In the calm waters of the East Blue, on a modest island known for its cherry blossoms, stood the Marine Branch No. 155.
It was a quiet afternoon at the recruitment office. A young navy soldier sat lazily behind his desk, stifling a yawn. It wasn't recruitment season, and in the East Blue where pirate activity was relatively mild few people were interested in joining the Marines.
He was mid-yawn when someone knocked lightly on the desk in front of him. Irritated, the soldier looked up, ready to snap at whoever was disturbing his peace but the words caught in his throat.
What met his gaze was a pair of deep purple eyes swirling with strange, hypnotic patterns. A chill ran down his spine. His mouth went dry, and the reprimand he had prepared died instantly on his tongue.
The newcomer, calm and expressionless, was none other than Kane Uchiha. When he noticed the Marine's stunned silence, Kane politely broke it himself.
"Hello. This is the Navy Recruitment Office, right? I'm here to enlist."
"Ah yes! Yes, sir!" The Marine quickly wiped the sweat forming on his forehead. "Of course! Please, let's begin your intake."
He fumbled for a quill and form. "Name?"
"Kane Uchiha."
"Age?"
"Sixteen."
The Marine blinked. Sixteen? That was shockingly young.
"And... your reason for joining the Navy?"
"Hmm. Let's just say... because I feel like it."
The soldier froze for a moment, then forced an awkward laugh. "Ah... honest answer! That's... refreshing."
"Any special abilities?"
Kane tilted his head slightly, as if trying to remember. "Let's see. I can fly. Breathe fire. Summon lightning. Control gravity and repulsion. Open dimensional gates..." He paused thoughtfully. "There are a few more, but that's the gist of it."
The Marine's eyes widened. He stared at Kane with disbelief, thinking the kid must be joking. If it were anyone else, he would've called for security but those eyes... those swirling purple eyes told him not to take this lightly.
Kane noticed his skepticism. Without another word, he casually formed a few hand signs. In the next instant, a gust of energy burst through the air as he unleashed a series of jutsu then lifted the entire branch headquarters into the sky with an invisible force before gently lowering it back to the ground as if nothing had happened.
"Now," Kane said mildly, turning his head toward the speechless Marine. "Can I join the Navy?"
The soldier didn't answer. He stood frozen, tongue lolling slightly, eyes vacant like a statue carved from fear.
Meanwhile, chaos erupted throughout the base.
"Enemy attack! We're under attack!"
"There's a devil fruit user someone powerful!"
"This isn't an enemy we can handle!"
"For justice! Everyone outside defend the base!"
Dozens of Marines rushed to the courtyard, shouting and brandishing rifles and swords, hearts pounding as they searched for the unseen assailant.
The recruitment officer finally snapped out of his stupor. Realizing that his own panic had triggered the alarm, he quickly saluted the approaching officer a tall, muscular man with a commanding presence.
"Colonel Rodd, sir! There's no enemy! The disturbance was caused by the recruit Kane Uchiha!"
A hush fell over the courtyard.
"What? A recruit caused that?"
"Are you kidding me? The new guy did all this?"
"Good grief I thought I was about to die for justice!"
Colonel Rodd's brow twitched. He turned to where Kane stood quietly amid the confusion, his face calm and unbothered.
"I see," Rodd said, waving the others down. "You're dismissed."
He approached Kane, doing his best to keep his tone steady. "I'm Colonel Rodd, the commanding officer of this branch. You must be Kane Uchiha, the one who just applied?"
"Yes," Kane replied with a faint smile. "I came to enlist."
Hearing that, Rodd exhaled slowly. The boy's manner was surprisingly respectful not arrogant or boastful, just calm confidence. Relief washed over him, soon replaced by excitement.
Rodd wasn't stupid. He knew power when he saw it. With the strength Kane had just displayed, the entire East Blue wouldn't be enough to contain him. Someone like this didn't belong in a backwater branch he belonged at Marine Headquarters, or even among the Admirals' ranks one day.
We're not worthy, Rodd thought, a bitter smile crossing his face. A talent like him doesn't belong here.
But then a spark of ambition flickered in his mind.
If I recommend him to Headquarters, the credit alone could earn me several promotions!
His eyes lit up with excitement as he turned back to Kane.
Feeling that intense stare, Kane frowned slightly, then lifted his hand. A portal shimmered open beside him. From within, he casually pulled out a blackened mass of compressed matter, along with a burnt corpse and a torn pirate flag.
Rodd stared, confused. "This is...?"
"The remains of the Brand Pirates," Kane explained calmly. "That lump of ash is what's left of the crew. The one that still looks human is the captain. I dealt with them on my way here."
Rodd's heart nearly stopped. The Brand Pirates he knew that name. They had escaped from the Grand Line, notorious for surviving battles even seasoned Marine captains couldn't handle. Headquarters had only just issued a warning about them, planning to send reinforcements.
And now... they were gone. Completely eradicated.
The captain burned beyond recognition. His crew reduced to dust.
This kid destroyed them? Alone?
Rodd swallowed hard. For the first time, the full scope of Kane Uchiha's power hit him like a tidal wave.
He forced a smile and gestured toward the main building. "Please, come inside. We can discuss your enlistment details there. To be honest, someone of your strength... won't be staying here long."
Kane nodded with a faint smile and walked ahead, his calm steps echoing on the stone path.
Rodd watched his back as he disappeared into the headquarters. Sixteen years old, with the power to level islands and yet, polite and composed.
He sighed softly, half in awe, half in disbelief.
"Why," he muttered to himself, "is the difference between people so terrifyingly vast?"