A year has passed since the Red Eye Navy warship docked at G-5 Base.
A year in the New World is usually spent training or fending off relentless pirate attacks. However, G-5 Base now presents a very different scene.
A cool sea breeze blows through the wheat fields and thriving tomato gardens behind the soldiers' barracks. In another corner, the sounds of cows and sheep can be heard occasionally, mingling with the synchronized shouts of hundreds of Navy soldiers undergoing physical training on the main field.
Gone are the days of G-5 soldiers acting like street thugs. Their uniforms are neat, their posture is upright, and iron discipline is ingrained in their very bones.
They are now known as the most aggressive hunters in these waters. Pirates or slave traders—no matter who their "backer" or big boss is—will be mercilessly destroyed the moment they enter G-5 patrol territory.
In fact, white flags bearing the red-and-white Fan emblem now fly proudly on several unaligned islands around the base, ensuring no criminal dares set foot there.
At the edge of the training field, under a comfortable shade tent, the Vice Admiral and Base Commander sat laughing heartily. He gazed out at the field with pride.
"Hahaha! Look at those kids, Seven! This base has never felt this comfortable since it was first established!" the middle-aged man exclaimed, slapping his thigh.
Quentin Seven, sitting in a recliner next to him, merely smiled faintly, his eyes closed peacefully as he enjoyed the breeze. As usual, he hadn't touched a drop of alcohol. On the small table beside him sat only a freshly brewed cup of hot tea.
"They just need a little guidance and a clear goal, Vice Admiral," Seven replied casually.
The Commander's attention shifted to the two teenagers who had just finished a sparring session in the middle of the field. Sakazuki and Borsalino.
A year of intense training in the New World had transformed them drastically. Their physical growth had skyrocketed like monsters.
Although Sakazuki was only eleven and Borsalino fourteen, their height now surpassed Seven's. Their muscles were solidly defined, radiating an aura forged by steel.
"Those two students of Black Hand Admiral Zephyr are absolutely insane," muttered the Vice Admiral, shaking his head in amazement. "Last year, I could still teach them proper etiquette on the field. But now? I have to risk my life just to make them both lose. Their strength has developed far too rapidly."
Sakazuki and Borsalino walked toward the tent. Sweat drenched their clothes, yet their breathing was perfectly steady.
At the same time, a beautiful woman with wavy blue hair stepped gracefully out from the direction of the base building. Manmayer Gunko placed a tray of fresh snacks and a fresh teapot on the table. She stood behind Seven's chair, smiling gently, ready to serve whenever needed.
However, not a single soldier at G-5 Base dared to underestimate Gunko as just an ordinary servant.
Over the past year, Gunko had slowly begun to demonstrate her abilities. She was known as a user of a deadly Arrow-type Devil Fruit.
In several pirate-clearing missions, her bandage arrows were able to pierce the hulls of enemy warships in an instant from a distance.
At this base, unofficially, Gunko's combat strength is recognized as being on par with Sakazuki's, making her the fourth strongest fighter at G-5—since Borsalino is often out of commission.
Over the past year, Gunko has also memorized every one of Seven's routines. She knew full well that Seven hated alcohol and preferred to spend his free time drinking tea, fishing at the pier, or tending to his garden. Everyone at the base knew she was always glued to Seven.
"Good work today, you two," said Seven as Sakazuki and Borsalino sat on the wooden chairs nearby.
"The training is starting to get boring, Brother," Borsalino complained in his laid-back tone, adjusting his round glasses. "The pirates passing by lately are too weak."
Sakazuki snorted as he grabbed a glass of cold water. A thin wisp of steam rose from his sweaty arm. "That's because they know our flag flies here. Those cowards are choosing a different route."
The relaxed, playful atmosphere felt so alive. A small scene amidst the harshness of the New World's seas.
But that peace shattered instantly.
"COMMANDER!! RED-EYED VICE ADMIRAL!!"
