"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, could you please try to avoid bombarding Mock Town? Our people and zoologists still need a place to stay while they study and create the avian breeding center for directional birds—the houses there could be put to good use."
On the deck of one of the warships, a CP5 agent nervously swallowed his saliva as he spoke to the towering figure standing before him.
It wasn't that he was cowardly.
But before this man—with his terrifying strength, ruthless methods, and overwhelming presence—even he couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine.
"A place crawling with pirates, even catering to them... It's filthy. And you still want to live there?"
Sakazuki stood before a triple-mounted cannon battery.
Behind him, the three massive, dark barrels pointed directly ahead.
His voice was cold and heavy, not sparing a shred of politeness.
"Forget it. Burn it all down. Later, have your administrative department come and build a clean place to live."
The CP5 agent opened his mouth, but in the end, he dared not say a word in protest.
Shaking his head helplessly, he turned and headed back inside the ship.
Sakazuki ignored him, his burning gaze fixed on the small island slowly rising over the horizon, a chilling smile creeping across his face.
"Hmph. Mock Town... To think such a den of evil could exist right under Marine Headquarters' nose. This time, not a single one will escape."
He wasn't even considering capturing them alive for trial at Enies Lobby.
This was a feast too large to waste.
They would all be slaughtered!
Everything would be burned!
As dusk approached, ship after ship bearing all manner of skull-and-crossbones flags sailed into Mock Town's harbor, like seabirds returning to their nests.
Rough men with dark, sun-scorched skin shouted boisterously as they flooded into the town, dispersing into the bars, restaurants, and brothels scattered throughout.
A glance down any street revealed three or four figures lying in pools of blood—it was unclear whether they were dead or alive.
Here and there, two or three groups were locked in brutal brawls, and it wouldn't be long before another body hit the ground.
Yet amidst all this, the crowds of men and women bustling through the streets showed no surprise whatsoever.
Instead, they cheered and egged the fights on, urging the combatants to kill faster—
After all, fresh blood and death made for excellent drinking companions.
None of them noticed the crimson figure standing atop a small hill not far away, overlooking the filthy town from above.
That figure, of course, was none other than Vice Admiral Sakazuki—candidate for the rank of Admiral—known by his codename: Akainu!
To ensure the complete annihilation of all pirates in the area, he had left the warships on his own, using Geppo to circle around and set foot on Jaya Island.
His mission was to draw everyone's attention to himself while the three Headquarters-class warships closed in, sealing off every possible route of escape.
Akainu raised both arms high above his head, clenching his fists tightly.
At that moment, his fists—and then his entire forearms—began to glow red-hot, emitting thick, black smoke.
The surrounding air temperature surged upward, and the murderous intent in his eyes almost solidified into a tangible killing aura.
"Meteor Volcano!!!"
First, he compressed massive quantities of magma into his shoulders.
Then, using his arms like cannon barrels, he launched magma bombs high into the sky.
During their ascent, the magma bombs would continue to expand.
By the time they reached their peak and began to fall, they had transformed into colossal, blazing magma spheres, resembling scorching meteors plummeting from the heavens.
...
Inside Mock Town.
Some pirates, drunk and staggering shoulder-to-shoulder, drowsily noticed streaks of fire soaring into the sky in the distance.
"Hic~ Bro, what's that?" one slurred.
"Uhh—looks like fireworks. Someone's setting off fireworks. Pretty nice, hehehe," another replied.
"Fireworks?"
More and more people began to notice the situation on the distant hillside.
Until, finally, someone instinctively lifted his head and caught sight of the 'flaming meteors' peeking out from the clouds.
Still dazed, he stared blankly for a moment.
But soon, his eyes widened and the terror on his face grew more and more intense.
The next second, an ear-piercing scream erupted.
"Meteors!!!"
Heads turned in unison. In the eyes of every man and woman on the street, massive, almost indescribable fireballs were hurtling toward them from the sky.
[BOOM——]
Chaos. Complete and utter chaos.
Everyone screamed and fled, desperately rushing toward the harbor.
Yet as soon as these quick-footed individuals neared the port, they found even greater chaos waiting for them.
"War—warships! The Navy is here!!"
"Three Marine Headquarters warships! Oh no, it's over! We're finished! There's no time to escape!"
A pirate collapsed onto the ground in despair.
None of them had ever imagined that Mock Town—peaceful for more than a decade—would see such a day. Had they known, they would never have come.
...
Meanwhile.
Eight Meteor Volcano projectiles had landed successfully, erupting in a deafening series of explosions.
