Sabaody Archipelago.
Block 24, inside a pizzeria, the air was thick with the rich aroma of melted cheese and tomato sauce.
"Mmm~ the Margherita pizza here is really good!"
A tall girl with long pink hair casually draped over her shoulders was devouring the food on the table with an unexpectedly bold manner that contrasted sharply with her delicate appearance.
Jewelry Bonney, the "Glutton" with a bounty of 140 million Belly.
Suddenly, Bonney stopped eating.
She keenly sensed something was off about the atmosphere around her.
"Bang!"
The pizza shop's door suddenly burst open as a group of Marine soldiers in full uniform rushed in, armed to the teeth.
"Target confirmed - Jewelry Bonney!"
"The Marines?"
Bonney's expression darkened instantly.
She set down the pizza slice in her hand, a flash of wariness in her eyes.
"Are you here to arrest me?"
"Bonney,"
Strawberry, the leader, didn't order an attack. Instead, he pulled out a letter from his coat.
"This is a letter from Admiral Kizaru for you."
"Kizaru?"
"That old man Borsalino? Why would he write me a letter?"
She took the letter and opened it suspiciously.
The handwriting on the letter was crooked and messy - unmistakably Kizaru's personal "masterpiece".
...
"Little Bonney, it's your old uncle Kizaru~"
"You've been doing quite well lately, your bounty has risen to 140 million Belly..."
"But no matter how much you struggle, you're still just a small-time pirate..."
"Your father Kuma is currently at Marine Headquarters. He wants to see you..."
"For my sake, just go with them quietly..."
"Don't resist, it's useless..."
"PS: The New Marine's food is excellent, much better than that junk on your ship..."
...
"..."
After reading the letter, Bonney's lips twitched slightly.
That old man Borsalino!
Still as unreliable as ever!
She had thought Kizaru would say something threatening to make her surrender or the like.
Never expected the old man would actually complain about her pirate crew's poor food in the letter?
However, he mentioned the one thing she cared about most—her father, Kuma.
Ever since she returned to the Sorbet Kingdom from Egghead Island, she hadn't seen him again.
The reason she set sail was to find him.
Bonney looked up at Strawberry, her voice slightly hoarse, "My father is at Marine Headquarters now?"
"Yes, the Marine has summoned all the Warlords of the Sea. Kuma will definitely go to Headquarters."
Strawberry replied with a hint of certainty in his tone.
He paused, organizing his words, then lowered his voice and leaned closer to Bonney.
"According to Admiral Kizaru's latest information, Kuma has officially become one of the new Shichibukai under the New Marine."
"Your bounty has been completely erased from the Marine's system."
"Go see your father."
"I'm here to escort you to Headquarters."
Bonney gave Strawberry a deep look and nodded.
She stood up, brushed off her clothes, and prepared to follow Strawberry to Marine Headquarters.
Just then.
"BANG!"
The door of the pizzeria was violently kicked open with a loud crash, interrupting Bonney and Strawberry's conversation.
The previously noisy street suddenly erupted into chaos, with shouts and screams mixing together in disorder.
"Oh my god! Something huge just happened!"
"A Celestial Dragon took a liking to a female pirate, and her crewmate..."
"Actually... actually attacked the Celestial Dragon!"
"What?!"
"Someone dared to lay hands on a Celestial Dragon?!"
"It's over now!"
"Marine Headquarters is sending battleships!"
"Run! If we don't run now, it'll be too late!"
The crowd scattered like headless flies, terrified of being caught up in the mess.
"What happened? What happened?"
A woman holding a child was jostled by the panicking crowd, asking fearfully.
"Someone offended a Celestial Dragon. We're doomed now~"
An old man shook his head and sighed, looking as if the world was ending.
"Heh—"
Bonney watched the chaotic scene with schadenfreude.
This was Sabaody Archipelago, where Celestial Dragons ran rampant.
Someone actually dared to provoke a Celestial Dragon here? They must have a death wish.
"This means..."
She said with great interest, "The Admirals from Marine Headquarters will be mobilized!"
"No, they won't." Strawberry replied firmly.
"Why not?"
"Because..."
Strawberry's tone was calm, carrying a hint of pride, "The three Admirals currently have more important matters to attend to."
"???"
Bonney grew even more puzzled.
What could be more important than a Celestial Dragon being attacked?
