The sea surrounding Dressrosa was calm, deceptively so. The sky spread out in uninterrupted tranquility as if it was mocking the tempest.
Vice Admiral Hozaki was immobile, as stiff as stone, with his coat billowing in the gentle wind. The mighty warship cut through the waves as silently as a blade, black-and-white sails shining with the emblem of Justice.
On his back was an array of superior Marines—three commanders, 120 riflemen, and one Devil Fruit expert tactician ready at his behest. Not a single one of them opened their mouths. The air about Hozaki was thick with command and anticipation.
He wasn't like the average Vice Admirals—he was neither flashy, nor boorish. Thirty years of experience, he'd worked his way up to rank not by mere brawn, but by sheer determination and rational brutality.
And now, he was sailing to Dressrosa.
"Status," he muttered.
His aide, Lieutenant Meira, saluted. "Vice Admiral, we're two hours from Dressrosa's southern harbor. Our scouts confirm increased civilian tension in the capital, and isolated movement in the east side of the city. It matches the Solar Rift Pirates' infiltration patterns."
Hozaki's eyes narrowed.
"They're testing the waters… smart. Too smart. The Grand Line is waking up—and they're at the center of it."
He turned to the horizon.
"Send word to Cipher Pol. If Doflamingo is compromised, we'll need to make adjustments. But the pirates take priority. This is not just about Dressrosa. This is about control."
Across the World: Whispers of the Rift
In the New World, powerful eyes were watching.
On Whole Cake Island…
Big Mom lounged on her candy throne, shoving sweets into her mouth as a chess homie read aloud the latest bounties.
"Solar Rift Pirates—newly promoted crew. Stirring waves in Paradise… Dressrosa… 200 million for the boy Solian Flare."
"Two hundred?" Big Mom's eyes opened wide with interest. "And he hasn't even set foot in the New World yet? Maaaamama~ looks like a treat."
She licked her lips. "Have someone keep an eye on them. Maybe he'd be a nice son-in-law to have…"
Far below Impel Down…
Magellan scanned a copy of the updated bounties as he strode through Level 6.
"Flare, Solian… making all this noise already?"
A low, dark chuckle issued from one of the cells. "Sounds like someone's rattling the table."
Shiryu of the Rain, former Head Jailer, smiled behind bars.
"Good. Perhaps the world's finally becoming interesting again."
Meanwhile, back at Dressrosa: A Storm Brews
The Solar Rift Pirates, in the meantime, at the inn were getting ready for their final preparations. All the members of the crew now worked in hushed, deliberate synchrony.
Solian stood by his room window, looking at the ships far out on the sea.
"They're coming," he announced.
Jorin stepped up behind him. "Marine sails. Big ones. At least two warships."
"Vice Admiral?" Milo asked from overhead, where he was installing a surveillance orb.
"Has to be," Kael snarled. "They sent someone they hoped would know what they're doing after the last disaster."
Rock Lee folded his arms. "Bring it on. I've fought stronger."
"Not like this," Kael warned. "Hozaki isn't about strength. He crushes morale. Strategy, tyranny, strangulation. He causes people to lose hope."
Solian's eyes went ice cold.
"We don't lose hope. We lead with it."
Meanwhile, in the Palace: Doflamingo Watches
High up in the palace tower, Doflamingo leaned against the window with Vergo and Diamante flanking him.
"Interesting little collection, aren't they?" he said, tapping his glasses on with a grin. "Making a ruckus without even realizing the strings they're pulling."
"Should we dispose of them now?" Vergo asked, his voice soft but cold.
Doflamingo shook his head.
"No… let the Marines do their dance. Hozaki is precise, effective, and better yet—disposable. If he wins, he'll weaken the pirates. If he dies… well, he dies."
Diamante chuckled. "And if the pirates win?"
Doflamingo smirked.
"Then I'll deal with them personally. And that'll be… fun."
Nightfall: Solian's Resolve
That night, the crew gathered on the rooftop. The city was quiet—too quiet. Even the puppet performers had vanished from the streets.
Solian looked out at the starry expanse. Below them, thousands of innocent lives slept in ignorance of what lay just beyond the harbor.
He spoke to his crew.
"This is no longer about Dressrosa alone," he said. "It's about who we are. We've fought for strength, for freedom, for our own dreams—but now we fight for theirs as well."
Lee nodded. "I will defend them. All of them."
Jorin spun his knives. "Just give the word."
Kael unfolded a map. "We'll strike first. Before Hozaki can surround the city."
Solian clenched his fist, the Solar Rift mark on the back of his hand glowing faintly with golden heat.
"Let's show the world," he said, "why we're more than pirates."