Inside Marineford's Fleet Admiral's office, silence filled the air. Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood motionless, gazing at the empty chair across from him.
"…Justice for all… such equality no longer existed within the Marines."
"What a pity," Sengoku muttered softly, his tone heavy with regret. "Such a good young man."
He slowly shook his head, setting aside the thought of recruiting Shirogai Yamikuro. A man that strong, with such unshakable convictions, could no longer be swayed by the Marines' version of justice.
Bang!
The door suddenly burst open. The "Hero of the Marines," Garp, barged in with his usual lack of restraint, glancing around with wide eyes.
"Sengoku, there was a weird aura here just now! Huh? Strange, there's no one here!"
"How did you even get in?"
Sengoku turned around, glaring at his old friend with irritation.
"Go! Clean that shoe print off the door! How old are you, still kicking things like a child!"
Garp crouched by the door with a sheepish grin, wiping the mark with the hem of his justice coat.
"I was just worried about your safety, old man! If some pirate managed to assassinate you, the Marines would lose face!"
"Just now, Shirogai came by," Sengoku said coldly.
"What? That brat Shirogai came to Marineford?"
Garp scratched his head in disbelief. "Sengoku, are you sure you're not getting senile?"
"Scram!"
Sengoku, exasperated, hurled Shirogai's file straight at Garp's face.
"Get lost! Don't let me see you again!"
Garp caught the folder, laughed, and slipped out the door.
"Hmph, no discipline whatsoever… and they call him a hero of the Marines," Sengoku muttered, rubbing his temples.
Creak.
The door opened again, and Garp's head popped back in with a teasing grin.
"Sengoku, senility isn't so bad! Have Dr. Vegapunk make you some medicine for brain atrophy!"
Whoosh!
The door slammed shut again. Sengoku glared speechlessly at the closed door. That old fool… you're senile, your whole family's senile!
---
At the Marine docks, a pink-haired Marine trained hard, counting loudly as he did push-ups.
"Five thousand one hundred eighty-three… five thousand one hundred eighty-four…"
Beside him, a blond Marine with a ponytail and sunglasses struggled to keep up.
"Coby, wait! You counted too fast—four thousand eight hundred thirty-seven…"
From a distance, Garp watched with a satisfied grin.
"Heh heh, looks like there's still hope for the future of the Marines." His expression softened as he watched the two. "I hope you two surpass us… the relics of an old era… and become the true Marines of justice in the new age."
Then he shouted, "Coby! Helmeppo! Get ready, we've got a mission!"
The two sprang up, saluting sharply.
"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp!"
Garp jumped onto the warship, laughing heartily.
"Hahahaha! You'll like this one. We're going to visit an old acquaintance of yours!"
Coby and Helmeppo exchanged puzzled looks.
"An old acquaintance?"
---
On the open sea, under the endless blue sky, a massive ship floated majestically — as large as a sea monster. This was the Moby Dick, main vessel of the Whitebeard Pirates, crew of one of the Four Emperors, Edward Newgate.
Smaller ships surrounded it like loyal guardians, patrolling the waters. Every pirate who saw the Moby Dick quickly turned away in fear.
"Where the hell did Ace disappear to?" grumbled Jozu, the "Diamond" man, flipping through a newspaper. "Not a single report about him anywhere!"
"He's probably still chasing that bastard Teach," said Marco, lounging lazily by the railing, basking in the sun. "If Ace is hunting him, he'll be doing it quietly. You won't find him by reading the papers."
"But hey, did you see this?" Jozu frowned at the page. "A new guy picked fights with both Kaido and Big Mom. It says there was no clear winner. Is that even possible?"
"'The Plunderer'," Marco said with interest. "A rookie who's causing waves the moment he set sail. The higher-ups in the World Government are watching him closely."
Jozu scowled. "Don't tell me the Oyaji's interested in him?"
"Of course," Marco replied with a yawn. "The Old Man admires strong people. And this kid? He's already pissed off half the sea. Without someone to back him up, another Emperor might snatch him or crush him."
"Hmph. Just another arrogant upstart," Jozu muttered, unimpressed.
Marco stood, took the newspaper, and studied the image of a young man smiling confidently at the camera.
"Don't underestimate him, Jozu. According to Oyaji, he fought two Marine Admirals and walked away unharmed."
Jozu's eyes gleamed. "Two Admirals, huh? Now that's someone I'd like to fight!"
Crack.
A door opened behind them.
"Hmm?"
Marco turned, surprised to see Whitebeard himself step out, Murakumogiri in hand. The legendary Edward Newgate, the "Strongest Man in the World," the man whose power could shatter the seas. His massive frame, exposed chest, and the crescent-shaped mustache that gave him his name made him an imposing sight.
The air itself seemed to tremble as he walked.
"Children, gather up!" Whitebeard boomed with laughter. "We've got a guest."
The once-quiet Moby Dick erupted into chaos as the crew scrambled into position.
"Enemy attack!"
"Protect Pops! Get the gunners ready!"
Marco shot into the air, scanning the horizon. "Who's bold enough to alarm the Old Man himself?"
Whitebeard grinned, gripping his blade with both hands. Red lightning of Conqueror's Haki coiled around Murakumogiri.
"An arrogant brat," he said, his grin widening.
"Pops, you don't need to fight personally. We can handle him!" Jozu protested.
"It's fine," Whitebeard chuckled. "This one's worth it."
He raised his weapon, the aura of a god-level force swirling around him.
"Come on, brat!"
Whoosh!
A streak of black and purple light shot across the sea, landing beside the Moby Dick in an instant. A fist wrapped in pitch-black Conqueror's Haki smashed against Murakumogiri.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Blinding arcs of black lightning exploded, rocking the ship and stunning the crew.
Amid the chaos, a calm, confident voice rang out:
"Being greeted by the Emperor Whitebeard himself… it's truly an honor."
Crack!
The shockwave split the clouds above the sea, dividing the heavens in two.
"So strong!" Jozu staggered, barely maintaining his footing. Marco, thrown off balance, crashed onto the deck.
The crew gasped for air, crushed beneath the weight of two overwhelming Conqueror's Hakis colliding. Dozens fell unconscious instantly.
Marco and Jozu, their bodies glowing with Armament Haki, struggled to stay standing as they stared at the newcomer.
A young man with black hair, six white wings unfurled behind him, and a calm smile that hinted at excitement.
"It's him…"
They recognized the face from the newspaper.
"Plunderer… Shirogai!"
To stand toe-to-toe with Whitebeard himself— a man at the level of an Emperor.
---