"Whoosh—"
A streak of golden light sliced through the night sky, vanishing into the darkness above Marineford.
"..."
Sengoku stood by the window of his office, silently watching the light disappear into the distance.
The Marines… this colossal, intricate war machine that, for countless reasons, had never been able to operate at full capacity.
Tonight, for the first time, it was finally set in motion.
The three Admirals, the Navy Headquarters' ultimate forces, each had their own missions.
Sakazuki was stationed at the G-5 branch in the New World, ensuring that during this turbulent transition between the old and new eras, the Marines would remain free from interference coming from the New World.
Borsalino was tasked with overseeing the "Sea Bottom Dredge" plan — a massive project directly tied to the economic lifeline of the Marines.
Sengoku had no doubt that, with the lure of massive bonuses and commissions, that man's efficiency would skyrocket to terrifying levels.
Kuzan, meanwhile, personally led a fleet executing the Sky Island Golden City Transport Project, ensuring that until the Sea Bottom Dredget plan was fully operational, the Marine budget wouldn't suffer any shortages.
But because of all this…
The defenses at Marineford Headquarters were left somewhat vulnerable.
That's why he had recalled Garp.
With himself, Garp, and Tsuru stationed at Headquarters, maintaining stability wouldn't be an issue.
This period… was the single most critical phase of the Marine's restructuring. There was no room for even the slightest mistake.
As long as they could endure through this…
Once everything fell into place, once the new order stabilized…
The world itself would be reshaped.
"..."
Sengoku pulled his gaze back from the window and turned toward his office.
That was when he saw Kizaru's "legacy" — a towering mountain of paperwork piled high on the sofa.
He walked over, stood silently for a moment.
Then, with a long sigh, he rolled up his sleeves.
"Tsuru, looks like we'll be here all night again."
"Already used to it, aren't we?"
Carrying a steaming cup of tea, Tsuru smiled faintly as she set it gently on Sengoku's desk.
"Yeah…"
Sengoku bent down, gathering the enormous stack of documents into his arms, and carried them over to his desk.
Thud—!
The pile landed heavily on the desk.
Placing his hands on his hips, Sengoku stretched, his joints cracking and popping in response.
"Alright then…"
He pulled out his chair and sat down heavily, ready to tackle the mountain of work.
"..."
Tsuru watched quietly, a soft smile forming on her lips.
Without a word, she stepped to the other side of the desk, picked up a file, and began reviewing it alongside him.
Outside, the night deepened.
Inside, the lights blazed bright.
Two veterans who had held up the Marines for decades… now stood shoulder to shoulder once again, fighting for a shared, brand-new future.
...
New World — Egghead Island
This island, praised as "five hundred years ahead of its time," floated high above the seas, suspended in a sea of clouds.
Towering egg-shaped structures pierced the sky, enclosing within them a sprawling, futuristic metropolis layered with strange, dazzling technology.
"Whoosh—"
A flash of golden light tore through the clouds, silently emerging above Egghead Island.
Kizaru, traveling at full speed, had arrived.
"Yoo~"
"Vegapunk, you're not gonna make things difficult for an old friend, are you?"
Hovering midair, hands casually tucked into his pockets, Kizaru gazed down at the whimsical island below.
"Better play it safe… and clear out the eyes and ears first."
Kizaru slowly closed his eyes.
Buzz—
An invisible wave of Observation Haki surged outward, flowing like liquid mercury, enveloping the entire island in an instant.
It took effort, sure.
But there was no helping it — Sengoku's fiery determination had completely won him over.
Within his perception, Egghead Island unfolded before him in perfect detail.
Tiny surveillance Den Den Mushi, hidden within cracks, atop lampposts, and buried deep within structures, were each precisely located and locked onto.
"Tsk tsk…"
Kizaru smirked. "The World Government really does love sticking its eyes and ears everywhere."
The next instant—
His figure vanished.
"Whoosh—"
Research Sector A, atop a massive antenna stretching into the clouds — a tiny monitoring Den Den Mushi shattered silently after a brief flash of golden light, its signal cut.
"Whoosh—"
Living Sector B, inside an automated dessert vending machine — another monitoring snail exploded in a burst of scorched circuits, sending a few burnt donuts tumbling out.
"Whoosh—"
"Whoosh—"
"Whoosh—"
One golden flash after another lit up Egghead's hidden corners.
Each flash meant another of the World Government's "eyes" erased.
And yet… not a single person on the island noticed a thing.
"Haah…"
Finishing his sweep, Kizaru reappeared high above the island.
"Alright… for now, this place is clean."
He yawned lazily, as though he'd done nothing more than stretch his legs.
Tap—
In a beam of light, Kizaru descended directly to the island's main entrance.
As the supreme commander of the Marine Science Unit, his access to Egghead Island was unrestricted.
"Admiral Kizaru!"
The Marine guards spotted him instantly, snapping to attention and saluting sharply.
"Mmm~"
Kizaru waved them off casually, strolling forward at his usual unhurried pace.
Soon, he arrived at Vegapunk's main laboratory.
Kizaru pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Within the lab, it was as though someone had crammed a massive mechanical heart into the shell of an egg.
Countless robotic arms whirred overhead, humming softly as they twisted and turned with precision.
"Hmm…?"
Kizaru's eyes locked immediately onto the figure seated at the center of the lab.
A towering man, built like a mountain, sat motionless in a specially designed metallic chair.
A signature spotted hat rested atop his head, framing his slightly curled black hair. His face was expressionless, unreadable.
His massive body was connected to an array of wires and instruments, yet his hands calmly held a thick book, as if the outside world no longer concerned him.
One of the Shichibukai — Bartholomew Kuma.
Kuma.
"Yoo~"
"Kuma, you're here too, huh?"
"Hmm…?"
At the sound of his voice, a round, apple-shaped head popped out from behind a wall of machinery.
Marine Chief Scientist, Dr. Vegapunk.
"Borsalino? What brings you here?"
Vegapunk's brows shot up in mild surprise.
"Ahh… just here to check on an old friend."
Kizaru strolled forward slowly, his gaze lingering on Kuma for several seconds.
Inside, his emotions stirred restlessly.
The Pacifista Project.
A mad endeavor spearheaded by Vegapunk and fully backed by the World Government.
And he, Kizaru, as a Marine Admiral, had provided the core laser weapon technology for the project.
The man sitting before him… Bartholomew Kuma… had offered up his own body as the template for these weapons of war.
Even his consciousness… was now being erased, little by little.
Kizaru knew full well why Kuma had agreed to such a self-destructive bargain.
It was all… to save his daughter Bonney from an incurable disease.
In those days… back when the World Government held an iron grip over everything…
Nobody really had a choice.
But now…
This man — this half-machine, half-human shell — could he… perhaps…
"I wonder…"
Kizaru's lips curved faintly.
"…if weakening the World Government's power would still count toward the bonus?"