One Piece: Rising to Fleet Admiral Through a Coup

Meanwhile...

New World, Whitebeard Pirates' Territory.

On the deck of the Moby Dick, the vessel that symbolized the "World's Strongest Man," a towering figure over six meters tall sat at the bow. His massive frame was connected to various IV tubes as he studied a freshly delivered newspaper with intense focus.

Though he made no movement, his mere presence radiated an overwhelming aura of dominance. The invisible pressure he exuded made it impossible for anyone to meet his gaze directly.

Edward Newgate, captain of the Whitebeard Pirates and wielder of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, bore the title of World's Strongest Man. To his loyal crew, he was simply "Oyaji" (Father).

The deck maintained an unusual silence. All division commanders and crew members of the Whitebeard Pirates moved with exceptional care, as if afraid to disturb their captain's concentration. Even their footsteps were deliberately muted, producing no sound.

Closest to Edward Newgate stood the First Division Commander, Marco, known as the "Phoenix" for his mythical Zoan abilities. His distinctive golden pompadour caught the sunlight as he waited patiently—one of the few who dared to glance toward their captain.

Yet Marco too remained silent, respectfully awaiting Whitebeard's reaction.

Before their captain had even read the newspaper, the crew had already examined its contents. They were well aware of the sudden, dramatic shift in power dynamics between the World Government and its Marines—a transformation that had occurred virtually overnight.

Though they were pirates—and not just any pirates, but the subordinates of the strongest man in the New World—they couldn't dismiss the significance of today's news.

The reason was simple: if the World Government and its military arm, the Marines, were at odds with each other, the repercussions would inevitably affect the global balance of power. The fragile equilibrium in the New World, established after years of conflict, would undoubtedly face disruption.

"Gurararara~"

After finishing the newspaper, Edward Newgate suddenly erupted into his characteristic hearty laugh. "It seems Sengoku and Garp have grown old—they've allowed a mere youngster to steal their home from under their noses."

"But the ones who should be truly concerned now aren't Sengoku and Garp. It's the Five Elders in the Chamber of Authority!"

Pausing briefly, Whitebeard's expression turned grave as he lifted the newspaper once more. "What does this young Vice Admiral Xayuki truly want? Did he stage this coup merely to become Fleet Admiral and continue serving the World Government? Or does he intend to lead the Marines—this massive war machine—away from the World Government to establish himself as a sovereign power?"

"If it's the former, the current situation won't change significantly. But if it's the latter, the already turbulent Grand Line will be thrown into unprecedented chaos!"

Hearing this, Marco stepped forward. "Oyaji, I've already dispatched operatives to Sabaody Archipelago. Whatever happens next, we'll receive information immediately!"

Then, as if recalling something important, Marco's tone shifted. "Also, yesterday Kaido visited Sky Island for another suicide attempt. Unlike previous occasions, after his inevitable failure, he didn't return to Wano Country. Instead, the Three Calamities of the Beast Pirates have all departed from Wano. I suspect they've caught wind of these developments and are planning to exploit the situation."

"Ignore them."

Whitebeard dismissed the concern with a wave of his massive hand, his penetrating gaze fixed on the front-page photograph. Slowly, he pronounced each syllable: "Xayuki? What an extraordinary young man."

Somewhere on the Grand Line.

A small, coffin-shaped boat sliced through the waves, carrying a sharp-eyed man with hawk-like vision. Seated with legs crossed, he bore on his back a massive black blade with a distinctive cross-shaped hilt. Though waves crashed against his vessel, an invisible force repelled the water before it could touch him, scattering droplets into the wind.

Dracule Mihawk, known throughout the world as "Hawkeye," reigned as the World's Greatest Swordsman. Once a Marine Hunter, he now served as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, aligned with the World Government.

Suddenly, a bird's cry pierced the air above him.

Looking up, Mihawk spotted a News Coo descending toward his position.

An avid reader of current events, Mihawk didn't hesitate. He tossed a Belly note to the bird and retrieved the latest newspaper.

"Hmm?"

The moment his eyes fell upon the headline, Mihawk—who had been lounging in perfect composure—abruptly rose to his feet. A flash of genuine surprise crossed his typically impassive, hawk-like eyes.

A coup at Marine Headquarters?

Vice Admiral Xayuki seizes control of the Marines and stands in opposition to the World Government?

After quickly absorbing the article's contents, Mihawk regained his composure and gazed toward the horizon.

The name Xayuki wasn't unfamiliar to him.

During one of the Marine's mandatory summons for the Seven Warlords, Mihawk had attended a meeting at Marine Headquarters. Though he hadn't personally encountered Xayuki, he had heard numerous accounts from various officers.

Most of these stories hadn't captured his interest. What had intrigued him, however, was the claim that a young Marine officer had mastered all six forms of Rokushiki in just six years. Moreover, this officer reportedly possessed exceptional talent in swordsmanship, surpassing many of the Marine's most accomplished blade masters.

"Vice Admiral Xayuki?"

After a moment of contemplation, a spark of battle-lust ignited in Mihawk's eyes. "To seize complete control of Marine Headquarters in a single day... I never expected you to ascend to such remarkable heights!"

"It seems the time has come for us to meet face to face."

As his words faded into the sea breeze, the unmistakable aura of the World's Greatest Swordsman erupted around him.

In the next instant, Mihawk's coffin boat accelerated dramatically, slicing through the waves like an arrow launched toward Marine Headquarters.

But mere seconds after surging through a massive wave, the vessel suddenly malfunctioned and ground to a complete halt.

"???"

Staring at his now-drifting boat, Mihawk's determined expression transformed into one of utter bewilderment.

With a resigned sigh, he quickly surveyed the surrounding waters. Finding no other vessels nearby, he unsheathed his Supreme Grade Sword, Yoru, preparing to use it as an improvised paddle. With practiced efficiency that belied the absurdity of the situation, he began rowing through the endless waves.

Grand Line, First Half.

Within the Alabasta Kingdom, in the largest casino of Rainbase known as "Rain Dinners," a dimly lit private room housed an imposing figure who stood with his back to the room's only light source. A low, unsettling laugh escaped his lips.

"Kuhahaha~"

"How unexpected... Marine Headquarters completely overtaken by a mere Vice Admiral!"

As he spoke, the man turned to reveal a face marked by a prominent horizontal scar and meticulously slicked-back hair. His very presence exuded the unmistakable aura of a calculating mastermind.

Sir Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and founder of the criminal organization Baroque Works, operated under the codename "Mr. 0."

Of course, no one in Alabasta knew his true identity. Here, he had carefully cultivated the image of a righteous hero—a facade that provided the perfect cover for his long-brewing schemes.

"Miss All Sunday."

With a cigar clenched between his teeth, Crocodile directed his gaze toward a shadowed corner of the room. From the darkness emerged a tall, elegant woman wearing a distinctive white cowboy hat.

Nico Robin, vice president of Baroque Works and bearer of the codename "Miss All Sunday," was the sole survivor of the Ohara Incident. A user of the Flower-Flower Fruit, she had been branded the "Devil of Ohara" by the World Government and carried a bounty of 79 million Belly.

Fixing his penetrating gaze on Robin, Crocodile's expression turned serious. "The World Government or Marine Headquarters will likely summon the Seven Warlords soon. If the Marines and the World Government become irreconcilable enemies because of this coup, we who stand between them will be the first to suffer the consequences."

"To ensure our operation remains uncompromised, I must temporarily leave Alabasta. The affairs of Baroque Works will be in your hands during my absence."

A calculating smile spread across Crocodile's face as he locked eyes with the woman before him. "Don't disappoint me, Nico Robin."

~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~

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