211 With the Justice System

"Let us relics of the old era... accompany you, the banner of the new age..."

"And let's turn this sea upside down once again!"

As Zephyr's words faded—

"Whoosh—!"

A blinding golden light suddenly burst above the G-5 Branch.

"Yo~"

A lazy, drawn-out voice echoed from within the radiance.

"So all you old men are here, huh?"

The light converged, forming a tall, slender figure in a yellow-striped suit and tea-colored sunglasses, standing before everyone.

Marine Headquarters Admiral, Kizaru.

Hands buried in his pockets, he tilted his head slightly, the gaze behind his lenses sweeping past Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr—before finally landing on Hawke.

"Hawke-kun, things are really lively here~"

"Kizaru!"

Hawke gave a small nod in greeting.

"Vrrrrrrr—!!!"

Just then, a deep, buzzing roar tore through the sky, like something massive was spinning at high speed.

A green figure plummeted from the clouds, dragging behind him a gigantic propeller made of countless intertwined vines!

"Boom—!!!"

He landed hard, the impact shaking the ground and throwing up clouds of dust.

When the smoke cleared, a bare-chested man with the words "Death River Within" tattooed across his torso came into view.

"Hawke-kun!"

Aramaki scanned the crowd, and when his gaze finally locked onto Hawke, his face lit up with burning fervor.

"I'm here!"

"Sakazuki said you were in trouble!"

He strode forward in huge steps, eyes gleaming.

"Let's carry out this 'justice unto death' together!"

"Thanks for coming, Aramaki."

Hawke nodded calmly at the man before him.

It seemed the Fleet Admiral's charisma had succeeded in pulling Aramaki into the Marine ranks.

Good.

Though his Celestial Dragon–supremacist beliefs were... problematic, that wasn't a big deal.

In this new generation of Marines, there would be time enough for him to learn what true justice really meant.

Still, Aramaki's power level in the original story wasn't exactly top-tier...

But Oda the book-eater has been inconsistent before, hasn't he?!

Who knows—maybe he'll get a huge upgrade later?!

...

While everyone was still caught up in Aramaki's arrival, an invisible yet crushing force suddenly descended from above.

No sound. No light.

Everyone instinctively looked up.

A man in a purple yukata, wielding a cane-sword, was quietly floating down from the sky.

His eyes were closed, his expression serene.

"Tap—"

Issho landed softly, the tip of his cane-sword tapping the ground with a clear ring.

The pressure vanished.

"I am Issho," he said, bowing slightly toward Hawke.

"By order of Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, I've come to report to G-5 Branch."

His voice was gentle yet powerful, carrying an undeniable weight of authority.

"Welcome."

"Vroom—"

Just then, at the docks, a massive transport ship bearing special markings slowly pulled in.

"Clank—"

A heavy metal ramp dropped down.

A towering man stepped off.

Bartholomew Kuma!

Behind him, the synchronized clang of metal footsteps shook the pier.

Three squads—ninety figures moving in perfect formation—marched down the ramp.

The first squad: thirty sleek, streamlined combat units.

PX-Light!

The second squad: thirty towering, heavy models.

PX-Ice!

The third squad: radiating violent, destructive energy.

PX-Magma!

Dr. Vegapunk's latest creation—new-generation Pacifistas!

...

At this point, all the Marine forces mobilized by Headquarters had gathered here.

The G-5 Branch—this iron fortress at the very edge of the New World—now held more power than any other base.

The three legendary Marines of the old era, fully recovered: Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr.

The mid-generation Admiral at his prime, both experienced and powerful: Kizaru.

And the flag of the Marines' future, the new-generation Admiral—Blood Hawk, Hawke.

Alongside two newly promoted Marine monsters: Aramaki and Issho.

Seven beings standing atop the world's power scale now stood together.

They did nothing—simply standing there, the aura they radiated, a blend of Haki and killing intent, thickened the very air around G-5.

Across the pier and on the watchtowers, countless Marines stared blankly at the seven figures standing at the center of the plaza, their minds wiped blank by awe.

What a sight to behold!

"!!!"

Dane, Zoro, Sanji, and the others stood behind Hawke.

Staring at the overwhelming lineup before them, their battle spirits burned like volcanoes on the verge of eruption.

This—this was the Marines of today!

Even without deploying the full force, this level of power alone could easily crush two Yonko crews!

...

"Woooo—wwoo—wwoo—!!!"

Shrill alarms echoed throughout the G-5 Branch!

On the watchtower, a Marine relayed an urgent report through a Den Den Mushi.

"Reporting! Admiral Hawke!"

"Directly ahead... we've spotted... an enormous fleet!!!"

"It's the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates' flags!!!"

The words had barely fallen before every gaze turned toward the horizon.

The skies there had already darkened to an ominous ink-black.

Two colossal Yonko fleets—so vast they seemed to crush the sea itself—were advancing slowly, like monstrous beasts crawling up from the abyss of hell.

"Uorororororo—!"

"Mamamama—!"

Two wildly different yet equally fearsome laughs, the voices of sea emperors, tore through the wind and reached every ear on the island.

War—had come once again!