Edd's Meeting

Time is the most powerful force—no one can resist its passage. Over these years, Dawn had grown from a small child into... a child.

At Marine Headquarters, the sun rose early, but the climate was unexpectedly not so hot, thanks to its location in the New World.

This was roughly three years before the Great Pirate Era began.

Dawn had now spent a year and a half at Marine Headquarters, and the calendar read Round Sea Calendar 1496.

As time passed, major events unfolded one after another.

While Dawn focused on his training, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense with the news spreading through the Marines.

And Dawn knew that before the Pirate King was born, the decisive battle between Golden Lion and Roger—the Battle of Edd Sea—was about to begin.

It was now clearly noticeable that the atmosphere at Marine Headquarters was no longer as relaxed as when Dawn first arrived; one could even feel the heaviness hanging in the air.

Even the current Fleet Admiral, Kong, had temporarily set aside matters concerning the "Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces" and began personally overseeing Marine Headquarters.

When intelligence agents from the New World delivered the latest news to Marine Headquarters, a sharp sound like an air raid siren echoed through the base.

"Fleet Admiral Kong! Roger and Golden Lion have made contact on the Edd Sea in the New World!"

With the siren blaring, the intelligence officer's voice rang out in the ongoing Marine meeting.

"Look, here's our chance." Hearing this news, Garp couldn't help but grin widely.

He stood up and prepared to sortie, his eager movements making it clear how much he valued this opportunity to continue pursuing Roger.

Still in his prime, Garp wore a black suit with a vice admiral's coat draped over his shoulders, looking utterly imposing.

His black hair and thick black beard showed that he was still at the peak of his middle years.

But before Garp could take two steps out, Fleet Admiral Kong's voice came from beside him: "Stop right there, Garp. I'm not finished speaking."

Garp turned back and casually closed the door, saying, "You may not be finished, but I've heard enough."

"Garp, stop!" With the door slamming shut and Fleet Admiral Kong's angry shout, Garp still went his own way, leading his subordinates toward the dock where the warships were moored.

"Mr. Garp, you turned down another promotion, didn't you?"

"That's so cool." The young Aokiji, in his blue uniform, walked behind Garp with his hands in his pockets, letting out a sigh, completely lacking his usual lazy demeanor.

"If you want to be free, you don't need such a high rank." Garp grinned widely and turned his head to look to the side.

At that moment, a sleepy Saul was yawning as he followed behind Tsuru.

"Little Tsuru, once the ship sets sail, give me a ride too."

"The sortie order hasn't come down yet, and you'll wreck the ship the moment you're on it. I don't want you aboard." Tsuru said irritably.

"Don't say that. That guy Roger has to be dealt with by me." Garp laughed loudly.

"Garp, the matter with Golden Lion Shiki has been handed over to us. You'd better go back."

Sengoku, one hand resting on the ship's railing, shouted at Garp, with the future Admiral Kizaru—Borsalino—standing behind him, wearing a lecherous grin under his Marine cap.

Garp raised his hand in a "greeting" gesture and said excitedly to Sengoku, "Don't worry, I'll give you all the credit."

"That's not what I meant!!" Sengoku roared in frustration.

"Hahahaha." It was clear that chasing his old rival Roger made Garp very happy.

"Oh? Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp are both going out?" Fire Mountain, a cigar dangling from his mouth, stood on the deck with Mole, watching the scene.

"After all, the opponent is Roger. Mr. Garp can't just sit this one out." Mole couldn't help but sigh.

These two had been entangled as old rivals since their youth.

On the other side, the New World.

On the Edd Sea, two of the three great pirates were meeting on this ocean.

"Captain Roger!!!!!"

"Life is the most important thing! Let's just give in to Golden Lion!!"

With his distinctive squawking voice, Clown Buggy clutched his head, tears streaming, his face a picture of utter despair.

At this time, Clown Buggy didn't yet have his later appearance; he simply wore a black hat on his head, with a short leopard-print yellow band at the brim.

"You've become someone who can't die no matter how many times you're cut. What does it matter?" The young Red-Hair, wearing a straw hat, spoke up to comfort him.

"I have plenty of weaknesses too, you idiot!"

Buggy's eyes looked like they might pop out at any moment as he turned to the ship's doctor with a hopeful expression: "By the way, Mr. Crocus, how is the captain's condition?!"

Saying this, Buggy scurried over to Crocus, tears glistening in his eyes as he gestured with his hands: "If he's not fit to fight, you're a doctor—go stop him."

"Unfortunately, he's in top form right now." Crocus casually spun his harpoon a few times, then slung a spare harpoon over his back and made a few thrusting motions.

"Rayleigh-saaan~~"

Before Buggy, with his distinctive squawking voice, could reach Rayleigh, someone grabbed him by the black hat.

"Give it up. We've been with Roger for so long, and we've never been able to talk him out of anything."

"No way..."

"We must trust Tom's ship, the Thousand Sunny. Roger doesn't have much time left." The young Rayleigh's tone grew heavy by the end of his words.

"How many times have I said this, Roger? Though we had our share of grudges in our youth, let us forget them now."

"With the world-destroying weapons you know the whereabouts of, my forces, and the perfect plan I've spent years building, I can rule this world at once."

At that moment, Golden Lion stood at the bow, extending his right hand to Roger in invitation:

"Become my right arm, Roger!"

"I have no interest in ruling, Shiki. If I can't do what I want, what's the point of being a pirate?"

Though gravely ill, Roger still radiated that same arrogance and boldness!

"No matter how much pressure you put on me, Golden Lion!! I refuse your offer!" Facing a force dozens of times his own, Roger showed no fear in rejecting Golden Lion.

Behind him stood Rayleigh and the others. Even surrounded by dozens of Golden Lion's fleet ships, not a trace of hesitation could be seen in their eyes—in fact, smiles hung on every one of their lips.

"Don't say that, Captain! Do you know they have dozens of ships?" Clown Buggy clung to Roger's arm with tears streaming down his face, utterly panicked, but Rayleigh grabbed him and pulled him away.

"You mean you want me to kill you right here, Roger?!" Golden Lion asked with savage fury.

"I mean I'm going to crush every last one of you!" Roger grinned widely as he answered.

The great battle began!