The first half of the Grand Line, the sea around Jaya at the heart of Paradise, had become the epicenter of a massive war. The expanding conflict between pirates and the World Government spread panic across Paradise, fueling a surge in piracy and pushing the seas further into chaos.
Even the once prosperous Sabaody Archipelago had partially fallen into lawless disorder. At least half of it now operated as an open black market, completely beyond the control of Marine Headquarters. With the majority of Marine forces deployed to the New World and the Golden Sea, the remaining troops struggled just to defend their assigned branches, let alone maintain order elsewhere.
Far from the Golden Sea and closer to Reverse Mountain lay the G-7 Marine Branch. Like all Grand Line branches, its designation began with "G," and it was commanded by a Vice Admiral. These branches were numbered by the order of their establishment. The earliest, G-1 through G-5, were stationed in the New World.
Even when destroyed, a branch's designation was never erased. It would be rebuilt under the same name.
As usual, a Marine warship departed from G-7 to patrol its designated waters. Compared to the past, its patrol range had been drastically reduced.
The Marines had taken heavy losses. In recent days alone, nearly half of their elite soldiers had fallen. With such a deficit, they had no choice but to shift into a defensive posture. Patrol zones were repeatedly contracted to preserve what strength remained and prevent further casualties.
That said, their duty had not changed. If they encountered pirates, they would engage without hesitation. Within their patrol zone, they would pursue relentlessly. Beyond it, however, was a different matter. Outside their jurisdiction, powerful pirate crews roamed freely, far beyond what a single patrol ship could handle.
If not for the periodic suppression carried out by Marine Vice Admirals, those pirates might have already dared to assault Marine bases outright. Even so, such incidents had begun to occur from time to time, each one costly.
Generally speaking, pirates avoided Marine-controlled waters. At some point, someone had even drawn a map marking the Marine sphere of influence across the Grand Line, highlighting zones of high risk and relative safety.
Copies of this map spread through the underworld and reached the Four Seas. Nearly every pirate crew now possessed one.
To the Marines, it was a humiliation.
The map showed that Marine-controlled waters covered only one-sixth of the first half of the Grand Line. In the past, this sea had been their backyard. They once dominated nearly everything, operating freely across ninety percent of the region. Pirates had either fled or hidden at the mere sight of a Marine flag.
Now, the situation had reversed.
The warship cut through the sea without a fixed route. The ocean was vast, and countless islands remained uncharted. Fixed patrol paths only made them predictable targets.
Yet this particular ship was not moving randomly.
Unseen forces guided its course in a subtle arc toward a specific destination.
As Teach had said, there were no coincidences. Only carefully arranged outcomes.
In the distance, a small, uninhabited island came into view. The warship passed it without concern.
What they did not know was that someone had been waiting there for a very long time.
"They're finally here."
Novoa stood on the shore, smiling as he watched the warship sail past at a measured distance. Excitement flickered in his eyes. By his estimate, he had been waiting nearly a month.
Teach had given him no timeline. After leaving him on this island, he had simply told him to wait.
So Novoa waited.
Every day, he scanned the horizon. Every spare moment was spent training or developing his Steam-Steam Fruit ability.
As for how to join the Marines, that part had been left entirely to him.
Now, the opportunity had arrived.
The moment he spoke, Novoa shot into the sky. Steam erupted from his body, propelling him forward as he flew straight toward the warship.
He had no intention of waiting.
On the deck, a man lounged lazily in a chair. His face was plain, even somewhat unattractive. He wore a yellow shirt, shorts, and a Justice cloak draped over his shoulders. A magazine rested in his hands, and from time to time, he let out amused chuckles.
Nearby Marine soldiers glanced at him, their expressions slightly embarrassed, yet unable to hide their curiosity.
"As expected of Rear Admiral Tokikake. Even something like that, he can get his hands on it."
"Once he's done, maybe we can take a look."
