New World, G-5 Branch.
Inside the Branch Commander's office, the air was thick with the scorching scent of sulfur.
Akainu sat behind his desk, his expression as dark as still water, processing intelligence reports gathered from across the New World.
"Knock, knock—!"
An urgent knocking echoed through the room, carrying an unusual sense of tension.
"Come in!"
The door was flung open, and a Marine soldier in charge of surveillance rushed in, saluted, and reported.
"Admiral Akainu! Urgent report! There's… a riot within the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"Oh…?"
Akainu slowly raised his head. "Explain."
"The details are still unclear!"
The soldier's breathing was rushed.
"Our surveillance ships didn't dare get close. From a distance, we only saw chaos erupting aboard their main vessel—the Moby Dick!"
"Tak—"
Akainu's knuckles tapped lightly against the tabletop, producing a dull thud.
"Any casualties?"
"None! As soon as we spotted signs of a riot, the surveillance ships followed your highest directive and retreated to a safe distance!"
"Good."
Akainu nodded and motioned for the soldier to stand down.
This was part of the Navy's new strategy regarding the Yonko.
Right now, the entire Navy was undergoing a critical transformation. Provoking the Sea Emperors prematurely was unwise.
A brief period of patience… for a future eruption.
Several figures flashed through Akainu's mind.
Kuzan, regaining his drive and tirelessly running about for the Navy's future.
Borsalino, working harder than ever, motivated by hefty bonuses.
And Fleet Admiral Sengoku, regaining his "Buddha" spirit and preparing to confront the World Government itself.
Meanwhile, in "Paradise," young Hawke was honing his skills, preparing to inherit the banner of Justice.
The Navy—the long-silent war machine—was being fueled with a new source of power.
Once the transformation was complete, the Navy would personally move against the Yonko.
Akainu reached for the Den Den Mushi on his desk—the Fleet Admiral's private line—and dialed.
"Buru buru~ kacha."
On the other end, Sengoku's calm, commanding voice answered: "It's me, Sakazuki."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, about Whitebeard…"
Akainu concisely relayed the newly received intel.
A brief silence followed.
"…Sakazuki, I understand the situation."
"Kuzan just finalized the investment deal with Alabasta—the first batch of gold is already being converted."
"Borsalino's designs are nearly complete."
"At most three months, at the earliest one month, and all preparations will be done!"
"For now, we must stabilize the Navy's deployments in the New World."
"Yes, sir!"
Akainu clenched his fist, his knuckles cracking audibly.
After hanging up, he didn't hesitate to dial another number.
One he had placed great hopes on.
...
Paradise — aboard the fleet flagship returning to G-3 Branch.
Hawke sat in the spacious captain's quarters, eyes closed, resting.
"Buru buru~"
The Den Den Mushi in Hawke's arms rang. He opened his eyes, glanced at the caller, and picked up.
Akainu's deep voice came through the receiver.
"Hawke…"
"There's unrest within the Whitebeard Pirates…"
"I have a feeling something big is coming. Be ready."
"..."
Hawke listened silently, lost in thought.
Whitebeard Pirates… internal upheaval?!
His gaze instinctively shifted to the logbook on his desk, eyes landing on the date at the top.
Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1520.
Unknowingly… it was already 1520…
So, Blackbeard must have taken the Dark-Dark Fruit and begun his escape.
Which means soon, Ace would set out to capture him.
The countdown to the Summit War…
Only two months remained!
The gears of fate… were turning along their destined path.
"Admiral Akainu, I'll be ready."
"Good."
Akainu's voice faded, and the Den Den Mushi fell silent.
"Tak—"
Hawke slowly rose, walking to the cabin window, gazing out at the endless sea.
The wind tousled his black hair as he murmured, "Two months… only two months…"
A sense of urgency stirred within him.
The Summit War…
The Whitebeard Pirates. One of the Yonko. Sixteen division commanders under his banner. Countless allied pirate crews…
Over a million Justice Points at stake… He had to take part!
But…
Hawke assessed his current strength.
[Physique: Top-Tier (Admiral-level)]
[Armament Haki: Advanced (Vice Admiral-level)]
[Observation Haki: Advanced (Vice Admiral-level)]
[Martial Arts · Fist: Advanced (Vice Admiral-level)]
[Conqueror's Haki: Advanced]
Not enough!
Far from enough!
Only his physique had reached Admiral-level. The rest were still stuck at Vice Admiral-level.
With this strength, he could survive on the Summit War battlefield—but if he wanted to reap massive Justice Points, that was a fantasy.
Stronger!
He had to get stronger—fast!
Ordinary pirate-hunting was no longer sufficient to meet his Justice Point needs.
Then…
Hawke's gaze hardened, cold and sharp.
"It's time to initiate the backup plan."
He turned, picked up the Den Den Mushi, and unhesitatingly dialed Sengoku's number.
