Ice Age

Before the storm took shape.

Aboard a Marine warship.

On deck, the sails billowed.

The instant lightning tore across the sky—

That figure had already vanished beyond the horizon.

All he left behind was the lingering smell of scorched air and a fading trail of lightning.

Sengoku stood at the bow, his cloak snapping in the sea wind.

He watched the streak of light race away, a dull ache building at his temples.

"..."

The next second, he shot out a hand and grabbed Garp, who was about to launch himself into the air after him.

"Garp! Stay right where you are—!!!"

Garp stumbled under the force of the pull and nearly pitched overboard. Even his cloak was yanked askew.

"Hey, Sengoku!! Let go!!"

"Why does he get to go first?! I'm going too—!!!"

Sengoku gritted his teeth in fury.

"Not one of you can stay out of trouble!!!"

"Settle down!!!"

"This is no time to charge in on impulse!!!"

Garp struggled twice more before finally stopping, though his face was thunderous.

"Tch... This sucks."

"How can there be a fight without me?"

Off to one side.

Kuzan stood beside Tsuru with his hands in the pockets of his black coat, watching the tug-of-war with lazy amusement.

"Ah, well~"

"That's Rock and Mr. Garp for you."

"Always fighting to be first into the spotlight."

His words were light, his tone easygoing.

But behind his sunglasses, his gaze had already turned to the distance.

There, the air itself seemed to be growing denser.

Tsuru ignored their squabbling.

She studied the sea chart in her hands, tracing the route with a fingertip.

Wind-direction arrows.

Airflow markings.

Isobars.

She looked up and closed her eyes, quietly feeling the air move as the sea breeze brushed through her hair.

A few seconds later, she