In the first half of the Grand Line, near the towering Red Line, countless islands clustered together, slowly floating above the clouds.
At the center of the largest island surrounded by the archipelago stood a magnificent palace.
Trailing behind the island was an enormous vessel. Rather than a ship, it was actually a gigantic semi-elliptical boulder, with countless oars protruding from both sides.
At its bow was carved a massive lion's head, covered in a wild mane that looked both majestic and ferocious.
Inside an ornately decorated room aboard the ship.
Tap—tap—tap!
A series of strange footsteps sounded as a man in a scientist's white lab coat entered the room. His exaggerated clown-like makeup covered his face as he stopped before a blond man with shoulder-length hair.
The man was tall, with only half of his feet remaining and two double-edged swords tied to them. He wore a yellow-and-orange striped kimono, and half a ship's wheel was embedded prominently in his rugged face.
The scientist raised both hands and gestured wildly. Seemingly realizing the other man did not understand him, he finally spoke under the man's puzzled gaze.
"Admiral, the pirate crews we summoned have been arriving one after another. They're gathering in the nearby waters and should all be here by tomorrow."
"You can talk after all?!" Golden Lion bellowed furiously.
The cigar at the corner of his mouth trembled as he turned and walked to the wall, looking down through the window.
"This is too close to Marineford. Once we get farther away, I'll sink the island. You'll be responsible for receiving those captains on the island. I'll personally pay Marine Headquarters a visit and give those old bastards a warning."
"Understood, Admiral."
The scientist pulled out another newspaper and grinned. "Also, the experiment we conducted in the