199 With the Justice System

West Blue.

"Creeeak—"

A bicycle cut a long trail across the sea and slowly rode toward the shore.

Behind it loomed a vast fleet as silent and immovable as a mountain of iron; the ships' shadows blanketed the surface of the water, silently proclaiming absolute force.

This was the Four Seas Fleet led by "Aokiji" Kuzan.

Under the deployment of the new Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, the Navy's strength would be reorganized across the world.

Hawke sat stationed in the New World, while Kuzan was tasked with sweeping through the Four Seas.

His patrol route was jokingly called internally a "Great Justice Grand Tour."

Starting from the North Blue, cruising in turn through the West Blue and the South Blue, and finally arriving at the East Blue already cleaned up by Hawke — with absolute force, justice would be re-stamped on every corner of the world.

"Clack—"

Kuzan parked his bicycle against the railing of the pier and stretched.

He had just confirmed intelligence from the Aoi Country in the Grand Line and hurried here without pause.

He had even upset his original patrol route for it.

Still, according to Hawke's description, that formidable man should be someone he'd get along with.

"Whoosh—"

Kuzan waved at the fleet behind him; the soldiers on the great ships immediately understood.

"Hum—"

The whole fleet quietly dropped anchor without a sound.

No orders given: do not go ashore, do not disturb the civilians' lives!

"Tap—"

Kuzan walked alone into the bustling streets of Twin-Serpent Island, breathing in the long-missed scent of peace.

"Oh my, what a lively place."

"!!!"

The moment he stepped onto the street, the raucous crowd fell silent; countless eyes fixed on him.

"Th-that's—!"

"An Admiral of Navy Headquarters! 'Aokiji' Kuzan!"

A sharp-eyed local recognized him and his voice trembled with excitement.

That face, that name — after the Summit War, it had spread throughout the world.

The man who once shattered the Seven Warlords with a single kick and sealed off two Emperors' retreat paths with absolute zero.

"..."

A local merchant squeezed forward and bowed respectfully.

"Admiral Aokiji!"

"Y-your presence gracing the Island — is there something you need?"

"Ah, no need for formalities."

Kuzan said slowly, "I'm looking for someone."

"I heard there's a bodyguard here who lost all his gambling money and sold himself to the casino. Do you recall anyone like that?"

"..."

At once, the crowd began to exchange information in excited murmurs.

"Yes!"

"You mean that blind old man!"

"Exactly! He sits by the entrance of the 'Golden Dice' casino staring into space all day, but his power is terrifying!"

"A few days ago, a gambler who lost badly tried to cause trouble — the guy one-shotted him!"

"Admiral Aokiji!"

A young man who looked clever but physically frail stepped forward.

"I know where he is. I'll lead you!"

"That would be wonderful!"

Kuzan followed the youth through the busy streets.

"Admiral Aokiji, I read in the Navy Daily that the Navy is improving recruitment systems and increasing welfare. Besides soldiers, other kinds of talent are being recruited too."

The youth, unable to contain his excitement, asked carefully:

"I—I'm not good at fighting. I'm better at calculations and planning; I can manage a town's food supply."

"Admiral, do you think I could join the Navy?"

"Oh?!!"

"A logistics-type talent?!"

Kuzan's expression softened at the words.

"Of course — you can join the Navy."

"In the future, the Navy will need not only fighters, but also people like you."

"Go to the local recruitment office and give them my name. I look forward to seeing you at Headquarters."

"Yes!"

A fierce light burst in the youth's eyes; he awkwardly rendered an imperfect Navy salute.

"Thank you!"

Then he pointed a short distance ahead to the noisy casino entrance.

"Look — the person you're looking for is him!"

Kuzan followed the youth's finger.

Beside the garish, gold-painted entrance that proclaimed "Golden Dice," a man in a purple yukata sat quietly.

His eyes were tightly shut, a cross-shaped scar cut his face, and a resting cane-sword lay across his knees.

Around him, the din of voices and decadent music swelled — yet he remained like a coral at the eye of a storm, an island of calm.

Kuzan let the youth leave first and stepped forward himself.

When Kuzan was still ten paces away from that figure, the man, who had kept his head lowered, slowly lifted it.

Those closed eyes of his "saw" Kuzan with precise accuracy.

"Admiral of Navy Headquarters, Aokiji."

"What wind blows someone of your standing to a place like this?"

"Tap—"

Kuzan stopped and a curve creased his mouth.

Strong Observation Haki indeed!

"Issho-san?"

"It's me."

"I represent the Navy and invite you to join."

"Rank..."

"Special Admiral!"

"???"

...

Whole Cake Island — Cake Island.

The back garden.

A huge azure dragon-shadow and a pitch-black winged dragon silently tore through the clouds.

They avoided all eyes and descended into the castle's back garden made of biscuits and cream.

"Boom—!"

With a heavy thud the great dragon shrank, revealing a hulking, muscle-bound figure.

"Beast" Kaido.

Beside him, King folded his wings back and resumed a cold, masked expression.

At the massive dining table in the center of the garden, "Big Mom" Charlotte Linlin had been waiting for quite some time.

Next to her, Katakuri stood with arms crossed, silent.

"Mamamama—"

Big Mom spoke first.

"Kaido boy, did you see the Navy Daily?"

"Those Navy folks are getting bolder and bolder!"

"Uroarororo—!"

Kaido threw his head back in a wild laugh, grabbed his sake gourd and gulped.

"Linlin, spare the chatter!"

"We both know the era of lone action is over!"

"Those lunatics at the Navy no longer feel bound by any rules — they want to bury us 'Emperors' along with the age of great pirates!"

"Let's join forces — like before!"

"Mamamama—!!"

Big Mom raised her huge goblet full of wine.

"Then...let's join!"

Kaido hoisted his gourd again.

"Clang—!"

The cup and gourd struck, crisp and heavy.

At that moment, the Beast Pirates and the BIG·MOM Pirates formed a pirate alliance.

"Linlin!"

A bloodthirsty light ignited in Kaido's eyes.

"That brat called 'Blood Hawk' is the banner of the Navy's new era!"

"He's now appointed as the base commander of the G-5 branch in the New World..."

"This is the best opportunity!"

"As soon as he takes that post and his foundation is weak..."

"Gather all the elites and strike with the fastest speed!"

"If we kill him, the Navy's morale will crash!"

"Set the time — one month from now!"

"Mamamama—!"

"All right!"