MARINE HEADQUARTERS (PARADISE)
The Marine Headquarters stood as the beating heart of naval power—a formidable division that held dominion over the Grand Line. It was one of the Three Great Powers of the world, standing tall alongside legendary pirates such as Gol D. Roger and Edward 'Whitebeard' Newgate, and the overwhelming might of the World Government.
Marines stationed here were not just elite—they were super-elite, warriors who dwarfed their comrades across the seas. A rank here carried weight, standing nearly threefold above its equivalent at any other base. This sacred stronghold of justice, Marineford, lay nestled in the first half of the Grand Line—Paradise.
Accessible only through the formidable Gates of Justice—alongside Enies Lobby and Impel Down—Marineford was a military fortress in every sense. Towering walls rose high with the bold kanji for 'Marines' emblazoned at the front, their insignia proudly centred. Atop the colossal building rested a multi-tiered tower fashioned like an ancient Japanese pagoda. Each corner of the stronghold was flanked by a mountain, crowned with a building flying the Marine flag.
Below the base lay Marineford Town, home to the families of stationed soldiers. Beyond that stood Oris Plaza, the site of the infamous execution platform. The entire island curved in a crescent shape, and at its front opened the waters of Marineford Bay, glistening and deep.
At the helm of this bastion stood one man—Fleet Admiral Kong. Commander of the entire Marine force, Kong held beneath him the greatest living soldiers. Among them was 'Black Arm' Zephyr, the only man holding the title of Admiral. Then came Vice-Admiral Tsuru, a tactical genius. Vice-Admiral Sengoku, level-headed and ruthlessly strategic. And Vice-Admiral Monkey D. Garp, the legendary 'Garp the Fist', feared and famed as the Hero of the Marines.
These weren't just names. These were titans. And with the recent implementation of a new training regimen by the World Government, the Marines' future had never looked more promising. Each year brought new waves of powerful soldiers—graduates forged from fire and discipline. In Kong's eyes, that future gleamed.
He stood on the balcony of his office, arms folded, gaze fixed upon the sprawling training grounds below. Recruits were being pushed to their limits. The demand for strength was higher than ever, especially with figures like the Vice-Admirals who had already far exceeded the qualifications for Admiral, yet declined the title out of stubborn pride. And then there was Zephyr—Admiral and legend—now forming elite units of his own.
The people were inspired. Eager. Hungry to stand beside their heroes.
Kong's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Enter," he said curtly.
The door opened, and in walked the very figures who had just occupied his mind. Garp. Sengoku. Tsuru. Zephyr. All four in one place. Kong raised an eyebrow.
That could only mean one thing—something big had happened.
He returned to his chair, lowering himself with a sigh and sharp eyes. "So, what happened now?"
The group exchanged glances before their eyes landed on Garp. Kong followed their gaze and locked onto the Marine Hero.
Garp scratched the back of his head, his face a mixture of annoyance and disbelief. "Well... a few days ago, I ran into the Roger Pirates—"
Kong gave a silent nod, urging him to continue.
"I confronted them. They were celebrating—some kind of party for a new member joining the crew."
Kong's expression sharpened instantly.
"A new member?" he muttered.
Garp nodded. "Yeah. So I did what I do—I challenged them. But to my surprise, Roger didn't face me himself. Instead, he sent the new guy. At first, I thought they were making fun of me…"
He paused, the room growing tense.
"…but then that guy did something that nearly made my heart stop."
Everyone leaned forward, anticipation thick in the air.
"His name's Bob. He drew and sheathed his sword so fast that even with Advanced Observation Haki, I couldn't follow it. And when I used my technique—Galaxy Divide—his counter completely nullified it."
Silence.
The weight of that statement lingered.
The strongest among them blinked. Then frowned.
If Garp's words were true, then this wasn't just some new recruit. This was a problem. Someone who could bypass Garp's Observation Haki and outright cancel one of his most devastating attacks? That wasn't just rare—it was almost unheard of.
While the others began probing further about this 'Bob,' Kong remained still. Lost in thought.
Where in the world did Roger find someone like this? If someone that strong existed, how had the Marines never heard of him?
He narrowed his eyes and addressed Garp directly. "Is there anything else we should know about this… Bob?"
Garp gave a sheepish nod. "Yeah. His outfit was different. Black kimono. And he carried a really big sword. I mean, one of the biggest I've seen."
He stretched out his arms, gesturing the scale.
"That's a nodachi," Sengoku explained. "A long-bladed katana from Wano Country."
He glanced at Kong. "From the way Garp describes him, there's only one conclusion—"
"—He's from Wano," Tsuru finished.
Zephyr crossed his arms. "But Wano's borders are closed. How did the Roger Pirates even get in?"
"Who knows?" Tsuru replied. "Maybe they found him. Maybe he found them. But if he really is from Wano, that would explain why we've never heard of him."
Everyone nodded.
"But here's the real problem," Sengoku said, voice low and heavy. "If Garp's account is accurate, then this Bob is already on par with Rayleigh or Scopper Gaban... maybe even Roger himself."
The silence returned.
Someone like that, joining Roger?
That was a terrifying thought.
Kong groaned and rubbed his temples. "Damn that Roger… always giving me headaches."
He looked back up at Garp. "Do we have a picture?"
"Yeah," Garp nodded. "Bogard managed to snap a clear shot of him."
"Good. Send it to the bounty department. I want a bounty issued—immediately."
Zephyr raised an eyebrow. "How much?"
Tsuru responded, "Start low. If we go too high, it'll cause a mass panic among the civilians."
Kong gave a decisive nod. "Then it's settled. Place a 600 million bounty on him. Let's see how he handles the weight of the world."
The matter of the Roger Pirates was closed.
But another question remained.
"Any news on the other Rocks Pirates?" Kong asked.
Garp shrugged. "Other than Edward Newgate, no word."
"Well," Sengoku interjected, "I did hear rumours. Someone matching Golden Lion Shiki's description was spotted in the New World."
Everyone tensed.
Zephyr clicked his tongue in frustration. "Tch. Why can't they just stay hidden? Things were better that way."
Kong gave a weary nod. "I get it, Z. But at least now we've got something to track."
He turned to Tsuru. "Any updates on Charlotte Linlin?"
Tsuru shook her head. "None. After the Buster Call on Totto Land, she vanished. Completely. She's hiding with her children and hasn't shown her face since."
"I doubt she'll come out anytime soon," Garp added. "Those Holy Land elites are still after her. I don't know what she did, but the moment she resurfaces, the Five Elders won't stay quiet."
Everyone nodded grimly.
No one knew exactly what Charlotte Linlin had done to provoke the World Government so personally. But one thing was certain:
When she finally showed her face again...
The world would burn.
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