Red-Haired Twins and the Baby in the Sky

Sea Circle Calendar, 1483

Time never stopped for anyone's will.

After the Five Elders issued that order, the world on the surface continued to run as usual—

But beneath what could be seen, undercurrents had already begun to gather, like slow yet irreversible tides beneath the deep sea, quietly pushing the entire era forward.

Marine Headquarters, Marineford

Heat waves rolled across the training grounds.

Fists tore through the air, ripping it apart again and again.

"Bang—!!!"

A dull, powerful impact exploded in the center of the field, its aftershock making the ground tremble slightly.

Zephyr had just withdrawn his fist when, as he turned, at the edge of his vision—

A familiar flash of lightning vanished without warning.

His brow shot up.

The next second, a roar erupted like cannon fire. "Rock—!!!"

"Where the hell are you running off to, you brat?!!"

"If I remember right, you haven't had a mission lately, have you?!"

The lightning paused slightly in midair, then gathered into a tall figure.

Rock stood suspended in the air atop lightning, arcs of electricity slithering beneath his feet.

He looked back at the training grounds and grinned at Zephyr, his tone light and almost casual.

"Don't worry~"

"I'm just going back home and catching a good show while I'm at it."

"I'll be back soon."

His words fell.

"Crackle—!!!"

Thunder exploded without warning.

The next instant, Rock turned into a streak of lightning that pierced the heavens, ripping through the clouds and dragging a dazzling blue-white trail of electricity as he sped toward the distant sea, leaving only a fading path of thunder in the sky.

The training grounds fell silent for a moment.

Then—

"Wow—!!!"

Cries of amazement erupted one after another.

"That was Vice Admiral Rock!!!"

"Th-that lightning just now... that was him, right?!"

"Is