Far away, at the Egghead Island research institute atop the Red Line.
Inside the research room.
The red alarm light for Punk Hazard sounded once, then immediately stopped.
The screen switched to a live surveillance feed of the island. Only a few charred scraps of flesh remained, showing that the intruder was dead.
A few seconds later, the feed disappeared.
The annotated world map reappeared.
Vegapunk and his clones had long since grown used to this in the laboratory and continued their experiments.
Ships approaching Punk Hazard normally would be turned away by patrolling Marines stationed ten nautical miles off the island, though some reckless fools still tried to land.
They ended up like the intruder above, an all-too-familiar sight.
By now, the disasters brought on by the Great Cataclysm were gradually subsiding.
The world was also beginning to stir again.
The Marines sailed from the New World toward the Grand Line, establishing garrisons on one island after another.
Meanwhile, the Four Blues, cut off from outside news, remained mired in turmoil.
Forces such as gangs and nobles, once suppressed by the Revolutionary Army, had risen again. After more than a year of power struggles, the battle for islands across the world was nearing its end.
Either the Revolutionary Army held the island and took complete control.
Or the gangs and nobles reclaimed it and became more ruthless than ever.
Under these circumstances, people across the seas could no longer sit still.
They began setting sail using the most primitive means, whether to trade or simply venture out to sea.
Clack, clack-
The laboratory's mechanical doors opened, and Carol walked in.
"How are the identification cards coming along, Doctor?"
Vegapunk put down what he was holding and greeted Carol.
"They're nearly ready. All the functions have been installed."
"Next, we