Year 1509 of the Sea Calendar.
Time, that fleeting thing, passes quickly, often slipping away unnoticed in the blink of an eye.
Over the past year, the Marines have been developing and accumulating strength.
The scale of pirates has also expanded, their numbers steadily increasing.
The Celestial Dragons remain high above, wantonly abusing their power, enjoying the conveniences of privilege, and relishing their perceived superiority.
Yet, they remain oblivious that ambitious individuals are disturbing the seas, and pirates are destroying peace, causing the very fabric of 'order' to unravel bit by bit.
Perhaps one day, Mariejois, known as the Holy Land, will also face a challenge!
"Tsk, tsk~ How impressive!"
In a spacious office, Cross sat casually on a sofa, cigar clamped between his teeth, his feet propped on the coffee table. He idly shook his head while reading the World Economy News Paper, occasionally letting out exclamations of surprise.
The latest newspaper featured several major incidents that had recently occurred in the latter half of the Grand Line.
First, as a ruler of the New World and captain of the Big Mom Pirates, Charlotte Linlin, Queen of Totto Land, initiated a war over sweets, mobilizing a massive fleet to conquer a nation, truly striking fear into countless hearts.
Second, the great pirate Kaido of the Beasts, having recently drunk too much, caused trouble at the G-5 Marine Branch. He was then defeated and captured by a joint effort of G-5 Base Commander Sakazuki and Monkey D. Garp, who was on inspection.
He was being transported back to Impel Down, the Great Prison, on a massive prison ship. However, midway, Kaido awoke, astonishingly breaking free from his Seastone chains, destroying the massive prison ship escorting him, and escaping back to his lair in Wano Country.
Third, a young swordsman named Dracule Mihawk challenged fighters across the seas, having successively defeated 17 renowned swordsmen.
His exceptional swordsmanship and hawk-like sharp eyes left countless spectators deeply impressed, remarking: "Facing those hawk-like sharp eyes, even the strongest warrior can't help but shiver!"
Fourth, a World Government ship in the New World was attacked by the Arnie Pirates. Six high-ranking World Government officials aboard were killed, causing an enormous stir.
The newspaper content thoroughly captivated Cross.
With a cigar in one hand and green tea in the other, he thoroughly enjoyed his night shift.
Although he was Zephyr's assistant instructor, his duties and authority within the Marine Academy were no less than any other instructor. Thus, he and two other instructors were on duty tonight, required to remain in the office to handle any urgent calls or sudden incidents.
However, night duty at the Marine Academy office was usually quite relaxed, with nothing typically happening.
Even if a student snuck out at night to play, that was the patrolling instructor's responsibility. Only if a student had a sudden illness requiring a doctor from the hospital would they need to make a phone call.
"Yawn—"
After a while, Cross finished the newspaper and started to feel sleepy. He extinguished the half-smoked cigar in the ashtray, then stretched lazily, preparing to lie down on the sofa for a nap. He comfortably lay down on the sofa, covered himself with his Justice coat, and closed his eyes to sleep.
Weennng—Weennng—
Weennng—Weennng—
Weennng—Weennng—
Suddenly, a piercing alarm blared across the entire Marineford Island, startling Cross, who had just laid down, into abruptly sitting up.
"What's going on? Why is the alarm sounding?"
Cross's eyes widened. He hesitantly speculated, "Wait, this is… a Level 1 Alert?!"
Normal alarms would only sound at the Marine Headquarters fortress and Marineford port. Even if they could be heard in Marineford Town and the Marine Academy, they wouldn't be this distinct.
But now, the entire Marineford Island was enveloped in the piercing alarm, clearly not a usual state of alert. Only the highest level, a Level 1 Alert, would be like this.
Cross quickly stood up, donned his Justice coat, and slung Kagehide at his waist. He then rushed out of the office and into the corridor.
"What exactly happened?"
"Why is there a Level 1 Alert? Did that madman Kaido of the Beasts come to cause trouble?"
At this moment, the other two instructors on duty also rushed out of their respective offices, both disheveled and tense, gazing towards Marine Headquarters from the fifth-floor corridor.
Cross saw the towering Marine Headquarters fortress, resembling a mountain under the night sky, constantly flashing red lights. Coupled with the piercing, buzzing alarm, it was evident that they had entered a state of extreme emergency.
It's important to note that when the Marine's Buster Call operation is initiated, Marine Headquarters only enters a Level 2 Alert.
However, Marine Headquarters entering a Level 1 Alert was something Cross had never encountered before.
To his knowledge, a Level 1 Alert was only triggered when Marine Headquarters itself was under attack.
For example, before the opening of the Great Pirate Era, "Golden Lion" Shiki's attack on Marine Headquarters triggered a Level 1 Alert.
Could it really be, as the instructor next to him suggested, that a madman like "Golden Lion" Shiki or Kaido of the Beasts was attacking Marine Headquarters?
"Don't panic yet. Zephyr-sensei isn't at the Academy, but there are several head instructors!" Cross remained calm in the crisis, saying gravely, "Instructor Riley, you go to the student dorms first and maintain order among the students. If other instructors show up, you can return…"
"No problem!"
Instructor Riley, next to him, snapped back to attention, quickly responded, and ran down the stairs in a hurry.
"Instructor Tomis, you go back to your office and call Marine Headquarters. Ask them what happened?" Then, Cross instructed the other instructor.
"Understood! I'll go now!" Instructor Tomis nodded heavily and turned to return to his office.
Pere pere pere... pere pere pere...
Pere pere pere... pere pere pere...
However, at this moment, a Den Den Mushi's call echoed from Cross's office. Cross turned to look and saw that the large Den Den Mushi on the desk was ringing. He guessed it was a call from Marine Headquarters.
So, Cross quickly returned to the office, walked swiftly to the desk, and picked up the receiver from the Den Den Mushi's back.
"This is Cross. Please speak!"
"It's me, Kong. I order you now: proceed immediately to Mariejois, the Holy Land!"
"Nani?!"
Upon hearing Kong's words, Cross's face showed confusion. He asked, puzzled, "Fleet Admiral, what happened?"
"There's a slave revolt in Mariejois, the Holy Land. Get over there to support immediately! The forces stationed on the Sabaody Archipelago have already mobilized; you'll rendezvous with them!" Kong's voice was very urgent.
"Slave revolt?!" Cross's face showed shock, as if recalling something.
"No time to explain too much. Borsalino isn't at Marine Headquarters. Only you have the ability to reach Mariejois quickly. Depart now…"
At this point, Kong paused, then said meaningfully, "Suppressing the slaves is secondary. You must ensure the safety of the Celestial Dragons!"
"Fleet Admiral, are the Holy Land Guard Corps and Cipher Pol just sitting around… I understand! I will ensure the Celestial Dragons' safety!" At this moment, Cross's eyes flickered, as if he understood something, and he responded righteously.
Click.
The next second, he put down the receiver, ending the Den Den Mushi call. A strange, half-smile appeared on his face as he muttered to himself, "So the World Government's headquarters was attacked. No wonder Marine Headquarters went to Level 1 Alert. But I didn't expect the 'Mariejois Attack Incident' to happen; I almost forgot!"
"However, well done… Fisher Tiger!"
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