New World, Hachinosu Island.
Marco drifted down from the sky, greeting them with a smile while every nerve stayed on high alert; the instant something felt off he would bolt.
The sword-strike that had just split the sea and exposed the ocean floor was simply too shocking.
Even Great Swordsmen like Mihawk and Fujitora hadn't been able to block it.
Marco figured that, if it were him, he could dodge it—only an idiot would try to parry—and he wasn't some sword-obsessed fanatic.
If you can avoid it, why take it head-on?
Still, if Vista had seen it, that guy would probably insist on testing the limits of his own swordsmanship.
Perhaps only Dad's shock-wave attack could match the world-shaking slash Little Brother Seven had just delivered.
"Captain Seven."
Marco took a letter of introduction from his pocket.
"Dad and the rest of the crew miss you, so they sent me to deliver this. Come see us whenever it's convenient."
Seven took the letter and glanced at it.
"No need to stand on ceremony, Brother Marco."
"I'm free anytime, but it'd be best if you all come in a month and a half—my birthday. We'll throw a big party."
Without noticing it, Seven was about to come of age again.
The last time he'd come of age felt like… the last time.
For the moment the Morning Star Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates had no open conflict; their turf bordered Big Mom's territory instead.
Young Linlin had been quite the beauty; alas, the years had been cruel, warping both figure and face.
Hearing this, Marco breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
The fact that Little Brother Seven was willing to invite the Whitebeard Pirates to his birthday meant the two crews were still good friends.
Yet for some reason Marco still felt tremendous pressure from Seven.
"I'll go back and tell Dad to prepare a grand present."
"Oh, right." Seven pulled out a den den mushi.
"Bro Marco, let's exchange numbers—stay in touch."
den den mushi really were handy: photos, fax, even live-streaming.
After a bit of small talk Marco prepared to leave.
"Little Brother Seven, I'd better hurry back and tell Dad—see you in a month."
"See you, Brother Marco."
Marco came and went in a rush, transforming into his Phoenix form and flapping skyward.
Watching him vanish, Seven sighed wistfully—how great it would've been to talk Marco into joining the crew.
With the Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Phoenix, Marco had monstrous regeneration and mobility.
He'd fought in more top-tier battles than he could count.
Yet combat was the least of it—his healing flames cured wounds and viruses, vital for a crew's stamina.
A perfect ship's doctor.
Pair him with Kuma and the sight would be beautiful.
The Morning Star Pirates had no shortage of offense or mobility; what they lacked were support specialists.
The Ope-Ope no Mi user, Doctor Phoenix, fit the bill—but who knew where that wanderer had drifted.
And Marco was a founding member of the Whitebeard Pirates; poaching him was impossible.
In the original timeline, after Whitebeard died at Marineford, Marco stayed loyal, sheltering the younger brothers and the remnants.
Kaido's resources? Seven could still swipe young Yamato and make her the band's first lady.
Someday he'd knock on Kaido's door with a bunch of chubby kids—
"Open up, old man Kaido!"
The Whitebeard Pirates were a different story.
Actually, there was a way.
But Seven refused to become anyone's son; even to Captain Roger he was a little brother, never a son.
While Seven was lost in thought,
Mihawk and Fujitora were raring for another round, eyes shining with excitement.
Seeing this, Seven grumbled irritably.
"Hmph, you damn Hakimi—I tank the hit for you and this is how you repay me?"
"And you, Mr. Fujitora."
[Author's note: the nickname is the MC's bad joke; it was explained when Aokiji asked the crew's name during the Ohara Buster Call.]
"Get back to work. If the Whitebeard Pirates arrive and we haven't rebuilt, we're toast."
When they'd seized Hachinosu, the Morning Star Pirates hadn't trashed the place; the rebuild was to redesign the harbor and docks.
On a planet ninety-percent ocean, a good port meant huge profits—and Hachinosu had gold mines, so ships were essential.
With Seven's lightning metallurgy, no smiths, steel bars, or even miners were needed.
The previous island boss had only cared about luxury.
Everything he'd built was for pleasure, barely helping the base.
Afternoon.
The crew's officers gathered at the half-finished harbor to send off the First Division.
Dorry and Brogy, with Oimo and Kashi, took the ten-billion-Berry gift and sailed on the attacking titan back to Elbaf to visit family and buy supplies.
Such as adam tree lumber and the giant-sized grape-vines.
If you're going to eat grapes, might as well eat the giants' super-sized ones—especially with so many Big Eaters aboard.
"Captain, we'll be right back—"
Seven cut in: "No rush."
"After all these years, stay home a while—spend time with your families."
"Call me if anything comes up."
Flags like that were better left unraised.
In an anime world it sounded more like a last will than a promise.
Dorry boarded the attacking titan and waved.
"See you, Captain."
Once the ship had vanished, Seven rode his pet Tyrannosaurus Rex, Duo Ke-ai, and ambled off to inspect the island.
Rebuilding was exercise too.
Fujitora used the Jiki Jiki no Mi to shift the stone Mihawk had sliced from the mountain to pave the streets.
Ginny dumped construction trash into the sea through her spatial gates.
Even Duo Ke-ai could carry smelted materials to every corner.
Trash duty was the Captain's privilege.
Everyone else had to hustle.
New World, Totto Land waters.
Dozens of huge merchant ships sailed in convoy out of Totto Land, heading for Hachinosu.
In one hold Kizaru, disguised as a sunglass-wearing trader, had escorted Rosinante this far.
Before parting he warned again.
"These dozen ships are supplies Beelzebul ordered through the Shipping King. You see the burning flags—no one in the New World bothers them."
"Even the Big Mom Pirates keep their distance. Beelzebul's influence is bigger than we thought;
he probably held back from slaughtering Marines only out of some misgiving."
Only Kizaru knew the reason: Beelzebul had promised him not to kill ordinary Marines in droves.
My man, you're a stand-up guy.
"Remember, your safety comes first."
Because Kizaru had once been Sengoku's chief of staff, he reminded Rosinante not to get hot-headed and blow his cover.
He thought of it because many hot-blooded officers had followed Akainu to G5,
clamoring to arrest Beelzebul.
That worry had Kizaru's eyelid twitching lately.
Rosinante nodded.
"Got it, old man."
Kizaru sulked—too lazy to retort.
Thirty-six and already "old man"?
Even chubby Sentomaru at Vegapunk's side called him that; only Beelzebul, polite and decent, still said "bro".
Pity the guy wasn't a Marine.
"I'm heading back. Beelzebul's Observation range is huge—any closer and he'll notice."
Rosinante nodded.
"Thanks, old man."