East Blue.
Entrance to the Grand Line.
The waves surged violently, crashing against the massive Red Line.
Howling winds whipped up sprays of water that filled the sky.
The Spade Pirates' ship rocked violently amid the swells.
On the deck, Portgas D. Ace stood with one foot on the railing.
His messy hair blew wildly, and his orange cowboy hat snapped in the wind.
"Men."
"Reverse Mountain is right ahead!"
"Once we cross that mountain, we'll enter the Grand Line!"
"I'll make the entire world hear the name of the Spade Pirates!"
Ace pointed at the torrent shooting straight into the clouds ahead and laughed loudly.
The Pirates cheered in unison, raising the rum in their hands.
Every face was filled with fervor and anticipation.
Just then.
The navigator in the crow's nest suddenly rubbed his eyes.
He grabbed his telescope and pointed fearfully toward the sea ahead.
"Captain, there are people ahead!"
Ace frowned and looked in the direction the navigator indicated.
Above the rushing currents at the entrance to Reverse Mountain.
Several figures stood on the water as though it were solid ground.
The raging waves could not even wet the hems of their clothes.
"Devil Fruit users?"
"Who cares who they are? If they're blocking our way, blast right through them!"
Ace clenched his fist, and a ball of blazing fire rose from his palm.
The pirate ship rapidly closed in.
The figures on the water gradually came into view.
They wore matching black bodysuits beneath gray-white armor, with animal masks patterned in red over white.
The leader had slightly curly short hair and a short blade strapped to his back.
It was Shisui Uchiha.
"Confirm the target's identity."
Shisui Uchiha spoke without the slightest fluctuation in his voice.
An Anbu Ninja beside him pulled out a