The next day.

News of the legendary pirate Golden Lion Shiki's failed attempt to break into Impel Down and free the prisoners held in Level 6 quickly spread across the world through major newspaper agencies.

...

Territory of the Red-Haired Pirates.

Shanks, one of the two remaining Emperors of the Sea in the New World, sat solemnly beneath a tree, his expression grave as he read the news printed in the newspaper.

The paper in his hand was published by the World News Agency.

Ever since Wano Country was taken over by the Navy and Crocodile, the World Economic News Agency, established by the "Big News" Morgans, had become a news department under the Navy's command.

It was not hard to see that this news was authorized by the Navy.

After all, this was a major incident that occurred last night in Impel Down, located in the Calm Belt.

Without authorization from the Navy Headquarters, even the World News Agency's vast intelligence network could not have published and distributed this news to the entire world so quickly.

"Pointing the finger at already imprisoned criminals? What is Orion trying to do?"

Ben Beckman, a cigarette dangling from his lips, walked over and sat down opposite Shanks.

He spoke calmly, "He just returned from the North Blue and immediately caused such a stir. Who is he warning? I can't quite figure it out!"

"Who knows," Shanks tossed the newspaper aside, his previously grave expression replaced by a smile.

"Judging solely by the news content, Orion's actions this time aren't targeted at anyone specifically. It's more about the incident caused by Shiki. As the Fleet Admiral of the Navy, he naturally can't let Shiki's plan succeed. After all, Impel Down holds many criminals who have committed heinous crimes in the past. If they were to successfully escape with Shiki, the Grand Line would surely be plunged into another storm of bloodshed."

"However, Orion's methods still exceeded my expectations!"

Pausing briefly, Shanks glanced sideways at the newspaper, his brow gradually furrowing.

"He executed so many people with such swift and decisive action. Isn't he worried that after these criminals are executed, their Devil Fruit abilities will reappear somewhere in the Grand Line?"

Beckman's heart stirred, and he probed cautiously, "Did you just notice this now, or had you already sensed this situation?"

"What's the difference?" Shanks looked at Beckman.

Beckman shook his head, his expression serious.

"Although I don't know why, I have a strong feeling that Orion's change in the World Government's usual practice of imprisoning Devil Fruit users—ruthlessly and decisively executing all criminal Devil Fruit users—is not done out of concern that the Devil Fruits of these executed criminals will reappear!"

"Or perhaps, he is fully prepared!"

"Fully prepared?" Shanks was taken aback, not understanding. "What do you mean?"

"Based on the information I've gathered, after Orion successively took over Wano Country and Whole Cake Island, he sent Mihawk leading a single warship to search for the last Road Poneglyph. So far, Mihawk and his crew's whereabouts have always been elusive. While it seems they are searching for the Road Poneglyph, they might actually be searching for those Devil Fruits that are likely to reappear!"

"Of course, that possibility is very low. Finding a reborn Devil Fruit is like looking for a needle in a haystack, especially since Mihawk is only commanding one warship!"

"Therefore, there's only one possibility!"

"The reason Orion is so decisive in executing criminal Devil Fruit users is that he possesses the ability to quickly locate reborn Devil Fruits! Or perhaps... an artifact capable of containing Devil Fruits!"

"Other than that, I really can't figure out why Orion would do this. Without the ability to handle reborn Devil Fruits, even if he purges all Devil Fruit users in the Grand Line, these Devil Fruits will soon reappear across the world, repeating history!"

"That's possible!" Shanks' thoughts instantly clicked, and he agreed, "Without such an ability, there's no need for him to exterminate criminals already imprisoned in Impel Down. Especially the vicious criminals held in Level 6—aside from Bullett with his Combine-Fruit ability, Catarina Devon, Pizarro, and others are all powerful Devil Fruit users. Rather than killing them and letting their Devil Fruit abilities resurface, it'd be better to keep them locked up in Level 6 once and for all!"

"Yet Orion chose to execute them all, likely because he has mastered the ability to quickly locate reborn Devil Fruits, or perhaps some kind of container to store these Devil Fruits!"

"If that's truly the case, Orion's next moves will surely be even more aggressive, as they no longer have any worries holding them back!"

Beckman nodded. "We need to plan ahead. Right now, no new powerful figures are emerging in the New World, and no one dares to compete for the vacant Yonko positions at this time. Yet Orion's determination to sweep through the Grand Line hasn't weakened in the slightest. From this Impel Down incident, I'm certain his next target will be either us or the Whitebeard Pirates."

"What a reversal of roles!"

Shanks shook his head with a bitter smile.

"In the past, whether it was the Navy or CP0, they needed approval from the Five elders to wage war against the Yonko. That's why the Yonko have ruled the New World for so many years, with their territories remaining peaceful. But ever since Orion became Fleet Admiral, every large-scale operation has been initiated by the Navy, sweeping through everything with unprecedented force!"

At this point, Shanks stood up, brushed the dust off his pants, then looked toward the sea with a determined gaze.

"Prepare a jar of good wine. I'm going to catch up with Whitebeard!"

...

...

New World, Whitebeard Pirates' territory.

The iconic Moby Dick floated quietly on the windless, waveless sea, with the towering Whitebeard seated at the bow.

Unlike before, he now had two more IV tubes attached to him, and an additional beautiful nurse stood by his side.

However, though his health was declining day by day, it didn't affect his imposing presence in the slightest.

Even without a single word or movement, as he sat at the bow holding a newspaper, he exuded an indescribable pressure.

"Pops!"

Suddenly, a figure flashed over and stood before Whitebeard, getting straight to the point.

"Shanks is here again!"

"What an annoying brat!"

Hearing that Shanks had come again, Whitebeard slightly raised his eyes, his calm tone carrying a hint of displeasure.

Complaints aside, Whitebeard still put down the newspaper and said.

"Let him come over. Nowadays, all pirate forces in the Grand Line are on edge, and the Red-Haired Pirates led by Shanks are no exception."