End of Ocean Calendar 1513.
Two and a half years earlier, within just a few days, multiple shocking events erupted across the seas.
Event One: The Royal Capital Battle of Dressrosa.
Resulting in over 3,700 civilian deaths, the royal capital suffered devastating attacks from Kaido of the Beasts, forming a large lake. The new royal capital was built at the lake's center.
It's worth noting that Doflamingo of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea married King Riku's second daughter, replacing the Riku family as the new king of Dressrosa.
...
Event Two: The Nine Serpent Island Campaign.
Both the Marines and Nine Serpent Island suffered relatively light losses, but that battle witnessed the appearance of a long-retired legendary figure - Dark King Rayleigh!
Hancock, having lost her position as one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, had her bounty reinstated at 798,000,000 Berries!
For reasons unknown, the World Government did not reinstate Rayleigh's bounty and took no further action against Nine Serpent Island after that battle.
...
Event Three: The Tolland Naval Battle, also known as 'The Totto Land Destruction Campaign'.
Marine legendary hero Garp, along with Marine Vice Admiral Kuzan, attacked the Tolland Kingdom, sinking seven islands belonging to Totto Land and killing/capturing countless pirates.
This battle forced Charlotte Linlin, who had been madly expanding her territory, to halt her expansion.
It also made pirates realize... this legendary hero wasn't old yet!
Vice Admiral Kuzan was promoted to Navy Headquarters Admiral after this battle, completing the three Admiral positions.
...
On a deeper level, Garp's actions not only intimidated pirates but also paved the way for the new generation.
The Marines' terrifying momentum temporarily suffocated the pirates, bringing brief peace to the New World.
——
Because these events were concentrated within one week, the world called it 'The Three Kingdoms Turmoil Incident'.
...
Under the influence of these three major events, and with the World Government deliberately concealing the attack on Zephyr, the disappearance of a certain Marine Commodore became less noticeable.
Even those who had joined the Marines because of his appearance gradually forgot during the long wait, devoting themselves to the cause of justice.
...
But there were always those who wouldn't forget.
——
New World, Unknown Waters.
Lucci in somewhat worn black suit looked through binoculars, with his ever-present pigeon Hattori perched on his shoulder.
Long exposure to wind and sun had roughened his skin, but his eyes shone even brighter.
"Nothing in these waters..."
...
"Lucci, haven't you given up yet?" A figure flashed to the mast, featuring a square long nose reminiscent of a certain fairy tale puppet.
Kaku, who had trained with Lucci since childhood, fellow CP9 companion.
Without turning around, Lucci said calmly: "I won't give up until I see him, or see his body."
...
Kaku frowned: "Even if it means ignoring the missions from above?"
"You weren't like this before, Lucci!"
...
After a moment of silence, Lucci slowly said: "It was him... who made me understand the meaning of comrades. If you were missing, I'd keep searching for you too, Kaku."
This time it was Kaku's turn to remain silent.
"Heh... I really don't know what to do with you..."
Kaku shook his head helplessly.
New World, uncharted waters.
Before the Moby Dick, the wreckage of several pirate ships burned on the sea surface not far away.
Every few days, pirates with delusions of making a name through one battle, unaware of their own limitations, would come to challenge Whitebeard.
The title of "Strongest" was far too tempting for lawless pirates.
...
Griffin leaned against the shadow of the main mast, his arms stained with the blood of others.
His face was still wrapped in bandages, revealing only his eyes.
Whoosh—
A flash of fire on his arms evaporated the bloodstains completely.
He silently watched the mountain-like figure surrounded by the crowd not far away—Whitebeard.
...
Over two years, more than eight hundred days and nights, Griffin had stayed on this ship, listening to these people call him Beria Brothers.
"Hey! Flame Wolf!" A cheerful voice tinged with drunkenness approached as Thatch came closer with a large mug of ale and roasted meat.
