Marine Headquarters Waters · Guts Warship
The sea winds howled, white sails billowing high.
A standard-format Navy medium warship cut through the waves, heading back towards the heart of the Grand Line—the symbol of the world's order and authority, Marineford.
Inside the warship's command room.
A dedicated encrypted military Den Den Mushi rested quietly on the metal console, its shell engraved with the unique emblem of the Headquarters, solemn and imposing.
The Den Den Mushi blinked with a click-clack, slowly adjusting its antenna as it awaited the connection.
Guts stood before the communications console, his uniform crisp, his cape fluttering, the sword at his waist sheathed with a cold gleam.
His expression calm, he raised his hand and decisively pressed the connect button.
—[Beep—Connection established]—
From the Den Den Mushi came a stern, solemn announcement.
"Office of Admiral Sakazuki, Marine Headquarters."
*****
Marineford · Admiral's Private Office
Under the blazing sun, the snow-white buildings of the headquarters stood tall and unshaken.
Inside the office, the atmosphere was heavy.
Sakazuki, clad in his uniform with his admiral's coat draped over the chair, was steadily reviewing stacks of thick military reports.
The oppressive heat of his presence, like molten magma, filled the entire room, making the very air seem to tremble slightly.
The vibration of the Den Den Mushi interrupted his work.
He frowned, his thick fingers slowly pressing the answer button.
From the other end of the line came a young yet steady voice.
"Lieutenant Guts, East Blue cleanup operation complete. Currently en route, expected to arrive at headquarters within three days."
Concise. Calm. Decisive.
Not a single unnecessary word.
Sakazuki's pen paused.
On his perpetually iron-hard face, the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Then.
Like a river of fire surging beneath a layer of volcanic rock.
He let out a low, hoarse chuckle, his tone still cold.
"Brat... finally coming back, huh."
But deep within him, the tides were churning.
'After all these years of waiting, He finally return!'
'Steady, ruthless, precise and most importantly.... he didn't embarrass me!'
'No surprise—he's my nephew, the heir I've acknowledged—The banner of the Marine's future vanguard will one day fly across the entire sea!.
Sakazuki slammed the military reports shut with a sharp motion, his voice booming through the office.
"Orders—"
"All mid-to-high-ranking officers under my command, assemble and prepare to welcome Lieutenant Guts' return!"
"Full alert, no extravagance, standard first-class reception protocol!"
"Inform Sengoku-san—I'll personally go to receive him!"
The stand on duty officer's expression stiffened upon hearing this, nearly stumbling as he quickly saluted and dashed off to relay the order.
Meanwhile, Sakazuki slowly rose to his feet, his eyes burning like flames as he gazed down at the distant sea.
The fierce wind whipped at his cape.
Molten rage and suppressed pride churned within him.
"My last remaining family... I'll protect them to the end!"
As Sakazuki's phone call concluded, the atmosphere among the Marine's top brass subtly shifted, with each reacting differently to the news of his imminent return to headquarters.
*****
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's Office
Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood up, his tall frame towering as he spoke with calm composure.
"Guts' return is indeed good news."
His steady voice carried an unhurried confidence.
"The complete pacification of East Blue undoubtedly proves his capabilities."
He paused briefly, a thoughtful glint flashing in his eyes.
"However, with his reputation as the 'Hardline Faction,' Guts' brand of justice might be too intense, potentially sparking unnecessary conflicts."
Vice Admiral Tsuru, seated beside Sengoku, frowned slightly and remarked quietly.
"I share your concerns. Guts' decisiveness and ruthlessness are indeed astonishing, but his tactical approach tends to be direct—so much so that many consider him overly aggressive in pursuing results."
Adjusting her glasses slightly, she continued, "With more patience, he might integrate better into our vast and complex system."
"So the kid's finally coming back, eh?"
Garp burst into laughter, his expression as carefree as ever.
"He cleaned up East Blue even more thoroughly than I did—and more violently too."
Stretching lazily, he maintained his cheerful grin.
"Though I'm quite looking forward to seeing him again."
Garp showed no particular concern, appearing completely at ease.
