Aftermath

Time slipped away unnoticed.

Sea Circle Calendar, 1486.

The God Valley Incident, which had once been enough to tear apart an era and shake the foundations of the world, was completely erased from the surface of history under layers of blockade and "redefinition" by the World Government's highest ranks.

For the vast majority of people, only scattered, vague rumors remained—

About an island that had suddenly vanished,

About a group of monsters whose names had been deliberately buried,

And about a battle where "they won, but no one could explain what had happened."

The pirates who had scattered from God Valley were soon dragged back into the sea's cruelest laws by reality.

Fighting for territory.

Absorbing remnants.

Establishing new flags and powers.

In the power vacuum that formed after "Rocks's fall," the New World entered a brief yet bloody period of chaotic expansion.

New names were erased from the sea almost every day, while new forces rose atop corpses.

Naturally, the World Government would not let such an opportunity pass. Under its explicit orders, Sengoku and Zephyr were formally promoted in succession to—

Marine Headquarters Admirals.

The Golden Den Den Mushi, symbolizing the highest military authority, was solemnly handed to the two of them.

It was not merely a communication device. It meant they no longer needed to seek anyone's approval before directly launching a—"Buster Call."

—A means of indiscriminate, devastating attack authorized by the World Government and assembled by Marine Headquarters against the area from which the signal originated.

It completely cleared everything and everyone from an area deemed threatening to the World Government's rule, erasing any existence defined as a "threat."

It was supreme authority, but also shackles with no way back.

Originally, the World Government's long-term plans had called for the Marines to have three Admirals, maintaining