At the entrance to the New World, atop the Red Line that towered like the spine of the world into the clouds.
Elevators descended vertically from Mary Geoise to the sea, and at this moment, one was slowly rising, packed with people.
For the quadrennial Reverie, the monarchs of the World Government's allied nations had gradually arrived from all over.
Security at Mary Geoise had also become much tighter, lending this holy land an added sense of heaviness.
Inside a spacious, minimalist conference room, several sofas surrounded a long stone table, with nothing else in sight.
It was as though any decoration would have been superfluous to the people seated on those sofas.
"We received the report. The Reverie is approaching. Return after the Tea Party ends and defend Mary Geoise with Lucci and the others."
"Yes."
The person on the other end answered blandly. Saint Saturn hung up the Transponder Snail on the table, braced both hands on his cane, and sighed.
"In just two weeks, the Straw Hat Crew has grown to this extent. What a miscalculation."
Just two weeks earlier, the news from the Marines had still been that the Straw Hat Crew had lost to the Whitebeard Pirates on Thunder God Island.
Then, a few days ago, the Dressrosa incident had suddenly erupted.
Two Admirals, Fujitora and Ryokugyu, had been defeated one after another.
And now they were suddenly being told that the Straw Hat Crew had defeated Big Mom?!
Was this some kind of joke?
"Once the news of Big Mom's defeat spreads, the Straw Hat Crew will become a true Emperor of the Sea."
Saint Nusjuro, the only one not wearing a suit but instead dressed in samurai garb, spoke gravely. His long sword rested against his shoulder as he said in a deep