"Coo coo!"
"Coo coo!"
Countless News Coo took to the skies.
They swept past the towering Red Line, crossed the silent Calm Belt, and flew over the countless islands scattered across the Grand Line.
At last, they delivered a newspaper carrying the blueprint of a new world order to every corner of civilization.
On the front page of the latest issue of the Navy Daily, an unprecedentedly large headline blazed across the page, powerful enough to make the world tremble.
The Great Navy Era Has Arrived!
A Historic Power Shift at the Top of the Navy. A New Fleet Admiral and a New Admiral Are Born!
Former Admiral Sakazuki, known as Akainu, is officially promoted to Fleet Admiral, stationed at Navy Headquarters to deter all threats!
Former Rear Admiral Renn Hawk is promoted to Navy Admiral, codename Blood Hawk, and takes command of G-5 Branch in the New World!
Former Fleet Admiral Sengoku and former Vice Admirals Garp and Tsuru step back from the front line.
The scepter of the seas has officially passed from the guardians of the old era into the hands of a new generation!
The news hit the world like a second thunderclap, sending colossal waves across seas that had barely begun to recover from the Summit War.
After a brief, stunned silence, the world erupted.
"Sakazuki… Fleet Admiral?!"
"Blood Hawk Hawk… an Admiral?!"
These two names fell like mountains upon the hearts of every ambitious soul who still clung to dreams of One Piece.
One was the magma demon who had burned the emperors of the old era to ashes.
The other was the incarnation of slaughter who had crushed a wavering comrade beneath his boot and personally struck down a Yonko with a single blow.
"This sea… there is no room left at all!"
Fear spread like a plague.
Young men who once spoke lightly of piracy, who believed that setting sail meant wealth, fame, and freedom, were finally awakened.
They had no doubt that the moment they dared to raise a pirate flag, the Navy reigning over the world would tear both ship and crew to shreds.
"Long live the Navy!"
"Justice will prevail!"
In stark contrast to the panic and despair of the pirate world, for the vast majority of ordinary people, this newspaper brought something else entirely.
Unprecedented relief and exhilaration.
The Great Pirate Era was coming to an end.
That chaotic age, where lives were worth less than dust, was finally drawing to a close.
The Navy would forge a truly peaceful future with steel and fire.
For a time, the number of pirates setting sail across the Four Blues and the first half of the Grand Line plummeted to a historic low.
Meanwhile, Navy recruitment offices around the world were packed to the brim.
Countless hot-blooded youths, carrying their longing for justice and their fervent admiration for the newly promoted Admiral, poured through those doors.
"For justice!"
…
East Blue, Shimotsuki Village.
Compared to the frenzy and noise of the outside world, this place remained as peaceful as ever.
Inside the dojo, the sound of bamboo swords striking rang out crisp and rhythmic.
Shimotsuki Koushirou sat beneath the eaves, holding the newspaper that had already spread across the world, reading it again and again.
His gaze did not linger on the eye-catching names dominating the front page.
Instead, his eyes settled on a small, inconspicuous photograph tucked into the corner.
In the photo, a green-clad figure wearing a justice cloak stood straight, delivering a perfect salute.
Before him stood a tall, stern man.
That man was the newly appointed Navy Admiral, Blood Hawk, Renn Hawk.
In Hawk's hands was a brand-new insignia representing the rank of Rear Admiral, which he was personally pinning onto the green figure.
That figure was Koushirou's disciple.
Roronoa Zoro.
Beneath the photo was a brief caption.
Former Navy Headquarters Colonel Zoro, promoted exceptionally to Rear Admiral for outstanding performance in the Summit War. Medal personally awarded by Admiral Blood Hawk today.
A gentle, gratified smile appeared on Koushirou's face.
He seemed to see once more that stubborn boy who had cried as he swore to become the world's greatest swordsman.
That boy had once lost his way on a path simply called strength.
But now…
He had found his own road to the summit.
"Zoro…"
Koushirou set the newspaper down and murmured softly.
"Your master is proud of you."
Just then, a burst of noisy children's voices came from outside the dojo.
"Wow! Is this the dojo where Rear Admiral Zoro trained?"
"So amazing! I want to become a Navy swordsman like him!"
"I'm joining the Navy! I want to serve under Admiral Blood Hawk!"
"I want to wear a justice cloak and cut down all the bad guys!"
Koushirou looked up.
A group of half-grown children were crowding at the dojo entrance, craning their necks to peek inside.
Their faces were filled with excitement and longing.
In their eyes shone something called dreams.
Those dreams were no longer vague fantasies about a mysterious treasure.
They were focused on a single symbol.
The justice cloak that stood for order and peace.
Koushirou laughed.
"Come in, all of you."
…
At sea, the floating restaurant Baratie.
Outside the restaurant, crowds surged yet remained orderly.
A long line stretched from the entrance all the way to the horizon. People chatted excitedly, faces full of anticipation.
Two burly chefs managing the crowd were sweating buckets.
"That's right! This is where Rear Admiral Sanji used to work!"
"Exactly! The boss is in a great mood, so we're running a huge promotion this week!"
One chef waved his arms.
"As long as you can eat it and don't waste food, everything is free!"
"Hey, you! What do you think you're doing?"
The other chef suddenly pointed at a customer who had just finished eating and was reaching for his wallet. He grabbed a thick rolling pin from nearby.
"Are you looking down on Baratie, or are you looking down on Navy Headquarters Rear Admiral Sanji?"
"Put that wallet away!"
The customer looked troubled.
"But chef, we came here to support you. How can we eat for free?"
"This is just a small gesture from us."
"A gesture, my foot!"
The chef slung the rolling pin over his shoulder and barked.
"Get moving! Don't block the next customers!"
"Pull your wallet out again and I'll let you taste my flying club!"
The customer flinched, hastily stuffed his wallet away, and left amid the good-natured laughter of those around him, muttering quietly.
"When this promotion ends, I'll come back all the time."
Zeff had just finished cooking a seafood risotto. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the towel around his neck.
His gaze shifted to the newspaper that had been carefully framed and hung on the most prominent wall of the kitchen.
The paper had been neatly trimmed.
In the photo, a blond man in a crisp Navy Rear Admiral uniform stood with his head slightly lowered.
Beneath his signature curled eyebrow, his eyes were resolute.
Standing opposite him was the man personally pinning a brand-new Rear Admiral insignia onto his shoulder.
That man was Blood Hawk, Renn Hawk.
Below the photo, a bold headline stood out clearly.
Former Navy Headquarters Lieutenant Commander Sanji, promoted exceptionally to Rear Admiral for outstanding performance in the Summit War. Medal personally awarded by Admiral Blood Hawk today.
Zeff's mouth twitched upward, finally breaking into a broad, satisfied grin.
"That damn brat…"
"He really made something of himself."