Chapter 38: *The Next Step*

### Chapter 38: *The Next Step*

The world was on edge, teetering on the precipice of a new era. The fallout from the Marineford War had spread across the seas like wildfire, igniting fear and uncertainty in its wake. Citizens huddled in their homes, gripping newspapers with trembling hands, their eyes wide with disbelief. The sense of safety once upheld by the Marines had crumbled, leaving only shadows of doubt. Justice, they feared, had fractured beyond repair.

On the lawless fringes of the world, the reaction was quite different. Pirates, criminals, and warlords reveled in the chaos. For them, the collapse of order was an opportunity—a chance to seize what they could in a world where strength now ruled. The seas became more dangerous, and the weak either hid in terror or were devoured by those more ruthless. Yet, among the chaos, the most calculating pirates waited, biding their time like wolves watching a wounded deer.

In the bustling, chaotic markets of Sabaody Archipelago, the thick salt air was tinged with tension. The island's constant hum of activity, from merchant stalls to the rowdy gatherings of pirates, had taken on an edge—a simmering nervousness that any wrong move could spark violence. Amidst the crowd, Trafalgar Law strode with quiet confidence, his infamous straw hat casting a shadow over his steely eyes. His expression was calm, though the chaos around him didn't escape his notice.

"The seas are growing rougher," Law remarked, his voice low, almost drowned out by the noise. His first mate, Bepo, walked beside him, towering and lumbering but equally alert. "Now is not the time to act rashly."

His words carried the weight of a man who saw far beyond the present, who understood that the real players in this game were waiting—waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Not far away, Capone "Gang" Bege observed the same market with a cold, calculating gaze. His pristine suit and fedora made him stand out among the rugged pirates, giving him the air of a mafia boss surveying his territory. He took a long drag from his cigar, exhaling slowly as he spoke. "Only fools act in times like these," he muttered to his crew. "The smart ones? They wait and strike when the dust settles."

In a nearby restaurant, Jewelry Bonney tore into her meal with her signature ferocity, the clatter of plates and the smell of roasted meat filling the air. Her eyes glinted as she spoke between bites, "Anyone setting sail for the New World right now is asking to get sunk. This is an era of change, and only the smart will survive."

Her words echoed the cautious sentiment shared by the most strategic pirates, those who understood that the true battle was just beginning.

Out on the open sea, the air was different—calmer, serene even. The Whitebeard Pirates' ship glided gently over the azure ocean, the water glittering under the bright sun as if the war at Marineford had never happened. On the edge of the ship, Ace sat with his legs dangling over the side, the salty breeze ruffling his hair as he gazed at the endless horizon. Next to him sat Madara, his expression unreadable, his thoughts distant as the ship cut through the waves.

Ace broke the silence, his voice calm but carrying a weight of meaning. "Your face is known now, Madara. The world has seen you, and you've been marked as a criminal. But… they haven't put a bounty on your head yet."

Madara, his eyes still fixed on the sea, turned slightly. "What do you mean by a bounty?"

Ace smiled faintly, leaning back, letting the sun warm his skin. "It's the price the Marines put on your life—their way of telling the world how dangerous you are. Mine? 550 million Berries. But for now, you're free of that. No one's after you... yet."

Madara glanced at his hands, scarred and calloused from countless battles, his voice low. "I'm not interested in joining this madness. The world can tear itself apart, but it has nothing to do with me."

Ace chuckled, though there was an edge of sadness in it. "Maybe that's for the best. I've got a brother, you know. He's headed to the archipelago soon, and I need to be with him. He'll be waiting for me. That kid… always diving into trouble headfirst."

Madara raised an eyebrow, recalling the rubber boy from Impel Down. "You mean the loud one? Luffy."

Ace laughed more heartily this time, nodding. "Yeah, that's him. I want to take you to the archipelago, Madara. It's the best starting point for you."

Madara was silent for a moment, the wind tugging at his cloak. "Perhaps," he said finally, though his tone was noncommittal. "But first, I need to shed these prison rags."

As if on cue, a bundle of fresh clothes fell onto his lap. Marco, the first division commander, leaned against the ship's railing, his smirk unmistakable. "Figured you'd want these," he said, his voice playful. "And maybe use some soap while you're at it. You still stink of Impel Down."

Madara caught the clothes with one hand, his expression calm. "Better than nothing," he muttered, disappearing into the cabin.

Meanwhile, in the hallowed halls of Mary Geoise, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The Celestial Dragons, huddled in their lavish chambers, voiced their objections to the Shichibukai being invited to their sacred home. But their complaints fell on deaf ears. Sengoku, unbothered, knew this was no time for hesitation. The world was changing, and the power of the Shichibukai would be crucial in what came next.

Days passed, and preparations for the summit at Mary Geoise were underway. The Shichibukai, Marine Admirals, and even a Vice Admiral prepared for the gathering. History was on the cusp of rewriting itself, and the ripples of Marineford were only the beginning.

Across the world, the balance of power had shifted. Pirates and Marines alike braced for the new tides that would come crashing down, some with fear, others with ambition. And in this new, chaotic era, the strong would rise, the bold would act, and the cunning would scheme.

But one thing was certain—nothing would ever be the same again.

---

~ More Chapters ;

patr eon. com/Sakana0