The world of pirates was in turmoil. The bold attack on Marie-Gioise had shaken the very foundations of established power. For the first time in decades, someone had dared to openly defy the supreme authority of the World Government. The death of three Celestial Dragons by one person had created shockwaves across the oceans, dividing reactions between admiration and dismay. Yet, some legendary figures, at the top of the power pyramid, watched these events with a detached interest.
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Holy Land, Pangaea Castle
In the council chamber of the Elders, the atmosphere was electric. The golden light filtering through the ancient stained glass windows danced on the walls adorned with tapestries recounting the history of the world. The circular table made of Adam wood, a relic of ancient times, hosted the five most powerful silhouettes of the World Government.
Saturn, his features tight with contained anger, pounded his fist on the table. "Our leniency towards this Gojo could well be our greatest mistake. And Sengoku..." He let his sentence hang, his hard gaze sweeping the assembly. "We can no longer afford to underestimate his position."
Ethanbaron leaned forward, his fingers intertwined under his chin. "The Four Emperors will not remain spectators forever. Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, and this newcomer, Shanks... Each of them could tip the balance in their favor."
"Global stability is now nothing but a house of cards," Shepard intervened, his deep voice resonating in the chamber. "We must act with precision and determination. The slightest mistake could make everything crumble."
The five Elders exchanged meaningful looks. In the heavy air of the chamber, their silhouettes cast oversized shadows on the ancient walls, reminders of their age-old power.
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New World, Moby Dick
The legendary ship cut through the waves with majesty, its figurehead defying the elements. On the main deck, Edward Newgate, better known as Whitebeard, dominated the scene from his throne. His piercing gaze scanned the horizon as if he could see the future.
Marco, the Phoenix, approached his captain with measured steps. "Father, the news from Marie-Gioise is confirmed. Gojo has done more than stir up trouble - he has changed the game."
Juzo, standing nearby, added with a smirk, "Three Celestial Dragons. To him, it was just a game."
A deep laughter emanated from Whitebeard, vibrating the air around him. "This kid... He either has extraordinary courage or boundless madness." His expression turned more serious. "Perhaps both."
Marco crossed his arms, thoughtful. "The World Government will not let this affront pass."
"Let them try," growled Whitebeard, his voice carrying the force of a contained tsunami. "Sengoku is clever enough not to provoke a total war, but we must stay on guard."
Rising from his throne, he towered over the deck with all his stature. "My sons, prepare yourselves. The seas will become turbulent, and we must be ready to face the coming storm."
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Wano Country, Onigashima
In the throne room of Onigashima, Kaido sipped his sake, the torchlight dancing on his battle-worn face. The news of the attack on Marie-Gioise seemed to initially spark only a vague interest in his gaze.
"So, this kid thinks he can disrupt everything?" His rough voice echoed against the stone walls. "The Calamities will monitor his movements. If he threatens our interests..." He left his sentence hanging, but the threat was clear.
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Big Mom's Territory, Whole Cake Island
Charlotte Linlin's characteristic laughter echoed in the throne room of Whole Cake Castle. "Mamarama! What an interesting show this young fool is putting on!"
Baron Tamago bowed slightly. "Big Mom-sama, do you wish to welcome him into our family?"
Big Mom's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "Such power... such audacity... He could indeed be an interesting addition." Her smile widened. "But if he dares to defy us..."
"No one can rival our family," she proclaimed, her voice carrying the force of a sentence. "Not Kaido, not that old Whitebeard, and certainly not a young pup who has barely shown his teeth. The One Piece will be ours, MAMARAMA!"
The echo of her laughter resonated throughout the castle, carrying with it the promise of upheaval to come. The world of pirates was entering a new era, and no one could predict who would emerge victorious.
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As the world plunged into chaos, the instigator was peacefully seated on his small boat, oblivious to the negotiations and measures being portes 6against him. His destination? Pirate Island, where he hoped to reunite with his crew without worrying about the disastrous consequences of his actions.
Despite the obstacles caused by the marines relentlessly pursuing him, Gojo finally managed to reach his goal. In sight, he distinguished the imposing island adorned with a giant skull, inhabited by fearsome pirates. It was the famous Hive Island, known for its infamous practices and notorious pirates.
As he advanced, Gojo spotted a ship with a skull-shaped flag on the horizon: the Stella, the ship of the Infinity Pirates. Although there were still some crew members on deck, he noticed that several were missing. However, he couldn't help but smile when he saw the condition of one of them in particular.
*****
After a few minutes, Gojo reached near the Stella. Yaga, spotting him, greeted him warmly. They began a discussion about the modifications he was considering making to the ship, a subject that captivated Gojo. He handed over the ship he had used for his journey and jumped aboard the Stella, welcomed by the other crew members who were eagerly awaiting him.
"You're back! Gojo-san! We heard that you freed several slaves and caused chaos in Mary Geoise," exclaimed Yuta enthusiastically.
"What you did was incredibly brave. Few people would have dared to defy the World Government as you did," worried Utahime. "But we must prepare to face the consequences. The marines will not leave us alone."
"Impressive. In my time, no one had ever dared to attack the Holy Land. The World Government must be furious, especially Sengoku. But it just adds some spice to the adventure! Ahahaha..." exclaimed Naobito, sipping his sake.
"But tell me, Gojo-san... what did you discover there?" asked Mei Mei.
A heavy silence fell on the boat at this question, all eyes turned to their captain, waiting for an answer. Gojo, who had remained silent until then, stepped forward, sat down, and looked up at the sky. A few moments later, he turned to them with a maniacal smile, releasing a bit of Conqueror's Haki, and began to tell his story.
"I see... Knowing your character, you wouldn't have left without wanting to confront those who blocked one of your most powerful attacks... right?" Mei Mei asked with a smile.
"It's true, captain... Can you explain why you left after the attack?" Utahime questioned.
Gojo, initially with a maniacal smile, adopted a more friendly expression as he thought back to the three sisters he had met. He was looking forward to visiting them as soon as he had a moment.
"So, Yuta, what happened on your end, and where is Toji?" Gojo asked, a bit more seriously.
When the question was asked, Yuta's face hardened, and a heavy silence fell. They all remembered the massacre carried out by a single individual against the two most powerful among them, after their captain. No one could forget that tragic event. Yuta then explained what had happened and how they had miserably lost.
"Ahahahhaha... It was obvious you had no chance of beating him. Traveling alone through the New World speaks to his undeniable abilities," Gojo said as he stood up.
"What are your plans for the future, Captain?" Mei Mei asked eagerly.
Gojo thought for a moment before replying: "I intend to go see him myself, after all, he is the one who caused our coming here. But before that, we must wait for Toji to return, then we will set off."
After Gojo made his decision on their next course of action, everyone returned to their tasks awaiting Toji's return. An hour later, someone jumped aboard the ship. It was Toji, who had found Gojo and discussed with him about Mary Geoise and their fight. After their conversation, the crew gathered for their captain to meet this arrogant individual.