Grand Line — First Half.
At the bustling port of Ligal Island, the Wind Scythe Pirates were busy loading supplies under the sharp gaze of their captain, "Cyclone" Nigel.
Suddenly, a languid, mocking voice drifted from behind him.
"Excuse me, could I trouble you for a moment~?"
"Would you mind putting on these handcuffs yourself~?"
"Fifty-eight million bounty, 'Cyclone' North Nigel~"
At the sound, Nigel's hand slid to his sword hilt. A flash of killing intent gleamed in his eyes.
In one smooth motion, he drew his blade and lashed out behind him—a swirling wind blade, razor-sharp, spiraled straight toward Borsalino.
The blade sliced through Borsalino's body, cutting him into gleaming golden segments that scattered across the ground.
A sighing, almost bored voice responded:
"Ooh, that was quick~"
"Chopped to pieces in an instant, huh~?"
"So troublesome~"
But Borsalino's body reformed from points of light, whole and unharmed. He raised an index finger, aiming it at Nigel. Cross-shaped golden light pooled and spun at his fingertip.
"Well then~"
"Are you ready to surrender, Mr. Wanted Man~?"
Nigel scowled, watching Borsalino reassemble. Damn it—a Logia...
He gripped his sword tighter, channeling his ability. Blades of wind visibly spun along the length of the blade.
He drew a deep breath, then unleashed his full power in a sweeping slash.
"Scythe: Storm Dance!"
A monstrous tornado, nearly a hundred meters tall, erupted and roared toward Borsalino, shredding everything in its path with razor wind.
At the same moment, Nigel bolted for his pirate ship.
"Drop the cargo!"
"Everyone, fall back!"
The dragon-like twister barreled forward, growing larger as it went.
Borsalino glanced up, sounding almost amused.
"How dangerous~ What if someone gets hurt~?"
He flicked his finger. A golden laser beam shot straight into the heart of the tornado.
BOOM—!
A searing blast detonated at the twister's core. The violent wave of heat ripped the tornado apart, scattering wind blades in every direction. They slashed through buildings, shattering homes and shops alike.
Borsalino surveyed the devastation, voice still lazy:
"So troublesome~ That was a bit much, wasn't it~?"
"Mr. Wanted Man~"
He lifted his right foot, golden light swirling around it, as he watched the fleeing pirates scramble for their ship.
"Speed is power~"
A shrill burst split the air as a laser beam fired from his foot.
BOOM!!
A massive explosion erupted right in front of the boarding pirates. The fireball soared skyward, easily several times the size of their ship. In a heartbeat, the entire vessel was vaporized, leaving only blistering heat in its wake.
Dozens of pirates collapsed in terror, frozen, their instincts to flee wiped out by pure shock.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap...
The crisp sound of dress shoes echoed across the port as Borsalino strolled over.
"Now, will you kindly put on the handcuffs~?"
"Mr. Wanted Man~"
"North Nigel~"
Snapping back to himself, Nigel's eyes burned with defiance. His longsword surged with power, wind blades stretching three meters beyond the steel.
He darted forward, leaving afterimages in his wake. A flurry of razor-sharp wind blades shot toward Borsalino.
Borsalino opened his mouth in a comically wide "O":
"Ooh, scary~"
In an instant, a three-meter blade of golden light formed in his hand.
"Ama no Murakumo Sword~"
Dazzling gold flashed as he sliced through every attack with pinpoint precision. Then, in one smooth motion, he brought the light blade down on the charging Nigel.
Clang!
Light met wind, the two forces crackling at the point of contact.
Borsalino looked down at Nigel, who was being steadily forced to his knees.
"Looks like your long journey ends here~"
"Mr. Wanted Man~"
Across the port, wind blades and laser beams tore the battlefield apart...
———
New World — Paya Island, Port.
A young man with slicked-back hair, draped in a black coat and sporting golden earrings, lounged atop a wooden crate by his ship. In his hands, the latest newspaper rustled.
He paused, something in the headlines catching his eye. It was about the recent war in the New World—how the territories once divided by the three emperors had become a battleground for the new generation of pirates.
"Interesting. Very interesting."
"Hahahahahaha!"
"How could I possibly miss out on something like this?"
Crocodile sprang to his feet.
"Oi, you lot!"
His underlings, busy loading cargo, turned to him.
"Yeah, boss!"
With a cocky, toothy grin, Crocodile barked:
"Set sail!"
———
North Blue — Pado Island, the kingdom at the world's edge.
Inside the Brian home, Dragon faced a frail, silver-haired old woman.
In the end, he couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth about Brian's death. Instead, he pressed some Belly into her hands, telling her it was money Brian had earned, that he was simply too busy to come home.
Quietly, he buried Brian's keepsakes beneath the ginkgo tree outside, then sat with the old woman, chatting about the island's little things.
The more he learned, the stronger his resolve to change this world grew.
With a heavy sigh, he glanced at the darkening sky. After saying goodbye to the old woman as she cooked, he left the yard.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, he transformed into a gentle breeze—and vanished.
What Dragon didn't know was…
Inside, the old woman had long since stopped stirring her pot. Tear after tear fell, soaking into the earth. It was a long time before they stopped—she simply had no more tears left to cry.
She dragged her rocking chair beneath the ginkgo tree and lay back, rocking gently. Beside her, where Dragon had buried Brian's belongings, the faint scent of the sachet she'd once made for her grandson lingered in the air.
She murmured, over and over:
"It's good you're back."
"It's good you're back…"
———
Grand Line — First Half, Ligal Island.
By now, the sun was setting.
The port was littered with the unconscious and the dead. At the feet of a man in a slightly soiled coat lay "Cyclone" Nigel, his body battered and bloodied, mouth agape, eyes rolled back. Only the faint rise and fall of his chest showed he still clung to life.
Borsalino pulled out a Den Den Mushi and dialed.
"Moshi moshi~"
"Moshi moshi~"
After a long silence, Borsalino let out a sigh.
"So troublesome~ Why won't anyone pick up~?"
———
A few days later.
Marine Headquarters — Marineford, Conference Room.
Once all the summoned officers had arrived, Fleet Admiral Kong held up a newspaper and a thick document.
"Alright, everyone's here."
"Let's get to the point."
"This meeting concerns the trial implementation of the Seven Warlords of the Sea system…"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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