The history of these seas stretches back into antiquity. Ever since Gol D. Roger ignited the Great Pirate Era, the number of rookie pirates sailing from every corner of the world has climbed at a terrifyingly exponential rate. Yet to the high command of "justice" gathered here, these so-called up-and-coming buccaneers—even those boasting bounties in the hundreds of millions—are nothing but immature yellow-haired brats. No matter how many there are, they remain ants beneath their notice.
What truly sends a chill through these waters are the dread legends of the old age—most of all, one forbidden name. At the mere recollection, every officer in the Supreme Military Council Chamber felt an icy dread surge from their feet to the crown of their heads. Instinctively, they all glanced at Garp.
"What are you staring at me for? I've done my part. It's time for your generation to carry the burden," the old hero Garp harrumphed, feigning indifference. No one dared to contradict him—least of all Sengoku, who felt a bitter pang at the reminder of Marineford's toll. Though the Navy had emerged victorious and justice had been upheld, Garp's heart lay shattered, forced to watch his own grandson fall before him. The weight of the "hero" title and the burden of "justice" pressed suffocatingly upon him.
Sengoku shook his head. The Summit War's losses were grave: infighting had nearly toppled the command, Kuzan had defected, and instructor Zephyr had fallen at Kizaru's hand. The very word "justice" lay in tatters. Blackbeard had seized Whitebeard's legacy to become a new Yonko. Punk Hazard's latest reports spoke of Luffy's Straw Hat crew openly challenging Warlord Doflamingo and even eyeing a confrontation with Kaido. Big Mom's alliance with Germa 66 guaranteed New World wars on multiple fronts. And now this Liu Feng had come to stir the waters, resurrecting the dead Roger.
Even with Green Bull and Fujitora's arrivals bolstering their ranks, the Marines remained stretched thin. What if the gods of the God Valley era—all those terrors locked in history—returned now?
"Do we have any intelligence on this Liu Feng beyond what's in our system?" Sengoku asked, worry creasing his voice.
Akainu lit a fresh cigar, exhaling smoke through narrowed eyes. "CP0 has turned up nothing on him—as if he never existed in these seas. All we know is: he resurrected Roger. We don't yet know if he can revive anyone else. But in raw power, one swing of his blade cleaved Loguetown's execution plaza in two—a scar over a thousand meters long…"
Fujitora murmured, "A great swordsman's realm…" Beside him, Vice Admiral Momotaru gripped his famed blade, both understanding what a wound a thousand meters wide implies: the pinnacle of sword mastery—an aspiration shared by every duelist on the Grand Line.
"Where did they go after leaving Loguetown?" Tsuru asked.
Akainu's adjutant answered calmly, "They commandeered a Marine warship. Our garrison gave chase—but were cut down. Their trail ends there."
Garp, who'd been silent, cracked a grin. "Scary stuff. Should I go see for myself? It's been ages since I dueled Roger…"
"Garp—have you not learned your lesson?" Sengoku snapped, and Kizaru's grin faltered, memories of their joint failures surfacing.
Akainu waved the matter aside. "Liu Feng and Roger can wait. Dressrosa's political turmoil demands our attention. Fujitora, you'll lead that mission."
Fujitora bowed. "Understood."
"As for Liu Feng and Roger," Akainu continued, "since they've set sail, their destination is obvious. People like them won't waste time in the East Blue or Paradise. They'll head straight into the New World—the true stage of pirate supremacy."
Eyes brightened around the table. Sengoku nodded inwardly: Sakazuki may be ruthless, but his strategic acumen was undeniable. Liu Feng and Roger would indeed push into the New World. That ocean—known as the Pirate Graveyard—was where the fiercest battles would be fought.
"Issue bounties," Akainu commanded, pounding his fist on the table. "All New World branches: remain on high alert. For justice!"
A surge of lethal intent crackled through the chamber.