Baby 5

The night was deep, and the waves were surging.

The pitch-black Warship slowly sailed into the Gate of Justice, beyond which lay an unfathomable whirlpool and the silent, solemn entrance to Hell.

"Click--click--"

The clanging of the Seastone chains echoed hollowly on the deck, like footsteps from hell.

All members of the Donquixote Family were escorted under tight guard, dressed in prison clothes, and all looked terrified, except for one person.

Even with his hands bound by Seastone, Doflamingo still wore an arrogant smile, "Fufufu... Impel Down, huh?"

"Roy, you think this is the end of it?"

"The tide of the New Era will not stop, Roy!"

Roy stood at the foreground of the deck, his expression cold and unresponsive.

Beside him, Gion's eyes were slightly narrowed, her hand resting on Kompira, her tone icy. "Impel Down will give you a good 'welcome'."

"Take him away!"

At Gion's command, a large number of soldiers stepped forward and led the Donquixote Family members one by one off the Warship and Impel Down the chilling gates of Impel Down.

When the marines tried to take Baby-5 away, Roy suddenly reached out and stopped them.

The 14-year-old girl lowered her head, her hands were Seastone Handcuffs, and she curled up like a toy that had lost its owner.

Her eyes no longer held the expectation of obedience, but rather utter confusion.

Roy slowly approached, stopping in front of her, his tone gentle yet firm. "Baby-5, your abilities are not meant to be obeyed."

The girl shuddered, slowly raised her head, and looked bewildered.

"... I?"

Roy gazed at her, his voice deep and powerful. "It can be a force to protect others. I need you!"

"Use this ability to protect those who truly need help."

Baby-5 froze, tears welling up in her eyes. The words "I need you" shone like a ray of light into the depths of her dark heart.

"Can... I really do it?"

Roy nodded slightly. "The Navy needs you, the civilians need you, are you willing to become a Justice naval officer?"

"I do!!" The girl shouted out in a firm voice almost without hesitation!

The next moment, Gion walked over, took the key from the Marine, and smiled calmly, "From today onwards, you are no longer a weapon to be used."

Welcome to the Navy.

Baby-5, with tears in her eyes, nodded forcefully. The sound of the Seastone Handcuffs hitting the ground was like her past fate being completely severed.

Meanwhile, in the most secret floor inside Impel Down, Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood in front of a projected monitor, his expression solemn.

On the large screen, Sugar is being led into a special deep cage, wearing a custom-made Seastone suppressor, with even his breathing being precisely controlled.

"The Hobby-Hobby Fruit..." Sengoku murmured, recalling Roy's description of its harmful effects.

"If this power falls into evil hands, the whole world will be thrown into chaos!"

Magellan clearly understood the gravity of the situation and slowly nodded. "I will imprison him permanently, in solitary confinement at level 6!"

Sengoku glanced at the branch officers beside him, and finally his gaze fell on the intelligence file that Roy had brought.

"Secure intelligence; information about Sugar's imprisonment must not be made public!"

"Clear!"

Before the Warship returned, Baby-5 changed into a clean naval uniform, stood at the stern gazing at the dark outline of Impel Down, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

The night was as dark as ink, with a faint glimmer on the sea.

Gion, draped in a cloak, stood at the edge of the deck, her Kompira resting quietly against the railing, gazing at the distant stars and the rising and falling waves.

Footsteps sounded, and Roy walked over and stood beside her.

The sea breeze ruffled the hems of their clothes, and they remained silent for a long time.

Gion suddenly spoke, her voice low and gentle. "... Thank you, Roy."

Roy glanced at her sideways, his tone indifferent. "Why are you thanking me?"

Gion smiled gently, not answering immediately, but gazing at the endless sea, and slowly said, "Over the years, I've followed Tsuru in chasing Doflamingo many times, so I know a little about that girl."

"A child abandoned by his mother at a young age was exploited by Doflamingo, who used his psychological weakness of 'being needed' to turn him into a tool and a weapon."

She gripped the sword hilt tightly, then released it, a soft sigh escaping her lips, "Fortunately... she's still young, and hasn't yet made some mistakes. Many things can still be stopped."

Gion turned to look at Roy, her eyes serious. "Thank you for giving her a chance, and for giving her a choice."

