First Half of the Grand Line Marine Base G-8The dockyard of Marine Base G-8 bustled with constant activity.
Heavy hammers rang against steel plating while shipwrights moved back and forth carrying timber, tools, and replacement parts. The scent of seawater mixed with oil and burnt metal lingered throughout the massive military harbor.
Rows of damaged Marine warships occupied the repair docks.
Some had shattered masts.
Others bore deep cannon scars across their hulls.
A few looked as though they had barely escaped destruction.
An elderly shipwright tightened a giant bolt with a wrench before narrowing his eyes thoughtfully.
"Have there been more warships coming in for repairs lately?"
Mekao scratched his beard while examining a fractured support frame.
As one of the veteran shipwrights assigned to G-8's logistics division, he had spent decades repairing Marine vessels. His experience far surpassed that of ordinary mechanics.
The increase in damaged warships had not escaped his notice.
Nearby shipwrights laughed casually.
"Old man, you worry too much."
"Those Marines are stationed on the front lines. Naturally, their ships take more damage than ours."
"Exactly. Compared to them, we logistics guys have it easy."
Mekao frowned slightly.
"…Maybe."
Still, something about it bothered him.
The damage patterns were becoming increasingly severe.
It was as if the intensity of pirate activity throughout the Grand Line had risen noticeably over the past few years.
Before he could continue thinking about it, footsteps echoed through the dockyard.
A young Marine officer approached.
"Lieutenant Drake!"
The surrounding mechanics immediately straightened and saluted.
Drake returned the salute calmly.
"At ease."
His gaze quickly landed on Mekao.
"Old man, another warship is entering the dock shortly."
"I want you personally handling this one."
Mekao raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Drake's expression became serious.
"It belongs to a Marine Rear Admiral."
"And according to the report… the damage is unusual."
The surrounding shipwrights immediately became interested.
A Rear Admiral's flagship was no ordinary vessel.
Those warships were constructed using the best materials and maintenance standards available within the Marines.
If even such a ship required major repairs, the situation was certainly significant.
Mekao placed down his wrench.
"Understood."
"You can leave it to me."
The laziness in his demeanor disappeared instantly.
At moments like this, the old shipwright finally resembled the elite craftsman he truly was.
Meanwhile, beyond the harbor defenses, a massive Marine warship slowly entered G-8 waters.
Marine Base G-8 truly deserved its title as the "Iron Wall Fortress."
The entire fortress had been constructed directly into the surrounding cliffs and mountains. Countless heavy cannons protruded from fortified artillery positions hidden within the rock itself.
The base contained over two thousand stationed Marines alongside more than two hundred coastal defense cannons.
Its defensive capabilities were extraordinary.
Bruce silently observed the fortress from the deck.
"It really lives up to its reputation."
"This place would be extremely difficult to invade directly."
The warship gradually slowed before finally docking within the harbor.
Although the vessel remained operational, the damage from traveling through the White Sea and descending from Skypiea had accumulated heavily across the hull.
The port side especially showed signs of structural instability.
Temporary repairs conducted in Skypiea had only prevented further deterioration.
A proper overhaul was now necessary.
As the gangplank lowered, Lieutenant Drake immediately stepped forward.
"Welcome to Marine Base G-8, Rear Admiral Saint Roselith Seraphina!"
Drake saluted sharply.
"My name is Drake. I have been assigned to oversee your fleet's repair arrangements during your stay."
Although he maintained military composure, excitement still flickered within his eyes.
After all, Saint Roselith Seraphina was becoming increasingly famous throughout Marine Headquarters.
Not only because of her strength.
But because she was unbelievably young.
And terrifyingly accomplished.
Drake had initially struggled to believe the rumors.
Yet now that he stood before her personally…
Even he momentarily lost focus.
Her silver-white hair reflected the sunlight like flowing moonlight, while the white Marine coat draped over her shoulders carried an overwhelming sense of authority.
More importantly
Her presence alone made the surrounding atmosphere subtly tense.
"Approximately how long will the repairs require?"
Seraphina asked calmly.
Drake immediately looked toward Mekao.
The old shipwright had already begun inspecting the vessel personally.
He circled the warship several times in silence.
The more he inspected it…
The more shocked he became.
Finally, he stopped.
"One month."
Silence fell briefly.
Even Drake blinked.
"That long?"
Seraphina's expression remained composed, though she clearly had not expected such an answer.
Mekao sighed deeply.
"Rear Admiral, with all due respect…"
"This may be the finest Marine warship I have ever inspected."
"The materials are first-rate, and the internal structural design is far beyond ordinary Marine standards."
"But precisely because of that…"
"The damage is extremely troublesome."
Mekao placed a rough hand against the hull.
"The entire pressure-support structure has loosened."
"Not only the outer hull, but likely the internal support framework as well."
He looked genuinely baffled.
"To be honest…"
"This ship looks like it was lifted into the sky by a giant and thrown back down."
Bruce silently looked away.
That description was not entirely inaccurate.
Mekao continued seriously.
"One month is already the shortest possible estimate."
"If we rush carelessly, the ship may collapse during future voyages."
Seraphina nodded slowly.
"I understand."
"Then we will remain at G-8 temporarily."
Drake immediately responded.
"Of course, Rear Admiral."
"Marine Base G-8 was specifically established as a resupply and transit fortress for Marine operations across this region of the Grand Line."
"We have accommodations prepared for visiting Marine personnel."
As the group proceeded through the fortress interior, Kuina curiously observed everything around her.
Marines patrolled nearly every corridor and defensive platform.
Strict discipline permeated the entire base.
"Teacher…"
Kuina lowered her voice slightly.
"This place feels incredibly strict."
Seraphina nodded.
"The commander here is competent."
A fortress as organized as G-8 did not happen accidentally.
Every defensive route, patrol shift, and artillery position had clearly been planned with precision.
As they continued walking, Drake suddenly stopped after receiving a report from another Marine.
Moments later, he returned awkwardly.
"…Rear Admiral."
"There is… a slight problem."
Seraphina looked at him calmly.
"What is it?"
Drake coughed lightly.
"Due to the recent increase in pirate conflicts nearby, several additional Marine units are currently stationed at G-8."
"As a result…"
"There are no remaining private officer quarters available."
His expression became increasingly embarrassed.
"If possible…"
"Could I trouble you and Sergeant Kuina to temporarily share accommodations for a few days?"
"The moment additional quarters become available, we will immediately rearrange them."
"It was our oversight."
Seraphina did not react much at all.
"That is fine."
To her, such things were insignificant.
However
Kuina froze completely.
Her ears twitched slightly.
Then
Her face instantly turned bright red.
Wait.
Wait wait wait wait
Share a room?!
Her thoughts exploded into chaos.
Meanwhile, Seraphina continued walking ahead completely unconcerned, utterly unaware of the storm currently erupting inside Kuina's mind.