It was a bright, cloudless day over Marineford, the headquarters of the Navy.

The imposing structure stood tall, the massive "NAVY" insignia engraved into its walls glaring over the sea like an ever-watchful guardian of justice. On a long corridor overlooking the circular bay—where the Whitebeard Pirates would one day storm through—Vice Admiral Tsuru stood silently, gazing toward the horizon.

The sea appeared calm, but Tsuru's heart was not.

Since Gion—also known as Peach Rabbit—was taken, not a single day had passed peacefully.

Today marked the sixteenth day since her capture. Fifteen long days, and still no word. It would be strange if her heart were at peace. She couldn't sleep, couldn't eat. Her mind spiraled with every grim possibility.

What happened to Gion? What could happen?

She couldn't stop herself from imagining the worst—what Rhett Vane might do to someone as beautiful and proud as Gion. Pirates didn't care for honor or restraint. Tsuru had lived her entire life in the Navy. She understood this world better than most: it wasn't a child's fairy tale, but a brutal reality where power ruled all. Fists spoke louder than morals.

Pirates sailed for fame, wealth, power—and yes, for women. Vane… no, she dared not assume the worst. But still, her subconscious screamed suspicions she didn't want to accept.

"If he doesn't hurt her, it'll be a miracle," she whispered under her breath.

If Vane stood before her now, and Gion was unharmed, she'd still strike him down on instinct. She couldn't help it.

Beside her, Garp stood with arms crossed, his cape flapping in the wind. He looked out to sea too, but his thoughts were heavier than the waves.

"Maybe she's okay," he said.

Tsuru didn't respond.

"I want to believe it," Garp added. "But that kid… his power's growing too fast. We may not be able to stop him next time."

He referred to the last encounter—near Gran Tesoro. The Navy had suffered a humiliating defeat. Most of their ships were sunk. Had it not been for swimmers among them, the casualties would've been far worse.

Even so, Vane hadn't attacked to destroy them. He had come for a purpose, and then left. That part unsettled Tsuru the most.

She suspected that Vane wanted to see how the Navy would react to Gion's capture—to provoke them, to toy with them.

If that was true…

"Trouble," Garp muttered. "We might be watching the next Emperor rise."

"Can we stop him?"

Garp shook his head. "Just like we couldn't stop Shanks."

---

Far from Marineford, on the calm but unpredictable New World seas, aboard the massive ship The King—

"Vane, where are we heading next?" Gion asked.

She leaned on the railing beside him, her eyes scanning the seemingly endless waters. Despite everything, she had grown used to this ship. Maybe even… comfortable.

Even a ten-kilometer ship like Gran Tesoro was a mere drop in the vast ocean. Other ships—regular ones—barely amounted to grains of dust. Running into someone else was rare, and most ships in this part of the world were pirate vessels. Encounters usually meant a fight. And when pirates met, one side usually sank.

During the World Council, fleets from every kingdom needed top-tier Navy escorts just to make it safely to Mariejois. Pirates didn't need reasons to attack.

"We're heading to Wano Country," Vane said casually.

Gion's face changed instantly.

"Wano? Are you serious?"

Beside them, Esdeath looked puzzled. "What's wrong with Wano Country?"

Gion frowned deeply. "That's Kaido's territory. It's the Beast Pirates' stronghold. You killed Jack the Drought yesterday, or at least wounded him—don't you think Kaido already knows?"

Vane shrugged. "Who hasn't taken a shot at Kaido at some point? I'm just getting ahead of schedule. Sooner or later, I'll have to face him."

Esdeath grinned. "He's got a point."

Gion gritted her teeth. "You're insane. You don't understand what you're walking into. Kaido isn't just powerful—he's nearly immortal. Jack was nothing compared to King, Queen, and Kaido himself. If you think Jack was tough, wait until you meet the others."

"Kaido and Big Mom used to be close," Vane added. "Who knows what kind of twisted history those two share?"

"They're both giants," Esdeath joked. "Perfect height match."

"Don't joke about this," Gion snapped. "The Beast Pirates aren't some random crew. They've created an army of Zoan users. Wano is sealed off—no spies, no Navy presence. We have no idea what Kaido's building in there."

"But besides Kaido and the top commanders," Esdeath said, "most of them are still just pirates. We're stronger."

"You're overconfident," Gion muttered. "And you're encouraging him."

She gave Esdeath a glare. This woman had ambition—dangerous ambition. She didn't just want to rule the seas with Vane. She wanted him to rule the world.

Esdeath wasn't content with treasure or fame. She wanted to destroy the World Government, dethrone the Celestial Dragons, and crown Vane as king. Her methods were cruel. She delighted in torture. Her heart was darker than most pirates Gion had ever encountered.

"She belongs in Impel Down, not on this ship," Gion muttered.

Esdeath smirked. "Then what do you think Vane should do?"

"Truthfully? It would've been better if he never became a pirate. But it's too late to turn back."

"Turn back?" Vane echoed with a hollow laugh. "If the Revolutionary Army overthrew the Celestial Dragons, they'd be hailed as heroes. It's not about right or wrong. It's about who wins. People worship results."

Gion looked at him, her heart tightening.

She wanted to believe there was still good in him. That he wasn't like the others. That he wasn't truly… lost.

But she also knew what power did to men.

Pirates changed. Even the kindest man, left unchecked, would sink. Desires grew. Morality faded. And before long, even the innocent would rot.

This world didn't forgive pirates.

And the more powerful Vane became, the harder it would be to hold onto what was left of his humanity.

Next stop: Wano Country.

---

Read ahead of everyone by becoming patrons.

Patreon.com/Zphyr_

(Also, thank you for the support)