Sea Circle Calendar Year 1486

Thud!

Tears streamed down the boy's face. He pressed his forehead to the ground and stayed there...

Tap, tap, tap, tap...

A moment later, the footsteps of the departing group rang out, gradually fading into the distance.

Just as the boy was about to lose all hope, Sakazuki's somewhat cold voice came from ahead.

"Keep up."

Unlike the Grand Line's unpredictable weather.

The weather in the North Blue was exceptionally fine that day, with ample sunshine and a gentle breeze brushing against their faces.

A warship sailed through the sea, sending ripples across its calm surface.

Sakazuki stood atop the third-level cabin of the warship, watching the soldiers training below.

Some were tall, some short, some fat, some thin, but they all had one thing in common: they were children, still young and inexperienced.

Every one of them had lived through the hell of a village or town being massacred.

This was only a small reflection of the world.

Yet it was also evil laid bare for all to see.

Over his two years of patrolling and hunting pirates, Sakazuki had encountered far too many children like these.

Those who wanted to join the Marines were sent to the nearest branch.

Supporting a few children was no problem for any branch. These were the seeds of the Marines' future, waiting for the day they took root and sprouted. Then...

As for those with exceptional talent or outstanding resolve, Sakazuki took them aboard his own ship to train them.

Once he returned to headquarters, he would send them to the Headquarters Academy.

These gifted children would one day become pillars of the Marines, bearing the world's justice on their shoulders.

They worked and fought toward that goal in their hearts...

"Buru buru, buru buru."

"Sir, Vice Admiral Morris is calling."

His adjutant appeared with a communications Den Den Mushi and reported to Sakazuki.

Sakazuki answered the call and said:

"Vice Admiral Morris."

A hearty laugh came through, and the Den Den Mushi grinned broadly, mimicking Morris's expression to perfection:

"Hahahaha! Sakazuki, long time no see."

"Get ready to return to headquarters."

"Your appointment as Vice Admiral has come through. Come back for the inauguration ceremony."

Though he had expected it, Sakazuki still could not help the slight upward curl of his lips.

For once, a trace of emotion entered his cold voice as he replied:

"Understood."

"Hahahaha! All right, get things ready. We'll get together when you're back at headquarters."

Click!

The sound of Morris hanging up the Den Den Mushi came through. The adjutant beside Sakazuki, who had heard everything, was also brimming with excitement.

Sakazuki smiled at his adjutant's reaction and said:

"Have them step up their training. We're holding a banquet tonight."

"Yes, sir!!!"

The adjutant answered excitedly, then vanished with a swish.

He used Shave to dart away, appearing on the lowest deck.

He shouted the news of Sakazuki's upcoming promotion to Vice Admiral, the increased training, and the banquet that night.

"Whooooo!!!!!"

Excited roars rose from the warship into the sky, startling a passing News Coo so badly that it faltered and nearly fell.

Sea Circle Calendar Year 1486.

On the Marines' side.

Two years of patrols and eliminating pirates had made Sakazuki's reputation throughout the Four Seas grow by the day.

Taking his strength into account as well, the senior leadership conferred the rank of Vice Admiral on him after deliberation.

Meanwhile, Zephyr prevailed over Morris in the competition and was promoted to Admiral under the code name "Black Arm." His reputation for never killing resounded across the seas.

And Smoker, the future Marine Vice Admiral known as "White Hunter," had only just been born on an island somewhere along the Grand Line.

On the pirates' side.

The Golden Lion's ambition to dominate the world swelled by the day. He gathered large numbers of pirates into a fleet and carved out his own domain in the New World.

Pursuing his dream of having a family, Whitebeard took in sons and daughters wherever he went, claiming considerable territory along the way and ruling over his own domain.

For unknown reasons, Charlotte Linlin and Kaido parted ways, each building up their own forces.

Meanwhile, the future "Pirate King," Roger, and the "Hero," Garp, were playing a game of chase across the Grand Line.