Pluton had blasted a passage through the Red Line, connecting the New World to the First Half. The significance was enormous. Where the continent had once been a barrier dividing the Four Blues from the Grand Line, there was now an open passage ships could sail through.
But crossing the Red Line was only the beginning. The pirate Allied Forces led by Whitebeard were bound for the North Blue, and sailing all the way around via Reverse Mountain would take too long. Their target was the edge of the Calm Belt, where they could pass through the Marines' Secret Route.
For ordinary people, there was not a breath of wind anywhere in the Calm Belt. Nothing but Marine warships could sail through it. Over the years, however, the Marines had found a route with a faint breeze.
They rarely used it and even kept it sealed off in secret, but it was perfect for the pirate Allied Forces now.
Without that route, everyone else would have had to wait until Whitebeard's forces arrived before setting out, lest they provoke Poseidon into detonating the Runes early.
Half a month later, Loa was wandering around Marine Headquarters when a message came in from Aokiji.
"Loa, Whitebeard just contacted us. They've reached the Port and are arranging for their people to land."
It sounded like a simple report, but everyone knew what would follow: a brutal battle!
Who would survive? What would become of the world? In an hour at most, they would have their answers.
"They've arrived?"
Loa looked up. The sun shone brightly over Marine Headquarters today. It seemed like a good omen. He flashed back to the Headquarters Fortress and picked up the Dragon-Slaying Greatsword.
"Then good luck to you, Teacher Aokiji."
"You too! See you again!"
Bang!
A hole