An Encounter as the Fog Dispersed

Grand Line, outskirts of the Florian Triangle.

The thick fog had thinned here, and sunlight could already cast its light upon the sea.

A medium-sized four-masted sailing ship was traveling through this hazy stretch of sea.

The Boro—

On the bow deck, three young men of distinctly different temperaments stood guard around an exceptionally tall man.

Blenheim, with short black hair and a stern expression, meticulously wiped down his spear.

Rakuyo, whose loose bangs stirred lightly over his forehead, rested a hand on the hilt of the weapon at his waist. He appeared somewhat restless, constantly gazing toward the fog gradually thinning in the distance.

Meanwhile, Gram, with his pineapple-shaped hair, held a nautical chart as he spoke quietly with the tall man in the middle.

That man stood there with a massive naginata braced against the deck, imposing even without anger.

He had a white mustache curved upward like a crescent moon. His bare upper body was covered in knotted muscles, and he wore a broad captain's coat.

The white captain's cloak draped over his back fluttered lightly in the sea breeze.

The man who would one day become the strongest man in the world—Whitebeard Edward Newgate.

"Hmm... so if we follow this course, we'll be completely out of this fog in another day?"

Whitebeard lowered his head to study the chart in Gram's hands, his voice booming.

"Yes, Pops," Gram replied. "But according to intelligence we intercepted recently, the Navy has noticeably strengthened its defenses around the Sabaody Archipelago."

"If we want to go there to have the ship coated, it may be troublesome."

Whitebeard stroked his distinctive crescent mustache, his gaze deep.

"Sabaody... we should indeed make a trip there. But before that, I'd like to see an old friend first."

"An old friend?" Rakuyo turned, curiosity