest casino in Raindinners, a majestic man stood with his back to the room's only beam of light, emitting an unsettling, low chuckle.

"Hahahaha~"

"This is truly unexpected. Marine Headquarters has been completely taken over by a Vice Admiral!"

Before the words even fell, the man suddenly turned around, revealing a face with a scar running across it and a slicked-back, perfectly smooth hairstyle. He exuded an oppressive aura, the kind that belongs to an ambitious man.

Sir Crocodile, one of the Shichibukai and the founder of the criminal organization Baroque Works, codenamed Mr. 0.

Of course, at present, no one in the Alabasta Kingdom knows his true identity. This is because he is currently establishing himself as a righteous hero in Alabasta, using this persona to find an opportunity to implement a long-brewing plan.

"Miss All Sunday~"

As soon as he turned around, Crocodile, a cigar clamped in his mouth, looked towards the dark corner opposite him and said with a slow grin, "Our plan needs to be moved up."

As Crocodile's words faded, a tall, young woman wearing a white cowboy hat immediately emerged from the shadows.

Nico Robin, the vice president of Baroque Works, codenamed Miss All Sunday. She is a user of the Flower-Flower Fruit and the sole survivor of the Ohara Incident. The World Government branded her with the crime of being a demon of Ohara and placed a bounty of 79 million Belly on her head.

After glancing at Nico Robin emerging from the shadows, Crocodile's expression turned serious. "The World Government or Marine Headquarters might issue a summons to the Shichibukai. If Marine Headquarters becomes irreconcilable with the World Government due to this mutiny, the Shichibukai, caught between the Navy and the World Government, will be the first to be implicated."

"To ensure our plan is not affected, I need to leave Alabasta temporarily. I'll leave the affairs of Baroque Works to you."

As he said this, a curve formed on Crocodile's lips, and his gaze intently fixed on the woman in the white cowboy hat before him. "I hope you won't disappoint me, Nico Robin."