Chapter 33 – The World Takes Notice
News travels faster than ships in the Grand Line, and the rumors coming out of Wano Country spread like wildfire. Reports passed through Cipher Pol agents, merchants, and spies until they finally reached the most powerful ears in the world.
Far above the seas, inside the chambers of the Mary Geoise, the Five Elders gathered in silence. Their expressions were grim as stacks of reports lay scattered across the table.
"What kind of nonsense is this?" the bald elder with the sword snapped, slamming the parchment down.
"Who has appeared without warning that can make Kaido bow?" another elder demanded, his voice cold and calculating.
The elder with the long mustache tapped the report slowly. "And seastone and weapons trade… stopped by the Beast Pirates."
The tall elder with the birthmark exhaled slowly. "Now it makes sense. Kaido has bowed to someone else."
Silence lingered for a moment as the implications settled.
"But the most important problem is Wano," said Saint Marcus Mars, folding his hands behind his back. "Whoever Kaido's captain is… he is building an empire."
"A kingdom relies on the World Government to survive," Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro added calmly.
"But an empire…" murmured Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, his gaze darkening.
"…is a land that needs no one to protect it."
Saint Marcus Mars continued, his voice heavy. "They already have Kaido. And now reports say the samurai have pledged their swords to this man."
"That power has already exceeded the threshold of an Emperor's crew," said Saint Shepherd Ju Peter.
Saint Topman Warcury leaned forward slowly.
"Is another Rocks appearing on the sea?"
The room fell silent.
"No," Saturn replied after a moment. "Someone more troublesome."
"Rocks' pirates were divided," Mars said thoughtfully. "They fought each other as much as their enemies."
"But this man…" Nusjuro's eyes narrowed. "…has loyal samurai behind him."
"And the samurai of that cursed land will die for their masters," Warcury added grimly.
Ju Peter slammed his hand on the table.
"We cannot let them grow unchecked."
"Should we send CP0?" Saturn asked.
"Or the God Knights?" Mars suggested.
Before the discussion could continue, the chamber doors burst open.
A trembling soldier rushed inside, dropping to one knee instantly.
Five murderous gazes locked onto him at once.
"Explain," Nusjuro said coldly.
"Esteemed Elders, it-it's Whi—Whitebeard!" the soldier stammered.
"What?" Warcury growled.
"The Whitebeard Pirates are moving toward Wano. All ships."
For the first time, the elders looked genuinely surprised.
"That man is moving?" Saturn muttered.
Mars stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Now that I think about it… wasn't there a samurai on Whitebeard's ship?"
"Yes," Nusjuro said slowly. "Kozuki Oden."
"He also sailed with Roger," Ju Peter added.
A faint smile spread across Warcury's face.
"Could it be Whitebeard is moving to avenge his brother?"
For a moment, silence returned.
Then Saturn laughed quietly.
"Hahahaha… let them fight each other."
Mars nodded. "Send CP to evaluate his strength."
"Agreed," Nusjuro said. "And send Garp."
Warcury raised an eyebrow. "The Hero of the Marines?"
"We cannot allow unforeseen situations," Ju Peter said firmly.
Saturn leaned forward.
"If there is a chance… tell Garp to kill whoever is the captain of Kaido."
"And if not?" Mars asked.
"Gather every piece of information on him."
---
Far below the Red Line, inside Marineford, the reaction was far less composed.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku slammed his fist onto the desk so hard the wood cracked.
"Damn it!" he roared.
"First that Roger started the fucking Great Pirate Era!"
Papers flew everywhere as he stood up.
"And now there's a man who made Kaido bow! What kind of bullshit era is this?!"
Across the room, Monkey D. Garp burst into laughter.
"Bahahahaha! The sea is always entertaining!"
Sengoku's eye twitched violently.
"Another monster has appeared!" Garp continued, grinning widely.
Beside them, Tsuru watched quietly, her expression thoughtful.
"We know nothing about him," she said calmly. "That is the real danger."
Sengoku crossed his arms.
"We must gather information and measure his strength."
Garp leaned back lazily.
"You're going to Wano." Sengoku said to Garp.
Garp blinked.
"Oh?"
"Whitebeard is already moving," Sengoku continued. "Take Vice Admiral Borsalino with you."
Tsuru raised an eyebrow.
"His light Logia will help with information gathering," Sengoku explained. "And assassination if necessary."
Garp's grin widened.
"I'm curious about this new monster anyway," he said.
"And it's been a long time since I met Whitebeard."
"Bahahahaha!"
Sengoku pointed at the door.
"Then stop laughing and get your ass there. Now!"
Garp stood up casually and stretched.
"Alright, alright."
As he walked out, he laughed again.
"Bahahahaha! This is going to be fun!"
Tsuru rubbed her forehead in exhaustion.
"That man will never change."
---
Within hours, Garp's battleship cut through the ocean, heading straight toward Wano.
The waves crashed loudly as the Marines prepared themselves.
A storm was coming.
---
Elsewhere, inside the floating headquarters of the World Economy News Paper, a certain bird-like journalist nearly exploded with excitement.
"Kahhahahaha!" laughed Big News Morgans.
"A new empire rises!"
He slammed his wings onto the desk.
"Find out about the new captain of Kaido!"
Reporters scrambled in panic.
"Boss! Should we send agents to Wano?"
"Of course!" Morgans shouted.
"The world deserves BIG NEWS!"
---
Meanwhile, inside Wano itself, life continued peacefully.
Ren and Yamato spent most days training together.
Sometimes they sparred fiercely.
Sometimes they relaxed under the sakura trees while Ren created illusions to watch anime together.
Other times, they flew across the land helping citizens rebuild villages and farms.
Occasionally Ulti and Page One joined them, though their constant arguing often turned training into chaos.
Nearby, Jack trained relentlessly with Kaido and the samurai.
The thunder of their clashes echoed across the mountains.
Inside the capital, Amatsuki Toki, Black Maria, and Shinobu handled most of Wano's administration.
Paperwork piled endlessly.
"Why does ruling involve this much writing?" Maria groaned dramatically.
Toki smiled gently. "Because peace requires organization."
Shinobu slammed another document down.
"I miss the days when problems could be solved with explosions."
Outside the capital, the Red Scabbards patrolled Wano constantly.
They trained the next generation of samurai while strengthening their own skills.
Meanwhile, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi had departed for Zunesha.
Their goal was simple.
To ask the Mink Tribe if anyone wished to migrate to Wano.
Back in the forests, the Tontatta Tribe had decided to settle permanently within Kuri's forests.
After experiencing Wano's kindness, many refused to leave.
Some even returned to Dressrosa briefly to spread the news.
Ren had sent Usimaru to accompany them.
After all, the samurai was already a great swordsman.
Now, with Internal Destruction Haki, he could likely hold his own against even someone like Marco in his prime.
Ren wasn't worried.
Standing on a hill overlooking Wano, Yamato stretched happily.
"Everything feels peaceful," she said.
Ren watched the distant ocean silently.
"Yes," he replied.
But far beyond the horizon, fleets were already sailing.
Whitebeard.
Garp.
Cipher Pol.
The world was coming to Wano.
And soon, peace would be tested.