Marineford — The Heart of World Justice
Marineford.The headquarters of the Marines.The symbol of global justice.
Yet today, this sacred harbor was unusually lively.
Morning sunlight refracted across the massive headquarters building, glinting off the towering kanji for Justice and the Marine emblem carved into its facade.This was supposed to be the safest place in the world—a haven of order and peace. The sea shimmered gently beneath the light, calm and serene.
And yet, the Marines stationed at the port had no heart to appreciate the view.
Their eyes kept drifting toward two towering figures standing at the forefront of the harbor.
"Black Arm" Zephyr."Iron Fist" Garp.
"Hey… what day is it today?" a junior lieutenant preparing for deployment whispered, stealing glances toward the two vice admirals.
"No idea," the lieutenant beside him replied, equally confused."But for both Black Arm and Iron Fist to personally come out and receive someone… it's got to be Vice Admiral Sengoku or Rear Admiral Tsuru, right?"
"Could Sengoku have returned from the New World already?"
"No way. His ship only left for G-1 yesterday—and he even took Rear Admiral Tsuru with him to deal with Golden Lion Shiki!"
Whispers spread across the harbor like ripples on water. Curiosity burned in every pair of eyes.
At the front of the port, Zephyr stood with his arms crossed, posture straight as steel.His signature purple hair didn't stir even slightly in the sea breeze, and his gaze remained locked on the distant horizon—so stern that none of the nearby Marines dared approach him.
"Oi, Zephyr, lighten up a bit!"Garp suddenly slung an arm around his shoulder, breaking the tension with his booming voice.
"That kid pulled off something incredible, you know!"
Zephyr frowned slightly at Garp's carefree behavior but didn't shake him off. His voice was low and firm.
"Garp. Watch your conduct. This is the harbor, not your office."
"Hahaha!" Garp laughed even louder, drawing glances from all around."What's the big deal? That brat you asked Fleet Admiral Kong for is something else!Stronger than those three monsters who graduated from the academy!"
He leaned in conspiratorially.
"I even snuck a look at the report on Sengoku's desk. That kid actually dared to go head-to-head with Whitebeard! And he even forced him to use Conqueror's Haki coating! That kind of guts is rare!"
His booming voice echoed across the port.
"Whitebeard?!""Conqueror's coating?!"
Gasps rippled through the Marines.
"Could it be that West Blue officer…?""The one who's been all anyone's talking about lately—Gern Reginald Sigmar?"
Watching the crowd stir, Zephyr's brows knit together as he lowered his voice.
"Garp… you're being too loud."
"Oh, come on!" Garp waved dismissively."Everyone's gonna find out sooner or later anyway.That kid survived against Whitebeard! Hahaha! That's more impressive than Sakazuki and the others were at his age—they were still stuck in school at sixteen!"
Zephyr finally let out a heavy sigh and turned to face him seriously.
"Sakazuki and the others may have graduated, but after obtaining their Devil Fruits, they became far too reliant on them.Gern is the same. I know his Devil Fruit well—this time, he relied on it completely."
"Hey, hey, don't be so harsh."Garp's smile softened slightly, though admiration still burned in his eyes."Standing your ground before Whitebeard isn't something you can do with ability alone. That takes guts."
"Guts?" Zephyr snorted. "That's recklessness."
"This time he was lucky it was Whitebeard. If it had been Shiki the Golden Lion instead, he'd already be sleeping at the bottom of the sea."
"You and I both know the New World doesn't reward Devil Fruit users alone.Haki—that's the true path of strength."
"Alright, alright! You win!" Garp laughed loudly and slapped Zephyr on the back."And isn't that exactly why you fought the Fleet Admiral to bring him under your wing?Train that brat properly. Turn him into a real powerhouse!"
Garp's strength nearly sent Zephyr stumbling forward.
He shot him an annoyed glance. "Garp… you—"
Before he could finish, a voice rang out from the watchtower.
"Warship approaching the harbor! It's the West Blue escort vessel from G-14!"
"They're here."All eyes turned toward the sea.
A battered warship slowly emerged from the horizon. Deep cracks ran along its hull, silently testifying to the brutal battle it had endured.
"Tch—looks rougher than the report said," Garp whistled.
Zephyr didn't respond. His eyes were locked onto the deck.
"Gern…" he murmured, his tone heavy with emotion.
Garp glanced at him and grinned."What? Regretting stealing him from Fleet Admiral Kong already? I'd say he's better than my kid!"
"No." Zephyr shook his head firmly."That's exactly why he needs guidance.Devil Fruit power is only a tool. True strength comes from within."
"Still the same old Zephyr," Garp laughed."But for a kid to make you this invested… he must be something special.You've taught countless students at the academy, but you've never truly had a disciple, have you?"
"…That's true," Zephyr murmured quietly.
His thoughts drifted back to three days ago—To the moment he read the report detailing Gern's direct clash with Whitebeard.
A newly enlisted Marine… daring to challenge the man known as the strongest in the world.
Shock had quickly turned into deep concern.
Zephyr knew the terror of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit all too well.And now, an even more terrifying power—the Heavenly Quake Fruit—had appeared…
And it had chosen a rookie Marine as its vessel.
Power like that could easily breed arrogance.
"Zephyr, he's here," Garp said.
The warship docked. The gangplank lowered.
The harbor fell silent.
One by one, soldiers and junior officers disembarked, their faces still pale from battle.
Then came the mission's commanding officer, who immediately saluted upon seeing the two vice admirals.
Finally—
A tall figure with short black hair and bandages wrapped across his body stepped onto the gangplank.
Gern Reginald Sigmar.
Though still injured, his stride was steady and unshaken.
The Black Blade Bahuang was wrapped in white cloth across his back, its presence humming faintly, as if alive.
When Gern's gaze met the two vice admirals', the harbor fell into complete silence—broken only by the waves against the shore.
"Marine Headquarters," Gern said calmly."I've arrived."