"Good grief, pirates have increased around here too..."
Among the four seas, the sea symbolizing peace—East Blue.
Being the calmest sea, often used for training new recruits, the man called the Navy Hero had come to these waters.
"Garp, sorry and thanks. Never thought pirates would come here..."
"I wouldn't call those things pirates."
To the elderly bespectacled man's—the village mayor's—words, the Hero responds with seeming dissatisfaction—
"They just barely made it to sea after running out of food... Those are refugees. I've had my subordinates capture them, but... what to do..."
No, he answers with words containing anger.
"Suspicious ships suddenly increased these past few days. We sent people to check on places that suddenly stopped responding—some villages were completely empty, as if no one ever lived there."
"Don't worry. We've increased patrols. And..."
The Hero Garp looks at the docked Navy warship—inside, those too old to be called pirates, emaciated, without guns or even swords, who tried to attack the village with rusted scythes, now crying as they slurp simple wheat porridge—and sighs.
"I just spoke with this country's royalty during greetings. Since acquaintances live here, if nothing happens, that's best."
"...Garp, are those rumors really true?"
Recently, strange rumors have spread rapidly enough to reach even this quiet village.
Insane-sounding rumors that various countries are hiring pirates, having them raid cities and villages of countries they find troublesome, plundering everything.
More than that—
"...At least this should prevent the Goa Kingdom from meddling unnecessarily."
"...Never thought an era would come where we can't trust even nations."
There are even terrifying rumors that nations are cutting off territory and trying to sell citizens in those deleted regions.
The bespectacled mayor asked Garp while thinking "surely not," but realized his fear was justified when Garp looked reluctant to speak.
"As I said, we've certainly increased patrols, but... honestly, it's not enough. Consider evacuation plans for emergencies too."
"That's the mayor's job. ...Though where would we flee?"
Even in this East Blue, many Marines and nations have defected from the government.
Not in these waters, but in the easternmost area of East Blue, defected Marines gathered around a certain non-member nation, asserting independence.
Though subjugation orders came from above upon learning Garp was in East Blue, he just ignored them.
Dealing with pirates who suddenly became enthusiastic about kidnapping was more important to Garp than those angered by the government.
"Garp."
"Mm?"
"What will... the era become from now on?"
"...Let's see."
At the mayor's murmur, Garp recalls one boy's figure.
"The one holding that key is probably that pirate."
The unusual pirate who mixed with officers, giving commands to Marines and government officials.
The skill of that one who infiltrated the Holy Land without bringing a single subordinate, handled all the groundwork and document preparation for related departments to make it easier for Marines to move, and executed it flawlessly.
The "phantom" Marine still believed by some Marines to be a Navy officer, even now after being newly wanted.
The figure of that pirate who Tsuru, Garp's friend and chief strategist, insisted "we should erase his crimes immediately and recruit him as a Marine"—now among the world's top five pirates.
"A pirate?"
"Bwahahahaha! Good opportunity—shall we rest at the tavern? Makino-chan must have grown up too!"
Garp recalled never seeing her directly, but among the wanted posters was a pirate around the same age as a girl he knew, with a bounty exceeding 100 million.
The outrageous girl who defeated Admiral-class forces—the "Pirate Princess."
"Perfect timing, I'll tell you about it as refreshments."
"...I'd rather hear about that baby you suddenly brought—"
"Bwahahahahaha!!"
Interrupting the mayor's words, the Hero laughs heartily and pulls out a wanted poster from his breast.
The pirate's wanted poster that Marines, officers, and even government officials have begun keeping in their pockets like talismans.
"Don't worry, I won't bore you."
"A story about an unusual pirate born in this East Blue, still fighting the world."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"All crew, prepare for boarding! Royal guards skilled at silent steps—confirm enemies then land first! Strike down rioters and secure the port first!!"
The ship carrying few but elite Black Cat members, originally assembled to attack government vessels, arrives at its target point.
Superior.
The West Blue's greatest granary that they defended with double and triple defensive lines during the pirate alliance incident, certain enemies would target it.
Successfully defended, though causing political friction, the nation that fulfilled its role as a food storehouse was now—burning.
(This reminds me of—the Mogwa liberation battle. That was at night though...)
