South Blue.
On the deck of a large rchant ship bound for the first half of the Grand Line, Paradise, young n and won gathered from all directions sat or stood in small groups, chatting animatedly.
They were all aspiring youths heading to Marine Headquarters in Paradise to participate in the Marines' worldwide military draft.
Sharing a common goal, these young n and won quickly beca acquainted, exchanging rumors and tidbits they'd gathered from newspapers or other sources.
So spoke admiringly of Admiral Sakazuki, others wished to serve under the Marine hero Garp, while most simply hoped to catch a glimpse of the Fleet Admiral's majesty.
It was no exaggeration to say that the vast majority of young people aboard this ship were making the long journey from the South Blue to Marine Headquarters out of near-fanatic admiration for its young leader.
"Brothers, I hope we all pass the draft and beco official Marines, then train together as recruits!"
Suddenly, a young man leaped onto a table, looking down at the dozens of like-minded youths on the deck as he shouted excitedly.
"For justice!"
As his voice faded, the previously noisy deck fell silent.
Then, one after another, the young n and won stood up, raising their hands in salute just as they'd seen Marines do in their hotowns, and shouted in unison.
"Justice will prevail!"
****
Inside the cabin.
A green-haired man in his mid-thirties sat by the window, a cigarette dangling from his lips.
His sunglasses hid the growing gleam in his eyes.
"Aramaki, what are you doing here?"
Another man in his thirties approached, handing Aramaki a bottle of alcohol. Glancing through the window at the energetic youths on deck, he smiled knowingly and said.
"Want to go chat with them? Then tell them your idol isn't the Fleet Admiral—but Admiral Sakazuki!"
Aramaki took a swig from the bottle, then frowned and said.
"There's one thing I still can't figure out—how exactly did Fleet Admiral Orion pull off that military coup? I've read the reports about it, though much was covered up. But even with most vice admirals and rear admirals supporting him, there's no way he could've succeeded against Admiral Sakazuki and the other two top-tier Marine combatants. Most importantly, with so many departnts within the Marine and Commander-in-Chief Kong stationed at the Holy Land, how did the coup even work? I still don't get it!"
"Don't get stuck in that dead end," the man replied seriously. "Look at what happened afterward! Rember the live execution of Whitebeard Jr.? Didn't you see how Fleet Admiral Orion pressured the Warlords to their limits? Throughout that, all three admirals stood firmly behind him. What does that tell you?"
"It ans—whether it's your idol Sakazuki, or Kuzan and Borsalino—they were all subdued by Fleet Admiral Orion."
"And then there's everything that followed. Just take Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, two emperors ruling the New World—Orion executed them without hesitation. That kind of resolve? Even the forr Fleet Admiral Sengoku couldn't compare!"
Hearing this, Aramaki nodded. "Now that you put it that way, it makes sense! Whatever—this ti at Marineford, I've got to make my mark. If I can't beco an admiral right away, at least I'll make vice admiral in no ti. Best if I end up under Sakazuki's command!"
Just as the man raised his bottle to clink with Aramaki, his pupils suddenly contracted, his gaze snapping toward the endless sea outside the window.
*****
At the sa ti.
Across the vast ocean, three twin-masted pirate ships cut through the waves, growing clearer in his vision.
Each ship's mast flew an identical Jolly Roger—they belonged to the sa crew.
Before the man could react, a shrill alarm blared from the ship's intercom.
A hired guard burst out of the cabin in a panic, shouting at the young n and won on deck.
"Get below deck, now! Pirates incoming! Move, move, move!"
"Pirates? Where?"
"Starboard side—damn it, three ships! Everyone, get inside!"
"Below deck? Hell no! We're gonna be Marines!"
"Perfect timing! Let's take these scum out and bring their heads to HQ for the recruitnt!"
At the sight of the pirate ships, almost all the young n—and a few won—on deck surged toward the railing, eyes blazing as they stared down the approaching vessels.
"Hah! We're not even Marines yet, and pirates are delivering themselves to us! Think we'll earn military rits for wiping them out? The base commander back ho said the Fleet Admiral introduced the Four Great Military Exploits. Ever since, every Marine's been hungry for glory. Just one of those feats ans endless rewards and promotions!"
"Is that so? Then today's First achievent is mine for the taking!"
"I must seize that damned pirate flag and trample it underfoot!"
Under the fervent gazes of the young n and won, the three pirate ships sailing side by side suddenly spread out.
Almost imdiately after distancing themselves, dull cannon roars erupted from the three vessels.
The next second, a dense barrage of cannonballs tore through the air like hailstones, hurtling straight toward the large rchant ship.
"BOOM BOOM BOOM—"
Deafening explosions erupted as the cannonballs struck the sea around the rchant ship, sending towering waves that engulfed the vessel completely.
After the first volley, arrogant laughter rang out from the lead pirate ship:
"Ahahahaha, listen up, rchant ship ahead!"
"This lord only wants your wealth, not your lives! Stop your ship imdiately, or you'll all die!"
Drenched from standing on the deck, the group of young n and won grew furious at the pirates' taunts.
The leader among them imdiately turned toward the captain's cabin and shouted.
"Stop the ship! I'm going to kill these arrogant bastards!"
Inside the captain's cabin, several middle-aged n cowered.
The youths didn't know the pirates' cruelty—but these n did.
Especially since the pirates now attacking them were the most notorious crew in the South Blue, specializing in plundering rchant ships.
If they didn't get the treasures they wanted, they'd slaughter everyone aboard without hesitation.
Though the South Blue Marine branch had launched multiple operations against them, the pirates always managed to escape.
"Captain, we're dood this ti!" one of the middle-aged n stamred, trembling.
"It's... the Ed Pirates!"
Before the captain could respond, the cabin door burst open.
In strode Aramaki, a cigarette dangling from his lips. Ignoring the n's shock, he walked straight to the window, his chilling gaze fixed on the three pirate ships as he issued an unyielding command.
"Bring the ship closer."
--------------------------------
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