A navy ship sailed across the vast ocean, and aboard it, a lively celebration seemed to be underway.
???: "That was a flawless mission, Lieutenant Junior Grade Damian! You're truly a brilliant fighter! Come here, let's have a drink!"
The speaker was a towering man, standing at 6'3", with striking orange eyes and thinning brown hair. He wore a captain's coat draped over his shoulders, revealing a suit underneath with sleeves torn apart by his massive, muscular arms. His pants, too, were ripped at the calves, unable to contain his sheer bulk.
Damian: "I appreciate the invite, Captain Burst, but I'm only eight years old, so I can't drink yet."
The one responding was Damian, who, in the year since the last chapter's mission, had grown to an astonishing 12 feet tall and earned the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade due to his exceptional performance. This achievement had also earned him a coat emblazoned with the kanji for "JUSTICE."
Burst: "Oh, I forgot about that! My bad, Lieutenant Damian!"
Damian: "Tchara~ No worries, Captain Burst. It happens more often than you'd think."
Burst: "Kakaka~ Well, since I can't share a drink with you, Lieutenant, how about we have a chat instead?"
Damian: "Sure thing, Captain."
And so, the two continued their conversation as the party on the ship carried on.
---
**Marine Headquarters**
Inside an office, a tall, muscular man with purple hair sat calmly, reviewing papers at his desk. His serenity was shattered when the door burst open with a loud bang.
???: "Hey, Zephyr! We need to talk."
Lifting his head toward the door, Zephyr saw an old friend, Tsuru. She was an elderly woman with white hair tied back, sharp black eyes, and a slender, tall frame at 6'8". She wore a Vice Admiral's coat over a long-sleeved shirt, a floral-patterned tie, and black pants.
Zephyr: "What do you need, Tsuru?"
Tsuru: "Rosinante sent a message saying Doflamingo is recruiting kids for his crew."
Zephyr: "And what does that have to do with me? You expect me to send one of those three into that demon's lair?"
Tsuru: "You think I like the idea? But it's a chance to take him down!"
Zephyr: "Have you talked to Sengoku about this?"
Tsuru: "He's the one who passed me the info. He said the choice is yours, Zephyr."
Zephyr: "That damned coward!"
After hearing this, Zephyr sat in thought for a moment before picking up a Den Den Mushi.
Tsuru: "Made up your mind?"
Zephyr: "I'm calling one of them… Accepting the mission isn't my call anymore…"
Zephyr dialed, and the Den Den Mushi rang for a few seconds before being answered. The sound of cheerful voices and celebration could be heard in the background, but they soon faded, replaced by the voice of a young man.
D.D.M.: "Hello, this is Lieutenant Junior Grade Damian speaking. Who's this?"
Zephyr: "It's Instructor Zephyr, Damian. I need to have a word with you. You free?"
Damian (D.D.M.): "Sure thing, Instructor Zephyr. I just finished chatting with Captain Burst, but he's off talking to his subordinates now, so I'm free."
Zephyr: "I wanted to ask if you'd be interested in a mission to infiltrate the crew of the Heavenly Yaksha, Donquixote Doflamingo."
Damian (D.D.M.): "Tchara~ I'd love to, but… unfortunately, that mission would be impossible for me."
Tsuru, who was also listening, looked puzzled by Damian's response.
Tsuru: "What do you mean, kid?"
Damian (D.D.M.): "You've got company, Instructor Zephyr?"
Zephyr: "It's Vice Admiral Tsuru. Now answer her question, Damian. Why would the mission be impossible for you?"
Damian (D.D.M.): "Pleasure to meet you, Vice Admiral Tsuru! Well… the reason I can't take this mission is because Doflamingo… knows who I am. And on top of that, he wants my head on a platter."
Tsuru: "Why would Doflamingo know you, and why would he want you dead?"
Damian (D.D.M.): "Long story short… last year, during a mission with Bagniss, we uncovered a city that was a base for slavers under Doflamingo's command. Not only did we shut down one of his revenue streams, but my friend and I also took down a guy named Daniel, a rising star in his crew."