*****
Admiral Aokiji's Office
Aokiji remained at headquarters, idly going through paperwork when news of Guts' return reached him.
He sighed softly, closing his eyes briefly with a faint, bitter smile.
"Tch, seems even my quiet corner won't stay peaceful for long." Aokiji murmured, lifting his gaze to the ceiling.
"That kid... he's just too brutal."
His voice carried exhaustion and resignation.
While not opposed to Guts' methods, Aokiji preferred seeking compromise and peaceful solutions over Guts' excessively aggressive approach.
*****
Admiral Kizaru's Office
Upon hearing of Guts' impending return, Kizaru swayed his golden sunglasses lightly and exhaled softly.
"Ohhh~ So it's finally happening..." Kizaru chuckled while gazing thoughtfully out the window.
"That kid... he's certainly strong."
Yet his usual nonchalant smile remained, maintaining his characteristically detached and wise demeanor.
He rarely involved himself in the Marine's internal or external conflicts, preserving his seemingly lazy yet insightful persona.
*****
As dawn's first light broke, the waves of the Grand Line churned under ocean winds while the battleship cut through the air like an arrow, steadily sailing toward the world's center—Marineford.
Inside the command room.
Guts stood at attention in his crisp uniform, cape fluttering slightly with the air currents.
He remained at the center of the chamber, expression composed, his dark eyes fathomless.
East Blue pacified.
This was the information he chose to reveal.
As for the unification of Skypiea, the subjugation of Enel...
Those trump cards—It's not yet time to reveal it.
Guts slowly clenched his fingers, his knuckles lightly tapping against the control panel.
The sound was like the low rumble of distant thunder, hinting at the hidden edge lurking beneath the surface.
"...See you at HQ."
The Den Den Mushi clicked as the line disconnected, its expression reverting to a blank stare.
Snap—!
The communication was completely severed.
Guts turned around, his black cloak slicing through the air in a cold, sharp arc—like a hidden blade cutting through the morning sea mist.
Puck had long been leaning impatiently by the door, grinning as he swung his heavy cutlass, asking bluntly.
"Boss, all settled? What's HQ's reaction?"
Guts raised an eyebrow, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk flashing at the corner of his lips.
"What else could it be?"
"—Those old bastards at HQ are just waiting to see us fail."
His tone was casual, but beneath every word lurked a killing intent.
Puck burst into laughter at that, hoisting his heavy cutlass onto his shoulder with a hearty guffaw.
"Perfect! I was just itching for a fight!"
"Let's see who ends up embarrassed—us or them, crying and begging for forgiveness!"
The flames of battle burned fiercely in his eyes, not a trace of fear to be seen.
The soldiers aboard the warship also grinned as they adjusted their uniforms, their gazes sharp and brimming with confidence.
These warriors, who had followed Guts through countless bloody battles, were already prepared to claim their battlefield glory.
And in a corner nearby—
Enel leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, his earlobes twitching as he muttered under his breath.
"This god... this god is a being destined to shake the world... How dare mere Marines look down upon this god's might—"
Whack!
Puck laughed as he smacked the back of Enel's head, nearly sending him face-first into the floor.
"Enough, you little zealot! Stay put, a mere Seaman recruit shouldnt cause trouble!"
Enel's hair practically stood on end, his earlobes twitching violently.
He was about to retaliate with a thunderous strike when Puck shot him a fierce glare, forcing him to swallow the lightning back down, grinding his teeth in frustration.
The scene was hilariously hillarious.
But everyone knew this was just a brief moment of respite before the storm.
The real battlefield wasn't just at sea.
Behind those towering white walls—Among those high-ranking Marines who preached justice while scheming in the shadows.
The wind whipped up the waves, the white sea stretching like a ribbon.
The warship cut through the waves, its flag snapping sharply in the wind.
The outline of Marineford gradually emerged in the morning light.
And that island, symbolizing the "Justice of the World," was about to face a new baptism.
Guts stood silently at the bow, his black hair slightly tousled, his black cloak billowing like a war banner.
In his eyes reflected the flames of war about to ignite.
This time.
He would tear out the Marines' corruption from its rotting core with his own hands!