Thanks to Rokuya's incredible move, he was now in the global spotlight.
In the blink of an eye, he became the talk of every tavern, port and newspaper across the seas.
While most of the Warlords of the Sea kept their distance, choosing to sit back and enjoy the show, the Revolutionary Army saw the perfect chance to fan the flames of dissent.
It wasn't just the Grand Line that was in an uproar, either. The East Blue, West Blue, North Blue and South Blue were all abuzz with chaotic energy. Even the weaker pirates of the four seas began to consider bold and reckless actions of their own.
After all, someone had finally done it:
Someone had publicly humiliated the World Government.
That alone shattered precedent.
Rokuya's name spread like wildfire across the Blue Planet — the very world in which the tale of One Piece takes place, as confirmed by the World Timeline itself.
—
East Blue — Buggy's Pirate Crew
Inside the rickety Buggy Pirates' base, the video had the crew in a frenzy.
"So even those big shots under the World Government can cry on their knees?!"
"Boys, tomorrow we're hitting the nearest Marine branch!"
"We rise! We conquer! We'll make Buggydom proud!'
Captain Buggy the Clown stood with his arms raised, his spirits lifted by the humiliating footage of CP9.
His crew? A pack of rowdy yes-men who were cheering like maniacs and were convinced once again that they were destined for greatness.
---
South Blue — Somewhere in a Tech-Pirate Den
"Begin immediate development of Anti-Ghost Alloy Underwear!"
Codename: Operation Never Cry Armour!
---
West Blue — Among a Mafia Remnant Crew
"New family rule: Weekly psychological evaluations. Anyone caught sulking will be stuffed down the big cannon barrel for a ride!"
— West Blue: Among a Mafia Remnant Crew
— North Blue: Germa 66 Laboratories
North Blue: Germa 66 Laboratories
In the cold, sterile laboratories of the Germa Kingdom, the former mad genius Vinsmoke Judge watched the video without emotion.
'Kneeling in despair? Hmph. My cloned soldiers from a decade ago outperformed these 'elite' agents.'
'Emotion is a virus that afflicts inferior beings. Only science rules the battlefield."
'Still, this Rokuya... the name is shining brightly now.'
---
Meanwhile — in the shadows of the world:
Beyond the Marines, pirates and governments, another force stirred: the Revolutionary Army.
To them, Rokuya's brazen defiance was a gift from the heavens.
Inside the main conference chamber at Baltigo, the Revolutionary Army's HQ, the tension was electric.
"The winds of revolution are stirring!"
Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army, stood before his commanders. With a bold red tattoo etched across his cheek, his voice boomed.
"Sabo. The Government's strongest shield is beginning to crack.'
"Send word to the four army commanders — spread this footage everywhere."
"Don't just show it to our allies. Show it to the people!"
Show them that even the 'gods' can bleed!
'Let them see hope!'
—
'Heehee! Dragon-sama, I've already designed a flyer for it!'
Koala handed over a propaganda pamphlet, beaming.
'In a world where even the Celestial Dragons' hounds succumb to despair, why are you still enduring it?'
Dragon nodded in satisfaction.
After giving further orders to Sabo, he stood by the window and stared out into the distant sky.
"Rokuya, huh?"
"He really does resemble the boy I met back then."
During the Heavenly Hunt in the Kingdom of Atlanta — a so-called 'study tour' organised by the Celestial Dragons — the young Rokuya had narrowly escaped.
Dragon, who had recently transformed from a freedom fighter into a revolutionary, had briefly visited the kingdom to meet its king.
At the time, he'd caught a glimpse of the boy... but who could have imagined that child would grow into this?
Now, holding Rokuya's new bounty poster in his hand, Dragon whispered,
"I hope we meet again."
"Perhaps on the road to toppling the Celestial Dragons, we can join forces."
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere across the seas...
Thanks to Big News Morgans, news of Rokuya's feats spread like wildfire.
The sheer scope of his strength had a sobering effect on many hotheaded pirates.
Some who had rushed towards Water 7 now hesitated.
They had seen the footage of CP9 being wiped out without resistance. Not just anyone, but Rob Lucci himself — the strongest assassin in CP9's 800-year history.
Suddenly, Rokuya wasn't "just some upstart rookie" anymore.
He was a monster.
—
After all, few pirates could say they'd survived a clash with someone who:
- escaped Impel Down;
- crushed a Warlord of the Sea;
Humiliated the World Government's elite black ops...
All in under a week.
Sure, Rokuya's bounty was tempting.
One hundred million berries for a rookie.
But what good is bounty money if you're dead?
Some pirates sobered up. Others tucked their tails between their legs and turned around.
Yet—
— there are always fools who don't know fear.
And there are always those who don't believe the hype.
—
Water 7 — The Final Storm Brews
Not everyone who came was reckless. Some had calculated ambitions.
Some wanted Rokuya's bounty.
Some wanted to capture Perona for her rare Ghost Fruit.
Others just wanted fame, recognition or territory.
Though most were strangers, their goals aligned.
And so a temporary alliance formed — ragtag pirates, bounty hunters and mercenaries — united by greed.
The plan?
Take down Rokuya. Split the loot. Claim the headlines.
—
In a lavish room near the reconstructed White Pearl, Rokuya lounged, savouring fine wine and laughter. Kalifa stood at his side, clipboard in hand.
"Master," she said, bowing slightly.
"We've confirmed the identities of the ringleaders among the newcomers."
Rokuya chuckled.
"Heh. So they really came?"
"Let's hear it. Which idiots are offering themselves up to the River of the Dead this time?"
—
Kalifa listed them off in a professional, icy tone:
Gamenio the Chameleon – 300 million bounty; Copy-Copy Fruit user. A lizardman who could replicate appearances and abilities.
Gasparde, former Marine commander turned criminal. Known as 'the Marine's greatest stain'. He was a crowd favourite in Hannabal's deadly gladiator circuit.
Bellamy the Hyena – Captain of the Bellamy Pirates, infamous for mocking dreams and crushing small crews.
Don Achino is the leader of the Achino Family. He wielded the Heat-Heat Fruit and was infamous for stealing pirate flags and burning rivals alive.
The Vanque Brothers – assassins from the Mogaro Kingdom. They are users of the Jacket-Jacket Fruit and are feared for their tag-team assassinations.
---
"What a colourful group of morons."
Rokuya's smile sharpened.
"Well then, I suppose it'd be rude not to greet our guests."
"Let's give them a proper welcome in the form of death."
?