-Real World-
The revelation that an unknown Admiral had prior knowledge of the Sky Screen's broadcasts sent ripples through both Marine headquarters and pirate crews worldwide. While the Marines scrambled to analyze every word displayed on the ethereal projection, pirates found themselves deeply unsettled by this development.
-Broadcast-
Luffy's characteristic toothy grin faded as he fixed his serious gaze on his old friend. "Gin," he said, his voice carrying an unusual weight, "did you hurt Robin at the Revolutionary Army headquarters?"
The Admiral, draped in the pristine white coat that symbolized Marine justice, simply shook his head in response to the pirate captain's direct question. "Without my intervention, Miss Robin would never have escaped Baltigo alive," he replied, his tone measured and clinical. "The process was... complicated, but I ensured her survival. As for the others—" Gin's expression hardened slightly, "—they weren't my concern."
The answer seemed to satisfy Luffy, whose grin returned in full force. "That's all I needed to know! As long as you didn't hurt Robin, we'll always be good friends."
The captain's peculiar logic left his crew members exchanging bewildered glances, but the newly appointed Admiral showed no intention of taking hostile action aboard the Thousand Sunny.
"Luffy, I'll return to my room. You all... continue your conversation." Robin's voice carried a subtle tremor as she excused herself. She knew her captain well enough—as long as someone didn't cross his fundamental line of harming his friends or allies, Luffy would overlook almost anything else.
Despite being the son of the Revolutionary Army's leader, Luffy's impression of the organization remained lukewarm at best. Without the binding connection of shared allegiance, he didn't consider himself a true Revolutionary. At this point in time, he remained unaware that his sworn brother Sabo had joined their ranks.
"Sanji, it seems you've changed the most," Gin observed, his gaze lingering on the cook's unusual appearance. "What exactly did you experience during these 5 years? I remember you had quite the appreciation for beautiful women. Have you become so... extreme that you want to become one yourself?"
The sight of Sanji dressed in the flamboyant attire of the Kamabakka Kingdom—complete with makeup, a frilly dress, and stockings—would have been unrecognizable if not for those distinctive spiral eyebrows that marked him as a member of the Vinsmoke family.
Sanji took a long drag from his cigarette, the feminine makeup doing nothing to diminish his signature habit. Despite Luffy's casual acceptance of Gin as a friend, Sanji couldn't shake the memory of Robin's haunted expression. Whatever this Admiral had done at Revolutionary Army headquarters, it had left psychological scars on a woman who had survived the destruction of Ohara.
"Gin," Sanji said, cutting straight to the heart of the matter, "what's your real purpose for boarding our ship? Our positions are clear now—you're a Marine, we're pirates. Don't create unnecessary complications. Just state your business."
Gin met Sanji's direct gaze, noting the dark circles under his eyes and the invisible but palpable distance the cook was maintaining. "I had hoped to enjoy one of your meals again," he admitted, "but since you're so eager for answers, I'll be direct. You're heading to Dressrosa, aren't you? When you reach that island, I strongly advise you to complete whatever business you have there quickly and leave immediately. Don't linger."
His words sent a wave of surprise through the assembled Straw Hat Pirates. This wasn't the confrontational visit they had anticipated from a Marine Admiral. Instead, it seemed more like Gin had come specifically to deliver a warning.
"Is Dressrosa the Marines' next target?" Zoro asked, his hand instinctively resting on his sword hilts.
"I can't reveal operational details," Gin replied, his expression grave. "But Dressrosa is about to become a battlefield. I don't want you caught in the crossfire. There will be another Admiral on the field, and if combat erupts..." He paused, his meaning clear. "There are some things I won't be able to control."
The implication hit the crew like a physical blow. The Marines were deploying two Admirals to Dressrosa—their organization's strongest fighters. Whatever was happening on that island had to be monumentally significant to warrant such overwhelming force.
"That's enough talking," Gin said, his friendly demeanor returning despite the somber topic. "I've been away from my duties long enough. Consider this message delivered." A rare, genuine smile crossed his usually stoic features. "I don't know when we'll meet again. May your journey be safe."
His body began to shift and blur, transforming into countless water droplets that rose into the air like reverse rain. The droplets coalesced into a dark storm cloud that drifted away from the Thousand Sunny, leaving as suddenly as it had arrived.
Luffy stretched his arms dramatically and leaped onto the Sunny's figurehead, waving enthusiastically at the departing cloud. "Gin! We have to see each other again next time! That transformation of yours is really cool!"
The warning from a Marine Admiral left the Straw Hat Pirates in an unusual predicament. Purchasing a Log Pose for their next destination and restocking supplies in Dressrosa before making a swift departure seemed simple enough in theory. In practice, they all sensed that things wouldn't unfold so smoothly.
"Everyone, don't overthink it," Luffy declared from his perch on the lion figurehead, spreading his arms wide to embrace the ocean breeze and sunshine. "Let's sail forward to Dressrosa! Nothing can stop us from moving ahead!"
The optimistic captain remained unfazed by the prospect of facing two Admirals. Whatever awaited them in Dressrosa, he would handle it if he chose to—and if he didn't, no force in the world could compel him otherwise.
"Luffy hasn't changed a bit," Usopp muttered, though his tone carried fondness rather than exasperation. "What are we even worried about?"
"I should focus on today's menu," Sanji decided, slipping back into his role as the ship's cook despite his unusual appearance. "Usopp, go catch some fish from the sea. Robin seems upset—I'll prepare something special to lift her spirits."
"I'll inventory our supplies," Nami added pragmatically. "We can save time in Dressrosa if I know exactly what we need beforehand."
As the Straw Hat Pirates returned to their normal routines, the Sky Screen's perspective shifted away from their ship. The ethereal camera drifted across the ocean's surface until a massive fleet appeared on the horizon—more than twenty Marine warships sailing in formation toward the same destination: Dressrosa.
The dark storm cloud that was Gin descended toward the flagship, condensing into raindrops that pattered against the deck. Under the watchful eyes of Marine soldiers, their Admiral's form materialized from the precipitation, drawing immediate salutes from the crew.
The enthusiasm and respect in their expressions spoke volumes about Gin's standing among the rank and file—a sharp contrast to some Admirals who ruled through fear alone.
A particularly distinctive figure approached from the crowd of Marines—a man so bald his scalp gleamed like a beacon in the sunlight. "Admiral Gin," the officer said, snapping to attention, "Admiral Smoker visited your ship while you were away. He requested that you report to him immediately upon your return for an urgent combat briefing."
Character Note: Helmeppo, wielder of the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Arhat
"A combat briefing?" Gin's expression darkened with irritation. "Against Doflamingo? We could handle him with standard forces. This was supposed to be my operation, but Smoker insists on interfering. That man has always been too eager to involve himself in others' business."
The casual way an Admiral criticized another Admiral would have been scandalous in most military organizations, but the Marines aboard the warship studiously ignored the comment. Such matters between the highest-ranking officers were far above their pay grade.
"Helmeppo, accompany me," Gin ordered. "I want you to document whatever Smoker has planned after his inspection of the G-5 base."
As the two Marine officers launched into the air using Geppo (Moonwalk), their forms disappearing into the distance, viewers of the Sky Screen found themselves intensely curious about Gin's origins and background.
For the first time since the broadcasts began, the Marine intelligence network proved its worth. A weathered wanted poster landed on Fleet Admiral Sengoku's desk with a decisive thump—the bounty notice for "Man-Demon" Gin, a name that would soon carry far greater significance than anyone could imagine.