"No way... the Celestial Dragons only took citizens and food back..."
"Calm down. We're landing soon, pull yourself together."
Though sparse compared to the pirate alliance that thoroughly incorporated burning everything into their strategy, fires are similarly set throughout the city.
Veteran soldiers calm troops shaken by the sight.
"Amis-kun, I've finished preliminary reconnaissance."
A royal guard skilled at solo operations lands soundlessly beside Amis, who commands the entire advance force.
"Cather, what about enemies?"
"Can't call them enemies. Currently rioting are Superior's citizens—against each other."
"—What did you say?"
Most aboard this ship are veterans who've long fought bearing the "Three Claws" under the Black Cat.
Even these soldiers couldn't suppress faint disturbance.
"In the interior, the Rigalo army has begun invasion under the pretext of punishing rebellion against Celestial Dragons. Remaining soldiers rushed out for interception, but... afterward various speculations and rumors spread, citizens panicked. With a storm of plunder seeking supplies... that's the flow."
Hearing Cather's report concluding there wasn't time to properly grasp the situation, Amis shakes off the urge to hold her head.
"No changes to the operation! The royal guard advances to secure safety around the port!"
The royal guard members studying Kuro's leg techniques respond with salutes.
"Kika, Troy. After boarding and landing forces, prepare for bombardment anytime."
"—You'll use it? In the middle of town, and with this chaos?"
"If Rigalo is attacking, their objective is occupation and plunder. Perhaps their protruding land forces will reach here. I want you to help with restraint and destruction then."
"I see. ...Captain Amis, bombardment requests as usual?"
"Yes, use red smoke signals at bombardment request points."
"Understood. Once forces are unloaded, I'll prepare with Kika and bombardiers."
"Yes. Stay alert for naval forces including pirates."
"Yes ma'am."
The advance force's mission is essentially accomplished by securing this port town.
Whether taken by Celestial Dragons or people who fled immediately, only small boats remain docked at the port.
Cleanup requires little effort—with fishman cooperators possessing tremendous arm strength coming, it'll clear up immediately.
Since opponents are rioters, suppression will take time, but worst case, chase them from the controlled area and just secure the location.
But—that will undoubtedly raise future governance difficulty by one undesirable level.
"We'll reference suppression battles on the transported island. First create a safe zone, then establish a simple medical facility."
"Rescuing injured civilians first, huh. ...What about food distribution?"
"...After things settle somewhat. Even those hiding and trying to escape from us pirates will seek our protection upon seeing this nation's people eating meals in a safe place."
The cautiously approaching ship draws nearer to port.
Sounds of destruction, gunfire, and someone's screams grow louder.
"...Not to speak out of turn, but we couldn't have moved without the massive food supplies obtained when capturing the Navy base."
"Incidentally, I'm slightly regretting we didn't take absolutely everything, leaving nothing for defeated soldiers."
To Cather's words, Amis answers with a bitter smile.
Thinking back, from raising the flag—no, from the fugitive life before—the Black Cat's greatest enemy was always food shortage.
"If we secure here and swiftly restore it, we'll finally be freed from such problems."
"Good grief, don't get excited, teacher. ...Well then, let's begin that first step."
Cather, with sword and pistol at his waist, places a foot on the ship's rail.
Not his usual rifle—because they consumed ammunition in war, and its lethality is too high.
Enemies are rioters. Must suppress them, but can't kill indiscriminately.
Before this un-pirate-like battle, Black Cat Pirates soldiers straighten their postures, line up, and steady their morale.
Other royal guard members follow behind Cather.
"Royal guard, draw swords!"
"We now commence operations!!"
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"I see. From the Holy Land..."
"Never heard of this flag's pirate crew. Rather, only learned they were pirates from that recent high bounty."
The Family member—one managing Shamrock—brought news deemed highly urgent, so Daz Bones personally came to Shamrock.
Taki commanded arranging injured treatment and temporary accommodation, while Daz and Tesoro brought fishman and mermaid representatives to the salon's reception room to hear details.
(The conference room might make them wary with its stark atmosphere, so the reception room is better to show we're hosting them properly... Tesoro's consideration in these matters truly helps.)