"What are you hiding here for? We won, let's go to the feast!"
...
"They're just a few small fries. Is there any need to celebrate?" Griffin took the roasted meat, pulling open a gap in his bandages.
Flame Wolf—this was the reputation he had earned over these past two and a half years.
Dog-Dog Fruit, Ancient Species, Lava Great Wolf—Flame Wolf Beria.
Second Division Captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, bounty 970.5 million Berries, known together with Pirate Empress Hancock as the Pirate Worst Generation Twin Stars.
...
His reason for choosing to stay with the Whitebeard Pirates was because it was convenient for practicing Fire Release. When he returned, he could say he learned flame techniques from the Whitebeard Pirates.
Moreover, this ship had many masters, even the world's strongest was here.
There was no better place for training than this.
As for betrayal...
After deciding to stay, he contacted Fleet Admiral Sengoku and accepted a mission to infiltrate the Whitebeard Pirates.
All the pirate crews taken down by the Whitebeard Pirates over these two years counted toward his achievements—his military service record had already grown quite thick.
...
...
"Tch... I'm saying, just how ugly are you that you won't take off the bandages even after your injuries have healed?"
Thatch nudged Griffin's shoulder, laughing, "Nothing to be ashamed of. Even Teach doesn't cover his face with that look of his."
"Thach, I heard that!" Teach complained while chewing on cherry pie, "Captain Beria, help me beat him up!"
...
Griffin shook off Thatch, sneering, "I'm just too handsome. I have to cover my face to keep you all from being so ashamed you'd commit suicide."
"Hahaha! Still the same shameless excuse!"
——
——
Night fell. Griffin sat on the highest mast, the miniature Den Den Mushi in his palm vibrating silently once, then its tentacles tapped against his palm in a specific rhythm.
This was the Marines' contact code.
"Return quickly. I can't hold them back anymore"
Heaven knows, although Sengoku liked placing informants in pirate circles, he never actually intended for Griffin to become an infiltrator.
During the first month of Griffin's disappearance, the fanatics at headquarters nearly tore his office apart, even holding large protests blaming him for not searching for Griffin.
After barely suppressing the fanatics' actions, even Sakazuki and others came demanding explanations, forcing Sengoku to reveal Griffin's undercover mission to them.
...
Griffin lightly tapped his finger on the Den Den Mushi's shell.
"If you can't handle it as Fleet Admiral, what use are you anyway"
He'd been very busy lately—sparring with Vista, having Jozu voluntarily act as his punching bag, racing against Marco...
The Whitebeard Pirates were just too much fun. He didn't want to go back.
After a while, the Den Den Mushi's tentacles moved again.
"Vegapunk's research has reached a critical point. You must return—this is an order from the Five Elders."
"Come back! Your military merits are sufficient for a promotion. Return and we'll make you a Rear Admiral. If necessary, we can even discuss a Vice Admiral position!"
The last message was particularly forceful, hence the exclamation mark.
...
Griffin selectively ignored the Five Elders, focusing only on Vegapunk.
Has the cloning been completed already...
A faint smile touched his lips as Griffin lightly tapped his fingertips.
——
——
Inside Whitebeard's cabin.
Marco was preparing medicine for Whitebeard when he glanced up during a break.
"That kid's contacting the Marines again, and quite frequently lately. Is he planning to leave?"What kind of mole contacts their superiors without finding a concealed location, operating right under the noses of so many Observation Haki masters?"
Only Griffin would be this brazen, not even bothering to pretend.
Whitebeard chuckled softly, taking his medicine like it was a snack with his drink:
"Didn't we always know he would leave..."
"Marco, no need to feel down. No one can sail with you forever. Being able to journey together for a while is already a rare bond."
...
Marco pursed his lips: "I don't care at all. When he tries to escape, I'll definitely take out this traitor!"
Whitebeard smiled faintly: "That won't do."
"Killing a comrade is the only crime on this ship."