While Renji was enjoying his time in Marineford, subtle shifts were taking place across the world.
In a certain stretch of the New World, Whitebeard glanced at the newspaper in his hands, his expression unchanging.
"That damn Shiki still hasn't shown his face. Must've taken a real beating this time. Gurararara!" He downed a bowl of sake in one gulp before tossing the newspaper aside.
"He got ambushed by multiple forces. Next time he resurfaces, it'll probably be with some grand spectacle," Marco remarked with a chuckle.
He knew his father and Shiki had maintained contact even after the Rocks Pirates disbanded—and he was well aware of the kind of man Shiki was.
"Gurararara! That does sound like him... But whatever he does is none of our concern. Now, back to the feast!!" Whitebeard grabbed an entire barrel of sake and tipped it into his mouth.
"Feast! Feast!!" The pirates roared, devouring meat and gulping down alcohol without a care.
Their only concern was their own joy—the rest of the world could wait.
Elsewhere, Whole Cake Island
Charlotte Linlin, now firmly entrenched in the New World, set down the newspaper, crumbs of dessert still clinging to her lips.
"So, Kaido. You've decided to head to Wano?" Her voice, thick with authority, echoed through the palace.
"I don't need your permission to go anywhere, Linlin." Kaido took a swig from his gourd, entirely unfazed.
"You'd do well to think before you speak." Linlin's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.
"I already have." Kaido shrugged, drinking again. "I've stayed here long enough. Time to stretch my legs."
"Tch. Suit yourself." Linlin scoffed before narrowing her eyes. "But you should lay off the sweets, Linlin. You're not as slim as you used to be." Kaido smirked.
"I don't need you lecturing me." She ignored the jab. "How's your Devil Fruit training coming along?"
A yellow flame flickered around Kaido's arm. "This power? Mastered it already."
"Don't take it for granted. That Mythical Zoan didn't come cheap," Linlin warned, irritation creeping into her tone.
"Linlin, a Devil Fruit is just a tool."
"You can't conquer the world with abilities alone."
"This world has its own rules. Look at Roger—no Devil Fruit, yet he crushed even Rocks."
Kaido clenched his fists. "Haki is what truly reigns supreme!"
Linlin scoffed. "Oh? Then give me back the Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Nue."
Kaido laughed. "Maybe in my next life."
He wasn't that stupid.
"Speaking of fruits… any leads on that guy who ate the Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu?" Kaido asked.
That was the power he truly wanted—a fruit that could push his monstrous physique to even greater heights. If he hadn't failed to track down its current user, he never would've settled for the Nue.
Linlin's teeth ground together at the memory of her first real defeat. "No. If I had found him, I'd have turned him to ash already."
Kaido nodded, dropping the subject.
Marineford, Headquarters
"Douglas Bullet has been confirmed as an official member of the Roger Pirates." Fleet Admiral Kong sat at the head of the conference table, arms crossed. "Thoughts?"
A broad-shouldered Vice Admiral, veins bulging in frustration, slammed his fist on the table. "We should mobilize now! We can't let Roger's crew grow any stronger!"
"Easy there, Chris. No need to get worked up." Garp sipped his tea, utterly calm.
"Garp! How can you stay so relaxed?! Roger's momentum is becoming unstoppable!"
Zephyr sighed. "Even with our recent recruitment surge, sending a full strike force into the New World would stretch us too thin."
"Renji." Kong's voice cut through the debate. "First time in one of these meetings. What's your take?"
Renji blinked. Why the hell is a Rear Admiral like me being asked for input in a room full of legends?
He stood up awkwardly. "Both arguments have merit. So, uh… I defer to the wisdom of our esteemed Fleet Admiral."
Then he immediately sat back down.
Silence.
Every officer in the room stared at him.
Did he just… dodge the question with a bootlicking one-liner?
Even Kong was stunned. He'd expected something—not this.
Sengoku rapped his knuckles on the table, restoring order. "Rushing this would be unwise. The Roger Pirates aren't pushovers, and other emperors would capitalize on any misstep. For now, we observe."
He left unsaid what everyone knew: Roger's crew was unusually low-profile for a top-tier pirate group. Hunting them down would be a waste of resources.
Kong nodded. "Sengoku's approach is approved."
Then another figure stood.
"Zephyr?"
The Black Arm took a deep breath. "Fleet Admiral… I'd like to focus entirely on training the next generation."
"You're already an instructor at the academy."
"I want to dedicate myself fully to it."
A year ago, his family had nearly been killed by pirates. Only Dragon and Kuzan's intervention had saved them. Since then, Zephyr had been torn between duty and family.
Kong massaged his temples. "Give me time to consider this."
The Marines were already short on Admirals. Losing Zephyr would leave them critically undermanned.
"Take a leave of absence if needed. Spend time with your family. But for now… remain in your position."
Zephyr reluctantly nodded and sat back down.
Then—
"RENJI!" Kong barked.
Renji shot up again. Twice in one meeting?! "Y-Yes, sir?"
Kong's glare could've melted steel. "If I catch you slacking off at HQ one more time, you'll experience my personal training regimen."
Renji paled. "But I wasn't even—"
"Understood?"
"YES, SIR!"