New World waters.
Mist churned.
It drifted close to the sea's surface, occasionally peeling back at the edges to reveal the dark, abyssal waters below.
"Whooo—"
The ship cut through the waves.
It was a World Government vessel whose entire communications system had inexplicably failed.
The mast stood high, its flag swallowed by the mist. Direction held no meaning here.
On deck, rows of Cipher Pol agents stood neatly in formation, not daring to move recklessly.
Their gazes had all fallen upon the center of the deck.
There were only two people there, one standing and one lying down.
The standing man wore a crimson Marine uniform, his cape hanging motionlessly.
His presence was as heavy as magma. Even without doing anything, he continuously radiated an oppressive force.
Before him.
A sun lounger that had clearly been moved aboard temporarily sat casually in the middle of the deck, with a man reclining upon it.
Beachwear.
Sunglasses.
He held a glass of juice in one hand while the other dangled over the side of the chair. He looked as relaxed as though he were on vacation.
The entire ship had fallen into an eerie silence. Even the sound of the sea breeze sweeping across the deck seemed exceptionally clear.
Just then, the man on the sun lounger's nostrils twitched slightly.
"Hm?"
It was as though he had smelled something.
He raised a finger and lightly pushed his sunglasses down, revealing his eyes.
They were calm, yet seemed to hold flickering lightning deep within.
His gaze passed over the bow and settled ahead. The mist—had grown denser.
"Well~"
Rock chuckled softly. His voice was quiet, yet exceptionally clear within this oppressive space.
"Looks like—"
He slowly sat up.
"We're here."
Sakazuki stood beside him, his eyes locked on the waters ahead.
"Rock."