In terms of its geographical position and strategic importance, Wano Country is undoubtedly one of the most unique nations on this sea.
Located in the New World, the latter half of the Grand Line, it is a closed-off country, refusing entry to outsiders and never opting to join the World Government as an allied nation.
Extremely xenophobic and exceptionally unconventional.
Even Marine warships cannot easily land in Wano Country.
This is because there is no concept of "near shore" around Wano Country; instead, there are steep cliffs and raging waterfalls!
Following the waterfalls upstream leads directly into Wano Country, into its internal waters.
Here, the main island of Wano Country and a special island called "Onigashima" are located.
...
At first glance, Baro gives the impression of a simple-minded Marine.
But that couldn't be further from the truth.
As mentioned before, someone without much brainpower who only knows how to barrel through wouldn't be able to become a Vice Admiral in Marine Headquarters.
Yet, surprisingly, there are quite a few individuals like Baro among the Vice Admirals of Marine Headquarters.
Were they specially recruited?
Of course not.
Those guys aren't actually foolish; it's just that their "obsessions" are too strong, causing them to pursue them with all their might at all times.
This is actually a behavior that ordinary people find hard to understand, which is why they mistakenly perceive such actions as foolishness at first glance.
But in reality, it's a quality that ordinary people can't achieve.
Only those who manifest their obsessions in their daily actions can stand out from a crowd of mediocre talents and hold their ground on this sea.
Baro is one of them.
Therefore, from a practical standpoint, Baro's strategic mind is actually quite good, even surpassing some of his colleagues who are Vice Admirals at Headquarters.
During the "investigation" operation targeting Wano Country, Baro was actually aware of Wano Country's "delicate" status.
It's practically the headquarters for underground forces on the sea. Anyone with even a little knowledge of the underworld knows just how terrifying and significant Wano Country's position is.
Baro clearly understood that his position was that of a "Marine."
Although the G-5 Marine branch theoretically possessed complete independent law enforcement authority.
Without explicit permission from his superiors – namely Marine Headquarters – directly investigating Wano Country would undoubtedly cause quite a stir.
But Baro was going to do it anyway.
Because that was the unique stubbornness of the man named "Baro."
Just like Marine Hero [Fist of Iron] Garp; who chased [Pirate King] Gol D. Roger his entire life.
Just like [Black Arm] Zephyr, who, to control his inner hatred, adhered to his "no killing" principle, even giving up his real power as an Admiral.
Or like [Akainu], who would rather kill one thousand by mistake than let one go.
Or like the giant Marine Hagwals D. Saule, who risked his life to protect Nico Robin, and [Aokiji], who let Nico Robin go.
And countless others...
They all followed their "obsessions."
From an outsider's perspective, many people couldn't understand what these individuals were doing.
Some kind-hearted people thought that the murderous Marine was too extreme, becoming a source of instability on the sea himself.
Others, who hated pirates, thought that the two Marines who let Nico Robin go were too indecisive, thus planting many future troubles on the sea.
And so on...
The merits and demerits of what these people did are difficult to judge, and they don't need others to judge them.
Because that's who *they* are.
Their powerful obsessions meant they never doubted the path they were walking.
No one could stop them, nor did they need guidance from anyone else.
Those who merely follow the crowd will live their lives in mediocrity, without accomplishment or blame, without joy or sorrow...
Only those who firmly hold onto their obsessions have the potential to do something that will make the world remember them.
— They can change the world.
Whether he knew it or not, Baro was such a person.
Thus, he journeyed on, crossing the Red Line, arriving in the New World, and heading straight for Wano Country.
This was by no means a reckless surge of hot-bloodedness, but a carefully considered action.
As the base commander of the G-5 branch, he was responsible for the safety of the waters around Alabasta and for upholding his "justice"!
The underground forces attempted to invade the Four Seas Alliance by force and incite internal conflict.
A plan like this would inevitably affect the peaceful and stable life in Alabasta and its surrounding areas, so Baro had to intervene.
Fortunately, Baro possessed the strength to do so.
He was qualified in terms of both "belief" and "combat power."
And the G-5 Marine branch was also capable.
...
After some development, the G-5 Marine branch had begun to take shape.
An "Habu," a sky person and a meteorologist, maintained the regular routes between Skypiea and Alabasta while also offering his meteorology courses.
Although Habu himself wasn't very good at interacting with outsiders, his mastery of meteorology was undeniable.
Soon, a group of navigators with professional qualifications emerged from Habu's classes.
Naturally, some of them were willing to join the Marines to protect the country and waters they loved.
As a result, the navigators in the G-5 Marine branch were highly skilled, even nearly rivaling Marine Headquarters!
In terms of actual combat power, some of the abandoned individuals also voluntarily joined the G-5 Marine branch, forming an elite abandoned special forces unit.
Although their numbers were not large, their individual combat strength was exceptionally high. Combined with the "Waver" unique to Skypiea, the unit's mobility increased by leaps and bounds, making them a force to be reckoned with.
Without a doubt, this abandoned unit was likely the first to effectively utilize Skypiea's specialty "shells" in large-scale practical combat.
Their resilient bodies could withstand the powerful impact of using the shell weapons!
This abandoned unit was indeed the formidable military power that Crocodile only dreamed of!
— And now they belonged to the G-5 Marine branch.
...
Through perfect coordination, the G-5 Marine branch's ships successfully approached the waters near Wano Country.
Their actions were remarkably swift.
Upon reaching the waters near Wano Country, they dispatched a select group of elite combatants onto a special small boat modified from a shell.
They rode the waterfall upstream and successfully entered Wano Country.
According to Baro and the others' original plan, they were supposed to wait there for a while and, to the best of their ability, gather intelligence on the underground forces.
But at this moment, a problem was troubling Baro.
"Hey, hey, hey, look."
Baro pulled over a navigator beside him, pointed at the sea chart in his hand, and compared it with the distance.
"This should be that Onigashima, right?"
Baro sounded quite puzzled.
"But why is there nothing here now?"
"Where did the island go?"
The sea before them was vast and empty...
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