Grand Line, somewhere in the sky.
"Hahahahaha, I never thought such an interesting thing would happen in the small East Blue, the weakest of the Four Seas! How can I not spread it to the world?!"
At the Giant Hot-Air Balloon Company, World Economic Journal Headquarters, News King Morgans waved his big hand, and countless news birds flew across the world.
...
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Justice Building, Fleet Admiral's Office.
"Twenty villages oppressed and exploited by a mere Evil Dragon Pirate Crew for seven years, and something like this happened right under our Navy's nose? How was it kept a secret?!"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku slammed the documents in his hand onto the table, his face extremely grim.
"It's inevitable for some Woodworms to appear within the ranks of the righteous army. The East Blue branch needs a thorough investigation. I've already notified Smoker; he's the most suitable person for this task!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru sighed and shook her head, picking up the documents in front of her.
"Also, this man who resolved the Arlong incident… that sharp slash, another incredible figure has emerged from the East Blue!"
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New World, a certain sea area in Whitebeard's territory.
The giant whale ship, Moby Dick, was anchored by the shore.
Members of the Whitebeard Pirates gathered in twos and threes.
"That truly is a beautiful slash. An incredible swordsman has appeared in the East Blue. I really want to spar with him!"
Vista the Flower Sword, Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Fifth Division, stroked his spring-like mustache, looking at the newspaper photo with interest.
"Heh heh, there will be a chance. That man will definitely be able to reach the New World!"
Marco the Phoenix, Commander of the First Division, chuckled.
"Speaking of which, Jinbe, as a fellow fish-man, this Evil Dragon Pirate Crew should have some connection to you, right?!"
Marco turned to look at Shichibukai, Knight of the Sea, Jinbe.
"Yes!"
Jinbe nodded with a heavy expression.
"Arlong used to be my subordinate, and I was the one who exiled Arlong to the East Blue seven years ago!"
"Your former subordinate was killed, Jinbe. As his boss, are you going to get revenge now?"
Commander Izo of the Sixteenth Division raised an eyebrow.
"No!"
Jinbe shook his head.
"I exiled Arlong to the East Blue with the intention of letting him live peacefully and not cause any more trouble, but... I never expected him to do such a thing. It's only natural that he would be killed now. Rather, this is my responsibility!"
Upon hearing this, the Whitebeard Pirates all shrugged.
They had already anticipated Jinbe's answer.
"Speaking of which, Ace, your hometown is also in the East Blue, right? Do you know this man?"
Marco looked at Ace.
"No! I don't know him!"
Ace, his mouth full of bread and meat, shook his head adorably like a hamster.
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New World, Dressrosa.
"Fufufufu, interesting! This is truly interesting! It seems another newcomer is about to emerge this year, but... I wonder how far he can go?"
Shichibukai, Heavenly Yaksha Doflamingo, keenly smelled the coming storm.
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Paradise, Gloomy Island.
"A very clean and decisive strike, that's a master!"
In the cloud-shrouded fields, the World's Greatest Swordsman, Shichibukai Hawkeye Mihawk, dressed like a farmer, calmly remarked.
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Grand Line, Alabasta Kingdom.
Dream City, Rainbase Casino Pyramid.
"Goo~ hehe~ hehe~ hehe, it's the East Blue again? First a Pirate Hunter, now this man. Is the weakest East Blue trying to make a comeback?"
Baroque Works' boss, Shichibukai Crocodile, chuckled sinisterly.
"Should we try to make contact?"
In the shadows where light couldn't reach, a tall, fiery-figured older sister in a hip-hugging skirt and tight-fitting clothes asked.
"Let's wait for now. He should appear on the Grand Line soon!"
Crocodile grinned.
"Miss All Sunday, have you found the guy who's been secretly investigating my identity recently?"
"No, not yet!"
The tall, fiery-figured older sister shook her head.
"Investigate and deal with it quickly; don't let it affect the plan!"
Crocodile frowned in displeasure.
"Yes!"
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East Blue, Windmill Village.
Makino's Pub.
"Eh eh eh, Makino, this this this... he he he... this is Roland, right!"
Straw Hat Luffy's eyes widened, pointing at Roland's back in the newspaper, so shocked he couldn't speak properly.
"Yes, Mr. Roland is indeed a very formidable big shot!"
Makino smiled and nodded.
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Shimotsuki Village.
"It seems I should be able to see you often in the news from now on, Kuina!"
Koushirou, the master of Isshin Dojo, squinted and smiled, looking at the corner of the photo.
About five kilometers off the coast of Shimotsuki Village.
A small boat drifted with the waves.
"Eh? This back..."
Pirate Hunter Zoro, with three swords at his waist, squinted at the corner of the photo published in the newspaper.
Although it was only a back, even just half a body, Zoro still felt a sense of familiarity.
"Why is this back so similar to Kuina's?"
The more Zoro looked, the more familiar it felt.
After a while.
"No no no, Kuina is long gone, and even if she were still here, she wouldn't be a child anymore. What am I even thinking!"
Zoro forced a bitter smile and immediately began rowing, preparing to return home.
However...
He didn't even notice what he was saying.
The boat's direction was opposite to Shimotsuki Village.
Under the influence of his terrible sense of direction, Zoro drifted further and further from the truth.
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East Blue, Loguetown, the Town of the Beginning and the End.
"Hmph, such a thing happened in the East Blue..."
The base commander of Loguetown, Colonel Smoker, had an extremely gloomy expression, his teeth grinding audibly.
"Tashigi, Cocoyasi Village and the surrounding villages are under the jurisdiction of which branch?"
"Report, Mr. Smoker, it's the 16th Branch, and the person in charge is Colonel Nezumi!"
The bespectacled Sergeant Tashigi replied.
"Nezumi! What a Nezumi! Tell him to get over here... No, I'll go see for myself!"
Smoker stood up and strode out the door.
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East Blue, 16th Branch.
"This is bad! This is bad! This is really bad! Arlong is such a good-for-nothing, to actually be taken down! And to be taken down is one thing, but all these matters have been exposed!"
Colonel Nezumi twisted his mouse-like mustache, pacing anxiously.
"No, I must draw a clear line with this matter. Those ignorant villagers, they absolutely cannot be allowed to speak nonsense! Someone, prepare a ship for me, I'm going to Cocoyasi Village now!"
...