Weeks later, the Byrnndi Pirates, sailing under the Hell Pirates' flag, began making waves across the seas. After just a week or two of intense training in Armament and Observation Haki, Byrnndi World set out with his crew on their latest mission.
Devil Fruit users were his prime targets, and he'd already expanded his hunting grounds to the first stretch of the New World. This region teemed with pirates—and Marines in droves.
Meanwhile, back on Golden Island, Gairam the Cube Man stayed behind, nervously working on the island's reconstruction as per Brook's orders, unable to join his captain's voyage.
...
Hachinosu, the Beehive Island.
Rocks was livid when he learned Brook had snatched Byrnndi World, another supernova brimming with potential. Most of the big-name pirates and rising stars had been driven out of his territory, leaving his hunting grounds nearly barren.
So, he too turned his sights to the New World's frontier, gearing up for a clash with the Marines. His next target: Salem and his Swap-Swap Fruit. Rocks couldn't believe how quickly Brook had crushed Vesper's crew—utterly pathetic remnants.
With so many pirates fleeing Rocks' and Brook's domains back to the New World's front lines, the Marines were having a field day. In just a short time, countless pirates were locked up in Impel Down, earning promotions and raises for many Marine officers. A few stood out brighter than the rest.
...
Sea Calendar 1473. (47 years before the Summit War, 49 years before the Straw Hat Pirates' second journey.)
Brook had been in this world for nearly three years, and his presence had rewritten history. The multiple hegemon wars and the current Rocks-Brook dual-dominance of the New World had altered the fates of countless pirates.
The ripple effect hit the Marines too. The flood of pirates escaping the New World's deeper regions handed the Marines a treasure trove of victories.
Leading the charge was the 30-year-old Marine prodigy, Sengoku the Buddha, a Vice Admiral with Conqueror's Haki. His leadership crushed the pirate uprising sparked by the dual-hegemon balance, racking up massive achievements.
Among the rising stars was 29-year-old Garp, newly promoted to Vice Admiral with the moniker Iron Fist. His relentless style earned him a fearsome reputation.
Even 25-year-old Zephyr, just barely meeting promotion criteria, climbed to Vice Admiral, dubbed Black Arm. Known as the "no-kill" Vice Admiral, he was revered for his justice-driven leadership, always charging into the front lines.
In the original timeline, Zephyr would become an Admiral at 38, two years after the God Valley Incident, but resign four years later at 42 after pirates killed his family, turning him into a bitter instructor.
Other officers surged through the ranks too, hardened by battle into capable defenders of justice. Among them shone a standout: 27-year-old Rear Admiral Tsuru, the strategic genius and trusted ally of Sengoku and Garp.
As a tactician, Tsuru fell just short of the merits needed for Vice Admiral, but another six months to a year would likely secure her promotion, given her undeniable skill.
"Haha, tough luck, Tsuru! Chances like this to rack up merits don't come often. You might be stuck as a Rear Admiral for a while!"
Iron Fist Garp grinned, teasing her. The easy pickings were gone, and the remaining pirates were tougher, driving up Marine casualties.
"Garp, you idiot!" Sengoku, the acting commander, roared. "Your reckless chase after Vesper's remnants got a ton of Marines hurt or killed. Get your ass to the brig and face your punishment, you moron!"
"I—"
Before Garp could protest, Sengoku's boot sent him flying out of the meeting room. It was time to get serious about their next moves.
...
With hordes of pirates flooding the allied nations' waters in the New World's frontier, the World Government mobilized countless Marines from Marineford to suppress them.
"The Rocks Pirates and Hell Pirates dominate the New World, driving out scores of pirates. Worse, Rocks and Brook are allied, making their grip unshakable," Sengoku briefed the room. "These supernovas and big-shot pirates flooding the frontier are putting unprecedented pressure on us. Admiral Devo is personally hunting Vesper's remnants, but we need to handle the rest. For the people, for justice—let's do this!"
Sengoku began assigning pursuit missions. Even Garp, fresh from his punishment, was tasked with chasing Chinjao, leader of the Happo Navy.
Though battered by the Hell Pirates, Chinjao's crew was still a force to be reckoned with—especially since Chinjao wielded Conqueror's Haki, making him a tricky target.
"Listen up," Rear Admiral Tsuru interjected before the meeting ended, her tone grave. "We've seen a trend: officers from both the Hell Pirates and Rocks Pirates are moving into the frontier. Stay sharp and stay safe."
Her warning came from meticulous analysis of intelligence and gut instinct. Both Rocks and Brook seemed obsessed with capturing Devil Fruit users—pirates and Marines alike—and their influence was creeping forward.
"Got it!"
The Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals responded with confident grins, but Tsuru could tell they weren't taking her seriously. Flush with recent promotions and victories, they were cocky, believing themselves invincible after months of crushing pirates.
Tsuru sighed inwardly. These fools were bound to get a reality check, but as a lesser-known female Rear Admiral, her words carried little weight.
"Tsuru, I've got a mission for you—big merits, low risk. Should push you over the edge for Vice Admiral," Sengoku said, pulling her aside. "Remember Vice Admiral Dolodo, who guarded the Sabaody Archipelago when Rosward died? He's now a traitor, Dolodo the Renegade, with a 440-million-Belly bounty. He's not too tough. I think you can take him. Give it your all, and you'll be a Vice Admiral next time!"
Sengoku's "small favor" for his old partner was blatant, but well-intentioned. Garp, that idiot, already had a six-year-old son, while he and Tsuru were still single. Maybe it was time to make a move.
Tsuru shot Sengoku a withering glare but snatched the mission without hesitation. His afro wasn't her type, but she wasn't above cashing in on their long partnership for a good opportunity.
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+300 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg