Japan
Tokyo
A handsome young man in his twenties lay crumpled upon the blood-soaked ground, a dark crimson pool spreading beneath him like a shattered rose in the moonlight. His chest rose weakly, each breath growing thinner than the last, while his once-bright black eyes slowly lost their fire, the weight of exhaustion pulling his eyelids lower and lower. A chilling numbness crept through his body, stealing away every trace of warmth, as if death itself had wrapped him in an icy embrace.
"BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!"
The young man lay motionless on the blood-soaked ground as gunfire erupted all around him, each deafening shot tearing through the chaos like thunder. Yet he did not move. He did not flinch. His body remained still, his spirit worn thin, as if he had already surrendered to the cruel fate closing in around him. He had no strength left to rise… no will left to fight. In that shattered battlefield, he simply lay there, eyes half-lidded, accepting the storm of death with a haunting, silent calm.
'My life had been nothing but one failure after another… ever since the day I was born an orphan and raised within the cold walls of an orphanage.'
'To survive, I learned early on that I could rely on no one but myself. From a young age, I stole whatever I needed—food, money, clothes—and fought anyone who stood in my way.'
'In the end, I built my own gang… and before long, our name became one of the most feared in all of Tokyo.'
'No matter how much infamy my gang earned, a hollow emptiness still lingered deep within my heart—one that no bloodshed, no victory, and no reputation could ever fill… until I met Sayori, the love of my life.'
'She always insisted there was still goodness in my heart… but I was too stubborn to believe her.'
"Sayori… I'm sorry. I should've listened to you."
His trembling voice barely rose above a whisper as tears mixed with the blood on his face.
'If fate gives me one more chance… I swear I'll live a life with no regrets.'
His fading eyes carried both sorrow and resolve, as if his soul was making one final vow before the darkness could take him.
Then, with tears slipping from the corners of his eyes, the young man slowly closed them for the last time… and drew his final breath.
_______
North Blue
In a prison cell of a pirate ship
A boy with spiky black hair, piercing black eyes, and a hardened stare stood in worn, ragged clothes—a faded blue shirt and dirt-stained pants hanging loosely over his thin frame. Dust and grime clung to him like a second skin, yet there was something fierce and unbreakable in the way he carried himself. His messy dark hair framed his face wildly, while his sharp black eyes burned with the quiet determination of someone who had survived far more than any child ever should.
The boy's arms were bound in heavy iron chains, his legs shackled so tightly that every step scraped against the wooden floor of the ship. Only moments ago, his village had been consumed by chaos—pirates storming through the streets like a violent tide, setting homes ablaze, slaughtering the men, and dragging away the women and children in screams of terror.
Now, trapped in the dim belly of the ship, the salty air thick with blood and despair, he could only lower his head as the weight of helplessness crushed his chest. The cries of his people still echoed in his ears, and the image of his burning village was seared into his mind like a scar that would never fade.
The boy clenched his teeth so hard they almost cracked, his fists trembling as the nightmare replayed in his mind—his father and mother dying before his very eyes, their blood forever burned into his memory.
'Father… Mother… I swear it with my very soul… I will avenge you, no matter the cost.'
The boy stared up at the ceiling in silence, his eyes distant as memories from his past life came rushing back like a storm. He remembered the pain, the blood, the regrets that haunted his final moments… and above all, the vow he made before death claimed him. A vow born from sorrow, and regrets. And now, as he lay there in this new life, he realized fate had granted him his wish—a second chance. This time, he would live his life with no regrets and he will follow Sayori's advise.
He inhaled deeply, and in that fleeting moment, the faces of his beloved father and mother flashed through his mind.
'Father… Mother… you gave me something I had longed for since my past life—something I had never known before… the warmth of being surrounded by a loving family.'
'I would've been content to follow Father's footsteps… to become a simple fisherman like him, and live nothing more than an ordinary, peaceful life.'
'I don't know what kind of future awaits me… but before anything else, I swear I'll avenge you, Father… Mother.'
'Right now… I know I'm in the world of One Piece… but the only part I ever read was up to Enies Lobby, and that was just when I was bored. I can't rely on those memories—they're centered entirely around Luffy's journey, his crew, and his timeline.'
'From this moment on, I'll rely on no one but myself… and face whatever fate dares to throw at me.'
'I am no longer Shinji Tanaka… I am Ken Vane the name my parents gave me. Watch me, Father… Mother… no matter what, I will make you both proud. I'll live this life without a single regret.'
Without even looking at the prisoners around him, Ken lowered himself to the filthy floor and started doing push-ups as if the cell itself meant nothing to him.
A nearby prisoner lifted a brow at the bizarre sight of Ken doing push-ups and asked in a hushed voice.
"Ken, what are you doing?! If those pirates see you, they won't let you off easy!"
Ken ignored the prisoner completely and continued doing push-ups, each movement steady and filled with silent determination.
______
Not far away.
In a large Marine ship.
A Vice Admiral stood atop the warship, his eyes narrowed into a deadly glare as the air around him grew hotter with every passing second. His white Vice Admiral coat billowed fiercely in the wind, making his imposing figure look even more overwhelming.
His name was Sakazuki, a Vice Admiral whose towering height and light skin made him stand out even among the Navy. But it was his sheer, muscular frame that truly marked him—a man whose presence alone could crush the courage of any pirate.
He towered over everyone at 3 meters and 6 centimeters, his presence alone bending the air around him. His square-shaped face and sharply chiseled features made him look like a statue carved from stone, each angle precise and unyielding. Short black hair framed his head, a dark crown that only emphasized the intensity in his gaze. Even standing still, he radiated a quiet, overwhelming power that made the world around him seem small.
His tall figure stood firmly, his sharp gaze scanning the horizon. Perched atop his head was a crisp, standard Marine cap, its visor casting a shadow over his eyes. He wore a crimson, double-breasted suit that hugged his broad shoulders, each button gleaming like a warning. The wind tugged at his coat, but not a single fold faltered—he was a living embodiment of authority, discipline, and deadly intent.
Unlike most high-ranking Marines who wore crisp uniforms and ties, he marched aboard with a casual menace. His light red, flower-patterned shirt was left unbuttoned, revealing the powerful curve of his neck and a glimpse of a tattoo that hinted at untold stories. Black gloves hugged his hands like armor, and his polished black shoes clicked sharply against the deck, announcing the presence of a man who didn't need rules to command respect.
"Damn that Sengoku… I did my part, blew up the evacuating ship in Urahara, and now he's punishing me by dumping me here in the North Blue."
Sakazuki's sharp eyes snapped shut for a heartbeat, then narrowed like the edge of a blade as an uneasy chill spread in the air. His lips pressed into a thin line, and a deep frown was filled with hatred across his stern face.
"Damn pirates… I swear… I will annihilate every last one of them… no mercy!"
He spun on his heel, eyes blazing, and bellowed at his subordinates, his voice echoing like a thunderclap across the deck.
"Full speed ahead! Ready the cannons—we'll leave nothing standing!"
"Sir yes sir."
The Marine vessel thundered forward, waves splashing against its hull, as a pirate ship suddenly emerged on the horizon. Its Jolly Roger burned into view—a tiger skull grinning wickedly over crossed bones.
Sakazuki's eyes narrowed into a piercing glare as he snorted, the air around him seeming to thrum with heat. "Prepare the cannons! Fire at will!" he barked, his voice carrying over the roar of the sea, each word laced with deadly precision.
The Marines unleashed a relentless volley of cannonballs, each thunderous shot tearing through the air toward the pirate ship, the deck trembling with every impact as smoke and fire began to curl into the sky.
"BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!"
"BOOM!, BOOM!, BOOM!, BOOM!, BOOM!"
The cannonballs struck the pirate ship squarely, splintering wood and tearing sails apart. Flames erupted instantly, licking the deck as smoke twisted toward the sky, turning the vessel into a blazing inferno. The smell of burning timber filled the air, and the crew's screams were drowned out by the roar of the fire.
A fat pirate stomped forward, his face red with fury, and bellowed at the top of his lungs as his eyes locked on the Marine ship raining cannon fire toward them.
"You damn imbeciles! Fire back and send their sorry hides to the bottom of the sea!"
The fat pirate lumbered forward, his bald head gleaming under the sun. His tanned, weathered face was twisted into a permanently sour scowl, each feature almost cartoonishly exaggerated. He wore a pair of baggy, sky-blue pants that flapped with every step, a white shirt left carelessly unbuttoned over his chest, and a black pirate captain's coat that hung heavily from his broad shoulders. His black boots thudded against the deck, announcing his presence like a drumbeat of menace.
"BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!"
The pirate ship rocked violently as cannon fire erupted, each shot screaming toward the Marine vessel. Yet atop the deck, Sakazuki's eyes barely flickered—he snorted dismissively, unshaken by the roaring assault, as if the world itself bowed to his presence.
His arms ignited, molten lava coursing over his fists like rivers of fire, he thrust them forward, unleashing a barrage of tiny lava fists that collided with each incoming cannonball—explosions of fire and molten sparks erupting with every strike. The heat warped the air, and the pirates eyes widened as their projectiles were melted to nothing before reaching the ship.
"BOOM!, BOOM!, BOOM!, BOOM!!, BOOM!"
______
Few moments ago
With Ken
Inside the dimly lit cell, Ken's arms pumped rhythmically against the cold floor, sweat sliding down his brow with each push-up. Suddenly, the entire ship shuddered violently, a deafening creak echoing through the hull. The rusted lock on the cell door clattered to the ground, spinning across the deck as if fate itself had decided to intervene.
Ken's eyes sparkled like a flame igniting. Before anyone could stop him, he lunged toward the cell door, opened it and with a burst of speed that left the other prisoners shouting in vain.
Ken's eyes went wide as he dashed across the groaning deck, every step sharp and deliberate. The air crackled with cannon fire, splinters flying as the pirates and the Marines unleashed volley after volley against each other. His heart skipped a beat when a colossal Marine ship appeared on the horizon, its deck lined with gleaming guns, a mixture of determination and hope swelling in his chest. The waves crashed violently against the hull as chaos tore through the battle, and Ken felt that he—and the other prisoners—might actually have a shot at survival.
Ken's lips curled into a cold smirk as the chaos of the battle raged around him. The deck shook under the pounding of cannon fire and the shouts of panicked pirates, but his gaze remained sharp, scanning every corner. His eyes suddenly sparkled with a dangerous glint when they landed on the scattered weapons—pistols glinting in the sunlight, rifles leaning against railings, katanas and cutlers half-buried in splintered wood, axes discarded by fleeing fighters. A thrill ran down his spine. Opportunity never looked so inviting.
Without a word, Ken crept across the splintered deck, his eyes scanning the chaos around him. He crouched over the scattered weapons, fingers brushing over pistols, rifles, and blades. Pausing at the pistols, he inspected them closely, his brow furrowing as he shook his head slightly—something was off. The metal glinted under the sunlight, but the guns felt heavier than they should, poorly maintained, or perhaps even jammed. Ken's jaw tightened.
'These would not be enough.'
He glanced up at the battle raging around him, the roar of cannon fire and shouts echoing through the salty air, and silently cursed his luck.
Ken picked up one of the scattered pistols, weighing it in his hand. "These are old models… nothing like the ones I used in my previous life," he muttered under his breath, his fingers tracing the worn metal. "Poorly maintained… but I suppose it'll do… for now." A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he checked the chamber, readying himself for whatever came next.
Ken slid the two pistols aside with a swift motion, his eyes scanning the scattered weapons. He grabbed the remaining pistols, fingers moving like lightning as he emptied the bullets into his pocket. Every action was precise, deliberate—like a predator collecting its tools before the hunt. The clink of metal echoed faintly across the deck, swallowed quickly by the roaring fire around the deck.
He loaded the two pistols with effortless precision, the metallic clicks echoing across the deck. Without missing a beat, he clamped a gleaming katana between his teeth, eyes narrowing as a deadly grin spread across his face.
