Marineford, the seat of Marine Headquarters.
Although it also located on the Grand Line, it strangely unaffected by ordinary Log Pose readings.
Whether it due to some mysterious technology or the island own unique properties, no one really knows — but that precisely why it was chosen as the site for Marine Headquarters.
To reach Marineford, aside from using an Eternal Pose, one can only follow the peculiar sea current linking it to Impel Down, passing through a massive Gate of Justice.
To be honest, with such conveniently aligned geographical factors all centered around Marineford, Sherwin suspected the island might have been moved here from somewhere else, then rebuilt and reshaped through artificial means.
There even supporting evidence — when viewed from the sky, the entire island of Marineford forms a perfectly symmetrical crescent shape.
No matter how wondrous nature can be, it hard to imagine it naturally creating an island like that… probably.
After all, this is the world of pirates — bizarre geography is everywhere — so Sherwin didn't dare make a hasty conclusion.
Regardless of whether Marineford was man-made or not, the Marines had long since turned it into a colossal fortress.
Towering walls lined the island perimeter, while countless warships guarded its surroundings, leaving only the crescent inner gap as the single entry point.
Having read the manga, Sherwin knew there was more to that entrance. If an enemy were to break through the outer line of defending warships and charge into the bay, the inner wall of Marineford would rise, bristling with cannons — unleashing a "small" barrage to welcome the invaders…
Well, "small" might be an understatement — in the manga, that move didn't do much against Whitebeard crew. In the end, it all came down to the clash of top-tier combat power.
On the island itself, Marine Headquarters stood right at the center, surrounded by training facilities and residential areas for the Marine families.
What puzzled Sherwin, however, was this — why was the family residential zone built in front of the main base?
"Buru buru buru…"
As the Dodo Advance slowly approached, the Den Den Mushi on board suddenly rang.
"This is Marine Headquarters Colonel Very Good. The ship ahead, state your purpose!"
Once the line connected, a stranger voice came through.
"This is the Felynes Investigation Team. We're here to collect the Devil Fruit that the World Government temporarily stored with you on my behalf," Sherwin replied bluntly.
Though he had taken a slice out of the World Government pocket, that was part of their deal — a fair exchange on both sides.
They told him to come ten days later, and here he was, exactly ten days later.
Yet these people still felt the need to go through this pointless formality...
Sure enough, in this pirate world, being too polite was never a good idea. Whether pirate or Marine, they'd all damn well push their luck the moment you gave them an inch.
"…"
There was a brief silence on the other end before Very Good spoke again, his tone laced with suppressed frustration.
"Understood. Follow our warship and do not make any suspicious moves!"
Tch! What the hell did that old man Sengoku tell them? Why did it sound like they were the ones feeling wronged here? I'm the one being inconvenienced, aren't I?
Sherwin hung up in confusion, then steered the Dodo Advance to follow the guiding warship into Marineford crescent-shaped bay.
"Waaah! Such a magnificent building, meow!"
(=`=)
Klee Meow leaned over the bow, gawking at the massive Marine base and the towering walls surrounding the island, reacting with her usual exaggerated amazement.
Before long, the Dodo Advance followed the leading warship into a dock within the crescent bay.
Sherwin disembarked with his Felynes, where a Marine — sporting a perfectly round afro and an equally round chin — was already waiting for them.
At the sight of him, Sherwin immediately remembered who this man was.
Though not a major character, his distinct features and Devil Fruit ability made him unforgettable —
the Paramecia-type Bean-Bean Fruit user, whose power resembled Buggy Split-Split Fruit, allowing him to divide his body into countless spherical pieces.
"Hello, uncle meow!"
(=ΦωΦ=)
Klee Meow greeted him cheerfully, staring unblinkingly at his round head…
Well, it couldn't be helped — all things round had an irresistible allure to cats.
Faced with her cuteness, the previously scowling Very Good couldn't maintain his stern expression. His face softened slightly as he replied, "Hello to you too…"
He paused, realizing it would be impolite to only greet Klee Meow. The other Felynes were just as adorable, after all. So, with some reluctance, he turned to Sherwin and muttered, "Welcome to Marine Headquarters…"
Then, switching to a much warmer smile as he looked back at the other Felynes, he added, "Please, follow me."
Tch! Could he be any more obvious with the favoritism?
Sherwin clicked his tongue, scooped up Sharme into his arms, and started petting her while shooting Very Good a smug look.
So what if you don't welcome me? You don't get to touch the cats.
"..."
Very Good eye twitched twice before he turned around angrily to lead Sherwin and the others forward.
Sherwin and the Felynes swaggered their way into the Marine Headquarters base, where Very Good brought them directly before Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Aside from that old man who always seemed eager to pick a fight with him, the massive reception hall also contained the kindly-looking Vice Admiral Tsuru, the ever-snacking old man Garp, and…
The other four Warlords of the Sea—excluding Moria.
Hawk-Eye Mihawk had actually come… Were all the Warlords this free?
And they were all here? His reception was practically on par with Whitebeard!
Though Sherwin was silently grumbling inside, his expression remained calm as he glanced over the four of them.
Mihawk gaze met his only briefly before shifting to Seijuro Meow. Hancock shot him a venomous glare, Jinbe gave him a polite nod—his face suggesting he wasn't here to cause trouble—and as for Doflamingo…
His eyes were hidden behind his sunglasses, but that arrogant grin on his face was unmistakable—he really did have the aura of a twisted Dragon King… though his mouth wasn't actually crooked.
Sherwin withdrew his gaze from them and turned toward Sengoku. Just as he was about to speak—
"Old man Garp, we meet again~"
Sherwin walked up to Garp with his Felynes, completely ignoring that old geezer Sengoku.
The Felynes greeted Garp warmly as well, especially Klee Meow, who once again leapt off Sherwin shoulder and landed on Garp, tugging at his beard while staring longingly at the senbei in his hand.
"Grandpa Garp, can Klee have a piece to try, meow?"
"Hahahahaha! Of course, no problem!" Garp laughed heartily, proudly shooting a glance at Sengoku—whose face was darkening by the second—
before pulling out several bags of senbei from beside his seat and stuffing them into the paws of Klee Meow and the other Felynes. "Here! Grandpa got plenty! When you finish these, there more!"
The actual "sponsor," Sengoku, looked even gloomier. To stop Garp from giving away all his snacks, he quickly spoke up—abandoning his plan to stall Sherwin with empty talk.
"Sherwin, I already know why you're here. Those three Devil Fruits are indeed part of your deal with the World Government. However, the other Warlords never received such terms before, so you'll have to convince them first."
Just as expected.
Sherwin, who had already guessed as much, curled his lips slightly and turned his gaze back toward Mihawk and the others.
"Oh? I wonder what everyone opinion is?"