The Sea Plunges into Chaos

The winds of the New World had changed.

News of Rock's disappearance had initially been nothing more than whispers. The Navy issued a "gag order" internally, while the World Government suppressed it layer by layer.

But.

Paper could never contain fire.

"Azure Dragon has disappeared."

Those words first appeared in the underground black market.

Then came private dealings among information brokers, and after that—

Taverns.

Ports.

The entire sea.

"Is it true?"

"Haven't you heard? That battle in Wano Country..."

"That man—he's gone!"

Brief doubt gave way to confirmation, and then—an eruption!

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha—!!!"

"That monster is gone?!"

"The Navy's strongest deterrent—has vanished!!!"

"If we don't set sail now, then when?!"

"For the One Piece, charge—!!!"

The sea.

Celebrated.

Pirate crews that had lain dormant for years raised their sails once more, while new pirates sprang up like wild grass.

Even those "monsters" who had once been suppressed so thoroughly that they dared not show their faces began to—awaken.

This was an opening in time that belonged to ambition.

Mary Geoise, Room of Authority. The atmosphere was suffocatingly oppressive.

"Lord Imu's prophecy!"

"The Navy has lost its sharpest blade."

"This is... the best opportunity to maintain the 'balance'!"

A brief silence, followed by silent agreement.

The pirates—were "let loose."

Let the world remain chaotic. Let power keep one another in check.

And so, an era stripped of its greatest deterrent—fully unfolded.

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Bang—!!!

Sengoku slammed a fist down, shattering the table as documents scattered through the air.

"If this continues—"

"The entire sea will spiral out of control!!!"

No one in the conference room refuted him. Everyone knew that the sea had already begun to lose control.

So the orders were issued directly.

Borsalino.

Kuzan.

Sakazuki.

Bullet.

All four were deployed to the front