It was the ninth year of the Great Pirate Era, Sea Garden Era 1509.
In just two years, the sea had undergone earth-shaking changes.
The most shocking of them were undoubtedly two events.
First, Great Swordsman Hawk Eyes Mihawk had reached the summit and was hailed by the world as the world's greatest swordsman.
Second, Red-Haired Shanks had been invincible in the New World. In the end, he was named one of the Three Emperors ruling the seas alongside Whitebeard Edward and Beasts Kaido.
As for Big Mom, with the Soul-Soul Fruit appearing on the seas, the world finally became certain that the former ruler of the seas had faded into obscurity.
Yet everyone also believed that the waters known as the New World were waiting for their fourth master to arrive.
Thus, the sea's mighty figures competed fiercely, rushing toward that sea of dreams.
Gecko Moria, Heavenly Yaksha Doflamingo, Sea Knight Jinbe, Tyrant Bartholomew Kuma, and Desert Crocodile Crocodile—these names resounded throughout the world after battle after battle!
However, beneath the turbulent surface of the sea, an uninvited guest quietly arrived in the North Blue.
The maritime kingdom known as Germa 66 looked much more dilapidated than it had seven years ago.
This was not surprising, because the kingdom's master had invested most of its funds in the black-market trade of Devil Fruits.
Fortunately, most of the Germa Kingdom's residents were biochemically modified humans trained by Judge. Otherwise, with him running things so recklessly, a military revolt might well have broken out.
At that moment, inside a fortress-like building, Vinsmoke Judge sat upright and waited.
"Your Majesty, it's already been two days. Why don't you rest for a while?" a bespectacled civil servant reminded him.
"No. I must welcome the esteemed guest with the utmost composure!" Judge declared righteously,