"Punk Hazard Island, under the jurisdiction of the World Government, serves as the headquarters of our Marine Science Unit."
Kizaru led Griffin through streets brimming with industrial atmosphere, casually explaining: "Quite a different style, isn't it? When I first came here, I felt rather..."
"Hey! What are you doing jumping up so high! Can't you stay put for once!"
Kizaru turned to look at Griffin perched atop a tall tower, his expression revealing the helplessness of someone trying to control an unruly dog.
...
The architectural style somewhat resembled that of a post-apocalyptic research facility from movies and dramas.
Standing on the high tower and gazing into the distance, Griffin observed that aside from this industrial zone, the island was largely covered in natural vegetation.
By visual estimation...
The island's diameter definitely exceeded a hundred kilometers, making it a large island spanning tens of thousands of square kilometers.
Thinking about what would happen to this island ten years later...
A battle between just two people could permanently alter the terrain of such a large island. That kind of power...
Griffin looked down at Kizaru shouting below - the Glint Man who had eaten the Light Fruit.
Magma, ice, light...
There was good reason these three were called the strongest Admirals in Marine history.
Their abilities were all disaster-level!
...
Thud—
The heavy package made Griffin leave clear footprints on the stone pavement when he landed.
Just as the two passed through a steel gate, a massive figure leaped out.
"Hey! The restricted area ahead is off-limits to strangers!"
This was a young man nearly three meters tall with the solid build of a wrestler, yet possessing delicate, almost feminine facial features.
Griffin immediately associated him with a certain version of Nezha from his memories.
A loli face on a muscular body...
...
"Sentomaru-kun, has it only been half a month since we last met that I've become a stranger~"
Sentomaru gripped the handle of the giant axe behind his back, stating seriously: "I am the man with the tightest lips in the world!"
"Even if it's you, old man, if you bring strangers, I won't tell you that Uncle Vegapunk is inside!"
...
...
"Griffin, this is my subordinate Sentomaru, currently serving as Vegapunk's guard captain. Well... I probably don't need to explain what kind of person he is, do I?"
Griffin smiled and nodded: "A straightforward man."
Kizaru pointed at Griffin and said to Sentomaru: "This is Commodore Uchiha Griffin from headquarters. We have a headquarters pass permit, so we can proceed now, right?"
Sentomaru took the pass permit Kizaru showed him, examined it carefully for a while, his small eyes scrutinizing Griffin up and down.
"I've heard of you. They say you're the most handsome man in the Marines..."
"Too skinny! Not handsome at all!"
"Even if you flatter me, I won't easily acknowledge you!"
...
"There there~ You're definitely the more handsome one. I wish I had such a robust physique like yours."
As Griffin passed by, he patted Sentomaru's stomach, which felt like an elastic rubber ball - quite amusing.
...
Sentomaru's cheeks flushed red as he followed behind the two, gesturing animatedly: "I'm starting to acknowledge you a little! Hey! If you want to be as handsome as me, you should eat more rice balls!"
"I can share my rice ball with you!"
...
...
"Sentomaru-kun likes you quite a bit." Kizaru glanced behind him, a trace of softness in the corner of his eyes.
It was clear he cared deeply about Sentomaru—their relationship wasn't merely that of superior and subordinate.
"I like Sentomaru very much too."
"Is that so..."
Kizaru lowered his voice, smiling faintly. "Just judging by appearances, a cold, stern type like you, Griffin, doesn't seem to match well with cute Sentomaru-kun."
"Isn't contrast what makes things interesting? Perhaps if Sentomaru-kun and I formed a duo and debuted at the Marine Headquarters festival, we could cause a sensation."
...
"What a wonderful idea! I'd be happy to help you submit an application to the publicity department～"
...
Amid the casual chatter, the three passed through multiple verification doors, and their view suddenly opened up.
In the center of the massive circular laboratory stood a figure with a head so disproportionately large compared to his body.
Besides the spectacularly oversized head, he also had an extraordinarily long tongue that hung down to his abdomen—by no means could he be classified as 'normal.'
"Yo! You've finally arrived, the last descendant of a lost race from history!"
Vegapunk's voice was clear and bright, his long tongue swaying side to side as he spoke. His eyes fixed on Griffin, curiosity evident on his flushed cheeks.
His fingers moved rapidly across the control panel beside him, while holographic screens behind him displayed countless genetic chain diagrams spinning swiftly.
...
"I've already confirmed through the base's life detection system—your lineage factor sequence is highly unique, unlike any sample I've ever studied!"
Vegapunk abruptly closed in on Griffin, so close that one could see the white mist of his breath in the air, his gaze practically dissecting Griffin on the spot.
"It's incredible! Your life factors contain unknown encodings, like an unreadable Poneglyph!"
"I need you to cooperate in extracting a small cell sample—just a drop of blood will do!"
"Don't worry, the procedure is completely painless and safe. I would never do anything that violates scientific ethics!"
Clang, clang—
Kizaru tapped on a handrail nearby, speaking slowly. "Dr. Vegapunk, for a first meeting, it's more normal to introduce yourself first, isn't it?"
"Talking so much right off the bat is quite frightening. What if you scare young Griffin here~"
...
Vegapunk's gaze never left Griffin for a second. "This one isn't normal, after all..."
"Griffin-kun, just as I need you, you need me too, right!"
Seen through so quickly...
Truly worthy of being called 'the man with intellect 500 years ahead of his time.'
Griffin's fingernail extended, slicing his palm and letting a few drops of crimson seep out, a mysterious smile playing on his lips:
"I'll trouble you then, Dr. Vegapunk."
——
——
——
Gold City.
It was a massive ship entirely golden in color, appearing extravagantly ornate, shining like a beacon over the night sea.
Gild Tesoro was a business prodigy whose fame had skyrocketed recently.
The grand ship he built, named 'Gold City,' housed facilities such as a casino, theater, and entertainment district, catering to nobles from kingdoms worldwide. It had even attracted the attention of the Celestial Dragons, who occasionally descended to visit.
...
...
In a dimly lit room, the Gold-Gold Fruit user Gild Tesoro, with his slicked-back hair, stared grimly at the person seated opposite.
That person wore sunglasses and a distinctive pink feather coat, a perpetually sinister smile plastered across his face.
This face had just made the front-page headline of the World Economic Journal.
Intercepting the Celestial Tribute, using it as leverage to threaten the World Government into granting him a position among the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea—the broker of the pirate underworld...
Donquixote Doflamingo!
"Fufufufufu... Impressive, Gild Tesoro! To cause such a stir in such a short time!"
Crack—
Tesoro clenched his fists, ready to fight at any moment.
He had seized the Gold-Gold Fruit from the chaos of an auction organized by Doflamingo's syndicate. He had long anticipated the day the victim would come knocking.
"Don't be so tense. I'm not here to fight you, Tesoro. I admire your talent!"
Doflamingo spread his arms wide and declared loudly, "A mere Devil Fruit is insignificant compared to my grand ambitions!"
"Securing the position of the Seven Warlords of the Sea is just a stepping stone for my greater plans. We can cooperate!"
"After all..."
Doflamingo lowered his head, revealing a sinister sneer, his voice low and hoarse: "You and I both despise those Celestial Dragons up there, don't we!"
...
...
After a moment of silence, Tesoro suddenly shifted his stance.
A slender, white-haired figure emerged from the shadows behind him. When Doflamingo saw who it was, his smile froze, and his expression drastically changed.
...
The hunter of Celestial Dragons, the most ferocious madman on the seas, the one with a permanent bounty issued by the World Government...
Kari!!