"Hmm?"

Hearing the title 'Sun God Nika,' Whitebeard's pupils contracted sharply and his gaze swept toward Shanks like a sharp blade.

"Red-Haired brat, it seems I've not only underestimated Orion but I've underestimated you as well. Or perhaps, your ambitions have even escaped the notice of the Gorosei!"

At this point, Whitebeard paused slightly, his tone softening a bit.

"Speak, what exactly are you scheming? One thing you should be very clear about—under Orion's leadership, the Navy is unprecedentedly powerful now. Any conspiracies or tricks will be mere decorations to them."

Hearing this, Shanks shook his head and chuckled with a hint of helplessness in his voice.

"Whitebeard, you've truly grown old! Admitting the enemy's strength before even making a move—the title of the world's strongest man now belongs only to the past."

"Don't try to provoke me, Red-Haired brat!" Whitebeard waved his hand dismissively, his tone calm.

"Unlike you all who enjoy gathering intelligence on all sorts of major events, I've been paying attention to some things in the New World lately—things you normally wouldn't care about."

As he spoke, Whitebeard picked up a newspaper lying beside him and tossed it in front of Shanks.

"Take a look. This is the newspaper published by the World Economic News three days ago."

Without hesitation, Shanks took the newspaper and scanned the content from three days prior.

"Wano Country?"

When he saw the headline was related to Wano Country, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, and he then read the entire article carefully.

The newspaper didn't just cover Wano Country; it also included news about Totto Land and Dressrosa—two regions now fully under Navy control.

Under Crocodile's management, Wano Country had erupted with unprecedented vitality.

The people of Wano, who once lived in dire straits, not only faced no oppression after the country was restructured into a city but also completely emerged from the darkness of enslavement under Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido, now enjoying prosperous and stable lives.

Most importantly, because Wano City was open to the outside world and actively attracting investment from the New World, since Crocodile became its first mayor, the entire region had flourished.

Skyscrapers rose from the ground, and merchants from many affiliated nations of the World Government in the New World continuously poured into Wano.

Similarly, the Admiral responsible for managing Totto Land was not only constructing naval bases but also replicating the Wano model through a construction corps system, making Totto Land the second region after Wano to experience a rebirth.

As for Dressrosa, with Doflamingo now leading the Donquixote Family back to the Holy Land, Riku Doldo III had resumed control over Dressrosa.

However, Riku Doldo III did not continue as king.

Instead, he proactively applied to the Navy Headquarters to abolish the monarchy, transforming the Kingdom of Dressrosa into Dressrosa City.

Through a universal voting system, he became its first mayor.

Afterward, Wano sent advisory teams to spread the policies implemented in Wano throughout Dressrosa.

Nowadays, Dressrosa has no coliseum, no enslaved Tontatta Tribe—only a vibrant atmosphere of everyone striving for a brighter future.

...

After reading the entire newspaper, Shanks fell into silence.

If one day in the future, the entire New World could be like present-day Wano, Totto Land, and Dressrosa—coupled with the powerful Navy maintaining order on the seas—the New World would inevitably undergo a profound transformation, becoming a true paradise on earth.

However, piloting in a few regions is easy, but implementing the policies Crocodile enforced in Wano Country worldwide faces major obstacles—various pirate factions are one hindrance, while the World Government's Affiliated Nations and those privileged royal nobles are the biggest barriers!

"Red-Haired brat, you once said my final outcome can and must only be death at the hands of the Navy, right?"

Witnessing Shanks' reaction, Whitebeard rose and strode over to the cross-legged Shanks.

Towering over the "little guy" with his imposing stature, he looked down without the imposing aura of the man once known as the world's strongest.

His tone gentle and he said, "If my death can bring a stable and prosperous future to the New World, if my death can allow my family to live in a New World filled with equality and freedom, if my death can bring change to the World Government, then I am willing to die under the Navy's blade!"

"I have always believed that One Piece truly exists."

"But the One Piece in my heart is not on Laugh Tale."

"What is happening now in Wano Country, Whole Cake Island, and Dressrosa—that is the One Piece in my heart."

"My abilities are limited. I can only rely on the name 'Whitebeard' to protect the Whitebeard Pirates and our territories from invasion. Now, a young man with greater abilities than mine has emerged. Not only is he thoroughly reforming the corrupt World Government from within, but he has also brought the people in all the regions under his control out of darkness to live in the light. What reason do I have to destroy such beauty?"

As soon as Whitebeard finished speaking, a commotion suddenly erupted from a patrol ship belonging to the Whitebeard Pirates anchored in the distance.

Immediately after, the Den Den Mushi in the hands of Marco who always stayed by Whitebeard's side, began ringing urgently.

"Buru Buru~"

"Commander Marco, a Navy warship has been spotted in the waters ahead, heading toward us at full speed!"

Before Marco could react, the Den Den Mushi in Shanks' embrace also rang urgently.

"Boss, we've spotted a Navy warship. They must have discovered our meeting with Whitebeard! Should we sink it?"

Hearing this, Shanks did not answer immediately but instead looked up at Whitebeard first.

This was Whitebeard Pirates' territory.

Even if a Navy warship had intruded, it was not the Red-Haired Pirates' place to intervene.

Unlike Shanks' reaction, Marco flew into a rage upon hearing that the Navy had trespassed into their territory.

He scolded into the Den Den Mushi, "How did you patrol? You only noticed the warship after it had already broken in!"

After a brief pause, Marco changed his tone, "Stay where you are and don't move. I'm coming right away!"

With that, Marco decisively activated his unique Mythical Zoan, transforming into his phoenix form and preparing to take flight.

"Marco, stay calm!"

Before Marco could fly off, Whitebeard promptly stopped him, saying.

"Pass the order: let the warship approach!"

.....

At the same time.

On the deck of a large warship that had entered the Whitebeard Pirates' territorial waters stood Mihawk, Nico Robin, Yamato, Perona, Denjiro, and Jinbei, who had been ordered to search for the final Road Poneglyph!

"Mihawk, what are you planning to do?"

Hovering beside Mihawk with her red umbrella, Perona stared wide-eyed as the Moby Dick gradually came into view through the distant sea mist, along with over a dozen warships of the Whitebeard Pirates anchored around it.

As their vessel rapidly closed the distance, she grew increasingly frantic and exclaimed.

"This is Whitebeard Pirates' territory! We were ordered to search for the Road Poneglyphs, not to challenge the Whitebeard Pirates! Turn around, turn around, hurry up and turn around, you idiot!"

"Hmm~"

Standing beside Perona and holding a telescope, Robin suddenly spoke up with a sly tone.

"It seems it's not just the Whitebeard Pirates. The Red Force of the Red-Haired Pirates is here too. Could they have formed an alliance?"

"What? Taking on both Whitebeard and Red-Haired Shanks at once?"

Perona's eyes widened even further.

She grabbed Mihawk's cloak and began tugging at it wildly, "Mihawk, if you want to die, don't drag me into it! I don't want to die here!"

"Orion-sama, save me!"

"Your little girl is going to die, boohoo!"