Naval Headquarters — Marshal's Office, more than ten minutes ago.
Marshal Sengoku answered a call from a Celestial Dragon on Sabaody Archipelago.
"Are the Celestial Dragons really going to be attacked?"
Sengoku frowned in confusion, but there was a hint of surprise in his expression. The Celestial Dragon had been barking like a mad dog moments earlier, which left a sour taste in his mouth. That group of arrogant trash…
"Haha, I wonder if someone really dares to lay a hand on them..."
Garp chuckled while munching on senbei. He seemed genuinely pleased by the news and appeared to be looking forward to seeing a Celestial Dragon get beaten up. Garp hated the Celestial Dragons, and he didn't bother hiding it. With his legendary military achievements, the World Government couldn't touch him—despite the fact that his own son was the leader of the Revolutionary Army that had toppled dozens of nations.
As a Marine, Garp held immense prestige across the Navy and even among the common people worldwide.
"Garp! Be careful with your words!"
Sengoku scolded. Who didn't despise the Celestial Dragons? He did too. But his justice was about maintaining order. Even if he couldn't touch the Celestial Dragons, he had to keep the pirates in check and protect civilians. Justice and stability still had to be upheld.
His justice was justice that ruled over the world.
"Marshal Sengoku, I'm heading out."
At that moment, Admiral Kizaru, who had been lounging on the couch reading the newspaper, stood up. He volunteered to respond. Akainu gave him a glance, then closed his eyes again as if drifting back into sleep.
"Borsalino, protect the civilians. Those who dare to attack Celestial Dragons may not necessarily be cruel pirates. Just be careful."
"Don't worry."
Kizaru strolled out of the office with his hands in his pockets. As soon as he passed the door, he vanished in a flash of light.
Seven minutes later, Sengoku's Den Den Mushi rang again. It was another call from the Sabaody Archipelago—this time, a panicked voice from a Marine. The report was shocking: two Celestial Dragons had been tortured and killed!
"What?!"
Sengoku's eyes widened in disbelief. Even Akainu raised his head, his expression stunned.
"Someone actually dared to kill the Celestial Dragons?"
"I'd really like to meet someone like that," Garp said with surprise, but there was still some amusement in his voice.
"Garp! Watch what you say! If the Celestial Dragons are dead, we're the ones in trouble!"
Sengoku cut him off harshly.
Akainu muttered coldly, "This is the first time I've heard of Celestial Dragons being killed."
He added, "They usually only die of old age. This has never happened before—except for the Donquixote family."
"He must be eliminated," Akainu declared. "If not, the World Government's authority will crumble!"
His tone was merciless. He believed in absolute justice—no room for compromise or evil.
Sengoku immediately contacted Kizaru again. Even Kizaru, en route, was stunned by the news.
---
Sabaody Archipelago
The island was in chaos. At least half of it was engulfed in panic. Dust filled the air as people fled in every direction.
This was over an hour after Vane had killed the Celestial Dragons.
The Sabaody Archipelago had seventy-nine distinct areas. Areas 1 through 29 were known for human trafficking shops, slave auctions, and illegal dealings. Vane swept through these sectors, destroying everything in his path. He moved swiftly, freeing large numbers of slaves and killing dozens of traffickers. In the end, he demolished all the auction houses and illegal zones.
Nothing could be more outrageous.
Vane didn't care about the consequences. If the World Government and Marine Headquarters turned a blind eye to these atrocities, then he would be the one to act. He wasn't some righteous hero, but he couldn't tolerate this kind of legally sanctioned sin.
Ten minutes later, Vane destroyed the final corrupted zone.
He was preparing to leave the Sabaody Archipelago. He couldn't stay here any longer—not now.
He had taken a huge risk and lingered on the island for over an hour.
He'd already developed the powers of the Shock Fruit to an intermediate level. Maybe he could go toe-to-toe with an admiral. Even if he couldn't win, he was confident he could escape unharmed.
He didn't know for sure. After all, Devil Fruits could evolve, and there was always the possibility of awakening.
"Brother, the Navy is on its way."
An old man appeared on a hilltop. He had white hair, a white beard, wore glasses, and held a sake bottle in his right hand.
Silvers Rayleigh — the Dark King!
"It's one of the Admirals," Vane replied calmly.
"Perfect. I wanted to see how wide the gap is between us."
Vane felt a powerful aura quickly approaching. The speed was incredible.
Admiral Kizaru — Borsalino!
"Rayleigh, are you going to help me take on Kizaru?"
Vane stood tall, looking the older man in the eye.
"Oh?"
Rayleigh raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't expect anyone to recognize me. I'm just trying to live a quiet life."
Rayleigh sighed. He was surprised Vane recognized him, but quickly got over it. What shocked him more was what the young man had done on the island. Killing Celestial Dragons was one thing, but wiping out the entire criminal underworld of the Sabaody Archipelago? That was on another level.
And then there was the fruit…
The Shock Fruit.
Whitebeard wasn't dead—so how could this boy have that fruit?
It looked too similar. The Roger Pirates had clashed countless times with Whitebeard's crew, and Rayleigh knew that power well. Could it be a different Paramecia-type with a similar effect?
The destruction was terrifying. And this kid… he was barely a teenager. He had decades of growth ahead of him.
A future monster.
"I've seen something like your ability before," Rayleigh said, watching closely.
"Do you mean this?"
Vane raised his right fist. A glowing white orb of energy enveloped his hand.
"It really is…"
Rayleigh narrowed his eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Vane replied coolly. He could already feel Kizaru approaching.
"Ever been kicked at the speed of light?"
A calm voice echoed as a shining leg swept in from the side.
"Nope."
Vane's fist met Kizaru's light-speed kick. The air cracked violently. Kizaru's leg bent unnaturally.
"Oh?"
Kizaru raised an eyebrow.
"That ability… Whitebeard's Shock Fruit?"
"Mind your own business."
Vane drove his fist into the ground beneath Kizaru, causing the terrain to fracture. Cracks spread like spiderwebs, and the admiral's figure was momentarily overwhelmed by the force.
"Horrifying… Even if it's not the Gura Gura no Mi, it's nearly identical! The destructive power's not as intense as Whitebeard's—but he's still growing. He's going to be a monster."
Rayleigh watched from a distance, deeply impressed.
If it came down to it, he was prepared to intervene. Some seedlings needed shelter if they were going to survive the coming storm.
---