“Whatever they’re planning has nothing to do with us.”
Vice Admiral Tsuru helped Zephyr to his feet and led him toward the door.
Zephyr followed behind her with a bottle of strong liquor in hand, looking slightly tipsy.
“Come on, Tsuru.
I’m fine.
I can walk on my own.”
“Zephyr, you’re a man with a lot of scars in your past, but that doesn’t mean you should keep ruining yourself like this every day.
Sengoku has returned.
He asked me to bring you to the Fleet Admiral’s office.”
“Sengoku?”
The moment he heard the name, Zephyr sobered considerably.
“So it’s about the mission in the Aivor Sea, huh?
Heh…
those youngsters did well.”
Tsuru wasn’t surprised that Zephyr had guessed the purpose of the meeting.
After all, he had been a Marine Admiral only a few years ago.
His time at the peak had been brief, but unforgettable.
The two arrived outside Fleet Admiral Kong’s office.
Zephyr gently slipped free of Tsuru’s support, straightened his uniform, and composed himself until he once again looked like a Marine instead of a washed-up drunk.
Then he pushed the door open.
“You’re here, Zephyr.”
A burly black-haired man greeted him the moment he entered.
Inside the Fleet Admiral’s office sat several of the Marine’s strongest figures.
Zephyr walked in as if it were routine and took a seat beside a man with an afro and glasses.
“You retired, and all your responsibilities landed on my shoulders,” the man said, arms folded across his chest.
He was Marine Admiral Sengoku, known as ‘Sengoku the Buddha,’ the Marines’ foremost strategist.
“Give me a break, Sengoku,” Zephyr laughed.
“I’m past my prime.”
These days, all he wanted was to devote himself to nurturing the next generation.
Fleet Admiral Kong interrupted the reunion.
“Let’s begin.”
“Golden Lion Shiki is gathering the surviving remnants of the Rocks Pirates and is preparing to attack Marine bases around the Aivor Sea.”
“I’ve heard that bastard Shiki is searching for the Poneglyphs,” Zephyr said first.
“Are there really any in that region?
The World Government forbids anyone from investigating them.”
“Our intelligence is reliable.”
“That’s also why he’s been clashing repeatedly with Roger.”
“I’ve already dispatched Garp to separate them.”
Roger and the Roger Pirates were also searching for the Poneglyphs.
Even before the God Valley Incident, Roger had already sailed around the world with his crew.
During that journey, he discovered that somewhere in the world lay a hidden final island—one that could only be reached by gathering the four Road Poneglyphs.
“But why are they fighting?” Tsuru asked.
“If those people really start a war, it’s always the civilians who suffer.”
After God Valley, the Roger Pirates’ reputation had soared.
Morgans had even proclaimed the era to be the Age of Roger through the World Economic Journal .
Sengoku continued,
“According to our intelligence—and some unconfirmed reports—Shiki has been recruiting scattered remnants of the Rocks Pirates from across the world.”
“He’s also been collecting powerful weapons.”
Among everyone present, Sengoku had dealt with the Golden Lion Pirates more than anyone else.
“They all need to be eliminated, one by one,” Kong declared, slamming his fist onto the desk.
“I will never allow that pirate crew to rise again.”
Sengoku pointed toward Zephyr.
“We still lack sufficient military strength.”
“The Marine needs a large-scale recruitment campaign.”
“We should gather promising recruits from across the world…”
“…and leave them in Zephyr’s hands.”
Kong nodded.
The current Marine simply lacked the manpower to face the turbulent era that was approaching.
“I’ll authorize a worldwide recruitment drive.”
“Sengoku.”
“I want you to reinforce the Aivor Sea immediately and transfer three base Colonel there.”
“Once you’re back on the Grand Line, investigate Edward Newgate’s whereabouts.”
“We’ve lost track of him for years.” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
These orders came directly from the Five Elders.
Their command was absolute.
Destroy every surviving remnant of the Rocks Pirates.
“I still don’t know where he is,” Sengoku admitted.
“But there have been reports from the Grand Line.”
“A certain island has been experiencing constant seaquakes.”
“I’ll investigate it personally.”
The meeting continued as they discussed the future of the seas.
Everyone could feel the coming upheaval.
Growing impatient, Zephyr interrupted.
“What if…”
“What if Shiki is after one of the Ancient Weapons?”
“What if he’s planning to conquer the world with it?”
The room fell silent.
Everyone looked toward Zephyr.
One after another, they realized the possibility made unsettling sense.
Just then—
A Marine burst through the office doors.
“Report!”
“Fleet Admiral Kong!”
“A transport ship carrying Dyna Stones to the New World has been targeted by the Golden Lion Pirates !”
“What?!”
Sengoku’s face changed instantly.
Dyna Stones were weapons whose destructive power rivaled the Ancient Weapons themselves.