Tsuru: "But how does Doflamingo know it was *you*?"
Damian (D.D.M.): "After we completed the mission, one of the goons escaped and reported everything to Doflamingo. Apparently, that guy only talked about me."
Tsuru: "What do you mean?"
Damian (D.D.M.): "Some time later, that island with the slaver base? It was completely destroyed. In its place were strings spelling out my physical description, saying that when Doflamingo finds me, I'll be skewered on a stake."
Tsuru: "Yeah, that's gonna make things tricky for you…"
Damian (D.D.M.): "…But! I know the perfect person to go in my place!"
---
**At a Dojo in the North Blue**
Two figures faced each other, katanas in hand. On one side was a child, 4'5" tall, with white hair, red eyes, and casual clothing. On the other was an older man, 5'3", with gray hair, dressed in a hakama. They seemed ready to spar, but…
D.D.M.: "PURUURUURU!!!!~"
At the sound of the Den Den Mushi, both paused and turned toward the noise. The boy, recognizing it as his Den Den Mushi, sighed and gestured apologetically to the older man.
Mirage: "Sorry for wasting your time, Sensei Jin."
Jin: "No worries, young Mirage. Facing someone like you was more than worth my time. Now go—they clearly need you."
Mirage: "It's a shame I have to leave. I really wanted to copy your technique, Sensei, but I guess I'll have to settle for your disciples' moves."
Jin: "Hohoho~ Come back before this old man kicks the bucket, got it?"
With that, Mirage grabbed his things, moved to a corner of the dojo, and answered the Den Den Mushi.
D.D.M.: "*Katcha* Ensign Mirage? You there? This is Instructor Zephyr."
Mirage: "Ensign Mirage, reporting."
Zephyr (D.D.M.): "Ensign Mirage, you've been recommended for a mission by your superior, Lieutenant Junior Grade Damian."
Mirage: "Damian…? Hmm… What's the mission, Instructor Zephyr?"
Zephyr (D.D.M.): "It's a mission to assist Commander Rosinante in spying on the Donquixote Pirates. You interested, Ensign Mirage?"
At those words, Mirage leaped into the air so high that the Den Den Mushi could no longer pick up his voice.
Mirage: "DAMIAN, YOU BRILLIANT BASTARD!!"
After his outburst, Mirage landed back on the ground.
Zephyr (D.D.M.): "Ensign Mirage? You there?"
Mirage: "I'm here! I mean… yes, Instructor Zephyr, I'm here. Just a signal issue."
Zephyr (D.D.M.): "Got it. So, what do you say, Ensign? Will you take the mission?"
Mirage: "Yes, sir! Ensign Mirage reporting for duty!"
Zephyr (D.D.M.): "Good. Head to an island called Spider Miles. You'll pose as a recruit there. Understood?"
Mirage: "YES, SIR!"
Zephyr (D.D.M.): "Dismissed, Ensign. *Katcha*"
After hanging up, Mirage grabbed his gear and sprinted at full speed toward his small boat.
---
**At Marine Headquarters**
In the training grounds, two figures soared through the air while another watched from a distance, reading a book.
???: "Hey, Shanthi! Check out what I learned!"
In the air was a young girl with long blonde hair, green eyes, snow-white wings, and faint traces of scales too thin to be distinct.
Shanthi: "What is it this time, Allana?"
Flying alongside the blonde girl was a young man, 5'7", with short brown hair, owl-like yellow eyes, and light brown wings that reached his feet.
Allana: "Here it comes…! *Harpyia*: Het fluyster van de Bean Nighe (The Whisper of the Banshee)!"
With a warning to Shanthi, Allana inhaled deeply and unleashed a powerful sonic wave made of air and tiny water droplets, amplifying the sound's strength and speed.
*AHHHHHHHHH!!*
Shanthi: "!!!"
Sensing the incoming sonic wave, Shanthi channeled his *Yokero* (Evade), transforming his usually invisible barrier into a whirlwind that completely blocked and dissipated the sonic attack.
???: "HEY! WHAT'S GOING ON OVER THERE?!"