Tokikake stood on the threshold of promotion. As one of the Marines' rising stars, his strength and advancement far outpaced most of his peers. It was only a matter of time before he became a Vice Admiral.
Despite that, he carried himself without arrogance. Among the ranks, he was well liked. His repeated and very public failed proposals to Rear Admiral Gion had already become a running joke throughout the Marines.
"Rear Admiral Tokikake, incoming! Someone's flying toward us!"
The lookout's shout snapped everyone to attention.
Weapons were raised. Tension surged.
Tokikake closed his magazine with a soft motion and tucked it into his waistband.
"Where from?"
"That island over there. He's approaching fast."
Tokikake narrowed his eyes slightly, curiosity replacing alarm. Someone flying directly toward a Marine warship was not something one saw every day.
People stranded on deserted islands were common. People who approached willingly, far less so.
And those who could fly were rarely weak.
The Marines needed talent now more than ever. If this man proved capable, Tokikake intended to recruit him.
"Stand down. Let him come."
His tone was calm, almost relaxed, but his Observation Haki had already extended outward, locking onto the approaching figure.
At that same moment, Novoa felt it.
Even without fully awakened Observation Haki, his instincts screamed that he had been noticed.
"So they've already seen me."
His eyes sharpened. Steam surged more violently around him as he accelerated.
In just one month, he had grown remarkably proficient with the Steam-Steam Fruit. With a clear development path and his own insights, his progress far exceeded ordinary standards.
He had burned the manual after reading it once.
The knowledge remained, but the path forward would be his own.
He would not become a shadow of anyone else.
"He's here."
Now visible to the naked eye, Novoa descended rapidly, white steam trailing behind him.
Tokikake studied him carefully. The ability reminded him of someone from the elite training camp. A Logia-type Smoke-Smoke Fruit user named Smoker.
Promising.
"Thud!"
Novoa landed heavily on the deck, grinning, his eyes bright with excitement.
"Finally! I was starting to think I'd never see another person again!"
He looked somewhat disheveled, his clothes worn, but he was clean. Despite appearances, he carried himself with a certain ease.
"Excuse me, where am I?" he asked casually, turning to the nearest Marine.
"The Grand Line," the Marine replied, confused but honest.
"Oh? I ended up here?"
Tokikake's gaze sharpened slightly.
This man did not know where he was?
"Marines, take me to the nearest island. I'd appreciate it."
The tone was polite, yet carried an unmistakable casual authority.
Some of the Marines frowned. His attitude grated on them.
"I'm afraid we cannot simply assist someone of unknown origin," Tokikake said evenly. "Explain your situation first."
"No problem."
Novoa nodded without hesitation.
"But before that, I am your guest, right? I haven't had a proper meal in ages. Let's talk while we eat."
The audacity left several Marines visibly annoyed.
Tokikake, however, smiled.
"Fair enough. I'm hungry too. Prepare food."
…
"This is incredible. I almost forgot what real food tastes like."
Leaning back with a toothpick between his teeth, Novoa sighed in satisfaction.
During the meal, he recounted his story.
A fallen noble from the North Blue. Family destroyed. Years drifting across the seas. Enslavement. A shipwreck. Survival against impossible odds. Discovery of the Steam-Steam Fruit on a deserted island.
It was a story filled with misfortune and improbable luck.
Tokikake had already ordered an investigation. A Logia user was no small matter.
"So, what now?" Tokikake asked.
"Revenge," Novoa replied calmly. "I'll kill that noble first."
Tokikake's expression hardened.
"The Marines will not allow personal vendettas like that."
"Then I'll become a Marine," Novoa said with a faint smile. "If I act quietly, using that identity as cover, there won't be a problem, right?"
For the first time, Tokikake's pupils shrank.
In that instant, he understood exactly what kind of person stood before him.
Someone who did not follow rules.
Someone who bent them to his own will.
And someone who might become far more dangerous than he appeared.