Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Supreme Operations Conference Room.
Once a symbol of the world's highest authority, the conference room was now steeped in decay and despair.
Along both sides of the long table, the surviving vice admirals sat with their heads lowered like defeated roosters.
At the main seat, Sengoku, newly appointed Fleet Admiral, sat upright. His once jet-black afro had turned half white overnight.
"The situation… has reached its most dangerous point."
Sengoku adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. His voice was hoarse, yet carried unshakable resolve.
"Admiral Sakazuki has died in battle."
"Former Admiral Kuzan is critically injured. His Devil Fruit ability has been stripped, and his combat power has collapsed."
"Vice Admiral Garp has been captured."
He took a deep breath, clenching his fist.
"Marine Headquarters is now almost completely hollowed out in terms of top-tier combat strength."
"The Four Emperors are stirring in the New World, and the Revolutionary Army is expanding in secret."
"If we fail to inject fresh blood—justice itself will collapse."
Vice Admiral Tsuru let out a soft sigh.
"Sengoku… what are you planning to do?"
Sengoku suddenly stood, his eyes burning.
"Extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures!"
"First!"
He turned his gaze toward a corner of the room, where a middle-aged man was lazily trimming his nails.
"Borsalino. Although I was dissatisfied with your past performance, the Navy needs you now."
"Effective immediately, you are promoted to Admiral of Marine Headquarters."
"Codename: Kizaru."
"Stop slacking off. If the Navy collapses, you won't even have a salary left."
Kizaru smacked his lips, looking troubled.
"Ugh~ how terrifying. Pushing me to the front lines now is basically sending me to die…"
"…But fine. For the sake of my paycheck."
"Second!"
Sengoku's gaze shifted to the conference room doors, his tone turning grave.
"To fill the vacancies left by Sakazuki and Kuzan, I have exercised my authority as Fleet Admiral to recall a former Admiral."
"Come in—Zephyr."
Boom!
The doors swung open.
A burly man strode in. Though his hair was completely white, the ruthless and ferocious aura around him remained undiminished.
Former Marine Admiral—Black Arm Zephyr.
"Hmph. Sengoku, I never imagined I'd wear the cloak of justice again at this age."
"Akainu was extreme, but I will not ignore his death at the hands of pirates."
"That Uchiha Tobirama… I will crush him with my own hands!"
Sengoku nodded heavily.
"With you here, morale will stabilize."
"Zephyr, effective immediately, you are reinstated as an Admiral!"
"Third!"
A ruthless glint flashed through Sengoku's eyes.
"The Seven Warlords of the Sea system must be reinforced at once."
"By any means necessary, force those great pirates to the negotiating table."
"Let them become cannon fodder—to exhaust Uchiha Tobirama's strength!"
As the orders were issued one after another, the massive naval machine finally began to turn again—slowly, painfully, but undeniably.
---
After the meeting.
Fleet Admiral's Office.
The room was empty now.
Sengoku stood alone before the window, staring at the battered Marineford Square. He rubbed his temples, exhaustion etched deep into his face.
"The most troublesome issue… is still Kuzan."
He glanced down at the medical report on his desk.
Though Kuzan had survived, the loss of the Ice-Ice Fruit and severe bodily damage had reduced his strength to that of an ordinary vice admiral.
"A former admiral turned cripple…"
"If he remains in his position, it will be hard to convince the masses."
"But if he's demoted or dismissed, morale will plummet."
Sengoku let out a long sigh, as if several more strands of hair had fallen out.
"That Uchiha Tobirama didn't just kill people…"
"He left behind an unsolvable political nightmare."
"…Damn bastard."
---
East Blue, Loguetown.
The Town of Beginnings and Ends—where the Pirate King was born, and where he met his execution.
Buzz…
Space distorted slightly.
Tobirama appeared at the entrance of a bustling commercial street, accompanied by Hancock, Robin, Kaya, and the others.
Hands in his pockets, Tobirama looked relaxed.
"Since we're here, let's take a short break."
He casually tossed a black card—liberated from some unfortunate gangster—to Hancock.
"Buy supplies. Get Kaya and Robin some proper clothes."
"I have something to take care of."
"Yes, sir!"
Hancock's eyes lit up. She grabbed her two "rivals" and rushed toward a clothing shop.
"Robin! Those rags are embarrassing! Come with me!"
"And you, sickly weakling—move it!"