"The time for vengeance has come… every last one of them will pay for raiding my village, for taking my father, for murdering my mother! I will never forgive… never!"
Ken's chest rose and fell in a slow, controlled rhythm as he drew in the sharp, salty air of the open sea. His black spiky hair whipped across his face, but he didn't flinch. Eyes like steel scanned the creaking deck, catching every frantic movement of the pirates as they scrambled to reload their cannons. The wind howled around him, carrying the cries of the desperate and the clash of metal, but Ken's focus was absolute. Each heartbeat synced with the pounding of the waves, each breath a promise: he would dive into the chaos and make the pirates pay for what they had done.
'If I charge head-on… I'm as good as dead. My new body is five-year-old —there's no way I can match them physically. I have to strike from the shadows… an ambush… that's my only chance.'
'I've always been deadly accurate… guns and firearms have always been my domain. In my previous life, my skill wasn't just talent—it was perfection.'
'Even in my past life, my instincts in battle were unmatched… but now, in this fragile body, brute force will cause my death. I need to think… or I'll die before I even take a step.'
"Right now… I need to find the perfect spot, a place where I can strike without mercy and take those bastards down."
Ken's gaze swept across the chaotic deck, his expression icy and unreadable. Then, his eyes sharpened, as the lookout nest of the pirate ship came into view. The wind tugged at his hair, and a cold, calculating smile curved in his lips.
Without a second thought, Ken slid the two pistols back into pockets. His fingers wrapped around the hilt of the sword, its cold steel gleaming under the sun. With a fierce glint in his eyes, he launched himself onto the mast, each movement fluid and precise. The wind tore at his hair and clothes, but he didn't falter—he was already moving toward the lookout nest, ready to strike.
Ken climbed into the lookout nest, the wind whipping his black spiky hair around his sharp eyes. Without hesitation, he emptied every bullet from his pockets, letting them scatter across the wooden floor like tiny silver stars. He laid his sword carefully beside him, a silent promise of the battles it had yet to see. Then, with a fluid motion that spoke of years of practiced precision, he lifted the two pistols into his hands, fingers brushing the triggers, ready to turn the chaos into massacre.
His eyes gleamed with an icy, unyielding light as they swept over the scrambling pirates below. From his high vantage point, he whispered under his breath, each word sharp as a blade, cutting through the roar of the sea.
"The time has come… for you worthless bastards to die!"
Ken crouched in the lookout nest, his eyes cold and sharp. He raised the two pistols with perfect precision, the barrels glinting under the sun. Without a moment's hesitation, he pulled the triggers, sending a storm of bullets raining down on the pirates below. Each shot echoed like thunder across the deck.
"BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!"
"THUD!, THUD!, THUD!, THUD!, THUD!"
Pirates began collapsing, one after another, their screams cut short as they hit the creaking deck. The chaos froze for a heartbeat—guns went silent, and the air was thick with the stench of gunpowder. Amidst the frozen terror, Ken pressed himself against the shadows of the lookout nest, his black hair whipping in the wind. Calm and methodical, he slid the empty pistols and loaded them with precision, each click echoing like a heartbeat of death waiting to strike again.
The fat pirate captain's face turned crimson, his double chin quivering as he bellowed, veins popping on his forehead. His thick fingers slammed onto the railing of the ship, making the wood shudder, while his booming voice echoed across the deck like thunder, "who dare kill my crew, you insolent bastards!" Sparks seemed to fly from his fury as his eyes glinted with a wild, giving the crew no doubt that disobedience would cost them dearly.
"WWISH!"
In an instant, his body twisted and reshaped, fur sprouting across taut muscles as he became a humanoid tiger. His ears twitched, and sharp claws dug into the deck. He lifted his snout, inhaling deeply, nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air with predatory precision. Then, his eyes narrowed into slits, glowing with barely contained fury.
"Damn it… I can't sniff out the one shooting at us! The air's thick with gunpowder—it's choking me! Hmph… guess I'll have to deal with those Marine bastards first."