Daz internally breathes a sigh of relief at the fishman's presence gradually, albeit slowly, releasing wariness.
"True, that suited kid at the Holy Land... wouldn't be thought a pirate."
"You—you too. Never expected someone your age exceeding 100 million."
"Thanks to the Captain's remaining strategy and trained allies backing me up."
"Indeed. Seeing the wanted poster before arriving here... honestly, even with that boy's words, coming here required resolve. ...Yet."
The bandaged fishman—the man introducing himself as Fisher Tiger—looks out the window with a complex expression.
A tuna fishman carries ship cargo.
A ship floating on the large waterway apparently has something broken—fishmen and mermaids seem to be repairing it from above and below, and the human ship owner brings food stall items as support.
Meanwhile, humans assemble fishman housing while fishmen carry lumber, chatting amiably.
"...Never imagined a town where fishmen and humans coexist existed."
"Still far from true coexistence, with mountains of problems to solve."
Many fishmen fear humans and live on the hidden island, while humans in inland towns and villages excessively fear fishmen.
Solving this is also the daily routine troubling internal affairs officers.
"So what exactly happened?"
"...After that Captain—Kuro, was it—saved me, I fell into the sea and escaped, heading straight for Fishman Island."
Though Kuro said there was a safe zone in West Blue, Fisher Tiger couldn't believe those words.
Unlike humans, he could survive in the sea without a ship—that was significant.
His body, battered as a slave, and injuries from Golden Lion's attack hurt terribly... but he somehow escaped to Fishman Island.
"Fortunately, no search was conducted for me. Terrible to say, but many slaves likely perished in that burning Holy Land, and the burned were probably treated as missing."
At the slaves' fate, both Daz and Tesoro frowned.
Daz recalled the royal guards' faces, Tesoro thought of Stella.
"Though some troubles occurred along the way, I somehow reached Fishman Island. I reported events to the king... Queen Otohime seemed extremely interested in Kuro and the hidden island he mentioned... well, never mind. The problem starts there."
Fisher Tiger presses bandages over his wound.
"I was healing wounds on Fishman Island... just recently."
Though nearly closed upon arriving here, still clearly remaining—gunshot wounds.
"Celestial Dragons came..."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
Fishman Island.
The only nation in this vast world where fishmen can live peacefully, the "seafloor" island directly below the Holy Land.
"Please! Please, both sides calm down!!"
Fishman Island where approximately five million fishmen live—no, the "Ryugu Kingdom"—covers considerable area.
Naturally, regional disparities exist—high-class residential districts and their complete opposite slums.
The incident's epicenter was that slum.
The largest slum, Fishman District.
Especially where the poor live—a place flattery couldn't call safe—few approach.
Except those who see value in its inhabitants.
"Don't mess with us! These guys tried to take us as slaves!"
"Even hiding quietly! Enduring was pointless! Then—!!"
A giant merman wielding a trident—King Neptune—shouts toward fishmen barricaded in the slum.
Behind the king, Ryugu Kingdom soldiers line up, paying attention to the slum.
All uniformly show fear and terror on their faces, not anger.
"What are you people doing!"
The slum residents—all uniformly ragged, some bearing gunshot wounds—had restrained many wearing inappropriately luxurious white clothes unsuited to slums.
"We only came to replenish slaves depleted in the recent incident! Though it costs more trouble and money than Human Shops, we specially came to select and take you directly, yet this treatment! Quickly release us and come to the Holy Land!"
"Hear this, fishmen! Immediately release the Celestial Dragons and surrender!"
And there were those pointing guns at both the barricaded fishmen and the kingdom army trying to calm them.
Soldiers clad in pure white military uniforms bearing the two characters for justice on their backs.
"Don't mess with us, humans!"
"If you want release, you go first!!"
Curses return to the words of the officer in an especially fine coat, apparently commanding.
"Free our captured brethren and leave this island!!"
"Do you think you can leave here without consequences for treating innocents as slaves!?"
The fishmen barricaded with Celestial Dragons as hostages glare hatefully at the warship docked at a distance.
The caged boxes still imprisoning those captured despite committing no crimes, simply for being there.
"Release our brethren first! How many hostages do you think we have!?"
