Time slipped by like a white colt flashing past a window. In the blink of an eye, it was already early spring of the Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1495.
This year—seemingly ordinary on the surface—was destined to leave an indelible mark on the history of seafaring.
The long-simmering hostility between the Roger Pirates and the Flying Pirates had finally reached a point of no return.
Even though Roger still tried to avoid open conflict, the Golden Lion could no longer restrain his swelling ambition…
In just a few short days, Flying Pirates executives with bounties exceeding five hundred million were summoned from seas across the world, converging one after another.
The news that two legendary pirate crews were about to clash head-on spread like a world-ending storm in the making, sending tremors through the entire New World.
And the Marines—like hunters lying in wait at the edge of the tempest—watched it all with cold, calculating eyes…
…
New World waters, Marine reconnaissance vessel.
"Fleet Admiral Kong! Fleet Admiral Kong!"The intelligence officer stared at the massive pirate armada looming in the distance, his voice trembling as he shouted into the Den Den Mushi.
"Emergency intelligence! The Flying Pirates appear to have locked onto the Roger Pirates' position!""There is a very high probability that both sides will make contact in the Edd War Sea—possibly escalating into a full-scale war!!!"
…
At the same time, Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Steel Bone Kong slowly hung up the Den Den Mushi. The sound of his knuckles tapping against the desk echoed sharply through the spacious room.
His gaze swept across the sea chart mounted on the wall. The Edd War Sea had been heavily circled in red ink.
"Edd War…"Kong remained silent for a long moment, then suddenly reached out and slammed down a specific communication button on his desk. His authoritative voice resounded throughout headquarters.
"All headquarters vice admirals and above—report immediately to the strategic conference room for a Level-One combat meeting!"
…
Marine Headquarters conference room.
The heavy oak doors were pushed open, and the older generation of commanders entered first.
Sengoku, draped in his admiral's coat, wore a grave expression."Will Golden Lion and Roger really come to blows?"
"If they were going to fight, they'd have done it long ago…"Garp muttered around a rice cracker. "That bastard Roger's been avoiding war this whole time!"
"Golden Lion isn't the type to compromise."Zephyr pulled out a chair and crossed his arms, his gaze sweeping across the empty seats beneath his sunglasses, as if waiting for someone.
That damn kid should be back by now… Zephyr thought quietly.
Ever since his defeat at Roger's hands last year, Gern had truly calmed down.
He had even gone so far as to formally request retraining under the one man who had repeatedly driven Roger to the brink—Garp himself—focusing on strengthening his physical combat abilities.
Then, in the latter half of the year, he had taken Lipo and Tesoro—or sometimes new recruits from the training camp—and spent months sweeping through the New World, hunting pirate crews and serving as escort forces…
"Zephyr, another restless year, huh?"Vice Admiral Tsuru slid a cup of tea toward Zephyr, noticing his distracted expression.
Zephyr snapped back to attention at her words, quickly lifting the teacup and taking a sip."That's true."
"You don't need to worry so much about your disciple."Tsuru could naturally see through Zephyr's concerns and continued calmly."People often need to be defeated once before they can truly see more clearly."
"Let's hope so…" Zephyr sighed.
As the two spoke, the rising powerhouses of the Marine's new era began filing into the conference room.
The first to enter was Sakazuki, freshly transferred back to headquarters from G-3 Base. His steps were steady and forceful, his cap pulled low, his expression severe.
Close behind came the languid figures of Borsalino and Kuzan. The three took their seats almost simultaneously—only to notice, somewhat unexpectedly, a fourth empty chair placed at the front.
"Sorry, everyone. I didn't keep you waiting, did I?"
With that clear, composed voice, the conference room doors were pushed fully open.
Gern stepped inside with unhurried confidence. Walking just behind him on either side were Lipo and Tesoro.
Lipo's pink eyes darted curiously around the room, her long ears swaying gently with each movement.The moment she spotted Garp and Zephyr, she immediately waved her arms excitedly.
"Teacher Zephyr! Mr. Garp!"
"Oh! Little Lipo!"Garp laughed heartily, raising the rice cracker in his hand."Want to try a new flavor? Though it's not carrot-flavored."
"No way!"Lipo wrinkled her small nose and refused without hesitation, then her eyes lit up as she glanced toward Gion behind Tsuru."I'm going shopping with Sister Gion later!"
In stark contrast to Lipo's liveliness, Tesoro maintained a cold, restrained expression.
His gold-gloved hands were clasped before him as he stood beside Gern like a statue.
[Marine Headquarters Ensign "Rabbit" Lipo Hope][Marine Headquarters Warrant Officer "Golden" Gild Tesoro]
And seated at the head—Gern himself.
The moment this trio appeared, the atmosphere in the conference room visibly froze.
"So this is the direct lineage of 'Calamity Justice'…"Sengoku narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze moving back and forth among the three as thoughts raced through his mind.
This was true direct lineage in the purest sense—entirely recruited from outside.Unconnected to any existing Marine faction.Loyal only to Gern alone.And this force would only continue to expand.
Not just Sengoku—Steel Bone Kong himself lingered a moment longer with his gaze on Gern, his brow creasing almost imperceptibly.
Zephyr's personal disciple.The connective core of the elite training camp.The network behind Gern had already surpassed mere personal strength—it was beginning to resemble a faction of its own.
But now was not the time to dwell on that.
"Everyone."Kong rapped his knuckles against the table, drawing all attention back to him."A battle that may alter the course of this era is about to erupt in the Edd War Sea."
"Roger and Golden Lion—those two names speak for themselves. I won't insult you by explaining further."
"Should we intervene?"Vice Admiral Tsuru asked calmly."Or rather… can we intervene?"
"Intervene?"Sakazuki snorted, dark-red flames flaring around his clenched fist."Two pirates slaughtering each other is the perfect opportunity for justice to be carried out!"
"Oh my~"Borsalino drawled lazily."Sakazuki, you wouldn't be thinking of facing two 'legends' at once, would you? How terrifying~"
"Shut up, Borsalino!"Sakazuki snapped, glaring.
"That's enough."Sengoku cut them off and turned toward Kong."Fleet Admiral, your decision?"
Kong was silent for a moment before speaking slowly."Observe. Record. But… do not intervene."
"What?!"Sakazuki shot to his feet, his chair screeching sharply against the floor."This is indulgence!"
"This is strategy."Kong shot him a cold glance."Regardless of who wins or loses, Roger and Golden Lion will both be severely weakened.And the Marines… must preserve our strength."
His gaze swept across the room, finally coming to rest on Gern.
"Gern."
"Yes."Gern lifted his head, his expression calm.
"Do you have any thoughts?"
"Thoughts?"Knowing full well that Golden Lion was destined to lose, Gern maintained an outwardly composed demeanor as he replied evenly."I agree with Sakazuki."
At Gern's opening words, Sakazuki's eyes lit up instantly—he was practically one step away from giving a thumbs-up and declaring, 'Nice! Gern, brothers at heart!'
"After all, have any of you considered what happens if Roger compromises?""What if Golden Lion and Roger join forces—"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"Garp barked loudly, cutting him off.
"No matter what, Roger would never submit to Shiki. A man like him—if he bowed to power, then he wouldn't even deserve to be called a man!"