Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1484
West Blue
Kingdom of Lundberg
"So this is the so-called 'Land of Tobacco,' the Kingdom of Lundberg? Hah. Looks rich enough to drip oil."
At the harbor, three massive Marine warships were docked.
From the lead vessel, Roldy leapt down from the deck onto the pier below. It was his first time in the West Blue. Lundberg, famed as the tobacco capital of the seas, was a dream destination for smokers everywhere—
Including his own teacher.
The enormous harbor, the towering warehouses, the refined architecture—
The wealth of this kingdom was obvious at a glance.
"Roldy ! Slow down! Wait for me!"
Roldy turned.
Dragon, also wearing the coat of a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral , strode toward him.
On the voyage here, Roldy had already decided—since they were in this tobacco paradise, he would bring gifts back.
Zephyr, of course.
Fleet Admiral Kong and Admiral Sengoku as well.
Vice Admiral Tsuru didn't smoke, so jasmine tea would suffice for her.
What? You're asking if someone was forgotten?
"You two brats—stop right there!"
A thunderous roar exploded from the warship.
Roldy and Dragon, who had been about to sneak off and explore the city first, froze mid-step and awkwardly retreated.
Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp emerged from the deck, arms crossed.
"You've got one hour! The World Noble's ship arrives in exactly one hour!"
Instead of scolding them, Garp grinned broadly.
Looking at these two pillars of the Marines' future, satisfaction filled his eyes.
With them around, the Marines' future would surely be bright.
Naturally, their generation had to protect the next.
Garp had applied to accompany Roldy on this mission. Normally, that would have been impossible—this was meant to be Roldy 's trial. Yet somehow, Kong had persuaded the World Government to allow it.
Thus, Garp and Dragon were assigned as "supervising officers."
"Oh, Dragon," Garp added casually, "bring me back two boxes of cigars. The Cohibas."
Dragon's face went green.
Cohibas?!
The most prestigious cigars in Lundberg—annual production under one hundred crates, most reserved for the World Nobles. That meant astronomical prices.
His Vice Admiral salary? Garp had long confiscated it under the excuse of "saving it for your future marriage."
For this trip, Dragon had brought all his secret savings—
Barely a few hundred thousand Berries.
"Old man… could you at least give me some money?"
"Money? Since when do I carry money?"
Garp waved dismissively and returned to the cabin.
Dragon stood there, devastated.
This life was unbearable.
—
The two wandered through the city streets.
Dragon couldn't help but feel envious watching Roldy spend freely.
Though both were Vice Admiral s, Roldy 's mission allowances were significantly higher due to his combat deployments.
Not to mention—
Before departure, Zephyr had handed him two million Berries as "pocket money."
Some people's adoptive fathers were more like real fathers.
Some real fathers were more like distant relatives.
"By the way," Dragon asked, "after this mission, where are you planning to train?"
"You mean the requirement for Vice Admiral promotion? Base command experience?"
To become a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral , one had to manage a Marine base—Commander or Deputy Commander.
Roldy 's goal was Fleet Admiral. Such experience was essential.
"Not sure yet. Kong mentioned plans to establish a new base in the New World. I might go there for a while."
"The planned G-5 branch?" Dragon nodded. "Yeah… that suits you. Plenty of top-tier pirates."
They stopped before a large tobacco shop.
Plenty of stock.
Yet both froze.
Their gazes shifted toward a nearby alley.
Several pairs of cautious, shining eyes stared back.
"So even in a kingdom this wealthy… there are still people living like this."
Roldy sighed softly.
He crouched and pulled a box of pastries from his shopping bag, forcing his fierce face into something gentler.
Perhaps it was trust in the Marine uniforms.
Perhaps it was hunger.
Several small figures mustered the courage to step out.
Children.
"This is the flaw of this world," Dragon murmured, offering two donuts. "The nobles stand above all. A kingdom's wealth fattens them—but rarely reaches the bottom. In fact, the lower classes often suffer worse exploitation."
The children darted forward, snatched the food, and fled back into the alley.
To them, it was lightning-fast.
To Roldy and Dragon, it was painfully slow.
"Th-thank you!"
A blond-haired boy peeked out. Judging by his posture, he was their leader.
Fear lingered in his eyes—
But he was polite.
Roldy smiled and waved before heading inside with Dragon.
The boy stared at Roldy 's back.
Something flickered in his eyes.
A small act might mean little to Roldy —
But for a child in darkness, it could mean everything.
"Big brother… what is it?"
A dirty little boy tugged at the blond child's sleeve.
He was their leader—guiding them through this prosperous hell with a sharp mind. Alone, he could have survived better.
But he refused to abandon them.
"Someday… I'll repay him," the blond boy whispered.
His eyes shifted to a wound on his companion's arm.
Without hesitation, he tore a strip from his already ragged clothing and wrapped the injury with swift, practiced precision.
This was not his first time.
—
Meanwhile—
A lavish golden vessel bearing the World Government flag docked at the harbor.
Workers had been forced to change into "high-grade uniforms" purchased from the upper class.
The nobles of Lundberg—normally arrogant and domineering—now knelt in terror and flattery.
At the forefront—
King Sis VI.
A tyrant who taxed his people mercilessly.
Now his forehead pressed to the ground, rear raised like a fawning dog.
"His Majesty King Sis VI of Lundberg, along with all officials, humbly welcomes the honorable Saint Nalmari!"
Cannons fired in salute.
Even the soldiers handling them remained kneeling.
No one dared raise their head.
Under thunderous ceremony—
She appeared.
Saint Nalmari.
A Celestial Dragon clad in a space-suit-like outfit, a transparent bubble helmet covering her head.
Short. Obese. Hideous.
She sat atop the back of a handsome, muscular slave, who crawled on all fours beneath her.
His upper body bare. A slave collar around his neck.
His physique alone would have driven noblewomen to frenzy in any grand hall.
The contrast was grotesque.
One worker, unable to resist curiosity, glanced upward—
A CP0 agent behind Nalmari moved instantly.
A finger thrust forward like a bullet.
It pierced straight through the man's throat.
The corpse collapsed.
A gasp rippled through the crowd.
"Silence!" barked an attendant. "To gaze upon Saint Nalmari's face is a grave offense!"
Fear crushed every throat.
Satisfied, Nalmari shifted her weight lazily atop her human mount.
"Good work. Tonight, you may kiss my foot."
The CP0 agent knelt, "overjoyed."
"Where are the Marines?" she snapped irritably. "Why haven't those useless fools appeared?"
Garp disliked dealing with Celestial Dragons.
Thus, a Marine Headquarters Commodore stepped forward to greet her.
She barely acknowledged him.
"Where is that Marine rookie? Wasn't he assigned to escort me?"
"Vice Admiral Roldy is inspecting the perimeter for assassins, Saint Nalmari. He will return shortly."
"Hmph. If not for Saint Saturn asking me to conduct an inspection here, I would never visit this filthy place."
She approached the king.
He clapped.
Several large chests were brought forth.
"Saint Nalmari, a humble gift."
The lid cracked open.
Blinding gold.
"Acceptable. Take them aboard."
The king beamed inwardly.
Membership among the World Government's allied nations was now assured.
He signaled again.
Three strikingly handsome men were dragged forward by soldiers.
Nalmari's eyes sparkled.
"Oh ho! Now this pleases me."
The three men trembled in despair.
The king, meanwhile, felt only triumph.
As long as he pleased the Celestial Dragons—
His reign would continue.
Even if it meant groveling like a dog.
And what of it?
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