It was the year 1511 of the Sea Circle Calendar, near the end of the fourth year of the Great Pirate Era.
Many major events had taken place that year, beginning with two Buster Calls, followed by the Holy Church's surprise attack. But for the World Government, which had ruled the world for eight hundred years, the worst event was undoubtedly its battle with the Holy Church.
The Marines had suffered their first setback, Mary Geoise had vanished, and more than half the Celestial Dragons had died under the Holy Church's judgment, along with two of the Five Elders-the supreme rulers-the commander-in-chief of all armed forces, and CP0.
This series of blows had inflicted devastating losses on the World Government and left the surviving Celestial Dragons trembling in fear.
In the New World, the Four Emperors, countless renowned pirates across the seas, the emperors of the underworld, Marine Marshal Sengoku, and numerous Marine officers all fell into wordless silence upon hearing the news.
Unlike the silence of the major powers, countless ordinary people initially refused to believe what they read in the newspapers. Once the news was confirmed, disbelief gave way to shock and uproar.
For a time, the entire world erupted.
Somewhere in the New World, countless ships lay at anchor.
Whitebeard held a newspaper, his expression solemn.
His entire ship was silent as well. Marco, Diamond Jozu, and the others all watched their Pops intently.
After a while, Whitebeard drew a deep breath, picked up the great wooden tankard beside him, and took a hefty gulp of liquor.
"Ha!"
"They're terrifyingly strong!"
The Holy Church's earlier defeat of the Buster Call and the Marine elite, along with its capture of Admiral Kuzan and Garp, had merely surprised him. But the loss of two of the Five Elders, the