Massive waves of molten lava surged outward in all directions.
Screams, wails, and cries of despair filled the air.
Although only eight magma meteors had fallen, for the small town of Mock Town, they were more than enough.
The rivers of lava flooded the streets, flowing and spreading like a torrent, leaving few safe places to stand.
And that wasn't all.
The three Headquarters-class warships had taken their positions, their broadsides aimed at Mock Town. Each ship carried twelve heavy-caliber cannons, plus a triple-mounted anti-aircraft battery, all roaring as they fired round after round of burning-hot, red-glowing shells.
Massive explosions and fireballs completely engulfed the harbor, and at every moment, pirate ships wrapped in flames sank beneath the sea.
...
On the far side of Jaya Island.
Mont Blanc Cricket gazed at the bright explosions in the distance, his face pale as he listened to the earth-shaking booms.
Without hesitation, he hurriedly took Shoujou and Masira aboard a small boat and fled the island, planning to come back and check on things later.
In doing so, he narrowly avoided this great disaster.
...
The world was a vast expanse of white, with snowflakes swirling through the cold wind. The entire island, blanketed in snow, looked as if it had been covered with a pure, white carpet.
The chains of snowy mountains connected to form an awe-inspiring range, highlighting the majesty of the eight towering peaks that seemed to pierce the clouds.
This was the Drum Kingdom—one of the World Government's member nations.
Situated in the first half of the Grand Line, it was a quintessential winter island.
On the dock, a man with purple hair, wearing a white fur hat and thick winter clothing—the current king, Arnold—swept his gaze over the armed guards stationed around him, then turned to the officials behind him, issuing one reminder after another.
"Is everything ready? In half an hour, the World Government's envoy ship will arrive. Absolutely no mistakes are allowed!"
The officials nodded repeatedly, bowing low as they hastily replied, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. From here to the main peak, everything has been secured. The Lapahn carnivorous rabbits have been lured away with fresh meat to a location 5 kilometres out, and they won't be coming back for several hours. The cable cars have also been inspected multiple times—there's not a single issue."
"Hmm. And those two brats? Why aren't they here yet?" King Arnold asked, a little annoyed.
"Ah... Prince Musshuru and Prince Wapol said it was too cold outside. After all, they're only five or six years old this year—they're still very young," the official answered awkwardly.
"Cold?"
King Arnold scoffed. "Weren't they playing snowball fights outside the castle even in colder weather than this? Who are they trying to fool? They're just bored of waiting around. Never mind them!"
"Your Majesty," one official asked hesitantly, gazing out at the vast, snowy sea, "why is the minister visiting us so suddenly?"
"I don't know either. The notice didn't specify.
But I'm guessing it must be related to this year's Levely. Other than that, I can't imagine what else would warrant a visit from such an important figure."
King Arnold spoke as he patiently stood his ground, waiting.
Sure enough, the World Government's envoy ship arrived right on time.
Escorted by two Marine warships, it slowly entered the harbor of the Drum Kingdom.
Soon, a sharply dressed middle-aged man—wearing a thick black leather overcoat and standing over 2 meters tall—disembarked from one ship. From the other ship, a Marine officer even taller, estimated at 3 meters, followed.
At the same time, squads of well-disciplined, robust Marine soldiers swiftly spread out and took over the port's security within moments.
"Hahaha, welcome, welcome! It is an honor to host Minister Marvany in our country. I will make sure you are well taken care of!"
King Arnold laughed heartily as he walked forward, exuding enthusiasm.
Minister Marvany shook his hand firmly, smiling as he replied, "I'm simply following orders from my superiors. The situation is somewhat complicated—and extremely important—so I came personally."
"Oh? Could you share what it's about?"
King Arnold's heart skipped a beat.
Anything involving the World Government—and described as complicated and important—certainly didn't sound like good news.
"Haha, don't worry. It's good news! Your Drum Kingdom has caught a lucky break this time. Your nation's reputation as a land of medical excellence has spread far and wide overseas."
After speaking, Minister Marvany turned and introduced the towering Marine officer beside him.
"This is Vice Admiral Kuzan, newly appointed as a candidate for the rank of Admiral, codenamed Aokiji. He's here on a very important mission—not just to escort me.
I wouldn't be entitled to such a grand escort otherwise."
"Nice to meet you, King Arnold. I look forward to working with you," Kuzan said, bowing his head slightly and speaking with solemn courtesy.
"Admiral candidate? That top-tier Logia user—the Ice-Ice Fruit wielder?!"
King Arnold was stunned, and a deep sense of unease and foreboding grew even stronger in his heart.