Sakazuki narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Report Mihawk's whereabouts to me through Headquarters Intelligence."
"This guy's got enough arrogance, and a backbone to match."
"When Cleansing Campaign ends, grind that backbone of his to dust for me."
"Navy Hunter... heh."
Bullet grinned viciously.
"Understood."
"I like guys with a hard backbone the most."
"Let's see how long he can keep it up."
He clenched both fists before his chest, joints cracking.
...
Grand Line, first half.
The Kuja Pirates sailed across the sea.
The twelve-year-old Boa Hancock sat on the head of the snake pulling the ship, holding a telescope, playing pirate games with her two sisters.
Orange-haired Boa Marigold stood by the starboard railing.
"Starboard side clear of ships!"
Green-haired Boa Sandersonia stood by the port railing.
"Port side clear of ships!"
Hancock peered through her telescope.
"Nothing ahead!"
"Clear visibility, no abnormalities!"
Two female warriors emerged from the cold storage, carrying ingredients.
"Don't fall into the sea, Hancock."
Hancock turned her head.
"Don't treat me like a fool!"
"How could I fall into the sea!"
"I'm already a warrior who can stand on her own!"
The two female warriors, still holding the food, chuckled.
"Hi hi~"
"Then the patrol work's in your hands."
"Good luck!"
They walked off toward the dining hall.
Hancock's sisters looked at her with worshipful eyes.
"As expected of Hancock!"
"So amazing!!!"
"Let's help with the patrol too!"
At some point... three shadows appeared beneath the ship.
Using special equipment, they clung to the vessel's hull.
Watching the three little girls draw closer.
The slave traders' lips curled into wicked smiles...
Whoosh—
Hancock suddenly turned around.
"There's—"
The sleeping drug took effect instantly, and she collapsed.
Only a mess of wet footprints was left behind...
Before long.
When the female warriors from earlier returned carrying several watermelons—
"Must be hungry, I brought snacks!"
There was no answer. She froze.
"Hancock?"
"Sandersonia? Marigold?"
...
East Blue, an unnamed island.
Dragon stood at the mountain peak, wearing a dark green cloak, quietly waiting.
Far across the sea, a Navy warship grew from a speck to full view before docking at the shore.
Dragon turned, looking at the newborn baby sleeping peacefully behind him, and smiled softly.
"Come on, let's go see your grandpa."
Midway up the mountain.
Garp, meeting Dragon, couldn't help clenching his fists.
"What the hell are you doing, Dragon?"
Others might not recognize the man on the wanted poster, but as his father...
Even with tattoos across his face and altered features, he recognized his son instantly.
Dragon was silent for a moment.
"Sorry, Father."
"This matter is too important."
"Please forgive me for not being able to tell you more."
"This time, I've come to ask you to take care of Luffy."
Garp stared blankly as he accepted the baby Dragon handed him.
"Luffy?"
Dragon gave a quiet nod.
"Luffy."
"My son."
A vein bulged on Garp's forehead.
"Since when—"
Dragon's body began to fade from the feet upward.
"The time isn't ripe."
"Luffy's identity must never be revealed."
"Otherwise..."
His form dispersed entirely into the breeze.
Holding Luffy in one arm, Garp slammed his fist into the spot where Dragon had stood.
"You bastard!"
His sudden movement startled the baby awake.
"Ahhhh!!!"
The crying rang out, and Garp scrambled in a panic toward the warship.
"Don't cry! Don't cry!"
"Damn it! That bastard Dragon!!!"
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Rosinante, now a Lieutenant Commander, returned home.
He sat on the sofa, looking tired, his expression dazed.
In his hands was a newspaper.
The headline reported the Donquixote Pirates' announcement of an arms deal in the North Blue.
"So it's come to this already."
"Brother..."
He sat blankly on the sofa.
By the time he came back to himself, it was already late at night.
Click!
The lights flicked on.
Sengoku, returning home after a busy day, looked at the dazed Rosinante with some confusion.
"What's wrong, Rosinante?"
Rosinante took a deep breath, having made up his mind.
"Father, I want to..."
...
New World, Punk Hazard.
Enel, looking quite pleased with himself, handed a device to Vegapunk.
"Heh heh."
"Teacher, I brought you something good!"
Vegapunk's clothes were rumpled, as though he hadn't slept in days.
"Oh?"
"What is it?"
Enel grinned.
"Research data and journals on the Lineage Factor by Vinsmoke Judge."
"And complete production chain information."
Vegapunk's eyes widened.
"So the government made a move?"
Enel scratched his head sheepishly.
"No, I stole it myself."
"It's no big deal."
"Sakazuki-san already smoothed it over."
Vegapunk's mouth twitched. Indeed... that domineering style—other than Sakazuki, no one would dare.
"Quick, quick, hook it up to the screen."
"Let me take a look."
Enel pulled his hand back.
"No."
"I think you should sleep first."
"This isn't the kind of data you can go through in a short while."
"You need to get some rest first."
Vegapunk looked a little helpless.
"This..."
Enel smiled.
"Your dark circles are already showing."
"A little delay won't matter."
"Why push yourself so hard?"
Vegapunk froze for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
"Alright then."
"Stay on the island for a while."
"I'll get some sleep first."
Enel nodded.
"Alright."
Shaking his head with a smile, Vegapunk turned and walked toward the lounge next to the lab.
Time passed slowly...
...
Punk Hazard, evening.
Vegapunk awoke after sleeping most of the day.
He stretched.
"Hah—"
He loosened up and pushed the door open.
As soon as he stepped into the office, he heard Enel's surprised voice.
"Hah?"
"Undercover?"
"Undercover for what?"
"What pirate crew—just wipe them out."
"Sakazuki-san and Bullet shouldn't have left the North Blue yet."
"I'll tell them right now, let them take action."
"So thorough they won't even find the pirates' ashes."
At home in Headquarters, Rosinante looked helpless.
"No, no, no."
"I want to handle this myself, Enel."
"It's mainly because... he's my own brother."
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Enel frowned slightly.
"I see..."
If it's his real brother... yeah, killing him would be awkward, and having outsiders interfere wouldn't feel right either.
"When are you leaving?"
Rosinante replied.
"Around the end of the year."
"I've already started preparing the forged background records."
Enel's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Alright, wait for me."
"I'll send you something."
Clack—
Enel hung up and stood.
Vegapunk walked over.
"What's the matter, Enel?"