Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Inside the conference hall, it was certain—troops would be dispatched.

But to what extent, that was where the two factions began to argue.

The dovish faction believed war was acceptable, but only as a symbolic gesture.

If the mask were ripped off and the Headquarters' weakness exposed,

Pirates would erupt into a frenzy, and the consequences would be unimaginable.

The hawkish faction insisted on a fight to the death.

If they couldn't deal a decisive blow once, then they'd do it again.

As long as they killed Golden Lion too, with two major pirates falling in succession,

The pirates would surely become obedient.

Each side held firmly to their stance.

Fleet Admiral Kong rubbed his temples in frustration—both arguments made sense.

War or total war...

At that moment, Kong's adjutant entered the room.

He whispered something into Kong's ear, causing his eyes to light up.

After a few seconds of thought—

"Bang!"

He slammed the table.

"Alright, silence!"

"We'll dispatch five warships this time—a symbolic warning to Golden Lion."

"Sakazuki will lead the mission."

"Sakazuki, come with me."

With that, he turned and walked out.

Sakazuki raised a brow and followed.

The two factions in the room exchanged looks.

Sending five warships was clearly just for show, to avoid revealing their weakness.

But sending Sakazuki to lead... that...

Everyone knew Sakazuki fought pirates like a madman.

...

Fleet Admiral's Office.

Sakazuki followed Kong inside and sat on the couch.

Kong spoke:

"Do you know why I made this arrangement?"

Sakazuki pondered for a few seconds...

And shook his head.

Kong grinned:

"Sengoku has been found—he's on his way back with Garp."

"I told them to stay out of sight."

"By the time you reach the Red Line, it'll be nightfall."

"The fleet will anchor overnight."

"Since Golden Lion dares to test us, it means he's gotten wind of something."

"I'll have them meet you in secret—Sengoku and Garp will sneak aboard."

"On the surface, it will seem like you're leading five ships against Golden Lion."

"He'll never expect Sengoku and Garp to be hiding aboard."

Kong couldn't help but laugh again.

Sakazuki also cracked a smirk.

The two exchanged grins.

...

New World – Golden Lion's Fleet.

A massive floating island drifted low in the sky, surrounded by pirate ships.

Its heading—directly toward the Red Line.

Inside the giant palace atop the island, Golden Lion sat at the head.

On both sides sat captains from various pirate crews.

After regaining blood and strength, they'd recovered about 70% of their former power before the Battle of Skegli.

A massive round sea bowl brimmed with wine—Golden Lion drank it in one gulp.

He slammed the bowl down and looked around at his men, feeling full of heroic spirit.

One bold captain, inspired by Golden Lion's dominant presence, asked:

"Boss Shiki, where are we headed?"

Golden Lion grinned, his bold voice echoing:

"No rush—wait a bit longer."

The others, confused, simply continued the feast.

Halfway through, with the food and wine mostly consumed, a subordinate pushed the door open.

Golden Lion's eyes lit up, a bit impatient:

"What's the Marine's response?"

The subordinate excitedly replied:

"Boss, Marine Headquarters only dispatched five warships!"

"But they're led by Vice Admiral Sakazuki."

At Sakazuki's name, a shadow of fear crossed the subordinate's face—memories of that terrifying magma during the Skegli battle still vivid.

But Golden Lion burst into laughter:

"Gehahahahaha, good!"

"Go collect your reward."

Then he turned to his captains:

"Alright, the feast ends here."

"Everyone."

"What we're about to do will reshape the world order."

"Get ready!"

"Gehahahahaha!"

The men exchanged glances.

"Boss Shiki, what exactly are we doing?"

Golden Lion's grin faded into something colder:

"We're going to annihilate—"

"The! Marine! Headquarters!"

The crew gasped—this was more than reckless.

"Boss Shiki, isn't that too rash?"

"That's the actual Marine—"

Golden Lion waved his hand:

"No need to worry. If I'm acting, I'm fully prepared."

"The entire world has been fooled by that old Kong."

"The current Marines are an empty shell."

"Sengoku's missing, Zephyr's retired, Garp's whereabouts unknown."

"The only notable combat force is that old man Kong."

"And Sakazuki, that little magma brat."

"Whitebeard attacked the Marine branch, causing the Battle of Skegli."

"Now I attack, and they send only five warships and that magma brat."

"Isn't that telling enough?"

"The Marines are nothing but an empty shell now."

"We just need to shatter that shell."

"Let the world descend into chaos!!!"

"And we will have our chance—"

"To conquer the world!!!"

"Gehahahahahaha!!!"

His crew's eyes gleamed.

Golden Lion really knew how to stir a man's heart.

...

New World – Lana Sea.

This area was near the Red Line—half a day's sail from the G1 base.

No islands here, just an endless sea.

Thick clouds hid Golden Lion's fleet above.

Several lookouts observed the sea below through telescopes.

Golden Lion stood on the floating island's edge, admiring the world.

A subordinate asked:

"Boss Shiki, we've waited here half a day. Who are we waiting for?"

Golden Lion narrowed his eyes:

"This is a necessary passage to the next island."

"Here, we'll intercept the magma brat."

"Then cross the Red Line and annihilate Marine Headquarters."

Thinking of the magma giant from last time, the subordinate wiped cold sweat:

"Boss, Sakazuki won't be easy to handle... we..."

Golden Lion snorted:

"I've studied him."

"Last time he was so troublesome because his magma connected to the Earth's core."

"It gave him endless power."

"But here, there are no islands—nothing but open sea."

"His strength will be greatly reduced."

"We're high above. Once we destroy the ships and leave him nowhere to land—"

Golden Lion paused, then sneered.

On the far sea horizon, five tiny black dots appeared...

Five warships advanced in a fan-shaped formation.

Sakazuki stood at the bow of the lead ship.

Arms crossed, seemingly gazing out over the sea.

In truth, he was thinking about the strange behavior from Sengoku last night.

Although Sengoku hadn't said anything directly, Garp seemed oddly focused on him...

Given his brains, Sengoku must've told him something...

Those two... definitely suspicious...

Sakazuki narrowed his eyes in thought.

Then, as if sensing something, he looked to the distant sky.

"Golden Lion."

...

In the sky, Golden Lion saw the fleet below change formation.

He grinned:

"They've noticed."

"Boys, get ready!!"

The surrounding crew drew weapons, eager for battle:

"Yeah!!!"

Golden Lion swung his right arm.

Several small floating islands plummeted toward the ships below.

Then the massive floating island and nearby pirate ships followed in a dive.

...

On the lead warship below, two massive magma dragons burst forth.

Twisting left and right, they adjusted mid-air and shattered the falling islands.

Then charged toward the excited enemy forces.

Golden Lion activated his Devil Fruit power, twin swords in hand.

He soared toward the magma dragons at incredible speed.

His weapons crackled with Conqueror's Haki.

Just as he was about to slash—

A sudden sense of overwhelming danger seized him!

He forcefully halted mid-strike.

The magma dragons seemed to sense it too,

And split left and right past Golden Lion.

Then—

Boom!!!

Both magma dragon heads exploded!

Too late to dodge.

As he stared at the two silhouettes—

Golden Lion's hair stood on end, pupils contracting.

"Someone set me up!!!!!!"