Grand Line, Paradise.
"Buzz—"
A pure-white ship, flying the flag of the World Government, was sailing arrogantly across the sea.
On the deck, three squads of CP0 operatives stood in strict formation, dressed in white suits. Beside them stood dozens of other intelligence agents from the CP system, the atmosphere tense and suffocating.
Three CP0 squad captains huddled together, whispering as they discussed the intelligence gathered from across the seas.
"According to reliable intel, Marine Headquarters Admiral—Kuzan—hasn't been seen at the main base for quite some time."
"Maybe he's off somewhere napping again, but even laziness has its limits."
"Agreed."
"Also, there's something strange about the expansion plan for the Marine G-3 Branch."
"Tsuru used her influence to crush all opposition, claiming it was 'for her granddaughter's future.'"
"Sakazuki did the same. His daughter is stationed at G-3 right now."
"And Kuzan's disobedient friend, Smoker, also got reassigned from Loguetown to G-3 by direct orders."
"The Marine hawks, doves, and elder faction… the protégés they value the most—or are closest to—are all being gathered in one tiny G-3 branch."
One squad captain's gaze grew colder as he pulled a file from his coat and tossed it onto the table.
"All clues point to this man."
The wind flipped open the folder, revealing the first page: a young man's photo and a name printed in bold.
Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral—Rayne Hawke.
"A branch commander from East Blue suddenly rises to Rear Admiral in less than a year, skipping multiple ranks."
"That kind of meteoric rise is impossible without backing from the top brass."
"And that's exactly the problem."
The captain's finger slammed onto Hawke's photo.
"The support he's receiving… it's excessive. Unnaturally so."
"This isn't just about factional power struggles or training promising newcomers."
"Something big is brewing within the Marines."
"And Rayne Hawke… is right at the center of the storm!"
The leading squad captain slowly stood, hands clasped behind his back, staring out toward the turbulent sea ahead.
His lips curled into a cold smile.
"But it doesn't matter…"
"This time, the Supreme Inspection Unit—led by us, three CP0 squads—was dispatched by the World Government precisely for this."
"I want to see exactly what these mutts, who refuse to behave like their master's loyal dogs, are plotting!"
...
G-3 Branch
Their jurisdictional waters were now in sight.
Suddenly, the lookout's urgent voice rang down from the mast.
"Report! Marine fleet spotted ahead!"
"And… five colossal battleships!"
"..."
The three CP0 captains' expressions darkened, and they strode quickly to the bow.
Far across the horizon, a massive fleet was approaching in battle formation.
Leading them were five giant battleships, steel behemoths whose dark gun barrels gleamed with a cold, deadly light.
"Hmph, quite the spectacle."
"Take us straight to them."
The leading CP0 captain raised his hand, signaling their ship to continue forward, his tone full of arrogance.
As the highest intelligence branch directly under the Celestial Dragons, they were used to looking down on everyone.
In their eyes, the Marines were nothing more than well-trained lackeys kept by the World Government.
"Send word to them. We are the Supreme Inspection Unit, dispatched under the direct orders of the Five Elders!"
"Tell them to clear the path immediately and prepare for inspection!"
But before the message could even leave the cabin, the deafening roar of cannon fire shattered the calm.
"BOOM—!"
"BOOM—!"
"BOOM—!"
Dozens of Marine battleships opened fire simultaneously, their broadsides unleashing a torrent of destruction.
The shells tore through the air with an ear-splitting shriek, raining down precisely on CP0's vessel.
"KRRAA-BOOM!!!"
The explosions erupted across the pristine white hull, sending blazing fireballs and thick smoke billowing into the sky.
The entire ship lurched violently, the deck shuddering as splinters and shards of steel rained everywhere.
Several CP agents standing at the railing didn't even have time to scream before the shockwave hurled them into the freezing sea.
"What's going on?!"
"Enemy attack!!!"
"I-It's the Marines!!!"
"The Marines… they're firing at us!!!"
Chaos erupted across the deck. Shock and disbelief spread like wildfire among the CP agents.
The three CP0 captains locked eyes, their faces twisted with the same stunned confusion.
What the hell was happening?!
Why would the Marines fire on a ship flying the World Government's flag?!
Had they completely lost their minds?!
This… this was open rebellion!!!
"Bastards!"
The lead captain was the first to recover, his face flushed crimson with rage, veins bulging at his temples.
"Send a signal immediately! Tell them to cease fire! Inform them this is CP0!"
"We were sent by the Five Elders themselves!"
He roared, his voice warping with fury.
He was already planning to string up the opposing fleet's commander from his own mast as punishment.
But before the waters from the first barrage had even settled…
The second wave of cannon fire came roaring in.
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
This time, the bombardment was relentless, like a torrential downpour of steel.
Every single shell was locked onto CP0's vessel.
"CRAAASH!"
The ship's towering mainmast, pounded by dozens of direct hits, let out a groaning death cry before collapsing entirely, engulfed in fire and falling debris as the tattered flag burned to ashes.
The splintered mast crashed onto the deck, punching a gaping hole straight into the cabin below, exposing terrified agents scrambling for cover.
More shells rained down, the ship rocking violently, seemingly seconds away from being torn apart entirely.
"Abandon ship!!!"
The leading captain bellowed with every ounce of strength left in his lungs.
With one powerful stomp on the deck, his body shot into the sky like a cannonball.
"Geppo!"
The other CP0 operatives finally snapped out of their panic, frantically using Geppo to leap from the doomed ship, escaping into the air.
Rising into the sky, they watched helplessly as their pristine white vessel was slowly shredded apart by the relentless barrage, consumed by fire and smoke.
Each face was twisted with uncontrollable fury.
Meanwhile…
On the flagship of the Marine fleet.
Six figures slowly ascended into the air, stepping on Geppo.
Leading them was a towering, broad-shouldered old man with wild purple hair.
Behind him stood five battle-hardened Marine Vice Admirals, their killing intent suffocating.
One CP0 captain glared fiercely at the man in front.
"Zephyr! Have you lost your damn mind?!"
"Do you even know what you're doing?!"
"This is rebellion! The Marines are declaring war on the World Government!!!"
Zephyr said nothing.
He simply raised his massive hand.
And then, with a sharp, decisive swing—
"Kill!!!"
...
I recommend checking out my new fanfic about the Dying System (Getting Killed Makes You Stronger)!