Shimotsuki Village / Buster Call

The warm morning sun peeked shyly through the clouds. Golden rays fell across Foosha Village, where cooking smoke curled from the rooftops. Bathed in sunlight, the village was peaceful as a hidden paradise, untouched by the dust of the outside world...

Atlas had spent the past few days hanging around Makino's bar. After he scared off Higuma and his Mountain Bandits, Makino had warmed to her and quietly given her a discount, saving Atlas a fair bit of money.

But life like that soon grew too dull for Atlas. She was never one to sit still, so she decided to head up Gorgon Mountain and "run into" Garp and Ace. Maybe she could even talk Ace into joining the Marines someday.

Once she had the idea, she set off for Gorgon Mountain at once...

A few hours later, Atlas stared helplessly at a tiger growling a warning at her. If she remembered right, this big fellow would become the king of Gorgon Mountain and give Ace and his two brothers plenty of trouble.

"Go on, get out of my way."

Atlas waved it off impatiently. Whether it understood her or not, she stepped forward to pass it. The tiger's growl deepened, and its fur stood on end.

Atlas paid it no mind. If it let her pass, fine. If not, she would not mind finding out what tiger meat tasted like. The future king of Gorgon Mountain seemed to sense her thoughts. It kept growling, but showed no sign of attacking...

Once Atlas had passed the tiger, she activated Observation Haki to avoid obstacles and persistent creatures. The going became much easier. She did not know where Dadan's home was, but heading toward the center seemed a safe bet.

After wandering for several hours, Atlas finally picked up Garp's presence with her Observation Haki.

"Hey, old man Garp! You were hard to find. So, when are we leaving?"

As Atlas approached, she saw a child with short black hair, large eyes, and a few freckles. Far from spoiling his innocent face, the freckles made him even cuter. It was little Ace.

Ace was tugging at Garp's short beard and laughing, calling him "Grandpa" through his giggles. Garp looked down at him with open affection.

After several days together, the grandfather and grandson had gone from strangers to a happy pair. Ace was not shy to begin with—he was the Pirate King's flesh and blood—and he had quickly grown close to Garp.

"Hahahaha! How did you find this place, Atlas, you little rascal? This is my grandson, Ace."

Garp lifted little Ace over his head and showed him off proudly.

Little Ace opened his eyes wide and studied Atlas with curiosity.

"Hey, little Ace! Come on, call me Aunt Kanos. Be a good boy!"

Atlas grinned mischievously. That would put me in the same generation as Roger and Whitebeard. Luffy would have to call me Auntie one day, too. Hehehe... The thought left her practically drooling.

Little Ace seemed to sense that Atlas was up to no good. He turned and buried his face in Garp's chest, refusing to play along.

Atlas did not mind. She kept teasing him until his face crumpled as though he were about to cry, then finally stopped.

"So, old man, when are we leaving?"

Atlas returned to her earlier question.

"In a few days. We'll drop you off when we pass through Loguetown."

Garp seemed to recall Colonel Randall's request and answered casually.

Over the next few days, Atlas either played with little Ace or hunted on Gorgon Mountain to satisfy her appetite. Dadan's crew could handle preparing the game. Atlas could always give them the hides and teeth as payment.

Good times passed quickly. At last, the day came to leave Foosha Village. Villagers young and old gathered at the dock of their own accord to see Garp off. Whether they admitted it or not, they owed much of the village's peace to his protection.

Once the supplies and personnel had been accounted for, the Dog-Head Warship slowly pulled away from shore. The villagers dwindled into scattered black specks, then disappeared entirely...

Voyages at sea were always dull, so Garp resumed Atlas's training...

Atlas pulled off her Marine Uniform, baring her lean, muscular upper body. Her sharply defined muscles, with hardly any fat on them, gleamed in the sunlight. Opposite her stood Garp in a gray-white suit.

"Hahahaha! What I taught you before was the power of will. It doesn't matter if you still don't understand it. Now I'll show you how to make full use of your own strength."

Garp laughed heartily.

The technique sounded ordinary, but it was frighteningly useful. Say Atlas had a strength of one hundred: a punch might deliver only seventy, or even less, while the remaining thirty went to waste. Garp intended to teach her how to deliver a hundred and twenty with that same strength of one hundred.

