NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Marine Operation
At Marine Headquarters, in the Intelligence Division…
"Admiral Zephyr-sama, we've located the last place Gol D. Roger visited. It's in the East Blue, not far from Loguetown," reported a Marine intelligence officer, bowing slightly in respect.
Gol D. Roger—a name that continued to be a thorn in the Marines' side even after his death.
"Hm. Makes sense," Zephyr muttered, exhaling a thick plume of smoke. "When facing the end, one would naturally return to one's hometown. Don't you agree, Sakazuki?"
Sakazuki, his eyes hard and unforgiving, responded firmly. "If that's the case, it's a base of evil that must be purged. Those who worship so-called 'heroes' like Roger must be stamped out. Justice demands it."
Zephyr's gaze was steely as he nodded in agreement. "Erase them," he said, watching Sakazuki's expression darken. "We need to end this era of madness, and it's time for those pirates to get a harsh wake-up call."
Since the Pirate King's execution, pirate activity had skyrocketed, pushing the Marines to announce bounties and dispatch patrols worldwide. But their efforts seemed futile. In a week's time, news of pirate havoc had emerged from all corners of the world.
The execution that was supposed to mark the end of piracy had, instead, ignited the Great Pirate Era, spurred by Roger's final words—a call to adventure that reshaped the world.
---
The global tension only grew as Zephyr led his three top students on a mission to an unnamed island in East Blue. Speculation ran rampant; the Marines' massive mobilization had caught the world's attention. Many believed they were heading to Roger's hometown and that something significant awaited there.
While Loguetown was known as Roger's birthplace, his true hometown was a mystery, one he likely kept secret to protect it. Now, the eyes of the world were on the Marines. Many feared a clash with Roger's formidable crew if they returned to defend his legacy, and the opportunity to make history lured pirates to East Blue from every direction.
Yet, the island itself remained quiet, untouched by the turmoil of the outside world. Life continued in peaceful routine. The women went about their housework, men toiled for their livelihood, and children played freely. Here, it seemed, the pirate king's legacy was little more than a distant rumor.
---
At dawn, Kaizen rose, gathering his fishing gear as usual and heading toward the shore. He greeted villagers along the way with a gentle smile, receiving warm welcomes from everyone, young and old alike. This island, with its tranquil rhythm, had become his home. No one treated him as an outsider, and even the local dogs wagged their tails happily when he passed by.
Sitting by the shore, Kaizen prepared his gear and settled in for his day's work. But the weather felt off. One moment, clouds covered the sky; the next, the sun shone brightly. The wind blew erratically, shifting directions with no pattern, filling Kaizen with an inexplicable restlessness.
After fidgeting for a while, he finally sat up, eyes scanning the horizon. His instincts flared with an ominous sensation. "Something big is coming…" he muttered.
Just then, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air.
In a flash, Kaizen reached for his fishing rod. "Busoshoku Haki—armament." A dark aura wrapped around the rod, and with a swift motion, he cast it forward like a javelin.
A loud explosion erupted midair, scattering flames and smoke. Kaizen's sharp gaze fell upon a line of Marine warships appearing on the horizon.
Without warning, cannon fire rained down, but Kaizen remained calm. He used Conqueror's Haki, freezing the cannonballs in their tracks and detonating them in the sky. The successive blasts were intense, and the villagers were soon alerted by the noise.
"What's going on?"
"Is it pirates?"
Some rushed to the coast, where they spotted Kaizen standing firm, unfazed amid the artillery barrage. Beyond him, a fleet of Marine warships approached.
The sight was nothing short of extraordinary.