East Blue
Loguetown
Central Harbor
After swiftly apprehending a group of pirates, Smoker wiped the sweat from his brow, sat down, and unfolded the latest newspaper.
His thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the scene he had witnessed in Raven Harbor just half a month ago.
Civilians attacking the Navy… to protect pirates?
Such a thing was unheard of—not just in East Blue, but across the entire world.
And at the center of it all was the man known as Gawain, the so-called Knight. The image of that man lingered in Smoker's mind like a stubborn shadow.
"Who are you, really?"
"You're clearly a pirate, yet you fought for the civilians with no benefit to yourself."
"What kind of pirate does that?!"
Smoker took a deep drag of his cigar, the confusion tightening in his chest.
Frustrated, he shook off the thoughts and changed the subject.
"Still no response to that Rat's report?"
Tashigi clenched her fists and shook her head.
"No. Honestly, I suspect the letter was intercepted before it even left East Blue."
"Colonel Smoker, this is outrageous!" she added heatedly. "How can the Navy tolerate someone like Nezumi? It's a disgrace to justice!"
Smoker let out a sarcastic chuckle, his expression twisted with irony.
"For some people, money and status are justice."
"I even had someone investigate Raven Harbor's corruption, but the trail vanished the moment it touched a certain vice admiral. My agents were detained."
"There's definitely a force behind this. If we want to get to the bottom of it, we'd need the Navy's Criminal Investigation Division. But if we go to them… we'll be investigated too."
"Eh? That…" Tashigi hesitated.
Smoker's face reddened slightly. "Eventually, I'll have the authority to tear that whole rotten department down."
Everyone knew their own weaknesses. Smoker had bent a few rules—but never against his conscience. Still, if discovered, it would be a serious problem.
Sensing the tension, Tashigi quietly changed the subject.
"Regarding Knight Gawain—the headquarters responded. His bounty's being raised again."
"Figures." Smoker nodded, unsurprised.
"Two increases in just over a month. That's unprecedented."
"Tashigi."
"Yes?"
"My gut tells me something big's coming. The moment that guy enters the Grand Line… a true great pirate will rise from East Blue."
Smoker clenched his jaw. "We have to stop him here. Even if it costs us our lives."
"Yes, sir!"
Silence fell between them.
In the distant sky, a flock of news birds flew by, dropping fresh newspapers onto the harbor before soaring off.
Smoker bent down and picked one up. As he unfolded it, a familiar face stared back at him.
"Knight Gawain… That number in East Blue? Vice Admiral Garp won't be sitting still after this."
"How much is it now?" asked Tashigi.
"Eighty-five million Berries."
New World
A remote island
The Red Force lay anchored in a calm bay. Its sail, marked by the iconic skull and crossbones, stood out boldly—even visible from miles away. Pirates nearby, upon recognizing the emblem, had long since fled.
This was the flag of Red-Haired Shanks, the youngest of the Four Emperors—and the most dominant force at sea today.
Once upon a time, he had stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Dracule Mihawk, vying for the title of world's greatest swordsman. But that rivalry ended the day Shanks lost his arm in East Blue.
Now, by a roaring bonfire on the beach, the shadows of flames danced across laughing faces.
Barbecue sizzled. Exotic fruits, overflowing wine barrels, and decadent dishes cluttered the shore. The scent of alcohol hung thick in the salty air.
"Really now, you've been drinking for three days straight! Isn't there a limit to how long a hangover can last?" Beckman scolded.
Before he could finish, Shanks grabbed him, and the crew joined in—holding him down while they poured beer into his mouth.
"Hahahaha!"
Laughter exploded around the fire. Beckman finally broke free, coughing and red-faced.
"Bastards! All of you who poured that better start running!"
"Hahahaha!"
Shanks slapped his thigh in delight—until his laughter abruptly stopped.
Out at sea, a crude boat made of logs was drifting toward the island. It barely qualified as a vessel, but it flew a familiar flag.
And the man seated aboard it was unmistakable.
His presence radiated naked sword intent, sharp and unrestrained, paired with a confidence so absolute it bordered on arrogance.
There was no mistGing it—this was Dracule Mihawk, the world's strongest swordsman.
"Oi, Mihawk~ Over here!" Shanks called out.
Mihawk paused, recognized him, and brought the rickety boat ashore.
Before Mihawk could say a word, Shanks shoved a beer into his hand, slung an arm over his shoulder, and urged:
"Drink~ drink~!"
Mihawk frowned. "You were drunk yesterday, weren't you?"
"This is a party!"
At that, Yasopp, Lucky Roux, and the others whooped and hollered. Seeing no way out, Mihawk raised his glass and drank.
With Mihawk's arrival, the party roared to life again, continuing long into the night.
By the time it wound down, only Shanks, Mihawk, and Beckman remained upright. Everyone else lay sprawled across the beach, snoring away.
Mihawk, unaffected by the drinking, reached into his coat and pulled out a bounty poster.
He handed it to Shanks.
"A rather interesting pirate has appeared in East Blue."
"Luffy?" Shanks perked up—only to lose interest when he saw an unfamiliar face on the poster.
"Knight Gawain. Bounty: 48 million," Mihawk said.
"I can see it in his eyes—he's a swordsman. He's got absolute confidence… bordering on arrogance."
"I don't know where that confidence comes from. But maybe, just maybe… it will amount to something."
Mihawk's gaze shifted to Shanks' missing arm.
"Since you lost that arm, I haven't found a worthy opponent."
"If you're offering, I don't mind sparring," Shanks offered.
"You no longer interest me," Mihawk replied flatly.
Just then, Beckman took the bounty from Shanks and grinned.
"Your intel's outdated. His bounty was updated today."
He pulled a fresh newspaper from a nearby stack, flipped to the bounty section, and handed it over.
Mihawk's eyes gleamed.
"Eighty-five million Berries?"
"Interesting."
He stood, eyes glinting with intent.
"I've decided.
My next stop is East Blue."