Tobirama shook his head as he watched them leave.
Women shopping could sometimes be more terrifying than the Four Emperors.
He turned and slipped alone into the shadows at the street corner.
Based on his senses, a weapon shop named Ipponmatsu was nearby.
A demon blade called Sandai Kitetsu was said to be there—not a Supreme Grade, but still worth collecting.
---
On another street.
"Stop! Don't run!"
"You despicable pirates!"
A clear, slightly naïve shout rang out.
A short-haired girl in a Navy uniform, wearing red-rimmed glasses, was chasing several pirates while wielding a famous blade.
Marine Sergeant Tashigi.
"Tch! A Navy woman!"
"Brothers—kill her!"
Cornered, the pirates drew their weapons, leering.
"She's kind of cute for a Marine."
"Shameless scoundrels!"
Tashigi pushed up her glasses, her gaze sharpening instantly.
Normally clumsy, she transformed into a professional swordswoman the moment she held a blade.
"One-Sword Style: Shigure Slash!"
Swish! Swish!
Steel flashed.
Her footwork wasn't elite, but against East Blue pirates it was more than enough. In moments, their weapons were knocked away, and the men collapsed, screaming in pain.
"Phew… done."
She sheathed her sword, a simple, honest smile appearing on her face.
"Now then, you're all under arr—"
At that moment, one pirate on the ground opened his eyes.
He'd been playing dead.
With a vicious glare, he pulled a short pistol from his pocket and aimed it at Tashigi's back.
"Die, you filthy woman!"
Bang!
The gunshot rang out.
Too close.
When Tashigi heard it and turned around, the bullet was already in front of her eyes.
"…Why?"
There was no time to dodge.
I'm going to die—
Buzz!
A silver afterimage appeared behind her, space itself seeming to misalign.
Smack.
A slender, pale hand casually caught the spinning bullet between two fingers.
"What?!"
The pirate froze in disbelief.
Tobirama stood behind Tashigi, his eyes indifferent.
"A sneak attack?"
"How boring."
Click.
With a light squeeze, the bullet crumbled into powder.
The next instant, Tobirama released only a trace of killing intent.
Boom!
The pirate's mind shattered. His eyes rolled back, heart stopping on the spot.
"Eh…?"
Tashigi finally realized what had happened.
She stared at the corpse, then at the silver-haired man behind her.
Her footing slipped.
Wah!
She fell straight into Tobirama's arms.
Frowning slightly, Tobirama placed a hand on her forehead and steadied her.
"Watch your step."
"As a swordsman, your lower body is far too unstable."
Tashigi flushed crimson and hurriedly stood straight, frantically adjusting her glasses.
"I—I'm sorry!"
"Thank you for saving my life! I'm Sergeant Tashigi from the Loguetown Marine branch!"
She looked him over carefully.
Silver hair. Red eyes. Cold, aloof demeanor.
This face… feels familiar.
She tilted her head, cowlick bouncing, then suddenly exclaimed:
"Ah! I remember!"
Tobirama raised an eyebrow.
She recognized him?
Tashigi pulled out a crumpled wanted poster, compared it with his face, then spoke seriously:
"Sir! You look just like that great pirate—Uchiha Tobirama—with a bounty of one trillion!"
Tobirama: "..."
The next moment, Tashigi shook her head, stuffed the poster away, and laughed confidently.
"No way!"
"How could a legendary demon who killed an admiral stroll the streets so casually?"
"And you saved me! That monster must be a ruthless killer!"
"It's just a coincidence! The sea's huge—people can look alike!"
Tobirama stared at the clueless Marine, lips twitching.
This level of intelligence…
Is she really Kuina's reincarnation?
"…You're right," he said flatly.
"I'm just a passing… sword enthusiast."
"Oh? You like swords too?"
Tashigi's eyes lit up.
"Then you must be a master!"
"Are you buying a blade? I know the best shop in Loguetown!"
She puffed out her chest enthusiastically.
"To repay you for saving me, I'll be your guide!"
"There's a shop called Ipponmatsu—owner's stingy, but his blades are real!"
A little white rabbit, eagerly leading a big bad wolf.
A faint smile flickered in Tobirama's eyes.
Using the Navy as a guide to loot a shop?
Interesting.
"Fine," he said.
"Lead the way."
"Yes! This way!"
Tashigi happily walked ahead, completely unaware that the terrifying demon she described was following right behind her.