A unique type of explosive mineral.
The moment it came into contact with oxygen…
It detonated with unimaginable force.
Ten of them could erase an island from existence.
“The transport ship is carrying ten Dyna Stones!”
Kong shot to his feet, unable to remain seated.
“If Shiki gets his hands on them—”
Unlike everyone else, Zephyr remained remarkably calm.
“If that bastard Shiki acquires a weapon like that…”
“He’ll use it without hesitation.”
“As long as it serves his ambition, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do.”
Kong immediately barked out an order.
“Relay this to every Marine warship!”
“Whoever is closest, reinforce the escort fleet immediately!”
“Those Dyna Stones must never fall into Golden Lion Shiki’s hands!”
Aivor Sea — Aboard the Marine Warship at Lionheart Island
The crimson glow of the setting sun streamed through the cabin windows.
“Yaaawn…”
Arthur stretched, only to grimace as soreness spread through every muscle.
“Damn…”
“I got too worked up in yesterday’s battle.”
“So this is what happens after I finally relax…”
Rubbing his eyes, he rolled over and found an eagle’s head resting on his hammock.
Cooper was sleeping soundly beside him.
“Every last one of them should’ve been executed!”
“Dragon!
Why did you imprison them instead?!”
An angry roar echoed from outside the cabin, waking both Arthur and Cooper.
“Cooper?”
“That’s Sakazuki…”
Arthur put on his Marine cap.
On the nearby table sat a plate of Rice balls .
Picking it up, he leapt out of the hammock and headed onto the deck.
Around Lionheart Island, several supply-laden Marine warships were continuing relief efforts for the nearby islands.
“They’ll be sent to Enies Lobby for trial.”
“After that, they’ll be publicly executed before the entire world.”
“That’ll give the civilians justice.”
“So calm down, Sakazuki.”
Arthur walked to the bow of the ship and sat atop it, quietly watching Dragon and Sakazuki argue below. Get faster updates on g.com.
Seeing the overwhelming killing intent radiating from Sakazuki, Arthur suddenly pointed toward the island where Sakazuki had carried out his mission.
“Colonel Sakazuki.”
“Are there any survivors left on that island?”
His sleepy expression was gone.
His eyes were razor sharp.
Sakazuki immediately looked up.
“What did you ask, recruit?”
Arthur met the hatred burning in Sakazuki’s eyes without flinching.
“I asked whether anyone is still alive.”
“Civilians included.”
“The Marines stationed there too.”
Arthur knew exactly what kind of Marine Sakazuki would eventually become.
A man willing to sacrifice innocent lives if it meant completing the mission.
Extreme.
Efficient.
Behind Arthur, Cooper instinctively took a step back, intimidated by Sakazuki’s terrifying gaze.
“The pirates were annihilated.”
“The mission was completed.”
Sakazuki answered without changing expression.
“And the civilians?”
“If eliminating pirates requires sacrifices, then sacrifices are inevitable!”
His impatience was beginning to show.
“If we hesitate, how many more innocent people will be robbed and murdered?”
To Sakazuki, Arthur’s questioning sounded like a deliberate attempt to challenge him in front of everyone.
Arthur disliked him immensely.
Still, he kept his emotions under control.
“I’m not asking about anyone else.”
“I only want to know…”
“How many civilians survived?”
“What exactly are you protecting, Colonel Sakazuki?”
Sakazuki stared silently at Arthur.
He had no intention of revealing the truth before the people of Lionheart Island.
Doing so would only spread panic.
“That’s enough.”
“Stop it, Arthur.”
Dragon stepped between them before the confrontation escalated.
“We’ve received new orders.”
“Arguing won’t change anything.”
Just then, a group of Marines hurried into the center of the island.
“Report!”
“The prison transport ship has reached the shore.”
“Colonel Dragon , we’re here to take custody of the Fourteenth Division Commander of the Golden Lion Pirates and the other prisoners for transport to Enies Lobby.”
Dragon raised a hand.
“All hands!”
“The wounded will return for treatment.”
“Everyone else, board the ships!”
With a sweep of his arm, Dragon summoned a powerful gust that forced the warship away from the center of Lionheart Island and toward the harbor.
Am I some kind of saint?
Arthur asked himself.
He quickly shook his head.
“No.”
“I’m just a normal person.”
“But if I keep going on missions like this every day…”
“I’m going to stop being one.”
He looked toward the neighboring island.
What should have been a thriving town had become nothing but a field of hardened magma.
Anyone who knew Sakazuki’s methods could guess exactly what had happened there.
Arthur chose not to question him any further.
Instead, he made a silent promise.
Once he had fully mastered the Six Powers…
He would leave the Marines.
This organization had become far too heavy for him to bear.
“Set course…”
“Punk Hazard!”