The Emergence of Various Forces—Restoring Youth

At this moment.

In the waters near the Red Line.

The "Great Pirate Alliance," led by the Four Emperors' Big Mom Pirates and the infamous "Lonely Red" Baloric Redfield, was advancing toward the Red Line. Thousands of pirate ships, each bearing a different flag, continued their relentless approach.

Then, as the rain poured down, the pirates finally laid their eyes on the colossal island above the Red Line.

For a moment, they stood frozen in shock.

Although they had seen it before through projections, witnessing it firsthand was an entirely different experience. The sheer magnitude and grandeur of the island overwhelmed them in a way no projection ever could. The impact was physical, mental—inescapable.

"That... is that really it?!"

"A treasure left behind by the World Government?!"

"My god... if that entire island is filled with treasure, how many of us could even dream of sharing it?!"

The murmurs of greed spread like wildfire among the countless pirates.

Every single one of them, unable to contain their avarice, grew even more frenzied.

On the Stolen Impel Down Warship

"Hahaha! So it's true after all!"

"Even after seeing the projection, I couldn't believe someone actually destroyed the World Government."

"Not only that..."

The 'Evil King' Pizarro's eyes gleamed with uncontrollable ambition as he fixed his gaze on the massive island above Mariejois.

"Judging by its sheer size, it must be packed with the World Government's hoarded wealth!"

Spreading his arms wide, Pizarro bellowed, "Marvelous! My treasure! Just wait! Your true master is right here! Hahaha!"

"Don't get ahead of yourself! Have you forgotten? There's still a monster standing in our way."

The voice belonged to 'Crescent Moon Hunter' Catarina Devon. A trace of fear flashed in her eyes.

On their journey, the freed prisoners from Impel Down had already watched the video footage.

They had witnessed the destruction of the Holy Land Mariejois.

To be honest, if not for the unimaginable wealth left behind by the World Government—and the fact that the terrifying man who brought destruction to Mariejois was seemingly weakened from his battles—

Catarina Devon would have never joined this expedition.

It wasn't just her.

Most of the criminals from Impel Down, upon seeing the catastrophic battle, instinctively hesitated.

After all, no one wanted to gamble with their own life.

If not for the overwhelming strength of their assembled forces—an alliance that included nearly all the pirates of the New World—none of them would have dared to challenge that monster.

Even so, Catarina Devon remained reluctant.

"Tch! What's the big deal?"

Pizarro sneered and glanced at the fearsome figures among their ranks—

'Lonely Red' Baloric Redfield, 'Demon Heir' Douglas Bullet, and 'Colossal Battleship' Sanjuan Wolf.

Not to mention the Four Emperors' Big Mom Pirates.

And…

The unfathomable power of their Great Pirate Alliance, gathered from the thousands of pirate crews of the New World!

In Pizarro's eyes, against such a formidable lineup, how could a single man resist?

Even a 'god' could not withstand this.

Moreover, according to Baloric Redfield's analysis, their enemy was far from being in peak condition after his battle against Imu.

With such an overwhelming force, victory was certain.

Pizarro firmly believed that no power in this world could stand against an alliance that encompassed almost the entire pirate population of the New World.

After all…

That man was alone.

This was an undeniable fact.

Meanwhile, they had over 200,000 pirates under their command!

On the Deck of the Big Mom Pirates' Ship

"Well, well, well~"

A deep, rumbling voice echoed.

The deck beneath them groaned under the weight of something massive.

Pizarro scowled and turned to see who had spoken. His eyes flashed with fury, prepared to strike down whoever dared to challenge him.

But then he saw her.

A towering figure, wreathed in dark clouds and flames, exuding an overwhelming presence.

The air itself seemed to tremble at her approach.

Pizarro swallowed hard and immediately fell silent.

"...Big Mom."

The one who had orchestrated this entire 'Great Pirate Alliance.'

The captain of the Big Mom Pirates, Charlotte Linlin.

Even among the ruthless criminals of Impel Down's ninth level, she was a force to be reckoned with.

Pizarro knew better than to challenge her.

For now, at least.

But he would remember this humiliation.

When he finally claimed the 'treasure' left by the World Government, he would make sure the world understood what happened to those who underestimated the Evil King.

Not even Big Mom or 'Lonely Red' would be spared.

Yet, unbeknownst to Pizarro, in this so-called alliance—where almost everyone harbored their own ulterior motives—he was far from the only one plotting treachery.

"Mother!" "Mother!"

On the deck of the Big Mom Pirates' main ship, all of Big Mom's children rose to their feet in unison.

Charlotte Linlin ignored them.

Instead, she gazed at the sky.

"Jhin, what's the situation over there?!"

A Pteranodon with flames trailing from its back swooped down through the rain.

The nearby pirates stiffened.

"That's... Jhin?!"

"Kaido's right-hand man! The All-Star of the Beasts Pirates!"

"Wait… are the Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates working together?!"

Jhin ignored the murmurs.

He landed on Big Mom's ship, shifting back into his human form, clad in jet-black attire from head to toe.

Casting a glance at 'Lonely Red' and the others, he reported, "Everything is in place. The Red Line… is defended by only one man."

"Just one person?"

"Ha! That arrogant fool!"

"Even after causing all that destruction, he didn't even bother to flee!"

Some pirates laughed upon hearing Jhin's words.

But Jhin wasn't finished.

"And... he appears to be waiting for us."

Charlotte Linlin narrowed her eyes.

Baloric Redfield smirked, stroking his chin.

"Interesting… does he intend to hoard the 'treasure' for himself? Or is he just that confident?"

"Either way, since he is alone…"

Redfield glanced at Linlin.

"Let's begin."

"Well, well, I was thinking the same thing."

Charlotte Linlin turned her gaze toward the thousands of pirate ships massed near the Red Line.

Without hesitation, she issued her command.

"Prepare for battle!"

In that moment.

Regardless of hidden agendas or ambitions.

Every pirate moved.

As the Great Pirate Alliance surged forward, each one racing toward the 'treasure' they believed lay ahead, Bai Ye watched from atop the Red Line.

His fingers rested lightly on Ryūjin Jakka.

He did not move.

He had waited for so long.

He could wait a little longer.

For now, he only wanted to see...

How many would come to die today?