One Piece: King of the World

For some time now, the world has remained unusually calm. Kaido has been busy developing Wano Country, though no one knows exactly what he's up to. After all, Doflamingo is not selling him any artificial Devil Fruits anymore in this timeline.

That plan hasn't even been put on the agenda yet. Caesar Clown, who was originally responsible for this, is now working for Crocodile in Alabasta.

Alabasta's military factory has already produced a considerable stockpile of armaments, all fully compliant with Marine specifications.

However, due to Wano Country's isolation and limited intelligence, Claudius only knows that Kaido has set up some factories there to build his industry. What exactly he's producing remains a mystery.

As for Shanks, he's been keeping a low profile, so low that no one can even find a trace of him. He could be wandering the seas or perhaps drinking in his hometown in West Blue. Who knows?

The Whitebeard Pirates have been equally quiet. Edward Newgate did notice that both Teach and Thatch had gone missing, and he couldn't reach either of them. But for now, he's chalked it up to the two of them sneaking off to handle some secret mission.

The Seven Warlords of the Sea are inactive as well, while Marine Headquarters has been focused on large-scale construction projects. Everything seems eerily peaceful, as if all the major forces are preoccupied with their own affairs and can't be bothered with the commotion caused by the smaller players at sea.

And so, time passes quietly... until the last defense fort of Marineford is finally completed.

With months of relentless effort, one hundred thousand Marine elites have transformed Marineford into an unbreakable fortress of war.

Standing atop the newly built walls, Smoker is clad in his Marine uniform. His oversized "Justice" coat drapes over his shoulders as he puffs on two cigars, his gaze fixed on the imposing sight of the fortified Marineford.

"Colonel Smoker, the construction is complete. Can we go back to East Blue now?" Tashigi asks as she sips from a cup of hot tea behind him.

Smoker remains silent for a moment, his eyes still on the fortress. Finally, he replies, "We're not going back to East Blue."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Tashigi asks, surprised.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking these past few months," Smoker says softly. "I was too stubborn before, too caught up in my own sense of justice. Maybe it's time to see the world from a different perspective. I'm staying here, in headquarters."

"Then... what are we going to do here?" Tashigi asks, confused.

"Power and authority," Smoker murmurs, eyes narrowing with determination. "If you want to change the world, you need both. I've wasted too many years wandering around East Blue. It's time to reclaim what I've lost."

After a brief pause, he adds, "My first small goal: become a Marine Vice Admiral within five years. Within ten years, I'll be an Admiral candidate."

Tashigi is stunned. Small goal? Does that mean the medium-term goal is to become an Admiral within five years and a Fleet Admiral within ten? And the long-term goal, Commander-in-Chief of the World Government?

Colonel Smoker, since when were you this ambitious? You were practically a slacker back in East Blue!

But Smoker ignores her astonishment. His eyes shift toward the military harbor. His brow furrows.

"Something's not right," he mutters.

"What's wrong?" Tashigi asks.

"Five days ago, some of the construction teams finished their work," Smoker says. "Logically, they should've left by now, returning to their bases. But none of the warships have left port. On the contrary, more ships have been arriving every day."

He exhales a thick plume of smoke, his eyes sharp. "It feels like... the headquarters is gathering its forces."

Tashigi's eyes widen. "Gathering forces? You mean... preparing for war?"

"Exactly," Smoker says grimly. "Judging by the sheer scale of it, the battlefield might be Marineford itself."

His mind flashes back to something Admiral Kuzan had said months ago: Big moves are coming. Now, the pieces are starting to fall into place.

Just then, a crackle echoes through the Marineford radio system, followed by a calm, magnetic voice:

> "Attention, all officers and soldiers stationed at Marineford.

From this moment onward, Marineford is officially entering a state of combat readiness.

All officers ranked Rear Admiral and above must immediately report to Combat Meeting Room No. 3.

All other personnel are to remain on standby and await further instructions from their superiors.

Repeat: Marineford is now in combat readiness."

The announcement plays three times before ending.

The entire Marineford base erupts into action. Even those who'd already suspected something was coming are stunned by the official confirmation.

No one can remember the last time Marineford declared full combat readiness, probably not since the legendary battle with the Rocks Pirates at God Valley nearly forty years ago. Most of the Marines who experienced that war have either retired or died. Those few who remain are now high-ranking officers.

Smoker takes a deep breath, his expression serious. "I was right. A war big enough to require one hundred thousand elite Marines... is about to break out."

Tashigi's face turns pale. What the hell? She'd signed up for a construction mission, not a war. She can't help but feel overwhelmed.

"What do we do?" she asks, voice trembling.

"Calm down!" Smoker snaps. "You're a Marine. You should always be ready for war, it's part of the job. Don't lose your composure. If anything, this is a rare opportunity."

Tashigi swallows hard and nods, trying to suppress her panic.

Meanwhile, in Combat Meeting Room No. 3, the top brass of the Marines are already gathered: Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Admirals Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan, along with Vice Admiral Garp, Instructor Zephyr, and Chief of Staff Tsuru.

Claudius is also present. He sits slightly apart from the others, holding a Den Den Mushi to his ear.

"Spandine," Claudius says into the receiver, his tone calm but commanding, "Marineford is entering combat readiness. In the name of CP-0, summon the Seven Warlords of the Sea. All of them must report to Marine Headquarters immediately."

"Understood, Your Highness!" Spandine replies without hesitation.

Claudius hangs up, lights a cigar, and closes his eyes. He mentally reviews the entire operation once more, searching for any overlooked details.

More officers arrive at the meeting room, Vice Admirals like Momonga, Onigumo, Doberman, Strawberry, Dalmatian. Those in the know remain composed, while the others wear expressions of confusion and concern.