"Buru buru~"
"Kacha~"
The Den Den Mushi's face took on Sengoku's distinctive goat-bearded visage.
"Hawke? What's the matter?"
"Fleet Admiral, I need authorization… to enter Impel Down."
...
East Blue.
Foosha Village.
A small fishing boat sat quietly moored at the dock.
On its bow stood a boy wearing a straw hat, grinning brightly.
"Alright! I'm setting off!"
Luffy's voice echoed across the tranquil harbor.
At the dock, the village chief glared, beard bristling in anger.
"You little brat! Becoming a pirate isn't a game!"
"You'll die out there on the sea!"
The tavern keeper, Makino, smiled gently.
"Luffy, take care of yourself."
"Got it!"
Luffy waved enthusiastically, his face showing not a shred of fear for the unknown—only boundless yearning for adventure.
Just then, from beneath the calm surface of the sea, a massive shadow surged upward.
Sea King!
It opened its colossal jaws and lunged at Luffy's tiny boat.
"Ah! Luffy!"
The villagers screamed in terror.
"Gomu Gomu no—!"
Luffy's right arm suddenly stretched back, muscles pulling taut to their limit.
"Pistol!"
"BOOM!"
His extended fist shot forward like a cannonball, piercing straight through the Sea King's lower jaw.
The massive creature rolled its eyes back and sank lifelessly beneath the waves.
"Pa—"
Luffy retracted his arm and adjusted his straw hat. "Hehe, see ya, everyone!"
The little boat carried the boy's dreams as it drifted slowly into the endless ocean.
Before long…
The weather shifted suddenly across the sea.
Out of nowhere, a giant whirlpool formed, churning violently, roaring like thunder.
"Whoa! That's huge!"
Glancing at his soon-to-be-swallowed boat, Luffy leapt without hesitation into an empty barrel nearby.
"Guess I'll take a nap."
The barrel was sucked into the vortex and vanished.
Nearby waters — another small boat struggled against the waves.
A boy with round glasses and short pink hair nervously studied the sea chart clutched in his hands.
Koby.
He was neither pirate nor fisherman.
Just an ordinary boy… with dreams of becoming a Marine.
"The Navy branch… should be this way…"
Koby muttered under his breath, glancing up at the sun to confirm his bearings.
He was determined to become a strong Marine, someone who could protect the innocent!
He'd spent all his savings on this little boat, aiming to reach the nearest Navy branch.
Suddenly—"Thunk!"
The boat jolted violently.
"Ah!"
Koby yelped, falling backward onto the deck, scrambling to his feet in a panic.
A massive wooden barrel bobbed beside the boat.
"A… a barrel?"
Adjusting his glasses nervously, Koby cautiously leaned over.
Using all his strength, he barely managed to haul the heavy barrel aboard.
"So… heavy…!"
Grabbing an oar, Koby slammed it down hard against the barrel's lid.
"Bang!"
Wood splinters flew.
A fist shot out of the barrel.
"Waaah—! That nap was great!"
Luffy sprang upright from inside, stretching lazily.
"Ahhhhhhhh! A ghost!!!"
Koby screamed, stumbling backward, retreating to the stern.
"Huh?"
Luffy rubbed his eyes and curiously examined the pink-haired boy.
"Who are you?"
"M-my name's Koby…"
Koby stammered, trembling.
"W-who are you? Why were you… in the barrel?!"
"I'm Luffy!"
With a wide grin, Luffy declared, "I'm the man who'll become the Pirate King!"
"P-Pirate King?!"
Koby's eyes nearly popped out. He stared like he'd just heard the most absurd thing in the world.
"You're kidding, right?!"
"There aren't even any pirates left in the East Blue these days!"
"Eh?"
Luffy's grin froze. He picked his nose, looking puzzled.
"No pirates? How?"
"It's true!"
Koby stood up, suddenly animated.
"The East Blue is peaceful now!"
Luffy blinked for a moment, then clapped his hands.
"Oh! I get it!"
"Then I'll just be the first!"
"Huh?!"
Koby was stunned.
Looking at Luffy's dead-serious expression, he couldn't help but blurt out,
"W-why do you want to be a pirate anyway? Wouldn't being a Marine be better? You'd become a hero of Justice!"
"Nope."
Luffy replied without hesitation.
"Marines aren't free."
"I'm gonna find ten crewmates, discover the legendary One Piece, and become…"
"…the freest man on this sea!"
"That's what being the Pirate King means!"
Luffy's eyes burned with an unshakable resolve.
"..."
Koby's hands trembled as he fumbled for a small dagger at his waist. The blade caught a glint of sunlight, flashing faintly.
"S-stay back!"
Putting every ounce of courage into it, Koby pointed the dagger at Luffy, his voice cracking with nerves.
"I-I… I'll arrest you as a Navy recruit!"
Luffy: "???"