New World - Moby Dick
The massive pirate ship shaped like a white whale cut through the New World's waters, its carved figurehead gleaming in the morning sun. On the deck of the Moby Dick, Edward Newgate sat on his throne, a freshly published newspaper spread across his massive hands.
His eyes narrowed as he read the headline.
"Big Event: Golden Lion's Grand Fleet Suffers Marine Attack, Completely Destroyed in Edd Sea!!!"
The bold letters dominated the front page of the World News. Newgate's expression shifted from casual interest to something approaching disbelief as he absorbed the article's contents.
According to the report, Admiral Sengoku had led a pursuit force from Marine Headquarters, accompanied by the hero Garp and Chief of Staff Tsuru. They'd received intelligence on Shiki's location and struck with devastating speed, catching the Golden Lion completely off guard.
The article praised the Marines' tactical brilliance. Vice Admiral Sakazuki and Vice Admiral Borsalino had led the assault, their Devil Fruit abilities tearing through Shiki's defenses. The entire Flying Pirates fleet had been decimated. Several of Shiki's most notorious captains were either dead or captured.
Only Shiki himself had escaped, fleeing with severe injuries as his pirate empire crumbled around him.
Newgate lowered the newspaper slightly, his expression thoughtful. As one of the sea's most powerful pirates, he knew better than to swallow the World News' narrative wholesale. The publication wasn't controlled by the World Government, but it orbited close enough to their influence that truth and propaganda often blurred together.
Still, photographs didn't lie. The front page image showed Marine warships sailing triumphantly through the wreckage of Shiki's fleet, debris and destruction stretching to the horizon.
"This is really..." Jozu stepped closer, his voice tinged with shock. "Dad, is Shiki finished? I didn't expect someone like him to be defeated by the Marines. Their strength seems beyond what we imagined."
Newgate nodded, then slowly shook his head. "If the newspapers are telling the truth, then yes, the Marines' power is greater than expected." He tapped the newspaper with one thick finger. "However, the reports might be exaggerated. More importantly, as long as Shiki himself wasn't killed, the Flying Pirates aren't truly destroyed."
"That's right." Jozu crossed his arms. "I have no doubt Shiki could make a comeback."
"Why?" Marco asked, stepping forward. The young pirate's expression was genuinely curious.
At this point in his career, Marco wasn't yet the First Division Commander. The Whitebeard Pirates hadn't grown to their future legendary size. He was still an intern, young and learning, though Newgate had already recognized his potential and kept him close. The Phoenix Devil Fruit power he'd acquired made him valuable, a rare Mythical Zoan user.
Newgate smiled at the question. "Gurarara! Most pirate crews are built around their captain as the core. That's true for us, and it's true for Shiki." He gestured broadly with the newspaper. "As long as that bastard survives, he can rebuild. Give him time, and he'll raise another fleet just as powerful as the last one. He'll remain the Pirate Overlord."
Having said his piece, Newgate set the newspaper aside. What happened to Shiki didn't concern him. They'd sailed together once, long ago, but those days were past. As long as the Golden Lion didn't provoke him, Shiki could be whatever kind of overlord he wanted.
"How far to Wano Country?" Newgate asked quietly.
"Within a week, Dad," Jozu responded immediately.
The Moby Dick sailed on, carrying Newgate toward his fateful meeting with Kozuki Oden.
Oro Jackson
On another ship cutting through the Grand Line's waters, Roger and his crew gathered around the same newspaper, bottles of sake making their rounds.
"The Marines are shameless!" Gaban slammed his drink down, newspaper crumpled in his other hand. "Everyone else might not know how Shiki's fleet was really destroyed, but we do! Now they're saying Sengoku defeated him?"
"Wahahaha!" Roger's laughter echoed across the deck. "This is perfect, isn't it? With the Marines taking credit, we don't have to be in the spotlight. I don't want everyone's attention right now."
"You should drink less," Crocus said sharply, fixing Roger with a stern glare. "It's terrible for your health."
Roger waved him off. "If I can't drink, I might as well not live."
"What are we supposed to do when you die early?" Rayleigh's voice cut through the casual atmosphere, his expression serious.
"Without your ability to hear the Voice of All Things, we can't decipher the Poneglyphs," Gaban added. "No one will reach the final island."
Roger smacked his lips thoughtfully. "Seems like we need to find someone who can read the ancient texts..."
Across the World
The news of Shiki's defeat rippled across every sea. In the New World, the Marines' reputation, which had been steadily declining, suddenly surged. Every base, every outpost buzzed with renewed confidence.
Of course, it wouldn't last. Unless the Marines followed up with sustained action in the New World, their influence would wane again.
But Shiki's fall created opportunity. The New World had never lacked for ambitious pirates, and not everyone had accepted the Golden Lion as "Pirate Overlord."
Charlotte Linlin certainly hadn't.
Neither had Kaido of the Beasts.