"Either way, we'll just be enslaved or killed! So then—"
The Celestial Dragon—a shark fishman grabs the elderly Celestial Dragon called Saint Pluming, extending thick hands toward the throat.
"Stop! Don't touch me with filthy hands! I—I'm important! Yet—"
"Shut up! Your attitude! That's what made us...!!"
The Celestial Dragons have been captive like this for days now.
Visiting Fishman Island with soldiers to gather powerful slaves for Holy Land reconstruction.
Attempting to capture indiscriminately, occupying the island's towns—resulting in capture after desperate counterattacks by slum fishmen who rose up.
These past days, consuming only water and minimal food.
Sensing death's approach, resisting with full strength, but no power remains.
"Arlong!! Please! Please stop! At this rate everything will...!!"
The king shouts desperately, but the shark fishman called Arlong doesn't hear.
"Riflemen, aim!"
"B-but if we hit Saint Pluming by chance... And there are other hostage Celestial Dragons!"
"Then we must gamble now! Colonels and above, prepare to charge!"
Celestial Dragons scattering anger at fishmen and Navy while afraid.
Kingdom army wanting to avoid casualties at all costs.
Navy that must save Celestial Dragons no matter what.
Collision is unavoidable now.
Marines take aim, the shark fishman puts strength in his arms to first kill one Celestial Dragon—
"Both sides, lower your weapons!!"
Suddenly from above, a tremendous impact flies down.
A blow that further gouges the wide-open space before the slum where three forces faced off.
Dirt and dust rise, obscuring vision.
Fishmen feel something like sudden chills or lightning run down their backs, unable to move.
Ryugu Kingdom army soldiers don't even understand what happened, confused...
When it settles, they finally realize a human stands there.
A boy perhaps 14-15 years old, yet wearing a black suit professionally like an official.
"I'll say it again. Both sides lower your weapons. This way only produces casualties and solves nothing."
The boy addresses both sides quietly but with carrying voice.
The fishman side cannot move.
First, they don't know who this boy is.
But—
"Th-three claws..."
Navy soldiers gradually stir.
"The Three Claws came..."
"Is it really him!?"
"No mistake! That suit with three-clawed cat embroidery, that scar, that face! It's him!"
What was initially mere noise grows louder with time.
Enough that most fishmen realize this unknown man is no ordinary person.
Bankei has come.
Captain Kuro has come.
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
(Obviously saw the entire Fishman Island is suppressed by the Navy, but... barricading with Celestial Dragons as hostages, seriously?)
Fortunately, no sign of Kuzan.
All other Admiral-class are probably incapacitated—nothing to be done.
Instead, more regular forces seem summoned...
(Just as Celestial Dragons are imprisoned, so are fishmen and mermaids. Therefore both sides can't move, with no trigger either.)
The Celestial Dragons... the Celestial Dragons are too much in the way!!
You people really do nothing but cause trouble!!!
(The Navy is... at minimum five thousand... but am I underestimating? Could be around ten thousand at worst?)
I had Hina and the others fall back with the ship.
Partly to protect the ship so we can retreat anytime, but I really can't involve them in this.
The Marine group already has an awkward position, and this could seriously get them killed.
Vice Admiral-class everywhere, and many soldiers aren't really... soldiers.
Specifically, ones who can't follow orders and will fire—that presence is ughhhhh.
Issho could probably manage, but I can't drag a mere guest into such deadly ground and make him wanted.
Damn, all those Celestial Dragons yelling over there, just die of illness a little.
Then we could disperse ambiguously... no, judging by the situation, they've been barricaded for considerable days. That won't work.
(The fishman side's unified armament is the island's military. But given the situation, they can't act. Repeatedly persuading to barely buy time is their limit?)
And there are quite many fishmen barricaded in that shabby town.
Almost equal numbers to the Marines.
Certainly slightly fewer, but with physical ability differences plus the terrain.
That's why Marines are doubly tense, looking ready to explode anytime.
Yeah.
So the only one who can stop this is me.
That's why I steeled my resolve and struck one blow at the center of this battlefield.
Black Cat Pirates. One person.
Captain Kuro.
Entering battle.
Waaah... aaah...
Where?
Where's Whitebeard? Here?
Help.
Please help me.
***
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