______
With Sakazuki
Sakazuki gripped his spyglass tightly, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the chaos unfolding on the pirate ship. For the first time in years, a flicker of astonishment crossed his usually impassive face—Ken shoot using his pistols with precision that will force even a seasoned marine to pause. The sea roared around them, but all Sakazuki could hear was the deadly rhythm of Ken's assault.
"This kid… so young, yet his skill with pistols… I bet he's sharper than most of my men…"
The corners of his lips curled into a smirk as his eyes caught Ken melting into the shadows of the lookout nest. Satisfaction glinted in his gaze..
"Not bad. You're not reckless. Now, show me, boy… what will you do next?"
Through the lens of his spyglass, Sakazuki watched Ken with interest, his gaze unwavering even as the thunderous volleys of cannon fire from his ship shook the pirate ship to its core. Smoke and splinters filled the air, but Ken kept calm and looked around like a predator amidst the chaos.
______
With Ken
Ken's eyes sharpened, a cold glint flickering within them, as he watched the pirate captain shift into his hybrid form—muscles bulging, fur growing over his body, and claws extending..
"A Zoan Devil Fruit user… this is troublesome. I remember Rob Lucci's explanation about the Zoan Devil Fruit's traits. I'll need to be extra careful dealing with that bastard."
"But I don't need to concern myself with what powers the Zoan Devil Fruit grants him. With the Marines laying down perfect cover—cannonballs flying—and the pirates returning fire, it's nearly impossible for their captain to pinpoint my position, even with his Devil Fruit."
"The air now is thick with gunpowder and smoke from the burning ship. In his hybrid form, his keen nose couldn't trace my scent through the haze."
Ken's lips curled into a cold, ruthless smirk. Slowly, deliberately, he rose, pistols gleaming in his hands. The chaos of cannon fire and smoke couldn't mask his focus—this time, his sights were locked on the pirate captain himself. Each shot he fired carried the weight of vengeance.
"BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!"
"PU!, PU!, PU!, PU!, PU!"
The pirate captain staggered, a crimson haze igniting in his eyes as Ken's bullet found its mark. Rage surged like a storm, and through the corner of his vision, he caught sight of Ken—a predator lurking just beyond his focus.
"CRACK!"
He bent his knees, coiled like a spring, and launched himself in a single, soaring leap toward the lookout nest.
Ken's eyes snapped wide, a fierce glint igniting within them. Without hesitation, his pistols roared again, each shot slicing through the air, this time locking onto the pirate captain's head with deadly precision. The air seemed to tremble with the impact of his aim, as if the sea itself held its breath.
"BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!"
"PU!, PU!, PU!, PU!, PU!"
The pirate captain threw his arms up frantically, his eyes wide with panic as he desperately shielded his head, bracing for the hail of bullets raining down on him. Sparks flew around as the air split with deafening gunfire.
"CLICK!, CLICK!"
Ken's curse tore through the air as he realized he was out of bullets. Before he could react, the pirate captain's hybrid arm blurred like lightning, wrapping around Ken's neck with bone-crushing force. Pain exploded through his body as the captain's grip squeezed the life out of him, and Ken's vision started to blur at the edges. Every instinct screamed survival, but the sheer speed and strength of the attack pinned him mercilessly.
"You've got some nerve, killing my crew and daring to fire at me! Are you seeking death? A lowly slave like you deserves nothing less than punishment!"
As the pirate captain's grip crushed around him, Ken's fingers dug into the hilt of the sword beside him, knuckles whitening. His eyes burned with a frigid intensity, icy and unyielding, fixed on the captain as if daring him to take one more move. Even as the air left his lungs, his spirit did not waver—Ken's gaze was a storm, calm yet lethal, promising vengeance in silence.
______
With Sakazuki
Sakazuki's eyes narrowed to sharp slits as he saw the pirate captain's grip clamp around Ken's neck, a cold fury igniting within him.
He flung the spyglass aside and leapt from the ship, soaring toward the pirate vessel.
______
With Ken
Ken's eyes burned cold as he raised the sword, driving it forward in a lethal thrust aimed straight at the pirate captain's chest.
