Location: New World — Whole Cake Island
Inside the grand, candy-coated palace of Totto Land, the air was thick with the smell of sugar and cream.
Charlotte Linlin better known across the seas as Big Mom was devouring a mountain of pastries, each bite echoing through the hall like the rumble of thunder.
"Ma~ma~ma~ma! As expected of you, Streusen! These desserts are divine!"
Below her throne, a short, round old man with a chef's hat laughed proudly, puffing out his chest.
"Kukukuku! But of course! I'm the great Streusen, the chef who brings dreams to life!"
Just then, the massive doors creaked open.
Katakuri, his maroon hair glinting under the light, strode inside, his scarf trailing behind him.
"Mother," he said in his calm but serious tone. "The Navy has produced a new rising star."
Big Mom didn't even look up, still stuffing her mouth full of cake.
"Read it to me."
"Yes, Mama."
Katakuri quickly recited the report about the young Rear Admiral who had shaken the Navy's ranks.
"Ma~ma~ma~ma! So the Navy's raising another monster, huh? Ezra D. Vale… A man with a D in his name!"
Big Mom paused mid-bite, her eyes flickering with interest before narrowing.
"Katakuri. Keep a close eye on him. No matter what, I want him to attend my next tea party."
Katakuri nodded slightly, his voice steady.
"Understood, Mama."
Elsewhere, on Onigashima, the news had also reached the Beast Pirates.
However, Kaido, the so-called strongest creature in the world, showed little interest in the young upstart.
While others discussed Ezra's rise, Kaido was already planning his next suicidal stunt.
"Alright! Since the Navy's been getting too cocky lately…" he said, taking another massive swig of sake.
"…Let's crash their little headquarters next!"
And just like that, another ripple spread through the sea a subtle disturbance in a world long gone stagnant.
But time, of course, waited for no one.
Marine Headquarters — Marineford.
Blue skies. White clouds. The sound of waves against the docks.
If there was a beautiful woman here, it would've been perfect.
Oh wait there actually was one.
Standing across from Ezra, staring him down with fierce determination, was a tall, elegant woman with soft pink hair tied behind her head Vice Admiral Gion, the future "Pink Rabbit" admiral candidate.
"Ezra, you're not escaping this time!" she declared firmly.
Ezra sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Vice Admiral Gion, if I recall correctly, this is your tenth challenge in the past two weeks, isn't it?"
"Can't you go practice your swordsmanship before coming back? Or do you just enjoy losing to me?"
Her cheeks puffed slightly as she frowned, but Ezra only felt weary.
Ever since Gion had attended the promotion ceremony two weeks ago and learned that Ezra had managed to overpower Akainu during a spar she'd been determined to duel him.
He had no idea why this beautiful woman was so obsessed with fighting, but being polite, he accepted her first challenge.
Unfortunately, one easy victory had led to two long weeks of relentless rematches.
Sure, she was easy on the eyes, but after the tenth time, even beauty turned into pure exhaustion.
Now, whenever Ezra saw Gion, he felt like a mouse spotting a cat ready to bolt.
But not today. He'd been caught again.
Gion shook her head with a rare smile.
"As much as I'd love to keep sparring with you…"
Ezra raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"
"…This time, it's an official mission from Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Ezra tilted his head, curious.
"I'm going with you?"
Her lips curved into a sly, knowing grin.
"That's right. And you'll be serving as my second-in-command. Isn't that exciting?"
Ezra froze for a moment, then sighed deeply.
"Oh, absolutely. I'm thrilled."
After a bit more playful banter, Gion glanced at her watch.
"Time's almost up. Let's head to the ship."
As they walked down the pier, Ezra glanced at her.
"So, what's the mission?"
Gion handed him a small folder stamped with the Navy insignia.
"There's been a report from the South Sea Baterilla Island. They say traces of Gol D. Roger were discovered there."
Her tone grew serious.
"Sengoku has ordered us to confirm whether it's true. If it is… we're to investigate Roger's trail immediately."
Ezra's expression tightened as he scanned the document.
The name Baterilla stirred something in his memory. He couldn't quite place it, but it felt important like a half-forgotten dream.
"I see. Then let's not waste time."
They soon arrived at Gion's personal warship a sleek, silver-lined vessel bearing her emblem.
Ezra looked around curiously, inspecting every detail.
"So this is your ship, huh? Not bad."
Gion crossed her arms proudly, her chest lifting slightly as she smirked.
"Impressive, right? A fine ship for a Vice Admiral."
Ezra chuckled and shook his head.
"Impressive? Maybe. But compared to Sengoku's… it's just a tiny bit smaller."
Gion's smile froze.
"...A tiny bit?"
A vein popped on her forehead.
"Ezra, are you comparing a Vice Admiral's ship to the Fleet Admiral's flagship?!"
Ezra shrugged innocently.
"What? You're both high-ranking officers."
She let out a frustrated groan. "You're impossible."
Ezra smirked. "What can I say? I speak the truth."
As the ship's engines roared to life, the two stood side by side at the bow, the wind tugging at their uniforms.
The sun glinted off the ocean's surface, and for a brief moment, Ezra felt the thrill of the unknown ahead.
The South Sea awaited and with it, the shadow of the Pirate King's legacy.
And though he didn't know it yet, this mission would mark the beginning of a storm that would shake the very foundations of the world.