Drum Kingdom, an island perpetually blanketed in snow.
The warship didn't dock at the conventional port, instead anchoring directly at the foot of the towering Drum Mountain.
On the warship's deck, Chopper stood with a small backpack, tears welling in his eyes as he gazed at a figure on the pier.
He didn't want to leave.
If given the choice, he would have stayed forever by Dr. Kureha's side.
On the pier, Dr. Kureha stood with arms crossed, tilting her head back to take a swig of liquor, her face betraying no emotion.
Garp's sudden appearance had caught her completely off guard.
She never imagined that Garp, the legendary Marine Vice Admiral, would personally come to take Chopper away, let alone that he was acting under orders from the Fleet Admiral.
As the sole doctor of Drum Kingdom, though she rarely left the country, she kept informed of major events in the Grand Line through newspapers.
She knew the Marines had gained an extraordinary Fleet Admiral who not only instilled soul into the Marines but had become one of the World Government's most powerful figures.
That such a man standing at the pinnacle of the world's power structure would order Garp to retrieve Chopper left her utterly bewildered.
But none of that mattered now.
What mattered was that Garp had come under orders and would undoubtedly complete his mission!
This meant neither she nor Chopper had any choice in the matter.
After draining the entire bottle, Dr. Kureha suddenly stepped forward.
Then.
"You foolish son!"
She shouted with all her might, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tremble.
"Don't you dare embarrass me at Marine Headquarters!"
Before the words faded, Dr. Kureha suddenly turned away, her voice shaking as she yelled.
"What are you waiting for! Fire them!"
The next moment, several cannons were rolled out from the castle, aimed skyward.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Shells exploded in the air, pink powder swirling through the sky like snowflakes, dyeing the winter island's sky in brilliant cherry blossom hues.
This was the miracle Dr. Hiriluk had spent his entire life researching.
On the warship, Chopper stared dumbfounded at this cherry blossom sea blooming just for him, crying uncontrollably yet smiling through his tears.
...
...
The warship finally returned to Marineford, the magnificent Gates of Justice slowly opening to reveal once again the fortress symbolizing the world's strongest military power.
Waiting to greet them was Admiral Gion.
"Garp-chan, you've worked hard."
Her figure graceful, long hair cascading freely, she quickly approached Garp.
When she saw the group of chattering kids he'd brought back, she couldn't help but shake her head with a light laugh.
"Yohohohoho—"
Suddenly, a cheeky laugh rang out.
The moment Brook spotted Gion, heart-shaped flames ignited in his empty eye sockets.
He then glided forward with an elegant slide, placing a hand over his chest in a formal bow.
"This exquisitely beautiful Admiral lady, your grace rivals the brightest star in the night sky. Though I know this is terribly forward, might I ask..."
Gion's delicate brows furrowed slightly, as if anticipating what Brook was about to say.
With a gentle smile that didn't allow Brook to finish his sentence, her right hand already rested lightly on the hilt of her sword.
The next second, an intangible chill suddenly erupted, enveloping Brook.
"Yohohoho~"
"...Might I play a tune for you?" Brook's latter half of the sentence took an abrupt turn, his skeletal frame freezing in place.
Seeing this, Gion couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
...
Meanwhile.
Following Garp into Marine Headquarters, Luffy—who had been bouncing around energetically on the warship—was now completely listless and visibly uncomfortable.
Stealing a glance at Garp and Gion standing ahead, Luffy suddenly leaned in toward Ace, Zoro, Sanji, and Usopp with an unprecedented seriousness.
"This place is full of Marines! It's no fun at all! Let's sneak away after we find Sabo! I'm going to become the Pirate King!"
Zoro's mouth twitched slightly as he delivered a merciless blow.
"Idiot, look around. Trying to escape from here would just make you food for the Sea Kings."
Ace shoved his hands in his pockets and shot him a cold glance.
"Go by yourself if you want. Don't drag me into it."
Though Usopp's legs had gone weak from Luffy's sudden declaration, he puffed out his chest and feigned composure.
"I... I am the great Captain Usopp! I need to stay undercover here to gather intelligence! Yes, that's it!"
"What? Why won't any of you help me!"
Frustrated by everyone's refusal, Luffy's cheeks puffed up like steamed buns.
Then, planting his hands on his hips, Luffy suddenly shouted toward the sky.
"I don't care! I won't become a Marine! I'm going to be the man who becomes the Pirate King!"
His clear voice echoed across the vast plaza.
Not far away, a squad of Marine recruits performing extreme weighted runs abruptly halted.
One soldier with a vicious scar on his face instantly glared with ferocious intensity, his eyes locking onto Luffy.
"Kid, what did you just say?"
Before the words faded, a group of tough-looking recruits had surrounded them, each wearing expressions that could kill.
Watching the murderous Marines closing in, Ace and Zoro simultaneously took a step back—one continuing to stare at the sky with hands in pockets, the other turning away and closing his eyes as if seeing nothing.
Sanji quietly positioned himself in front of Nami and Nojiko, embodying the spirit of a knight.
"Shouting about becoming the Pirate King at Marine Headquarters? You've got guts, kid!"
The scar-faced leader glanced around before lunging forward, his fist—large as a sand pot—smashing squarely into Luffy's face.
Immediately, the surrounding soldiers swarmed in like hornets, raining down blows upon Luffy.
"What are you doing? Why are you hitting me?"
"Why are we hitting you?"
"My younger brother was killed by pirates! And you dare say you'll become the Pirate King at Marine Headquarters?!"
"Finish him off!"
Though Luffy was made of rubber, he couldn't withstand such a group beating.
Soon, his face was bruised and swollen, lumps rising one after another on his head until he resembled a battered pig.
"Enough! All of you, stop!"
Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, Gion's cool voice rang out.
In a flash, she appeared at the center of the crowd, an invisible aura spreading out and causing all the new recruits to freeze mid-action.
The leading soldier, panting heavily, shouted at Gion.
"Admiral Gion! This brat needs to be taught a lesson! He actually dares to shout about becoming a pirate at Marineford! Don't stop me, I'm going to kill him!"
"He's someone Fleet Admiral Orion specifically requested," Gion said calmly, yet with undeniable authority.
"Do you intend to defy the Fleet Admiral's orders?"
At the mention of "Fleet Admiral," all the new recruits calmed down.
Though filled with resentment, they reluctantly dispersed.
"What the hell? He's actually someone the Fleet Admmiral wants?"
"Hmph, trash like him who wants to be a pirate will die at sea sooner or later!"
The soldiers grumbled as they left.
Gion glanced at the swollen-faced figure on the ground and shook her head helplessly.
She instructed a junior officer, "Take them to the new recruits' barracks and get them settled."
...
Holy Land Mary Geoise, Flower Chamber.
Orion, who was having a meal with Aqua and Imu, had just put down his chopsticks when the Den Den Mushi beside him abruptly rang.
Then, Gion's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Fleet Admiral, Garp-chan has returned to Marineford, but we're missing one person. It seems Franky from Water 7 was left behind!"
"Missing one person?"
Orion blinked, then said, "No matter. First, settle those who were brought back. As for Franky, I'll order the undercover agents in Water 7 to bring him back."