"Come on, Vice Admiral Garp!"

Atlas understood how valuable the lesson was. She showed no fear as she shouted her challenge.

Garp was one of the undisputed powerhouses of the Old Era. His fists had carried him through countless battles, and most pirates lost their nerve at the mere mention of his name. He was still at his peak. His experience and technique were well worth Atlas's close attention.

The other Marines aboard gathered to watch. They might learn something from the fight, and on this cruel sea, even a little more strength was precious. Besides, it would break the monotony of the voyage.

Swish!

One Sword Style: Waterfall!

Atlas brought her sword down at Garp from above. A layer of black appeared over his hand: Armament Haki! Those who had not awakened Haki could not see Armament Haki, but Atlas could "see" it with her Observation Haki.

Bang!

The two collided. Garp did not budge, while Atlas staggered back several steps before she managed to stop. The difference between them was clear.

"Again!"

Atlas was not discouraged.

She closed in and thrust straight at him.

One Sword Style: Bird Thorn!

Garp left himself wide open. Beneath his clothes, however, his chest turned black: localized Armament Haki. He swung his right fist straight at Atlas's forehead.

Startled, Atlas pulled back her sword to block. She caught the punch by the narrowest of margins.

Their fight lasted more than an hour. It ended with Atlas sprawled on the deck, exhausted and covered in bumps.

With her remarkable talent, Atlas absorbed everything the fight had taught her. Similar bouts took place over the following days, giving the other Marines something to talk about over meals and making the tedious voyage a little more entertaining.

Until...

Shimotsuki Village

The East Blue...

A huge Dog-Head Warship cruised across a calm sea. A few gulls passed overhead now and then, and the fair weather should have made for a pleasant day. If not for the bumps covering Atlas's head and the odd looks the Marines kept giving her, she would have enjoyed it more.

"What's the next island we'll pass?"

Atlas stopped a Marine walking by and asked him. It had been a while since she had left Loguetown, and she missed everyone there, especially Lieutenant Wright and Smoker. Her feelings toward Wright were complicated. He had been the first person she met in this world, and he had helped her greatly when she first joined the Marines, sometimes openly and sometimes behind the scenes. To her, he was more like an older brother—or a father. She was grateful to him from the bottom of her heart.

"Huh? We'll reach Shimotsuki Village soon."

The Marine found the question a little strange, but he answered honestly. He admired Atlas's hard work and talent, even if she looked rather comical right now.

"Shimotsuki Village... Shimotsuki Village."

The name sounded familiar to Atlas. Then it struck her: that was where Zoro had learned Swordsmanship as a child. She frowned, as though facing a difficult decision.

A little later, Atlas's brow cleared. She strode toward the dining room, where Garp was devouring his food.

"Vice Admiral Garp, I'd like to disembark at Shimotsuki Village."

Atlas spoke with conviction.

"Huh? Why? Mmph... Aren't you going back to Loguetown?"

Garp spoke around a mouthful of meat.

"I heard there's a sword dojo in Shimotsuki Village. Its master, Koshiro, is an exceptional swordsman. I'd like to study there for a while. My Swordsmanship has hit a bottleneck."

Atlas explained her reasons carefully.

"So, Mr. Garp, could you tell Colonel Randall when you pass through Loguetown that I'll be back within a year at the latest? Sorry for the trouble!"

Atlas stood and bowed deeply. The bow was not just a request to carry a message. It was also thanks for taking her in and teaching her so openly.

"Fine, fine. You troublesome brat..."

Garp grumbled, but there was no displeasure in his eyes. He was clearly pleased with Atlas. He had trained countless Marines over the years, the most famous among them being Kuzan, the Marine monster now known as Vice Admiral Aokiji.

After sparring with Atlas for so long, Garp was certain her potential rivaled Kuzan's. Her sense of Justice was no weaker than any other Marine's, either. One day, she would become a pillar of the Marines.

With Garp's permission, Atlas returned to her Bedroom to pack some clothes and necessities. She also asked Bogard for money in case she needed it.

She did not intend to wear her Marine Uniform. In her previous life, she had heard that Koshiro had ties to the Revolutionary Army. She was not afraid he would harm her. For one thing, she trusted that a man of his strength had the dignity not to attack her. For another, the Revolutionary Army was not like pirates who killed indiscriminately. She only wanted to hide her Marine identity so Koshiro would not turn her away.

