Somewhere in the East Blue of the One Piece world, a spatial rift suddenly opened in midair. A few figures stepped out from within.
"So this is the region we're responsible for?" Violet glanced out at the endless sea and spoke to her companions. "We mustn't let Lord Rimuru down."
"Relax! The East Blue should be the easiest area to manage. Shouldn't be any trouble for us," said the old man behind her, Hakurou, with a carefree tone.
"Well, I guess you're right." Violet nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, spatial rifts began appearing across the world — in the West Blue, South Blue, North Blue, and even the Grand Line. Rimuru's subordinates, along with the other Demon Lords' forces, were entering the One Piece world en masse to begin their operations.
"This guild really is something else. Even traversing between worlds is within their capability?" Roger emerged from a rift, utterly stunned. Rimuru and Milim walked beside him.
"How else did you think we got here? Don't act so shocked," Rimuru teased.
"Well, this is my first time traveling between worlds," Roger explained. "Being surprised is perfectly natural."
"Alright, enough small talk," Rimuru cut in. "Let's split up and get to work. I'll go find that old man Whitebeard and try to recruit him to our side."
"Whitebeard, huh?" Roger rubbed his chin in thought. "Given his nature, he might actually be open to joining us. Plus, his influence in the New World makes him an ideal ally."
"Then I'll be off." With a shift, Rimuru sprouted wings and soared into the sky, disappearing into the distance in an instant.
"I've got things to do too." Roger glanced around to get his bearings, then suddenly grinned. "Can't wait to see the look on Rayleigh's face. Just imagining it is already hilarious." With that, he set off.
Out on the East Blue, a dog-headed Navy battleship cut across the waves. Sitting aboard was Garp, grumbling as usual.
"Damn that Roger… Now I've got to work overtime chasing pirates. So exhausting…" he muttered while munching on a donut.
"Enemy incoming!"
Garp suddenly stood up. His Observation Haki had just detected a powerful force heading straight toward them.
The ship rocked violently and came to an abrupt stop.
"What's going on? Why did the ship stop?"
"No clue. Engines were at full power. Could it be a malfunction?"
"Nope, no malfunction." A figure appeared on the deck — as if he'd always been there.
"Who are you?" A Vice Admiral beside Garp shouted in alarm. None of them had sensed this intruder's presence, not even with Haki.
Instantly, the Marines drew their guns and aimed.
"This how the Navy welcomes its guests?" The man didn't even flinch, speaking casually as if the weapons weren't there.
"Who are you?" Garp stepped forward, his voice sharp.
"You're Vice Admiral Garp, correct?" The man smiled politely. "Lord Rimuru speaks highly of you. I am Diablo, his chief secretary. I offer greetings on his behalf and apologize for arriving uninvited."
The moment Rimuru's name was mentioned, Garp's eyes narrowed. He remembered what Ramiris had told him back then.
"You're Rimuru's subordinate?"
"I am," Diablo confirmed. "I've come to discuss something important with you."
"And what would that be?"
"We hope the Navy will withdraw from the World Government — and help us overthrow it."
A deadly silence fell across the ship. Diablo's words were like thunderclaps. Overthrow the World Government? That massive force that's ruled the world for 800 years? Madness.
Garp took a deep breath. Even he was shaken. "You want to take down the World Government? And you expect the Navy to help? Do you plan to make enemies of the entire world?"
"The World Government doesn't represent the world," Diablo replied with a serene smile. "And frankly, we've never seen it as a threat. If not for Lord Rimuru's concern that destroying it too quickly would cause chaos and mass casualties, it would already be gone."
Garp went quiet. "Do you truly understand what the World Government is?" He wondered if this guy had lost his mind.
"Do you understand what we are?" Diablo countered calmly. "The World Government is already a dying relic. Just as Lord Rimuru said — a corrupt, crumbling structure barely hanging on. Its end is inevitable."
"I'm sorry. That's not a decision I can make," Garp replied after a long pause. Deep down, he wanted to say yes. But he had family, friends, people he couldn't risk. He couldn't gamble everything on this — not with the stakes so high.
Diablo didn't seem disappointed at all, as if he had expected the answer. "It's fine. Soon, you'll all see our power firsthand. The World Government doesn't have much time left. When the dust settles, the offer to join us will still stand."
With that, Diablo vanished.
Garp sat back down in silence, staring off into the sea. He had no words.