Heat shimmered over the secured dock at Grove 1, while bubbles drifting from the Yarukiman Mangroves burst against the Marine barricades with soft, harmless pops.
The ordinary noise of Sabaody was absent. Coating artisans had been removed from the surrounding platforms, merchant vessels redirected to other groves, and every approach to the assessment area placed under armed guard.
Only Marine officers, selected recording personnel, and the three CP0 agents assigned to administer the preliminary test remained near the reinforced outer berth.
The agent at the front wore a white suit and a monkey-faced mask.
A broad man in a bear mask stood to his right, while the thinner agent in the dog mask waited several steps behind them.
None had offered real names.
Vice Admiral Yamakaji stood beneath the shade of a mangrove root with an unlit cigar between his lips.
Beside him, Gion rested one hand near Konpira's hilt and watched the eastern sea.
"Garp's ship is still more than an hour away," Yamakaji said. "CP0 moved the assessment forward as soon as they learned Zaraki had reached the outer waters."
Gion's brows drew together.
"They don't want him here when this begins."
"They don't want anyone present who can turn their test into a crater before Saint Nusjuro receives the result."
Monkey heard them and released a thin laugh.
"Vice Admiral Garp's schedule is not our concern. The World Government ordered the candidates assessed upon arrival, not after every emotional Marine relative has gathered to cheer."
Gion turned toward him.
"Garp is not Zaraki's relative."
"He behaves as though he is."
"That still does not give you the right to insult either of them."
Monkey spread his hands.
"How protective. One might almost forget you were sent as an observer rather than the War Demon's personal advocate."
Yamakaji exhaled through his nose.
"Gion, do not waste your patience."
He looked toward the three masks.
"And you should not mistake restraint for agreement. Weevil attacked Zephyr's ship and killed recruits. Whatever Saint Nusjuro thinks of Zaraki, no Marine standing here will pretend killing Weevil was an unprovoked execution."
Bear shifted his folded arms.
"The incident at Hells Island is outside today's assessment."
"That is convenient," Gion said. "You invoke it when accusing Zaraki of insubordination and declare it irrelevant when anyone mentions why he acted."
Dog's voice came rough and low from behind his mask.
"We are not here to debate Marine sentiment. Dorry the Blue Ogre and Brogy the Red Ogre will be evaluated for combat power, willingness to obey Government summons, and usefulness to the balance maintained by the Seven Warlords. The Five Elders will make the final decision."
The names made Gion's head turn sharply.
"You knew."
Monkey tilted his mask toward her.
"Did you imagine the Five Elders sent us without identifying the candidates?"
Yamakaji removed the cigar from his mouth.
"Marine observers were told only to expect two giant pirates."
"Marine Headquarters has developed an unfortunate habit of allowing information to escape its control," Monkey replied. "Compartmentalization is a sensible precaution."
The insult was deliberate, but the revelation mattered more.
CP0 knew exactly who Zaraki had chosen. Their test had been designed with Dorry and Brogy in mind.
Gion looked toward the reinforced berth. The additional supports, the widened approach, and the enormous anchor posts suddenly made sense.
"So this was never a simple assessment."
"No Warlord assessment is simple," Yamakaji said quietly.
A Marine lookout ran down from the observation tower.
"Report! The Oni Slayer has passed the eastern marker and will reach Dock Three in approximately fifteen minutes. A second vessel remains beyond the mangrove line at the outer anchorage."
Monkey's head lifted.
"The giant ship?"
"Yes, sir. It matches the dimensions provided by Headquarters."
"And the underwater vessel?"
The lookout hesitated.
"Sonar detected something briefly outside the secured perimeter, but it disappeared below the shelf before we obtained a clear reading."
Monkey's silence suggested that answer displeased him.
Gion concealed her relief. Law had honored the arrangement and remained nearby without surfacing where CP0 could surround him.
Two days earlier, the Oni Slayer had rendezvoused with the rebuilt giant longship west of Sabaody.
Zaraki's Marine crew had nearly broken formation when he stepped aboard alive after weeks of rumors and failed searches.
The officer who had commanded in his absence managed to deliver a proper salute before the deck erupted into shouts, accusations, and enough relieved laughter to carry across the water.
Zaraki had accepted the welcome with the awkward impatience of a man more comfortable being attacked than missed.
Once the crew settled, he transferred to his own ship for the official entrance.
Dorry and Brogy continued aboard their longship, while the Polar Tang remained submerged along the route.
Now the Oni Slayer appeared between the mangrove roots.
The modified Marine warship cut through the water under engine power, its black hull and reinforced ram giving it the appearance of a steel beast. Rows of cannon ports lined both sides, though every gun remained sealed in accordance with the assessment perimeter.
The War Demon's personal flag moved beneath the Marine colors: two pale blades crossed above a grinning oni skull.
Yamakaji watched the approaching ship.
"He kept the vessel intact."
Gion gave him a sidelong look.
"Was that in doubt?"
"With Zaraki, the condition of any ship after a voyage is always in doubt."
The Oni Slayer slowed before the berth.
Marines in dark uniforms lined the rails beneath coats marked with **Justice**, every one of them standing rigidly despite the relief still visible in their faces whenever they glanced toward the central cabin.
They were not an Admiral's personal guard or a ceremonial force.
They were the crew assigned to Zaraki's operations, hardened by the battles and disasters that followed him.
Monkey stepped toward the edge of the dock.
"Recording units ready."
The visual Den Den Mushi turned their eyes toward the warship.
Bear loosened his shoulders. Dog lowered his center of gravity by a fraction. Neither movement was dramatic, but Gion recognized the preparation beneath them.
"They expect a fight," she said.
"They came hoping for one," Yamakaji replied.
The anchor dropped with a heavy splash.
Machinery groaned as the gangway descended and locked against the reinforced dock.
No band played, and no formal announcement was made.
Zaraki had apparently refused every ceremonial suggestion Headquarters sent with the ship.
Footsteps sounded from the shadowed passage leading onto the deck.
Gion's hand tightened around Konpira.
Yamakaji placed the unlit cigar between his lips again.
Monkey's mask tilted forward.
The man they had spent hours discussing was finally about to appear.