The scorching sun poured straight down onto the vast, endless sea.
Even though massive tsunamis were predicted to hit this region in the coming days, today the ocean remained perfectly calm, as if it could embrace everything in the world.
The wind howled across the sails, giving the already fast-moving Going Merry another boost.
On a sea train departing the Water 7 at the same time and in the same direction, passengers pressed to one side, eyes wide with shock as the Going Merry raced past at a speed several times faster than their train, disappearing into the horizon.
From the shipyard's high vantage point, Iceburg and the shipwrights watched the Merry carve a white line across the sea, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief.
The cigar in the shipwright mouth slipped from his lips to the deck.
"Th-this… this is… the world of the strong?!"
...
The Going Merry surged forward, cutting through the waves with unrestrained speed.
The ship sprit, Merry, floated above the ship, using the navigation dial to guide the vessel.
Boten Wuten stood atop the lookout platform, honing his body while keeping an eye out for anything unusual.
The ship's guardian, Laboon, remained hidden deep beneath the waves.
Despite his massive size, Laboon's speed was no slower than the Merry itself.
Schools of fish and Sea Kings along the route didn't even have time to comprehend what was happening before being sucked into his enormous, gaping mouth, reduced to their most basic nutrients.
Meanwhile, as the Merry sped across the sea, a newspaper spread shocking news, shaking the calm ocean even further.
[World Government Announcement: Marco, the Phoenix and Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, to undergo public execution.
Date: 7th October, 1521 Sea Calendar
Location: Marine Headquarters, Marineford]
Only three days remained until this date.
Unfortunately…
No matter how fast the seagulls carrying newspapers flew, they could not catch up to the Going Merry.
As a result, Luffy and the crew remained completely unaware of this world-shaking news.
...
Inside the Merry's cabin, the Starry Sky Pirates eagerly prepared themselves, fists clenched, eyes shining with excitement.
This excitement wasn't about their future companion, Franky.
After Luffy explained the details of Judicial Island and the CP system, everyone understood: their next enemy would be the entire World Government!
They were about to take on one of the world's most powerful organizations.
The thought alone was thrilling.
Especially for Sanji.
Since Zoro's bounty had been announced, he had been quietly stewing, determined to surpass Zoro's 550 million bounty in one go.
The World Government's judicial institutions were perfect targets to make a name for himself!
"Luffy, what kind of person is our new ally?"
Just as everyone was preparing, bored Zoro suddenly tossed out a question that piqued everyone's curiosity.
Luffy, sitting on the sofa, lowered his head and smiled slightly, his voice tinged with an odd sense of mystery:
"He's… a pervert."
...
Judicial Island is the World Government's judicial stronghold—a court in name only.
Anyone brought here for trial, no matter the circumstances, is inevitably declared a criminal.
These "criminals" ultimately face the cold, unforgiving Gate of Justice.
The Marine Headquarters in the Grand Line, Judicial Island, and the deep-sea prison of Impel Down are connected in a triangle by a massive, deforming whirlpool.
Along the edges of the triangle, terrifying whirlpools prevent any ship from passing through!
The only way to reach these three strongholds is to enter the Government's Gate of Justice and follow the controlled currents.
...
Step…
Before the grand gates of Judicial Island, a group of relaxed pirates tread boldly onto the land of one of the World Government's three major judicial facilities.
"This… this is Judicial Island…"
Robin gazed at the massive stone doors, her expression complex, as if she could see the island's history.
Evil criminals, innocent souls, righteous individuals defeated in factional struggles…
Eight hundred years of history had seen countless figures fall here.
Numerous strong figures left their marks, only to vanish into the river of history.
Step! Step! Step! Step!
As the Starry Sky Pirates disembarked from the Merry, countless firearms suddenly appeared on the platform, aimed directly at their heads.
The neatly lined Marines wiped the cold sweat from their palms, trying to maintain their composure.
Above the gate, a Marine officer held a sharp, gleaming blade.
The tip pointed at Luffy below, his expression tense yet still radiating Marine authority, as he bellowed:
"Wanted: Starry Sky Pirates!"
"How dare you trespass into a Government judicial stronghold!"
"Soldiers! Open fire!!!"
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The Marines fired without hesitation.
As Marines facing pirates—dangerous figures on the seas—there was no room for leniency.
Mercy to the enemy is cruelty to oneself!
Thousands of bullets erupted in an instant, the muzzle flashes creating a spectacular, colorful rain of steel.
Yet, the Starry Sky Pirates stepped forward as if the barrage didn't exist.
Luffy lowered his head, his voice calm:
"Zoro… cut it down."
"Got it!"
At Zoro's acknowledgment, a green flash suddenly shot out from the Starry Sky crew.
Zoro leapt, his entire body soaring.
His calm eyes tracked the bullets and the nervous Marines.
Spirit energy shimmered from the scabbard, a silver glow forming along the blade.
With a twist of his wrist, Zoro used the flat of his blade, targeting nearly a thousand Marines ahead.
Whooosh!
Multiple slashing strikes shot out from Zoro's blade, spiraling through the air into a terrifying whirlwind!
"Ahhhh!!!"
"Ahhhh!!!"
"Watch out!!!"
Screams echoed from the Marines.
The raging tornado enveloped the entire area above the Judicial Island gate.
Every Marine, perfectly lined up, was caught in the slashing storm.
The immense force of the flat blade struck them from all sides, sending them flying into the air.
Clang!
The spirit energy returned to its scabbard.
He twisted his wrist again, bending his body as he placed both hands on his Beast Sword.
Whoosh!
A streak of blue lightning flashed like a blazing goose soaring upward, striking repeatedly across the massive stone gate.
The gate, hundreds of meters tall, developed several cracks.
BOOM!
The massive doors collapsed.
Marines who had been flung into the air fell back to the ground, unconscious.
Zoro sheathed his sword again, glancing at the incapacitated Marines.
"You dared raise weapons in front of the Starry Sky crew—I'll give you that courage."
"Though you bear the weight of justice…"
"We…"
"…aren't having it easy either."
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Completed version available on P@treon(.)com/Veltoria