Roy didn't speak, but gazed at the sea under the starlight. After a long while, he whispered, "Not everyone can choose who they are, but if she could, I would hope she chose 'human,' not 'weapon.'"

Gion nodded gently, a rare tender smile on her lips, "Then she will remember that she was truly 'needed'."

The two remained silent, the only sound the waves crashing against the ship's hull, as if sinking this quiet understanding into the deeper sea.

The next day, Marineford, Harbor.

The rising sun casts its golden rays upon the sea.

As the Warship slowly entered Marineford port, the entire Marineford in excitement!

"Rear Admiral Roy!!"

"Gion Vice Admiral!!"

The naval soldiers raised their weapons high, and a tsunami-like cheer erupted instantly!

Countless naval soldiers waved their Marine Caps and cheered, and even the soldiers on the shore gun emplacements laid down their weapons to salute the Harbor.

At the very front of the dock, the Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood in formal attire, his expression solemn.

Garp grinned broadly, with Zephyr and Vice Admiral Tsuru standing side by side, and behind them were Ace, Luffy, Zoro, Kuina, Law, and other elite members of the New Generation of the Navy.

Garp grinned and stepped forward first. "You little rascal! Well done!!"

"That's more like my disciple!"

Roy had just stepped off the Bridge and before he could even speak, Garp punched him in the shoulder, causing him to stagger but still stand straight.

Sengoku stepped forward slowly and said in a deep voice, "Rear Admiral Roy, your achievements have spread throughout the world!"

"You successfully prevented Kaido's prison break and thwarted Doflamingo's plot to seize the country... You are not only a top-tier fighter in the Navy, but also a symbol of Justice for the Navy!"

He unfolded an appointment letter and announced loudly, "By decision of Marine Headquarters, effective immediately, you are promoted to— Vice Admiral, Marine Headquarters!"

"Oh--!"

A Thunderclap roar of cheers swept through the entire Harbor!

Ace grinned. "Roy... he's getting stronger and stronger!"

Luffy's eyes widened, and he excitedly pumped his fist. "I want to be Marine Admiral too!!"

Zoro gripped his sword hilt tightly, staring at Roy's retreating figure, and whispered, "I will catch up with you."

Kuina brushed a strand of hair aside, her eyes shining brightly. "It seems I'm still far from good enough..."

Luo smiled slightly, lowered his hat brim, and curled his lips into a slight smile, "Mr. Roy... I look forward to fighting alongside you in the New World!"

Several hours later, in Marineford's Fleet Admiral's Office.

In the spacious and solemn Fleet Admiral's Office, Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, and Tsuru sat around the table.

Roy had just finished his routine medical check-up and, after tidying himself up, stepped inside.

Sengoku looked at him with a solemn yet gentle expression and said, "Roy, the Five Elders just finished making a Den Den Den Mushi."

He paused, his tone slow and heavy. "They agreed to grant you 'freedom of action'."

"You don't need to be stationed at the branch for an extended period. You can execute tasks flexibly based on your own judgment. If necessary, you can also launch your own 'counter-offensive against Pirate forces'."

Roy raised an eyebrow, his gaze darkening slightly. "Freedom of action? Are they really that generous?"

After a moment's thought, he chuckled softly, his voice low and somber. "Heh... they're afraid too?"

Garp grinned, leaning back on the sofa and yawning. "I wouldn't say you were completely scared, but the fact that you managed to get those old men on their guard shows that you've definitely demonstrated combat strength that surprised them."

Zephyr said in a deep voice, "To possess the operational authority of Admiral under the rank of Vice Admiral is an exception among exceptions."

Crane said meaningfully, "This freedom is both Trust and a test... but you did very well, Roy."

Sengoku stood up, looked out at the vast sea, and said in a steady voice, "This world is brewing a change."

"Your existence is not only a special combat force for the Navy... but also the spark for future 'reform'."

"We old folks may not be able to accompany you to that point, but..."

Zephyr took over, his expression resolute. "You must take them with you and keep going."

Garp burst into laughter. "Hahaha! You brat, don't disappoint me!"

Roy gazed at the four pillars of the navy, his expression as calm as ever, but he bowed deeply. "I understand."

The four exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with approval and expectation.

New Era of navy is quietly taking shape.