The shout came from another young man, a 5'8" human with medium-length black hair tied in a bun, dark blue eyes, and a simple Japanese hyori.
Shanthi: "NOTHING NEW, KALEV! JUST ALLANA CAUSING TROUBLE AGAIN!"
*beep* *beep* *beep*
Allana: "HEY! I TOLD YOU I WAS GONNA SHOW YOU SOMETHING!"
*beep* *beep* *beep*
Shanthi: "YEAH, YOU WARNED ME! BUT YOU DIDN'T GIVE ME A SECOND TO PREPARE! GOOD THING I HAVE YOKERO TO PROTECT ME!"
As the two shouted at each other, they descended to the ground beside Kalev.
Allana: "Ugh… sorry, okay? I got a little excited…"
*beep* *beep* *beep*
Shanthi: "Don't take it to heart, All. Just give me a heads-up next time, alright?"
Allana: "Okay…"
*beep* *beep* *beep*
Kalev: "Hey, Shanthi, is that noise coming from you?"
Amid the commotion, neither Shanthi nor Allana had noticed the beeping coming from Shanthi's clothes. Upon hearing it, Shanthi took off like a whirlwind.
Allana: "Is he okay?"
Kalev: "No idea, but it seemed important."
Minutes later, Shanthi returned with an impassive expression.
Shanthi: "I need to leave for a while… It's important… I have to go to Birka!"
Kalev: "What happened, Shanthi?!"
Allana: "Yeah, Shanthi! What's going on?!"
Shanthi: "It's personal… An old friend of mine… He needs my help!"
As Shanthi prepared to take off, Kalev and Allana grabbed him before he could lift off the ground.
Allana: "You're not going anywhere without us!"
Shanthi: "This has nothing to do with—"
Kalev: "No excuses, Shanthi. You know she's stubborn as a mountain. Just let us help."
Shanthi's expression softened at his friends' solidarity, and after a moment, he sighed.
Shanthi: "Alright… I know. Let's head to Birka!"
With their destination set, the trio took to the skies—Allana and Shanthi with their wings, while Kalev was carried between them.
---
**At a Port in the West Blue**
Damian: "Thanks for the ride, Captain Burst! Hope I can join you on another mission someday!"
Burst: "No problem, Damian! It was a pleasure having you aboard. Get some rest!"
After waving goodbye to Burst and his crew, their ship sailed off toward the horizon. Damian waited at the port for a while—so long that he had time to change into casual clothes—until a ship with a dog-shaped figurehead holding a bone in its mouth finally appeared.
Damian: "Told you he'd be late, Mèi."
Mèi: "Yeah… but this is *way* too late!"
Just as they finished speaking, a blur zipped past Damian and stopped beside him.
???: "Bwahaha~ Sorry for the delay, Damian!"
Damian: "No worries, Garp-san. I expected it!"
Garp: "Expected it? Is my reputation *that* bad, you little punk?!"
Damian: "Tchara~ That's not what I meant, Garp-san! I know you didn't mean to be late. Bet you ran into some pirates, right?"
Garp: "You really know me, don't you, kid? But enough of that—let's get moving! I need to check on those little brats before they drive Dadan up the wall."
Damian: "Sure thing, Garp-san! I want to see them too!"
The two boarded the ship and set sail. During the journey, Damian munched on a barrel full of fruit while chatting with Garp.
Damian: "*Chomp* And that's how Captain Burst and I found the pirates' hideout. *Chomp*"
Garp: "Bwahaha~ You found a hideout because of a *cat*? You're something else, Damian!"
As Damian reached for another fruit, it looked perfectly normal at first… until it began to transform. It took on a bizarre shape—ordinary yet utterly alien, something you could recognize but never explain. Most strikingly, it exuded a repulsive aura… yet, just looking at it made you crave it more than anything. Damian, however, didn't notice the change.
Garp: "DAMIAN!!"
Damian: "*Chomp* *Cough* *Cough* What's wrong, Gar—"
After swallowing the fruit, Garp lunged toward him as fast as he could, but before his hand could reach Damian… he vanished, as if he had never existed.
To Be Continued