June 4th.
To ordinary people, it was just another day.
To the Navy and the World Government, however, this was the most feared day of all.
Historically—
Ten years ago, on this very day, Kuke led the Sun and Moon Pirates in an invasion of the Holy Land, Mary Geoise. They assassinated two of the Five Elders and forged a ten-year agreement with the true ruler of the World Government—Imu.
Today.
That ten-year agreement had officially expired.
The World Government and the Navy were on high alert.
The long-dormant Imu had already awakened in advance.
Together with the ancient weapon, Uranus, they kept a watchful eye on the skies.
The Three Elders had also mobilized every hidden powerhouse within the World Government, standing by Imu's side.
Likewise, the strongest figures of the Navy had gathered at Mary Geoise.
The sheer scale of the World Government and Navy's military presence sent shockwaves across the world.
Adding fuel to the fire, just a week ago, the Navy had captured Red-Haired Shanks.
This led many across the seas to believe that the massive mobilization of forces by the World Government and the Navy was directly related to the Red-Haired Pirates.
"No way—Red-Haired Shanks has already been captured. His crew is just a bunch of remnants. Do they really need to go this far?"
"Does the Red-Haired Pirates have some hidden, terrifying force we don't know about?"
"Idiots. Think for a second—who did Red-Haired Shanks sail under before? The Roger Pirates. Even the newspapers reported that the legendary Dark King, Rayleigh, was seen recently. If the Navy is this on edge, they must be preparing for those legendary monsters from Roger's crew."
"Unbelievable. The Roger Pirates have been gone for twenty years. Roger himself is long dead, yet his remnants still hold such a terrifying influence. No wonder they call him the Pirate King."
"So this is the weight of the Roger Pirates?"
The entire world was left in awe.
Aboard the Red-Haired Pirates' Ship
The crew had received the news.
Even the ever-composed first mate, Benn Beckman, couldn't help but curse.
He had confirmed that Red-Haired Shanks was now being held at Mary Geoise, closely monitored by the strongest figures in the Navy.
"Not even a sliver of a chance, huh? Does the World Government really see us as such a threat? Does the Navy really need to go this far? We're just the Red-Haired Pirates! Our captain's already captured, and they still act like this? Do they think we're that dangerous?"
The Red-Haired Pirates were dumbfounded.
Given the level of security, even if their numbers increased fivefold, they had no confidence in pulling off a rescue at Mary Geoise.
"Rayleigh, sir… is there some massive secret about the Roger Pirates that would make the World Government this nervous?" Benn Beckman asked, his expression grim.
Rayleigh furrowed his brows.
He was just as baffled.
Even in their prime, the Roger Pirates had never been enough of a threat to make the World Government and Navy react on this scale.
Nearby, Luffy and his crew were listening in.
Their eyes widened with excitement.
"So this is the weight of the Pirate King's crew!" Luffy could barely contain himself.
Mary Geoise
Red-Haired Shanks was being escorted by two Admirals under constant surveillance.
"Are you serious? I'm Red-Haired Shanks! Did you guys mistake me for Kuke? Do you really need all this security?"
Shanks was speechless.
What had he done to deserve this?
What kind of criminal mastermind did they think he was?
To be locked up weeks before his execution, with every major powerhouse in the World Government and the Navy watching his every move?
"Shut up."
Akainu wasn't in the mood to explain.
The strongest forces of the Navy had arrived.
Elite units from the World Government were positioned everywhere.
Nearly ninety percent of the World Government's top fighters were now concentrated at Mary Geoise.
The time of reckoning had arrived.
Although Imu believed there was little chance of Kuke and the Sun and Moon Pirates clashing with them so soon—
They couldn't afford to be careless.
This was the most dangerous day.
Time passed.
Mary Geoise remained deathly silent.
No one spoke.
Everyone stood motionless, like statues.
Even Kizaru, known for his laid-back attitude, had dropped his usual nonchalance.
Night fell.
Dawn broke.
An entire day and night had passed.
Nothing happened.
Despite being surrounded by an overwhelming military presence, Mary Geoise remained untouched.
The Navy Headquarters, left dangerously understaffed, was not attacked.
Not a single outpost of the Navy or division of the World Government was assaulted.
The world remained eerily peaceful.
As the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon—
Many stationed at Mary Geoise let out a long breath of relief.
"Since nothing happened yesterday, it means Kuke won't be making a move anytime soon," Imu confidently concluded. "It seems he has no faith in his ability to challenge our power."
"Ten years ago, he was already near his peak. A decade may seem long, but finding a way to defeat us is impossible," Uranus added in its usual emotionless, mechanical tone.
"Hmph. Once we figure out how to counter his teleportation ability, it will be our turn to strike." Imu's long fingers clenched into a fist, knuckles cracking. "That bastard dared to call me an idiot… I won't forgive him."
The Three Elders, kneeling behind Imu, twitched at the corners of their mouths.
Imu-sama… shouldn't our greatest anger be directed at the fact that Kuke and the Sun and Moon Pirates have caused the World Government immeasurable losses?
Why is your biggest concern a personal insult?
Of course, they dared not voice such thoughts.
Imu's cold gaze turned toward them.
"Feith, how long until your plan is complete? How soon can you uncover the mechanics behind Kuke's teleportation ability?"
"Our spies have already infiltrated. We still need time."
"Don't disappoint me."
"Rest assured, Imu-sama. This time, we have prepared the perfect spy, trained for ten years. Our plan has been refined over a decade. We will not fail." The Three Elders spoke with unwavering confidence.
"Good."
Imu nodded in satisfaction.
"Dismissed."
The Three Elders retreated from the sealed palace.
"Call me an idiot, will you? Just wait. I'll make you my plaything for the next eight hundred years." Imu closed their eyes, still simmering with anger.
The Navy's forces finally began to withdraw.
Many soldiers were left confused.
They had prepared for a war.
Yet, after standing on high alert for an entire day—
Nothing had happened.
"Was this all just a joke?"
Red-Haired Shanks, who had just woken up, looked around in disbelief.
"You guys seriously spent an entire day doing… nothing? Are you that bored?"
Even some of the high-ranking officers were left in the dark.
"Can we at least get an explanation?" Fujitora frowned. The newly enlisted Admiral had not been briefed on the situation.
Many details had been deliberately kept from the newer officers.
Until the World Government and the Navy could fully trust them, information regarding the greatest secrets of the world was off-limits.
"This matter is top secret."
No matter who asked—
Akainu gave the same response.
The Navy's forces returned to their headquarters in an orderly manner, as if nothing had ever happened.
The world was left in confusion.
No one understood what the Navy had been trying to accomplish.
Even the brilliant strategist Benn Beckman was baffled.
For an entire day, they had feared the worst.
Dreading that Shanks would remain imprisoned at Mary Geoise.
"No matter what happens, as long as Shanks is at Navy Headquarters, we at least have a chance to rescue him."
The world returned to its usual calm.
But beneath the surface—
Tensions continued to brew.
Everyone was waiting.
Waiting for the day Red-Haired Shanks would be executed.
Waiting for the day Akainu would take the mantle of Fleet Admiral.