New World.
On a winter island blanketed in white snow, the sky was gray and overcast. Cold winds howled as large snowflakes drifted down.
Atop a towering snow-covered mountain stood a black skull flag. Three blood-red scarlet stripes ran across the skull's left eye, resembling scars.
At the summit of the mountain was a massive circular crater, where the members of the Red Hair Pirates were holding a banquet. Cheerful music drifted farther and farther away through the wind and snow.
"Marine Admiral Akainu led ten large warships in launching a Buster Call against the great pirate Silver Axe, who murdered the king of West Orchid Island...
After the Kingdom of West Orchid lost its king's leadership, factional infighting intensified, and riots and clashes frequently erupted throughout the country..."
Seated beside a long dining table, Beckman looked at the World Economy News Paper in his hand and could not help sighing.
"Recently, the world's situation has really been getting more and more chaotic!
Don't you think so, Captain...?"
As he spoke, he turned to Red-Haired Shanks beside him. The latter rested his right elbow on the table, holding a small sake cup as he murmured softly.
"Perhaps. I always feel that all it needs is an opportunity, and this era will completely descend into chaos..."
Just as Red-Haired Shanks was about to say something else, he seemed to sense something. He raised his head slightly and looked toward the distant gray sky.
Immediately afterward, Beckman, who was a beat slower, stubbed out the cigarette in his hand in the ashtray and narrowed his eyes.
"Looks like someone incredible has arrived...!"
Whoosh!
A black shadow dove down from the sky, quickly appearing before the members of the Red Hair Pirates.
"Yo! Isn't that Sephiroth? What brings you here?" Red-Haired Shanks asked