After disembarking, Atlas asked the locals where Koshiro's dojo was. She straightened her clothes and headed there.

Koshiro's dojo stood near the center of Shimotsuki Village. Most residents had learned a move or two there, practicing Swordsmanship when they were young, though Kozaburo, Koshiro's father, might have been the master back then. Lessons were not very expensive, so most villagers were happy to send their children. In a world where tomorrow was never guaranteed, having some strength could only help.

Atlas soon reached her destination. The famed dojo was enclosed by a low wall, with several buildings inside where Koshiro and his family presumably lived.

What puzzled Atlas was the silence. She heard no sound of sword practice from within. It was so quiet that she began to wonder if she had come to the wrong place.

Just as she was about to knock, a baby's loud cry broke the silence. Atlas understood at once.

What timing!

Atlas marveled at the coincidence.

Kuina must have just been born. No wonder the dojo's so quiet.

Atlas knocked on the dojo gate anyway.

Knock, knock, knock...

She did not knock loudly, but with Koshiro's keen senses—or his Observation Haki—he should have noticed her arrival.

The gate soon opened, revealing a smiling face.

Atlas blinked in surprise. She had expected to be greeted by a sour expression. From what she remembered in her previous life, Koshiro did not much like his daughter because he had wanted a son to inherit the dojo.

Looks like the rumors were wrong. Koshiro doesn't favor sons over daughters after all. Maybe he only said those things to discourage Kuina because he wanted her to live a peaceful life. He just didn't expect her to be so stubborn—or for his words to have the opposite effect.

"Hello, Mr. Koshiro. I've heard much about you. I came here hoping to study Swordsmanship under you!"

Atlas stated her purpose without preamble.

"Come in, and we'll talk..."

Koshiro gave no answer, merely inviting Atlas inside with a smile.

Atlas followed him in and looked around. The interior was much as she had expected. Just past the entrance lay a practice yard of modest size, where the students presumably trained.

In the main hall, Koshiro and Atlas each sat on a cushion. Only then did they have a chance to study one another.

Koshiro looked just as Atlas had imagined: a gentle-looking middle-aged man with a constant smile. Whether that was because his daughter had been born today or simply his usual manner, she could not tell. His glasses were not particularly thick, and his eyes were always narrowed, making his thoughts impossible to read...

"My daughter was born today, and my wife cannot come out to greet you. I hope you'll forgive us."

Koshiro sounded faintly apologetic.

His speech was rather formal, with something of Wano Country's manner of speaking.

"I understand why you've come. If you don't mind my humble home, I'd be happy to exchange insights on the sword with you," Koshiro said with a smile.

Atlas understood. He did not want to take her as a student, but he did not want to offend the Marines, either. So he was willing to let her stay and learn.

There's no point trying to hide anything from someone like him. With his skill in Observation Haki, he probably noticed Garp's ship the moment it docked.

"Then I'll be in your care, Mr. Koshiro."

With Koshiro having put it that way, Atlas could only accept. At least she would not be leaving empty-handed.

The Buster Call

West Blue, Ohara...

"History belongs to all humanity. No one has the right to deny people the chance to satisfy their curiosity about it!"

A white-haired old man held his gaze steady, each word a declaration of defiance against the World Government.

Then the cannons roared. Ohara vanished beneath smoke and fire, along with a group of pioneers who had sought the truth...

Flames climbed and devoured the Tree of Knowledge. The whole island became a sea of fire, filled with cries of anguish and voices of protest. It was hell on earth.

At the shore, Spandine, the highest-ranking officer of CP9, laughed wildly. He seemed beside himself at the prospect of promotion and riches, his face twisted into that of an Evil Ghost.

Suddenly, a Cannonball struck the evacuation ship meant to carry the refugees. It became wreckage in an instant. No one aboard survived...

"Bastard!"

Kuzan saw it happen. Fury surged through him, and he could not hold back the curse.

"Once you've started, you have to finish the job. Evil must be rooted out without mercy."

Sakazuki's face was hidden beneath his hood. His voice was low, and the chill in it cut to the bone.