This is the face of the World Government we're talking about!
You must understand, the Celestial Dragons consider themselves the "descendants of the creators" and hold supreme authority on Sabaody Archipelago.
When they travel, they are surrounded by entourages, making grand displays, and ordinary people must kneel in reverence upon seeing them.
If anyone dares to offend a Celestial Dragon, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The Marine Admirals must act immediately to uphold the authority of the Celestial Dragons.
This is an ironclad rule!
An ironclad rule of the World Government!
"No..."
"Because Justice is now free!"
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Inside the headquarters building, the atmosphere was as heavy as a boulder pressing on one's chest, making it hard to breathe.
The two-hour mid-to-high-level meeting had ended, but the oppressive feeling showed no signs of dissipating.
Sengoku stood at the head of the conference table, his gaze sharp as a blade, sweeping over the assembled Marine officers.
Though each sat upright, their exhaustion was unmistakable.
"What is wrong with you?!"
Sengoku finally erupted, his voice booming like thunder through the meeting room.
"A great battle is imminent! And this is the state you're all in?!"
"Where is the spirit of the Marines?! Where is the Justice of the Marines?! Have you all fed it to the dogs?!"
The more he spoke, the angrier he became, his chest heaving like a lion about to roar.
Frustrated, he slammed the table with a resounding "BANG!"
Yet, the response was utter silence.
All the officers remained mute.
Akainu sat in his chair, puffing on a cigar, smoke curling around him, but his displeasure was evident.
'What a blunder!'
'That handwritten book was snatched away by Zephyr!'
Kuzan had his eyeshade on, seemingly resting.
Kizaru was playing with his fingers, left hand pinching right, right hand pinching left, as if trying to turn his ten fingers into flowers.
Zephyr, however, was occupied, engrossed in a small booklet.
This was something he had seen Akainu secretly reading before the meeting.
After taking a curious glance...
He had outright seized it using his authority as an instructor.
Garp and Tsuru sat in a corner, silently observing everything.
As seasoned veterans, they could sense the undercurrents beneath this bizarre atmosphere.
Seeing this, Sengoku nearly coughed up blood in anger.
He took a deep breath, suppressing his rage, and forced his voice to sound calm.
"Meeting adjourned!"
Yet, no one moved.
Except for Garp.
Garp slowly stood up, scratching his head as if puzzled.
But seeing everyone else frozen in place, he quietly sat back down.
"You all..."
Sengoku felt his blood pressure skyrocketing as he pointed at them, his finger trembling slightly.
"What exactly are you trying to do?!"
Just then.
"Thud—"
The heavy doors of the conference room were abruptly pushed open.
All eyes turned toward the sudden disturbance.
There stood Mike, clad in a crisp black suit without a single wrinkle, his tie impeccably knotted, accentuating his already striking and tall figure.
Hands in his pockets, he strode in with confident, unhurried steps.
Behind him, the five Warlords of the Sea—Mihawk, Doflamingo, Crocodile, Jinbei, and Kuma—followed solemnly and silently.
"You..."
Sengoku's veins bulged on his forehead as he was about to demand an explanation.
"Screech—"
Akainu abruptly stood up, his movements swift and fierce.
The chair scraped against the floor, emitting a piercing sound.
Kuzan removed his eyepatch and rose slowly, his gaze sharp.
Kizaru stopped fiddling with his fingers, his lazy expression instantly replaced with seriousness as he also stood.
Zephyr closed his booklet, his eyes gleaming with intensity, and stood as well.
Four former and current Marine Admirals, rising simultaneously!
"Screech, screech, screech—"
The synchronized sound of chairs scraping echoed through the conference room like rolling waves.
Except for Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru, every Marine officer present stood up!
Their eyes weren't fixed on Fleet Admiral Sengoku but were instead unanimously locked onto Mike.
Their gazes held reverence, anticipation, fervor, and...
"Snap—"
All the officers saluted in perfect unison, their movements precise and their voices thunderous.
"LOYALTY!!!"
The word "LOYALTY" exploded like thunder in the room, reverberating in Sengoku's ears until they rang.
He felt as though an invisible hand had clenched his heart, nearly stopping its beat.
Mike gave a slight nod and walked up to Sengoku, meeting his gaze calmly.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku..."
Mike spoke, his voice quiet yet crystal clear to everyone present.
"From today onward, the Marines answer to me!"