The South Blue

Sengoku and Zephyr, dressed in white Marine uniforms, were climbing the steps toward them, one behind the other.

Two rows of Marines stood with their chests out and eyes forward, as if frozen in place.

The two Admirals entered and headed for the Headquarters Building. As their figures disappeared inside, officers followed, each carrying an imposing air of authority.

"The Mountain Cleaver, Vice Admiral Begulus!"

"The Mantis Blade, Vice Admiral Lufa!"

"The Boxing King, Vice Admiral John Tyson!"

"Is that—? The Pirate Hunter, Vice Admiral Zoros, who split ten pirate ships with a single slash five years ago!"

"..."

Flag Officers of every description climbed the steps, each radiating power. Every Headquarters officer present felt a jolt of awe.

Nerves, excitement, and elation surged through them.

Many of these famous officers were heroes to the Marines, though they rarely had a chance to see them. Every one of them was a pillar of Headquarters.

The Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals were bedrock to the entire organization. Each had mastered Haki, possessed formidable strengths of his own, and deserved respect.

As sunlight fell across the steps, a tall, broad, muscular man with a square face and black hair approached at an easy pace, laughing as several people accompanied him.

"The Hero of the Navy!"

"Vice Admiral Garp!"

Nearly every eye turned to him. For a moment, even breathing seemed to stop.

Garp came up the steps with Bogard behind him. To his left walked a tall figure, smiling.

"Kuzan—the monster of the younger generation!"

Everyone recognized the tall man and silently put a name to his face.

Over the past two years, three monsters had grown steadily more famous throughout the Marines.

Their powerful Logia abilities, combined with their own immense strength, made the three seem almost godlike. Countless young Marines regarded them with awe.

"Wait!"

"Who's that behind them?"

Someone in the crowd cried out in shock.

"Xia Le!"

"It's Rear Admiral Xia Le!"

The Marines' gazes shifted again, settling on the young Marine not far behind Garp. He was tall and powerfully built, his muscles looking ready to burst through his clothes.

Two figures followed him, one on either side. Both wore Marine caps and kept their heads slightly lowered, hiding their faces, but the force of their presence was unmistakable.

"You're late, Xia Le, you brat!"

Garp paused and turned, a grin immediately spreading across his face.

When he saw the upright, powerfully built figure behind him, he froze for a moment.

Master and student had not seen each other in a long time. The scrawny kid Garp remembered had grown so tall and imposing.

"Teacher Garp!"

Xia Le grinned and quickened his pace to catch up.

In an instant, Garp's entourage grew larger.

"Xia Le!"

Kuzan smiled too.

Bogard smiled and nodded in greeting.

"Kuzan, Bogard!"

Xia Le smiled.

"You've changed a lot, kid."

Garp studied him in wonder, then raised a hand and thumped Xia Le's shoulder a few times.

"But that build suits you better!"

His gaze then moved to Bullet and Crocodile. He paused, and his expression grew more serious.

"You've found yourself some capable deputies, too!"

South Blue

Crocodile, user of the Sand-Sand Fruit.

Douglas Bullet, the Demon Heir and a former member of Pirate King Roger's crew.

Garp naturally recognized them both, and he was somewhat surprised that Xia Le had managed to win them over.

Then he remembered how the kid had previously brought a crew of Pirate Supernovas under his command.

"You really have gathered a rebellious bunch around you, kid!"

Garp sighed.

"They're good partners."

Xia Le smiled.

Crocodile and Bullet said nothing. Both knew that silence was the most appropriate response in a setting like this.

"Are they?"

"Then put them to good use!"

Garp smiled and looked away.

As a teacher, he was happy to give his student room to find his own way. To Garp, everyone deserved the freedom to choose, and everyone had to take responsibility for the path they chose.

Xia Le had his reasons for doing this.

As for what kind of man his student would become, or how he might change the world?

That was not for his teacher to worry about!

After all, Garp had never suspected his student in the Celestial Dragons bloodbath at the Sabaody Archipelago.

How could an outstanding Marine poised to inherit his Hero of the Navy title do something so audacious?

The group continued up the stairs toward the Headquarters Building, Xia Le and Kuzan talking quietly along the way.

A short while later, a female officer guided them into the conference room.

The conference room had clearly been prepared in advance. It was spacious and grand, with a long table in the center and neatly arranged seats around it.

The officers took their seats in turn, the Vice Admirals sitting at the long table.

Xia Le, Kuzan, and the others sat in the seats around it.

The room was quiet. Before long, someone had even begun to snore.

More officers arrived and took their seats to wait for the meeting to begin. Xia Le looked around. Every face wore a different expression: some stern, some tense, while others were yawning.

About half an hour later, Kong entered with his aide, his expression grave.

"Looks like nearly everyone's here."

"Let's begin."

His opening was brief, a perfect reflection of the direct, decisive style of a Marine.

It was a habit he had developed over years of assigning combat missions.

When a battlefield demanded action, who had time for long-winded speeches? If one word would do, he would never use ten.

On a battlefield, time was life.

"Roger Pirates reached Laugh Tale, and Roger became the Pirate King. The event has had an enormous impact on the world."

"We've already issued numerous emergency assignments in response."

"Our efforts to suppress and eliminate the pirates causing unrest have undoubtedly been effective."

Kong spoke rapidly.

"However."

"Roger's influence has still exceeded our expectations."

"The entire sea is in turmoil because of him. Pirates such as Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom continue to ignite conflicts."

"The Four Blues are no calmer. New pirates are pouring out to sea without end."

"Pirate King Roger, in particular, must be apprehended to quell the upheaval caused by his rise!"

After a brief pause, Kong's expression hardened.

"In light of these recent events, I'll assign missions to every officer here."

"You have two primary objectives."

"First, search for and capture Pirate King Roger and his crew across the world."

"Second, your assignments will focus on suppressing pirates throughout the seas. Crush these newly emerging troublemakers with everything you have!"

Kong slammed a hand on the table, his gaze turning sharp.

The conference room remained silent. Every Flag Officer listened intently.

"Now, the assignments."

Kong drew a small breath and continued in a deep voice.

The assignments proceeded calmly and in order.

"Sengoku, remain at Headquarters and oversee the waters around the Sabaody Archipelago."

Sengoku nodded.

"Zephyr, Water 7, Long Ring Long Land, and the surrounding islands."

Zephyr nodded.

Kong issued one assignment after another. Before long, his gaze turned toward Xia Le's side of the room.

"Kuzan, head to the North Blue and eliminate the pirates causing unrest."

Kuzan stood. "Yes, sir!"

"Xia Le, you're going to the South Blue."

"You'll be responsible for eliminating pirates and searching for Roger."

Kong's voice was firm.

Xia Le paused in surprise, then nodded.

The assignments came quickly. Officers accepted their orders and left, and soon Xia Le heard Garp's name.

Naturally, they had been assigned to different regions. Garp was responsible for the East Blue.

Many officers silently mourned the pirates of the East Blue. Everyone knew that the sea once called the world's strongest might soon become its weakest.

Sakazuki and Borsalino were called soon afterward and received their assignments as well.

"You may wait for your Warships to be modified, then cross the Calm Belt to the Four Blues. Or you may depart immediately and have the modifications done later."

Kong addressed the room.

Many officers did not understand what he meant, but an explanation soon followed, drawing astonished reactions.

No wonder Headquarters had launched such a sweeping campaign of suppression and search. If their ships could cross the Calm Belt, supporting one another would become much faster and easier.

"Dismissed!"

With that, Kong ended the meeting.