Kano Country.
This nation located in the eastern part of the West Sea is one of the few super-large islands in the Four Seas region with two extreme climates.
Half is frozen continent, half enjoys perpetual summer.
With a population of nearly ten million, it ranks among the major powers in the West Sea.
...
The architecture here closely resembled the mountain city style of Griffin's hometown. The vermilion towers visible among the peaks and the carved beams and painted rafters beneath the eaves made him think he had traveled back to ancient times at first glance.
...
"Remember to return to Headquarters early, or old man Zephyr will give me trouble."
At the harbor, Kizaru gazed into the distance where mist enveloped the mountain peaks and plank roads coiled like giant dragons.
He clicked his tongue and said: "Your hometown is quite nice. Is this your first time back since joining the Marines?"
"Hehe~ Do you have a childhood sweetheart here~"
"Tell me about it, I'm the most tight-lipped at Marine Headquarters!"
...
Shooting Kizaru a look, Griffin stepped onto the blue stone steps.
He felt no particular hometown attachment to Kano Country. Even in his real hometown, he had no relatives left to miss.
"My~ So cold, young Griffin. And here I specially escorted you all this way."
"I'll be off then. Arrange your own transport back to Headquarters."
The crowd at the harbor watched as Kizaru transformed into light to arrive, and now transformed into light to depart, their jaws nearly hitting the ground in astonishment.
Devil Fruit users were rare even in the Four Seas, let alone Logia Types.
...
After a moment of silence, a man in the crowd shouted: "I know!!"
"I remember now! Six months ago I saw a Marine report - that guy is the newly promoted Headquarters Admiral, Kizaru!!"
"A Navy Headquarters Admiral! Why would such a big shot come here..."
"He seemed to be escorting that person."
"To have a Headquarters Admiral as an escort... could it be... the legendary descendants of gods, a Celestial Dragon!!"
...
Ignoring the inexplicably shocked bystanders, Griffin in his black casual clothes disappeared from view within a few steps.
Since I'm already here...
Might as well pay a visit.
...
A small house nestled among the peaks, wind chimes tinkling in the breeze beneath the eaves.
The sign above the entrance bore three powerfully written characters - Flower Room.
Yes, this tavern shared the same name as the so-called Ruler of the World Imu's residence.
It was only because avoiding names of respected figures wasn't customary here, and Imu's existence couldn't be publicly acknowledged, that this name alone hadn't warranted the World Government issuing multiple Buster Calls against Kano Country.
Ding ling ling...
The doorbell chimed as he entered.
The person behind the tavern counter lowered their head while wiping glasses, not looking up: "You're early, sir. We open at sunset."
Hearing the approaching footsteps, the person looked up to remind again...
...
...
This was a tall, lean man who appeared to be in his forties or fifties, with short hair and a fierce-looking scar running from his left forehead to his jaw.
"Long time no see, boss."
Thump—
Griffin placed an ice cup on the counter: "One Sea of Flowers and Thousand Mountains. You give a thirty percent discount for bringing your own cup, right?"
Clang!
The metal vessel in the man's hand fell to the floor, leaving him stunned for a long moment.
"It's... it's really you!!"
"You're back! Griffin!!!"
——
The Flower Room had hung up a "Closed" sign.
The owner sat somewhat stiffly at the side, rubbing his hands together with an awkward smile. "When I saw it in the newspaper, I could hardly believe it..."
"No! I always knew Lord Griffin would achieve great things. Even as a child, you were exceptionally talented and brilliant..."
Griffin rarely drank alcohol, only occasionally taking a small sip.
He watched the owner with calm, unreadable eyes.
...
Their relationship wasn't like the bond between Sanji and Zeff. He had long maintained that he'd only managed to scrape by thanks to his Ice Release.
Kind-hearted people weren't so easily encountered.
If not for his skill of forming ice into cups, the owner would never have hired him. Theirs was simply a straightforward relationship between an employee and employer.