Ken's eyes widened in shock as his sword glanced harmlessly off the pirate captain's impenetrable skin. A cold, mocking scoff escaped the captain, echoing across the chaotic deck.
"Do you really think you can pierce me with that pitiful sword and frail body of yours? Watch closely… and I'll show you how it's done the right way!"
The pirate captain hoisted Ken into the air with his massive right arm, his grip like iron around Ken's neck. With a sinister snarl, he lunged forward, claws extended, aiming straight for Ken's heart. Time seemed to slow as Ken's eyes widened, cold determination flashing as he braced for the deadly strike.
'Am I going to die again?'
'I vowed… to live a life with no regrets. Every step I take, every choice I make—I want it to be something I can be proud of. A life worth remembering… a life worth fighting for.'
'I haven't had my vengeance yet… not for my parents, not for my village, and not for the blood they spilled!'
'Damn it… I refuse to die here!'
At that moment, Sakazuki landed with the force of a falling meteor, his right fist igniting into molten magma, radiating heat that warped the air around him. He was ready to obliterate the pirate and snatch Ken from the jaws of death. But before he could move, Ken's voice tore through the chaos—a roar fueled by every ounce of pain, anger, and defiance he had. His emotions collided in a storm of fury, his resolve unshakable, and in that instant, even the air seemed to tremble at his unyielding spirit.
"I REFUSE TO DIE."
"WHOOSH!"
An incredible force erupted from Ken, roaring across the deck like a tempest, shaking everything in its path.
Sakazuki's eyes flickered wide for a heartbeat, then a sharp smirk curved across his face.
"Haoshoku Haki, this kid is becoming more and more interesting."
As Ken unconsciously unleashed his Haoshoku Haki, a dark, invisible wave surged across the pirate deck. The pirate captain's eyes went wide—then he froze in his spot—as if time itself had gripped him. One by one, the crew collapsed, their bodies hitting the wood with heavy thuds, eyes rolling back and mouths spewing faint, angry gurgles. Only a handful remained standing, their knees quivering violently, fists clenched, struggling to resist the overwhelming force that threatened to drag them into unconsciousness. The air itself seemed to quake under the weight of Ken's presence.
"THUD!, THUD!, THUD!, THUD!, THUD!"
The vice-like grip around Ken's neck finally loosened. Gasping for air, he shoved off the pirate captain's arm with a swift, fierce kick. The sudden force sent him tumbling backward, landing hard on his butt. He panted heavily, chest rising and falling, eyes burning with determination as adrenaline surged through his veins. The deck around him was chaos, but Ken's resolve was far from broken—if anything, it had only sharpened.
In that instant, the pirate captain's gaze locked onto Ken, eyes blazing with murderous intent—but before he could react, a fist of searing magma tore through his back, erupting from the other side. He crumpled instantly, lifeless, as the deck trembled from the force of the strike.
"SQUASH!"
Ken's eyes widened, his chest tightening as he took in the scene before him. He had killed countless people in his past life, yet never had he witnessed such merciless slaughter—every strike executed with a precision so cruel it sent shivers down his spine.
The pirate captain's hybrid form dissolved, leaving only a human shell. Sakazuki withdrew his arm, and the pirate captain's body crumpled, tumbling lifelessly from the lookout nest. Flames licked the deck below, consuming the wreckage of the pirate ship as his body landed among the burning chaos.
"THUD!"
Ken's body sagged with exhaustion, yet his eyes shimmered with unspoken gratitude as they met Sakazuki's gaze. For a brief moment, Sakazuki's usual stoic mask faltered, a flicker of surprise crossing his features before he carefully tucked it away, leaving only his cold composure in its place.
"Thank you, sir, for saving me! Please… there are prisoners on this ship. The pirates were planning to sell us into slavery! You have to rescue them!"
Sakazuki's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable, and he inclined his head with a nod that carried the weight of unspoken authority.
"Rest assured, boy—we Marines will see to it that every last prisoner is rescued."
Ken gave a small smile in relief and nodded his head.
"Thank you."
After Ken's body went limp, Sakazuki's eyes softened for the briefest moment. He bent down with careful precision, lifting Ken gently into his arms.
