Sea Circle Calendar Year 1500,
At the harbor of the Sabaody Archipelago,
A massive, long-dormant ship had been re-polished and restored, now docked by the shore.
"What a nostalgic sight… Oro Jackson."
Orin stepped onto the deck and looked around at the various facilities. Those days felt as though they had just passed yesterday.
There was no sorrow or farewell—at Orin's speed, if anything urgent came up, he could return immediately.
Only Rayleigh had teary eyes as he watched the giant ship disappear into the distance.
...
At the same time, amidst the crowd watching near the harbor, several unusual figures were hidden.
To Sammi, Rayleigh, and the others, Orin setting sail again was nothing more than a small chapter in everyday life.
That was because they understood him well enough.
But to the rest of the world,
Orin wasn't just a name.
He was a symbol of an era!
Before a new king had emerged, he was the man considered by most of the world to be the one most likely to claim the title of "King"—
Black Gun Orin!
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford
"Beru beru beru beru…"
"Reporting to HQ! A critical incident has occurred!!!" a rapid-fire voice shouted from the other side of the Den Den Mushi.
Upon hearing this urgent report, the operator furrowed his brows, his expression tightening.
"Go ahead!"
"Report: This morning, Black Gun Orin and Hawk Eyes Mihawk set sail together!"
"???"
Hearing that, the operator was speechless.
Orin frequently appeared in the red-light district of the Sabaody Archipelago—it wasn't exactly a secret. The World Government had been aware of it for years.
As for Dracule Mihawk joining him, it wasn't a huge deal from the Navy's perspective. He was just a fledgling swordsman, after all.
But the intelligence agent's next words made the operator freeze on the spot, his pupils trembling, cold sweat pouring down uncontrollably.
"They're sailing aboard the former Pirate King Gol D. Roger's Oro Jackson! All signs indicate that this is no casual trip!!"
"Nani!!!"
...
Thus,
The news that Black Gun Orin had once again returned to the seas spread like wildfire, drawing the full attention of countless powerful factions around the world.
This was also why Orin chose not to depart quietly.
He wanted the world to know—
Unlike the rest of Roger's crew, Orin had not retired.
The Navy even convened an emergency meeting for this.
"According to reliable intel, today, Black Gun and Hawk Eyes have boarded the Oro Jackson and are preparing to be active at sea again. We must prepare accordingly!"
Sengoku sat at the head of the table. These days, he had gradually taken charge of many of the Navy's operations.
Facing the assembled officers, he said solemnly.
"Wahahahaha, Sengoku! If you'd just given the order, I'd have gone to the Sabaody Archipelago and captured that brat myself! No need for all this fuss!"
Crunch crunch...
Garp grinned, munching on senbei as he spoke with his usual carefree attitude.
"Shut up, Garp!"
Seeing this old man speak so casually, Sengoku stood up in a fury, roaring.
"Engaging Orin is strictly forbidden—by order of the World Government!"
In truth,
Sengoku wasn't the only one who found the situation grave.
Below the platform, several others reacted even more intensely.
Boom...
Crack crack...
Sulfurous heat waves and frigid air burst simultaneously into the office, as two Vice Admirals' faces twisted into nasty expressions.
Even Kuzan—who usually wasn't that extreme—showed the same level of hostility as Sakazuki.
It wasn't hard to imagine that if Orin appeared in front of them now, both might risk violating military protocol to take action.
Who could blame them?
Orin had been utterly outrageous—
Right at Marine Headquarters, he had beaten the strongest, most anti-pirate figure, Sakazuki.
As for Kuzan…
No need to say more. Those who know, know.
Only Borsalino seemed relatively calm upon hearing the name. A bit of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, but he said softly:
"~ That monster among monsters, Orin, is making waves again at sea~"
"Kuzan, Sakazuki—pull yourselves together! This is no time for theatrics!"
Seeing the elemental leakage from both men, Sengoku's head throbbed, but he still said sternly:
"Our top priority is executing the World Government's command—
Initiate the Buster Call on Ohara!
You two, do not cause any more trouble at this time!"
Upon hearing this, the two finally suppressed their raging emotions and fell into cold silence.
...
New World,
Totto Land, Whole Cake Island.
This was a land like a fairy tale—trees made of candy, rivers of chocolate, dancing and singing plants.
And ruling over it all was one of the rulers of the New World, a born monster, former member of the Rocks Pirates—
BIG MOM, Charlotte Linlin!
Inside her castle,
A figure came running at top speed, barging into the grand, lavish room, flustered and out of breath.
"Ma… Mama…"
"There's news about Black Gun Orin! He's set sail!"
Upon hearing the report, the plump matron who had been indulging in desserts finally lifted her head.
Beside her, a tall man wrapped in a massive scarf, his face and mouth completely covered, also raised his eyes, his expression grave.
Big Mom no longer possessed the charm of her youth. Years of binging on sweets and constant childbirth had taken their toll—
Though not yet the sphere-like figure she'd become later in life, her body was already far from its former glory.
When she heard the news, she paused for a moment—
Then her terrifying gaze locked onto the Homies soldier delivering the message, the cake by her lips now ignored.
After confirming she hadn't misheard,
She suddenly grinned.
A look of intense excitement and desire lit up her face!
"Mamamamamama~ That brat Orin is finally of age?! That's wonderful news!!!"
Katakuri, seeing this, looked troubled.
He knew exactly what his mother was thinking.
"Mama… regarding Black Gun Orin, we…"
If she gave the order to bring Orin back, it would be an impossible mission.
He'd done his research—
Even his proudest ability, Observation Haki, might not match the rumored talent of that man who was born with Observation.
"Mamamama… I know that, of course. Orin isn't someone you lot can handle."
"But we can still send him a message—I believe he'll be intrigued!"
The world's strongest woman, Charlotte Linlin, raised her hands high, her eyes glinting with madness and excitement:
"If he agrees—With our combined Conqueror's Haki potential, my iron skin physique, and his natural brute strength and Observation Haki—"
"The child we'd create…"
"Would undoubtedly surpass Roger, Whitebeard, even Rocks"
"A monster strong enough to rule the entire world!!"
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Chapter for the review