222 With the Justice System

New World, Kuraigana Island.

Inside a gloomy old castle, candlelight flickered faintly.

Mihawk sat upright in an armchair, holding a wine glass in one hand. The deep crimson wine swirled gently, reflecting the golden gleam in his eyes.

The image from a Den Den Mushi was quietly broadcasting the war raging across the New World.

"Crack—"

A soft sound echoed.

A faint crack appeared on Mihawk's wine glass.

He stared at the screen, watching as Sengoku, in his golden Buddha form, slapped the monstrous, bird-shaped Saint Mars from the sky into the ocean with a single palm.

He watched as Garp, his fist wrapped in Conqueror's Haki, smashed Saint Peter in his sandworm form into the ground, sending him rolling helplessly.

"..."

Mihawk's heart pounded violently.

The Marines… had truly struck against the World Government!

And not just that—they were completely crushing them!

The five legendary Elders in front of the Marine legends and the new generation of Admirals, were… so utterly pathetic!

"..."

Mihawk set down his glass and slowly rose, walking toward the window.

Outside lay eternal clouds and withered trees.

He closed his eyes, and in his mind appeared a green-haired figure wrapped in a blood-red aura—the aura of a raging demon.

Marine Headquarters—Rear Admiral Roronoa Zoro...

Now… you've grown even stronger.

He extended his hand and grasped the black blade beside him—"Yoru."

"Woom—"

Yoru, one of the twelve Supreme Grade Blades, seemed to sense its master's will, letting out a deep, excited hum.

"Come," Mihawk murmured, eyes burning with sharp intent, "and challenge the title of the world's greatest swordsman!"

...

Dressrosa, King's Plateau.

"Fufufufufufu—"

Doflamingo lounged lazily on the sofa, his throat emitting a dry, hoarse laugh.

He had seen it—the Commander of the God's Knights, blasted thousands of meters beneath the sea by a colossal hundred-meter weapon.

He had seen—the Elders, ground into the ice by the upper echelons of Marine might.

"Fu… fu…"

The laughter abruptly stopped.

His sunglasses slipped slightly, revealing eyes filled with shock and chaos.

How… how could this be?!

Those were the Elders!!!

The undying beings who had ruled at the peak of world power for eight hundred years!

How could they possibly lose?!

"Hiss…"

A chill ran up Doflamingo's spine, freezing him to the core.

What was his greatest trump card?

His noble lineage as a former Celestial Dragon.

The secret he held—the "treasure" of Mary Geoise.

But now, the very pinnacle of the World Government's power...

Had been publicly beaten down by Marine fists!

If the Elders fell, if the World Government's order collapsed, what value would his secrets still hold?!

What leverage would he have left?!

A wave of pure terror seized his heart.

"No… no!"

He jumped to his feet, pacing back and forth in agitation.

"Even the Elders can't be relied on!"

"If the Marines win…"

"Sengoku—that old bastard—he'll come for me!"

"He'll avenge Rosinante, I know he will!"

"I have to think! I need a way out!"

Cold sweat rolled down his forehead, soaking his golden hair.

A way out?

Where in this ocean could he even run?

Ask another Yonko for help?

Whitebeard and Red-Hair were long gone, dust in history.

Kaido and Big Mom were trapped by the Marines at G-5, barely holding out themselves!

Where in the seas could he hide from this unstoppable Marine onslaught?

Nowhere!

There was nowhere left!

Despair washed over him like a rising tide.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHH—!"

Doflamingo roared like a cornered beast. He ripped off his sunglasses—the very pair that had symbolized his "Joker" identity for decades—and hurled them at the wall.

"Whoosh—"

The glasses spun through the air, trailing an arc of hopelessness.

"Crash—!"

The lenses shattered into pieces.

...

Meanwhile, on Amazon Lily in the Calm Belt.

"..."

Boa Hancock stared at the broadcast, at those towering, world-shaking figures, her beautiful face pale as snow.

The pride and disdain that once filled her eyes had been replaced by deep regret.

When she had torn up the Marines' compulsory summons, she had felt so proud, so untouchable.

Now, she was drowning in fear.

Back then, she believed that the Marines were unworthy to command her.

That no one could resist her beauty.

But now…

What was she seeing?

The Marines—openly warring against the World Government!

And they were winning!

"Elder… Elder!"

Hancock clutched Granny Nyon's arm, panic flooding her voice.

"Do we… still have a chance to make amends?"

"Amends?"

Granny Nyon looked at the screen, her cloudy old eyes flashing with despair.

She spread her hands helplessly, her tone dry.

"How do we make amends?"

"Those are the Elders. The God's Knights. Two of the Yonko!"

"The Marines are slicing through them. You think you can just stroll over and say, 'Oops, my bad, I'd like to join you now'?"

"You really think that 'Blood Hawk' Admiral—the one who gave even the Yonko no respect, who killed Red-Hair before the whole world—would give you mercy?"

"Ah…"

Granny Nyon sighed, patting Hancock's trembling hand.

"Pray, child."

"Pray that when this war ends, they'll forget about our little island…"

"..."

Hancock stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.

Despair, cold and merciless, flooded her heart.

...

New World, an unnamed island.

Under the dim sky, a massive light curtain flickered from an image Den Den Mushi, illuminating twisted faces in flashes of light and shadow.

"Uwahahaha! Hit 'em! Hit 'em hard!"

Kid roared in excitement as he watched the war unfold on-screen.

He didn't care who won or lost—he only reveled in the thrill of watching the world turn upside down.

"Kid."

Beside him, Killer's calm voice cut through the chaos.

"The Marines' power has surpassed all our expectations."

"After this war, no matter who wins, the world will never be the same."

"We need to start preparing."

"Preparing? For what?"

"Eustass,"

A low, magnetic voice interrupted.

Law leaned against a boulder, pointing at the screen where the two Yonko fleets were being obliterated.

"Look."

"Kaido and Big Mom brought nearly all their elite forces, their entire core strength, to the G-5 branch."

"That means…"

A faint, meaningful smile curled Law's lips.

"Their home territories are completely undefended."

"..."

Kid froze for a moment—then his eyes widened.

Of course!

While the two Yonko are pinned down by the Marines at G-5…

We can rob their territories blind!

"Uwahahaha… UWAHAHAHAHAHA!"

A feverish gleam of greed and excitement burst in Kid's eyes.

He leapt to his feet, raising his arm high.

"Boys!"

"Pass down my orders! Gather every ship in the alliance!"

"Our targets—"

"Totto Land, Whole Cake Island!"

"Wano Country, Onigashima!"

"Kaido's and Big Mom's treasures and territories will all be ours!!!"

"The entire New World will belong to our Supernova Alliance!!!"

"OOOOHHHHHHH!!!"

After a heartbeat of silence, the island erupted into thunderous cheers.

"Heh—"

Law watched the mob of crazed pirates driven by greed, then glanced at Kid, who was shouting passionately. The faint, knowing smile faded from his lips, replaced by utter calm.

Without a word, he lifted his hand and patted his chest lightly.

Beneath his clothing, the Marine identification code "01746" emitted a faint trace of warmth.

"Corazon-san," he murmured with a ghost of a smile, "once I finish this mission, my rank won't be any lower than yours~"