Sabaody Archipelago.
Departing from Cape Twins, it doesn't matter which magnetic route you choose: all of them inevitably lead to the imposing and insurmountable Red Line. A colossal wall of land that separates the seas, as if the world itself had been split by a brutal and irrevocable cut.
That's why all pirates with nowhere else to go end up converging on this archipelago. After docking their ships, these seafaring adventurers seek one last challenge before crossing the final line: Fish-Man Island. The gateway to the dreaded New World.
And today, once again, the island was abuzz with unusual activity.
Entire families of Marines evacuated from Marine Headquarters were being transferred here, one after another, like pieces being rearranged on a chessboard.
But it wasn't just civilians and soldiers arriving.
Silently, without any official announcement, a small yellow submarine emerged at the discreet docks of one of the relay stations.
Its name was proudly painted on the side: "Polar Tang."
Emblazoned on the vessel, a black flag with a strange and menacing smiley face surrounded by the sharp petals of a flower. An emblem that made the most observant shudder.
As soon as the submarine opened, a group of imposing figures emerged, leaping onto the platform. The reaction from the passing locals was inevitable: absolute shock.
"Th-That's the Heart Pirates!"
"Their captain... Trafalgar Law! One of the Supernovas! His bounty is already at 200 million Berries!"
"To think there are more than eight rookie pirates here, all with bounties over 100 million, on this island at the same time..."
"This year's rookies are even more terrifying than those of previous years!"
"I heard one of them has already surpassed 300 million!"
"But... the most dangerous one must be... that Shichibukai."
The exclamations came in rapid succession amidst the commotion, as civilians fled in panic, fearful of getting caught up in some unexpected carnage.
Among the newcomers, one peculiar figure stood out: a polar bear, standing upright on two legs, wearing an orange jumpsuit with long sleeves. His oddly human-like paws adjusted his cap as he looked around, curious about the whispers and stares.
He scratched his head, a bit flustered.
"Captain... everyone's talking about us..." commented the bear, his voice deep but friendly.
Trafalgar Law, with his white hat speckled with black dots and his ever-impassive gaze, kept walking ahead, not even glancing back.
"Let them talk, Bepo. It's not worth wasting time on that."
Bepo hurried to catch up, trotting alongside his captain.
"Sorry... But, Captain… if our goal is to get to Fish-Man Island… do we really need to come through here? I mean… our ship's a submarine, right?"
Law let out a sigh, pausing briefly and tilting his head, glancing sideways at his companion.
"Idiot..." he muttered, without much conviction. "Fish-Man Island is 10,000 meters below the surface. The pressure would crush our submarine long before we ever made it."
Bepo's eyes widened as he scratched his head again, embarrassed.
Law continued, his tone as cold as ever:
"Besides... that's not the only reason we're here."
Bepo tilted his head, curious.
Shortly after, the group entered one of the large plazas of the Archipelago. Unlike the usual chaotic bustle of pirates and civilians, this place seemed relatively empty, except for a dense gathering up ahead.
Hundreds of reporters were crammed together, microphones raised, cameras adjusted, all aimed at a gigantic white cloth where the image of a video Den Den Mushi was being projected. Marines in full uniform carefully handled the large videophone clamps, testing the connections.
Law stopped, his eyes narrowing into an enigmatic smile.
"We've found it."
Bepo looked around, confused.
"Found what?"
Law raised his chin, pointing at the screen.
"If we're here... we can watch the live broadcast of the Marineford War."
The surgeon's gaze grew darker as he crossed his arms and leaned against one of the nearby pillars.
"The clash between Marine Headquarters and the man considered closest to Roger... Whitebeard."
Bepo swallowed hard.
Law continued, as if speaking to himself.
"As one of the Supernovas, it's my duty... to watch."
But deep down, his gaze wasn't fixed solely on the battle.
His thoughts turned to another pirate, a rookie as bold as he was unpredictable.
"Monkey D. Luffy..." he muttered.
In Law's mind, the images intertwined: that straw hat-wearing pirate who, like him, had made a name for himself in recent times... but who now, absurdly, was participating in the war as... a Shichibukai.
"D..." Law halted that thought, his eyes wandering through the shadows of the plaza.
Suddenly, his attention was caught by presences all around.
In different spots of the open square, other notorious figures had already positioned themselves, watching the screen with either interest or disdain.
Law smirked faintly.
"Heh... looks like everyone's curious about this."
He turned, casting one last glance around.
"Let's find a good spot too."
---
At an outdoor café, the sound of clinking cups mixed with the bored sighs of a woman.
With long, shock-pink hair and lips painted with shiny lipstick, she leaned over the table, pouring cup after cup of coffee down her throat.
After every sip, the same ritual:
"Blegh!" she spat the liquid out, making a face. "What garbage!"
Her subordinates around her chuckled nervously, exchanging complicit glances.
"How can you still drink so much... when you hate it so much?" one of them dared to whisper.
She shot him a deadly glare.
It was Jewelry Bonney, captain of the Bonney Pirates, with a bounty of 140 million Berries.
She raised another cup, as if it were a bitter medicine she had to swallow.
"It's better than dying of boredom waiting for this war to start..." she said, before downing yet another gulp.
---
Inside a fancy restaurant, near the panoramic glass window, another Supernova was enjoying his meal in a much more... refined manner.
Savoring perfectly grilled steak cuts with slow, calculated movements, he seemed to completely ignore the tension hanging over the archipelago.
His impeccable suit, his neatly adjusted tie, his presence undeniably mafia-like.
Capone "Gang" Bege, captain of the Fire Tank Pirates, bounty: 138 million Berries.
He chewed calmly, but his eyes... were locked onto the large video broadcast screen outside.
---
In front of one of Sabaody's oldest taverns, chaos erupted.
BOOM!
The front door was violently blasted off its hinges as a group of pirates stormed out in a cloud of dust.
Leading them was a tall man with spiked red hair like needles, growling with rage.
He kicked a table aside, his eyes blazing with fury.
"How dare they serve me such disgusting wine!?" he roared.
Without a second thought, he destroyed the entire tavern with a single brutal move.
Civilians fled in terror as the man stood there, unfazed, staring at the distant screen.
His name echoed everywhere:
Eustass "Captain" Kid, captain of the Kid Pirates. His bounty: 315 million Berries — the highest among all the Supernovas.
He crossed his arms, glaring at the video Den Den Mushi with disdain.
"Hmph. The last dance of the remnants of the old era?"
The wind blew, carrying with it the harbinger of war.
Maritime Circle Calendar: Year 1520.
The pirates who had ventured out to sea this year, all with bounties exceeding 100 million, were all... here.
Gathered, as if fate had woven this encounter with invisible threads.
All of them, without exception, waiting for the same moment.
The beginning of a war that would change the world forever.
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."