A Navy officer with the rank of Captain ran frantically across the field. He was panting, his face ashen as if he had just seen a ghost. His foot even stumbled, causing him to fall flat on his face before he scrambled back up and ran frantically toward the tent.
"What's going on here?! Calm down, soldier! Take a deep breath!" the Vice Admiral said sternly, placing a hand on the man's shoulder.
The officer stood there, trembling violently. He was unable to speak. He simply held out a copy of the morning paper that had just been delivered, his hands shaking as if the paper were a cursed object.
The Vice Admiral frowned, took the paper, and unfolded it.
In a matter of seconds, the blood seemed to drain from the commander's face. His eyes widened, the veins on his forehead and neck bulged taut, while his breath caught in his throat. "This… this is a disaster… This sea will drown in a sea of blood…" he whispered hoarsely. A palpable fear radiated from his aging eyes.
Seeing the drastic change in expression on the usually stoic commander's face, a strong sense of curiosity gripped them.
Seven immediately set down his teacup. He, Sakazuki, Borsalino, and even Gunko moved in unison, crowding behind the Vice Admiral to read the newspaper's contents.
On the front page, a blurry yet gripping aerial photo was displayed. A photo of Hachinosu, the Bee's Nest Island. Above the island's giant stone skull, a massive pirate flag fluttered.
And beneath that photo, a list of names was printed that made anyone reading it feel as though the sky were collapsing down upon them.
[THE ROCKS PIRATES ARE OFFICIALLY FORMED!]
[Base: Hachinosu (Beehive Island)]
[Captain: Rocks D. Xebec]
The list of core members written below reads like a roster of the deadliest monsters from across the seas.
[Shiki the Golden Lion]
[Edward Newgate Shirohige]
[Charlotte Linlin Big Mom]
[Captain John]
[Silver Axe]
[Wang Zhi]
[Ganzui]
[Babel]
[Gil Basta]
[Don Marlon]
[Stussy]
[Streusen]
[Apprentice Crew. Kaido]
The news reported that they had taken control of the island and gathered tens of thousands of crew members in just one night.
This news has spread far and wide across the globe.
Sakazuki and Borsalino, two teenagers who were usually calm, indifferent, and confident in the face of any enemy, were now frozen in place. Sakazuki's hand clenched so tightly without him realizing it that the knuckles turned pale white.
Their minds raced, processing the situation with razor-sharp logic. They knew this would happen, but no sane person could have predicted that in such a short time, that monster would succeed in uniting nearly all the elite pirates of the New World under a single flag!
If that fleet decided to set sail for G-5 today, the entire military strength of the base, all the crops they'd planted, and all the defenses they'd built over the past year… would be obliterated in a matter of minutes. The fear born of that logic and rational despair struck their chests with devastating force.
Behind them, Gunko held her breath. Her cyan and red eyes widened, while her nails dug into the palms of her own hands. Behind her face, which looked panicked with fear, her heart rumbled with pure rage and horror. 'That damn Rocks... he's actually assembled a massive fleet?! If this group is allowed to continue living, the Holy Land of Mary Geoise will truly be threatened!'
At a time when the entire G-5 base—and the entire world—was gripped by heart-stopping fear due to the emergence of the strongest pirate crew in history...
Quentin Seven's expression hardened. His eyes widened sharply as he stared at the list of names. Memories of just how terrifying those men's power levels were swirled wildly in his head.
Even the elderly Shirohge, who had been stabbed by the Sixth Son—an attack that had reduced his already fire-like health bar to a wick—was able to fight Sakazuki and even push him back. Kaido himself, in his prime, was known as a "hexagonal warrior," but right now, Kaido is still just a snotty-nosed kid.
The Golden Lion Shiki even dared to attack Marineford alone and fought Garp and Sengoku for several days before being captured, leaving half of Marineford in ruins.
And the other big names—though their strength is unknown—but this Rocks guy has hair like a black-and-white hedgehog.
The teacup on his table was forgotten. Seven was fully aware that if these monsters moved in unison, even with all his current strength... he wasn't ready to face this storm.