A fierce battle for supremacy was inevitable.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford - Training Ground
The training ground looked like a warzone.
What had once been a carefully maintained space with compacted earth and reinforced walls now resembled a battlefield. Craters pocked the ground, dirt and stone thrown up in massive mounds. A section of the perimeter wall had collapsed entirely, rubble scattered across the area.
Zephyr stood at the edge of the destruction, arms crossed. Beside him, Kuzan, Garp, and Borsalino observed the scene with varying degrees of interest.
At the center of the chaos, Finn sat cross-legged in the ruins, eyes closed, sweat beading on his forehead. The air around him seemed to shimmer with barely contained force.
Five minutes ago, he'd eaten the Press-Press Fruit.
Five minutes ago, gravity around him had gone completely haywire.
If Kuzan and the others hadn't intervened immediately, suppressing the wild fluctuations of power, the entire training ground might have collapsed. Now Finn was doing the hard part: bringing the chaotic energy under his control.
"He's calming down quickly," Zephyr observed, watching Finn's aura gradually stabilize. "Good control over his power."
Zephyr had never eaten a Devil Fruit himself. His strength came from Haki and physical technique alone, making him one of the world's top fighters through pure skill. But he never imposed his philosophy on his students. Teaching meant adapting to each person's needs and talents.
When Finn had returned from the New World with the Press-Press Fruit and announced his intention to eat it, Zephyr hadn't objected. In fact, his interest in Finn's development had only increased. If properly trained, the Press-Press Fruit's wielder could eventually rival Shiki himself.
Just as Zephyr finished his assessment, Finn stood.
He took two steps forward.
Then stumbled, his movements uncoordinated, as if he'd forgotten how to walk. Each step seemed to alternate between too light and too heavy, his body adjusting to the constant gravitational flux around him.
Zephyr's expression darkened. "As expected. Never praise someone before they've proven themselves."
"The stronger the ability, the worse the initial disorientation," Garp said calmly, unconcerned. "This is normal."
Despite not being a Devil Fruit user himself, Garp had watched Kuzan go through the same process. According to his protégé, when Kuzan first ate the Ice-Ice Fruit, he'd accidentally frozen an entire section of ocean.
Compared to that, Finn was doing fine. At least he hadn't flipped Marineford upside down.
"Instructor." Finn approached Zephyr, his gait still slightly off-balance. He straightened to attention and saluted.
Zephyr nodded, then sighed. "I'd planned to have you focus on mastering the Six Powers first, but in your current state, you can't even control your basic strength." He studied Finn's stance, noting the minute tremors. "Learn to control this new power before worrying about developing advanced techniques."
"Yes, instructor!" Finn's response was immediate and crisp.
He'd known it wouldn't be instant. When he'd first considered eating the Press-Press Fruit, part of him had imagined immediate mastery, rapid ascension to the ranks of the truly powerful.
Reality was messier.
But he had the foundation. And more importantly, he had patience. Seven years of grinding his way up from nothing had taught him that.
"Finn." Zephyr's voice took on a more serious tone. "Ability is important, but your fundamental qualities matter just as much. Don't become too obsessed with Devil Fruit power at the expense of everything else."
As he spoke, his eyes flickered toward Borsalino.
The Vice Admiral caught the look immediately. He understood perfectly well that Zephyr was referencing their long-standing philosophical disagreement. From the beginning, they'd clashed on this point: Borsalino relied heavily on his Glitter-Glitter Fruit, while Zephyr believed in balanced development.
Zephyr had also noticed the growing friendship between Finn and Borsalino. He worried that the Vice Admiral might lead his promising student astray.
"Don't worry, Instructor Zephyr," Finn said seriously. "I understand. I want to become someone without weaknesses, someone strong in Haki, Devil Fruit ability, and physical technique all at once."
Zephyr paused, studying him. He knew Finn's character, his dedication. The boy, no, the young man, had incredible perseverance.
"It's a good goal," Zephyr finally said. "The path will be harder than you imagine." A slight smile crossed his face. "But you're already far better than some bastards I could mention."
Borsalino's face twitched. He coughed awkwardly.
"I'm talking about you!" Zephyr pointed directly at him. "Hmph! If you had half of Finn's dedication, I'd worry far less." He shook his head in exaggerated disappointment. "Alas."
Borsalino wisely kept his mouth shut. What could he say? Zephyr was his teacher. Arguing would be disrespectful, and ultimately pointless.
At that moment, the Den Den Mushi on Garp's wrist began ringing. The snail's features morphed into Sengoku's stern expression.
"Garp, bring everyone to my office. Specifically bring Finn."
"Got it," Garp replied.
The Den Den Mushi clicked off.
"Well then." Garp stretched his arms overhead. "Seems like Sengoku wants to see our newest devil fruit user."
The group headed toward the Admiral's office, Finn still adjusting his steps as they walked, the weight of his new power settling into his bones.