Thank you? Hah… it's been ages since anyone's ever bothered to thank me."
Sakazuki touched down softly on the lookout, his footsteps barely disturbing the wood beneath him. Without a moment's pause, he launched himself into the air, eyes locked on his Marine ship as the wind tore past him, his cloak trailing like a streak of molten fire.
As Sakazuki's feet gently landed onto the deck,.without a word, every soldier raised their hands in salute.
"Vice-admiral!"
Sakazuki nodded and gave his order.
"There are prisoners aboard that pirate ship! Every last one of them must be rescued, and every pirate captured. Not a single one must escape—if anyone does, you will face severe punishment!"
"Sir, yes sir."
With a thunderous battle cry, the Marines seized their weapons and surged forward, charging straight toward the pirate ship as the sea spray whipped around them.
Sakazuki didn't glance back. Cradling Ken carefully in his arms, he strode straight toward the medical bay, the heavy thud of his boots echoing in the corridor. Without a word, without a knock, he stepped inside, commanding the room with his presence alone.
The moment the ship's doctor noticed him stepping inside, he sprang to his feet, his posture rigid, and saluted Sakazuki with swift, disciplined respect.
"Vice-admiral!"
Sakazuki nodded and laid Ken gently on one of the patient beds. He then turned to the doctor, his gaze sharp yet calm, and said.
"Give the boy a full check-up and attend to all his injuries," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument. "Inform me immediately when he wakes up."
The doctor gave a firm nod, acknowledging Sakazuki's command with silent respect.
"Yes sir."
Sakazuki then turned around and exited the medical bay.
After stepping out of the medical bay, Sakazuki's eyes immediately fell upon his two most trusted subordinates—Captain Momonga, his stoic presence like an unshakable wall, and Captain Doberman, whose sharp gaze seemed to pierce through the very air. The tension between them was palpable, yet their loyalty was unwavering, a silent testament to the battles they had shared.
Sakazuki's eyes narrowed sharply as he raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"What's wrong? Has the prisoners rescue been completed?"
Momonga chuckled and shook his head.
"No, sir! We've captured every single pirate. Our subordinates are freeing the prisoners as we speak!"
Sakazuki nodded in satisfaction, then strode toward his office aboard the ship. Momonga and Doberman fell in step behind him, their expressions matching the stern resolve of their captain.
After entering his office, he sat behind his desk while Momonga and Doberman stood respectfully in front of him.
Doberman looked at Sakazuki and asked respectfully.
"Pardon me, sir, but who is this boy you've brought?"
Sakazuki leaned his head on his fist and replied.
"That kid… he was a prisoner on the pirate ship. He is an interesting boy. I plan to invite him to join the Marines."
Momonga and Doberman's eyes widened at his words. Momonga finally broke the silence, asking cautiously…
"Sir… isn't he too young to join? If I'm not mistaken, he looks no older than six or seven."
Sakazuki smiled and nodded his head.
"You are right, Momonga, but this boy is no ordinary child." Sakazuki's gaze sharpened as he recounted what he had seen through the spyglass—how Ken had unleashed his Haoshoku Haki.
Both Momonga and Doberman froze in shock as Sakazuki continued, his gaze sharp and unyielding.
"Being punished by Sengoku and sent here isn't so bad… I plan to make him my apprentice."
Both Momonga and Doberman chuckled softly and nodded in agreement. Then Doberman spoke up, asking,
"But sir, what will we do when we return to Marineford? Are we taking the kid with us?"
Sakazuki furrowed his brows, and slowly shook his head.
"No… he's too young. The North Blue is the perfect place for him to grow, to gain experience. When the time comes for us to return to Marineford, I'll place him under Yamakaji's care."
Momonga and Doberman nodded in unison, and with a single, deliberate wave of his hand, Sakazuki said.
"Our subordinates have just returned with the prisoners. Set course for the nearest Marine base. I want answers—how did they end up in the pirates' clutches? My instincts tell me there's more to this incident than meets the eye."
Momonga and Doberman saluted after hearing the order.
"Sir yes sir."
_______