Hope, Decay, Resolve

The battle in the New World had come to an end, but the worldwide celebration had only just begun.

The news from Marine Headquarters at Marineford plunged people all over the world into a sea of joy.

The Four Emperors were no more, and the destruction of the pirates was right at hand!

Grand Line, Krixixi Island.

"Have to say, Admiral White Dragon is incredible. He accomplished what generations of Marines wanted to do but never could."

"The Marines in the New World are all good men, and the Revolutionary Army's fighters aren't bad either. Without them, we couldn't have defeated that tyrannical king."

"Raise your glasses—to the warriors who fought for peace!"

Krixixi Island, which had just declared its independence, held a grand feast. Aside from celebrating their freedom from the World Government's oppression, the imminent destruction of the pirates greatly lifted the islanders' spirits.

They knew just how miserable their lives had once been.

Located along a mandatory route through the Grand Line, they received visits from nearly every pirate entering the Grand Line from the Four Blues.

Combined with the endless oppression of their brutal and lawless king, nearly everyone had lost hope and drifted through each day in a daze.

Fortunately, heaven had eyes, and figures like Yatogami Long Yi and Monkey D. Dragon had emerged. Though the two belonged to different camps, both had contributed to the people's freedom and stability.

"The Marines, huh."

Unlike the jubilant civilians, some Revolutionary Army soldiers looked rather displeased when they happened to hear those praises of the New World Marines and Yatogami Long Yi.

They were noble warriors fighting for the freedom of people across the world. Liberating oppressed places was what righteousness demanded.

But what was this now? Why were those government lapdogs receiving the people's praise?