As for the dramatic-looking scar on the owner's face...
It was just from a time he'd gotten drunk and accidentally bumped into a corner of the wall.
...
Griffin was someone who repaid favors without delay and settled grudges before the night fell.
The West Sea branch where he was stationed wasn't far from Kano Country. If the owner had truly taken him in out of kindness, he wouldn't have never returned even once.
"No need for small talk."
Griffin took out a small pouch from his sleeve containing some gold fragments.
"On my way here, I saw many people gathering in one direction. Is something happening?"
The owner didn't dare take the pouch, offering an ingratiating smile instead. "It's the Happo Navy's martial arts tournament! The winner has a chance to receive Lord Gyoza's true teachings!!"
"Today's the finals. There are four contestants left, two of them are Lord Gyoza's own grandsons!"
...
As Kano Country's largest armed organization, the Happo Navy maintained a cooperative relationship with the state, defending against foreign invasions in exchange for legitimate status.
With about a thousand members, every formal soldier was quite skilled, and their leader was the legendary pirate known throughout the seas - Chin Jiao.
However, the old man had lost his fighting spirit after being defeated by Garp, and hadn't set sail for a long time. His current strength likely no longer matched his former 500 million berry bounty.
...
In any world, willpower was closely tied to strength, but this was especially true here.
Chin Jiao, Moria, Crocodile, even Zephyr...
There were too many examples of those whose power drastically declined after losing their spirit.
...
I see...
No wonder you're heading there too. Are Gyoza's true teachings your goal?
Tossing down the pouch of gold fragments, Griffin said lightly, "Consider this thanks for your previous care. Farewell."
——
A surging crowd converged toward a massive mountain peak, the headquarters of the Happo Navy - Eight Treasure Tower Mountain.
The square before the tall building was already packed with a huge crowd, with an empty space cordoned off at the center.
On a platform constructed from bamboo poles, a red silk banner bearing the words "Happo Navy Martial Tournament" flapped loudly in the wind.
...
Amid the pressing crowd, a woman in a black hood looked up at the banner, her eyes holding a depth that didn't match her delicate appearance.
This was Nico Robin.
The Happo Navy was Kano Country's largest violent organization, but not the only one.
Beneath it were several other groups, including one that had risen rapidly in recent years through brutal methods, expanding their territory so aggressively they even dared to target the Happo Navy itself.
This organization was called the Jasmine Society, Robin's current place of refuge.
The mission given to Robin by the society's leader was to steal the true teachings of the Happo Navy's Gyoza - the legendary power said to be capable of opposing the Marine hero Garp!
Robin knew the danger of this mission, but she had no choice.
President Molly is someone who knows my identity yet willingly accepted me...
Saul, perhaps I've finally met them... companions willing to protect me...
Suddenly—
Robin's body beneath the black cloak trembled violently, overcome by the sensation of being watched by terrifyingly enormous eyes!
The feeling vanished as quickly as it came, making her wonder if it was just her imagination as she anxiously scanned her surroundings.
...
In a nearby attic.
Griffin sat on the eaves, watching Robin searching for someone in the crowd.
By forcibly hypnotizing suspicious individuals in the crowd, he had learned the full story of the incident.
...
Can't you even see through such an obvious manipulation?
Perhaps... it's only after facing reality that you'll become the person you are later.
...
"Barging into my territory without even a greeting? How audacious!"
"Marine brat!!"
A tall figure approached, hunched over with a long white beard.
With each step, a faint Haki emanated from him.
The twelfth-generation pillar of the Eight Treasures Marine, Chin Jiao!
Griffin turned to look, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Setting aside that I also hail from Kano Country..."
"Chin Jiao, get this straight..."
"The Four Seas all belong to the Marines—since when do you get to call the shots!"
Crack—
A thunderous clash erupted between the attics as two Conqueror's Haki collided violently!!
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