The sun continued to rise over the Grand Line, with the long golden beams spreading out across the vast ocean. Yet beneath the tranquil-looking sea, the world was reconfiguring—gently, like tectonic plates on the cusp of an earthquake.
Solian Flare had done something greater than conquering a kingdom. He had shattered the status quo.
The Reverberations of Dressrosa
In the World Government's central intelligence office, Cipher Pol agents scrambled through piles of papers, reports, and intercepted transponders.
One name reverberated throughout all the documents.
Solian Flare.
"Impossible," one agent muttered. "He beat Doflamingo… without help from any Yonko or Warlord?"
Another shoved their glasses up the bridge of their nose. "And it wasn't even a war that lasted long. From what our Dressrosa sources informed us, it was a one-battle thing. Quick. Bloody. Decisive.".
"The World Nobles will not be pleased," a third added, his voice heavy with unease. "Doflamingo was affiliated with Mariejois. All of this matters."
The news had already reached the Five Elders.
They gathered in their dark, sacred chamber—five old warriors who controlled the world's fate behind the scenes.
One of them sat in silence, stroking his long white beard. "A pirate seizing control of Dressrosa… Do we deal with him as a Warlord? Or a force beyond one?"
Another voiced, tone steady but deadly. "Solian Flare must not be let to run wild. We gave a leash to Doflamingo because we knew how much he could be led. But this one. this Flare. he does not answer to anyone."
Within Marine HQ
Vice Admiral Graff froze at the Marineford window, observing the waves batter against the fortress walls. His jaw clenched as the new bounty notice dropped onto his desk.
There was a new king ruling a kingdom—and more, had ridiculed Marine operations.
Behind him, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki (Akainu) slammed his fist upon the war table.
"This is what you get when we under-estimate threats! You gave him space—and now he's sporting a damn crown!"
Kizaru leaned back in the corner, eyes behind lazy shades. "Well now… things are getting flashy, huh…"
Akainu snarled, magma-infused fist shattering the wood. "Order the bounty re-assessments. Every one of those scum are now high-priority targets. And send someone competent next time. No more of this soft-gloved nonsense."
The Yonko's Watchful Eyes
Far above the seas, on an island of darkness and snow, there sat a colossal figure with a bottle in his hand. Whitebeard, much to everyone's surprise, read the news.
"Solian Flare." he groaned. "A young lion hacking out a throne. like that redhead brat years ago."
One of his captains, Marco, nodded. "He's bold. Insane, maybe. But. powerful."
Whitebeard released a deep rumble of laughter. "Strength is not enough to rule, but if he continues at this pace. the seas will bow down to him."
In another sea, deep within an icy fortress, Kaido of the Beasts was laughing uncontrollably as he crushed a barrel of sake.
"HE TOOK DRESSROSA FROM DOFLAMINGO!? HAH!! BRING HIM BEFORE ME! LET US SEE IF HE HAS THE STOMACH TO FIGHT A REAL MONSTER!
And long way off, on a still island under a crimson sky, Shanks stood by the railing of his boat.
"Dressrosa, ah?" he muttered, reading the headlines.
Benn Beckman lit a cigar beside him. "Think he's for real?"
Shanks smiled. "I think. the new age just became interesting."
The Underworld in Chaos
Doflamingo's fall precipitated a black market panic. Smugglers, warlords, and arms traders all clamored to move in on the vacuum of power.
In a poorly lit room, men bickered.
"Do we do business with Solian now?"
"Is he sane? Can we rely on a man who seizes power by flame and chaos?"
"He's possibly mad… but he's in charge. And that makes him valuable—at least temporarily."
New alliances were being formed in the shadows. And whispers of Solian's growing strength started spreading in the darkest corners of the underworld.
In the West Blue
Off the Grand Line, newspapers fluttered into port cities like autumn leaves.
In a small pub, a youth read the headlines out loud: "Pirate King Candidate Takes Kingdom!"
"Pirate King?" someone jeered. "He's no Luffy. The true king'll come from the East."
But some of the older pirates shared uncertain looks.
"Maybe. But this Flare kid. he's doing things even the Yonko haven't done."
The Calm Before the Next Storm
And while the world spoke, argued, and prepared themselves. on the seas off Dressrosa, one pirate ship set sail with subdued confidence.
The Solar Rift Pirates, lords of a kingdom now, were solidifying their rule, reclaiming what they had lost, and preparing themselves for what was to come.
The whole world was watching them.
But Solian?
He just stood there, gazing off into the distance, lost in thought.
Greater things were afoot.
And he knew now—beyond a shadow of a doubt—
He would not rest until the sea was conquered.