"Rumble!"
Dark clouds filled the sky, and thunder roared.
At the edge of the waters surrounding Dressrosa's island chain, two enormous fleets faced off.
Golden lightning darted through the black clouds, casting flickering light over the sky and sea.
"Dressrosa's military has grown at an astonishing rate in just one year!"
Kizaru spoke in surprise aboard the warship at the very front of the Marine fleet.
Previously, he had only seen the warships patrolling the sea, and even those had been considerable in number.
Only now did he realize that the kingdom before him had developed at a truly unexpected pace over the past year.
"Are the ones aboard those three ships up front Dressrosa's current Three Admirals?"
"That title really isn't much different from ours."
Just then, the man beside him spoke in a low voice.
Kizaru turned his head, his eyes flickering. The man was an Admiral the Marines had recently recruited, codenamed Ryokugyu.
Unlike men like them, who had devoted half their lives to the Marines, he had clearly been brought in through special recruitment. Even Kizaru did not know what he was capable of.
"They're every bit as strong as we are. Calling them Admirals is perfectly fitting."
Kizaru spoke with a faint smile.
"I hear the word 'People' is embroidered on the backs of Dressrosa's capes. That's quite a direct challenge to the World Government and the Marines' justice!"
Ryokugyu narrowed his eyes and chuckled.
"That's true."
Kizaru nodded in agreement.
"But Dressrosa, under River, is precisely why we've mobilized on such a scale today. Has any intelligence come in confirming that River has left?"
Ryokugyu asked another question.
"Nothing yet. Two of the Four Emperors are meeting on Bagran Island. Even River would probably have to mobilize his entire force to take them on."