West Sea, Twin Snake Island.
Crunch
A bicycle cut a long, steady line across the surface of the sea, slowly making its way toward the shore.
Behind it loomed a massive fleet, silent and immovable like a mountain of steel, the shadow of warships stretching across the water, silently proclaiming absolute power.
This was the Fourth Sea Fleet, commanded by Admiral Kuzan, also known as "Aokiji."
Under the deployment of the new Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, the Navy was set to reshape the world.
Hawk held command in the New World, while Kuzan was responsible for clearing the seas of the Four Oceans.
His patrol route had earned an inside joke among the Navy: "The Great Justice Tour."
Starting from the North Sea, he would cruise through the West and South Seas, and finally arrive in the East Sea, recently cleared by Hawk. With absolute force, he would stamp the mark of justice on every corner of the world.
Kuzan parked his bicycle against the dock railing and stretched lazily.
He had just returned from confirming intelligence in the Sky Country of the Grand Line and had rushed here without delay, even altering his original patrol plan.
According to Hawk, however, this man of considerable skill should be someone he could get along with.
Kuzan waved at the fleet behind him. The sailors on the massive ships immediately understood, and the entire fleet quietly dropped anchor, not a single unnecessary movement.
No orders were given no one was to set foot on the island, and the locals were not to be disturbed.
Kuzan stepped alone into the bustling streets of Twin Snake Island, savoring the rare scent of peace.
"Ah, what a lively place," he murmured.
No sooner had he set foot on the street than the noisy crowd fell silent, hundreds of eyes turning to him.
"Th-that's…!"
"An Admiral of the Navy! 'Aokiji' Kuzan!"
A keen-eyed local recognized him, voice trembling with excitement.
This face, this name after the war at Marineford, it had spread across the entire world.
The man who had shattered two Shichibukai with a single kick and blocked the escape of two Emperors with absolute zero.
A local merchant stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Admiral Aokiji! Your presence on Twin Snake Island honors us. Are you here on official business?"
"No need for formalities," Kuzan replied calmly.
"I'm looking for someone. I heard there's a bodyguard here who, after losing all his money gambling, sold himself to the casino. Do you know him?"
At his words, the crowd buzzed with information.
"You mean that blind uncle?"
"Yes! He sits outside the Golden Dice casino all day in a daze, but his strength is terrifying!"
"The other day, a gambler who lost badly tried to cause trouble, and he flattened him with a single move!"
A sharp-looking young man with a frail frame stepped forward. "Admiral Aokiji, I know where he is. I can take you to him."
"That would be most appreciated."
Kuzan followed the youth through the bustling streets.
"Admiral Aokiji, I read in the Navy Daily that the Navy is improving recruitment systems and benefits. Besides soldiers, they're recruiting other types of talent too," the young man said, his excitement barely contained.
"I'm not good at fighting, but I'm skilled at calculation and planning I could manage the food supply for a whole town. Admiral, could I join the Navy?"
"Strategic talent?" Kuzan's eyes softened. "Of course. You can join the Navy. In the future, the Navy won't just need fighters it will need people like you."
"Go to the local recruitment office and give them my name. I look forward to seeing you at headquarters."
The young man's eyes shone with fervor as he gave an awkward Navy salute. "Thank you, sir!"
He then pointed toward a nearby casino entrance.
"That's him," he said.
Kuzan's gaze followed his finger.
Outside the ostentatious casino, its entrance garishly painted gold with the words Golden Dice, a man in a purple yukata sat quietly.
His eyes were closed, a cross-shaped scar marked his face, and a cane sword rested across his knees.
Around him, the noise of the crowd and the gaudy music swirled, yet he remained like a rock at the center of a storm, unshakable.
Kuzan sent the youth away and stepped forward.
When he was about ten paces away, the man slowly lifted his head.
Though his eyes were closed, he seemed to see Kuzan with perfect precision.
"Admiral of the Navy, Aokiji," he said.
"What wind brings a man of your stature to a place like this?"
Kuzan smiled. Strong Observation Haki… impressive.
"Mr. Smile?"
"I'm here on behalf of the Navy to invite you to join."
"Your rank…"
"Special Admiral."
Whole Cake Island, Totto Land.
A massive blue dragon and a shadowy black wyvern silently sliced through the clouds.
They avoided all eyes, landing in the garden behind the castle made of cookies and cream.
Boom !
The ground shook as the dragon's form contracted, taking the shape of a hulking, muscular figure.
Kaido of the Beasts.
Beside him, Jin folded his wings, returning to his cold, mask-like demeanor.
At the center of the garden's enormous banquet table, Charlotte Linlin, also known as Big Mom, had been waiting.
Next to her, Katakuri stood silently with arms crossed.
"Mamamama !"
Big Mom spoke first. "Kaido, have you seen the Navy Daily? The Navy is getting bolder by the day!"
"Urororororor !"
Kaido laughed wildly, downing a mouthful of sake from his gourd. "Linlin, enough talk! We both know the era of fighting alone is over. Those Navy lunatics no longer follow any rules. They want to bury us Emperors along with the Age of Pirates!"
"Let's join forces again!"
"Mamamama !"
Big Mom raised her enormous cup of sake. "Then… let's unite!"
Kaido raised his gourd in response.
Clang!
The cup and gourd met with a resonant ring.
In that moment, the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates forged an alliance.
Kaido's eyes burned with bloodlust.
"That brat called 'Blood Hawk'… he's the symbol of the Navy's new era. He's just been appointed head of the New World G-5 branch…"
"This is the perfect opportunity!"
"Once he settles in but before his foundation is secure…"
"Gather all elite forces and strike swiftly!"
"Killing him will crush the Navy's morale!"
"The time… one month from now!"
"Mamamama !"