The New World, a certain spring island.
The Red-Haired Pirates' ship, the Red Force, lay quietly anchored in a hidden cove, with seagulls circling above the masts.
Inside the captain's cabin, the atmosphere was tense.
Clang.
A bottle of sake was placed heavily on the table, the liquid sloshing but not spilling a single drop.
Shanks looked up at the ceiling, the scar over his left eye appearing particularly menacing in the dim light.
"Garp took Luffy to Marine Headquarters."
His voice was soft, but it fell like a stone into still water.
Benn Beckman sat across from him, meticulously cleaning his beloved rifle.
"It was Orion's order."
"He probably knows," Shanks withdrew his gaze, fingers unconsciously tapping the table.
"He knows the secret of the fruit Luffy ate."
Beckman set down his cleaning cloth, lit a cigarette, and his expression became obscured by the swirling smoke.
"Orion is meticulous in everything he does. In just six years, he's transformed the Marines into a war machine that operates solely for him. Since he specifically requested Luffy, it can't be on a whim."
"So what do we do?" Yasopp frowned nearby. "Not just Luffy, but even Usopp was taken to Marine Headquarters. What does Orion want? Is he trying to capture these kids to force us into submission?"
Beckman exhaled a smoke ring and shook his head.
"With the Marine's current strength, they don't need such methods! What's done is done. All we can do now is wait and see."
With that, he rose and walked to the ship's window, gazing at the calm sea outside.
"Luffy is now being held at Marine Headquarters. Unless we storm Marineford to rescue him like we snatched the Gum-Gum Fruit from the CP agents back then... But that's Marine Headquarters we're talking about, and it's not the same as before. Forget about raiding it to save Luffy and Usopp—we'd be walking right into a trap!"
"After all, Marine Headquarters is no longer just a simple fortress," Beckman's voice grew heavy.
"Now, it's more like a holy land. Orion is their only god. From admirals down to new recruits, every one of them considers pledging loyalty to Orion their highest honor. Charging in now wouldn't just be walking into a trap—we'd be delivering military merits to those hungry Marines on a silver platter."
The captain's cabin fell into dead silence, broken only by the intermittent glow of Beckman's cigar.
They all knew Beckman wasn't exaggerating—he was stating facts.
Present-day Marineford was an impenetrable fortress within an impenetrable fortress.
After a long while, Beckman stubbed out his cigar.
"Perhaps it's time to go see that person."
Shanks' pupils contracted slightly.
"Dragon?"
Beckman nodded. "Luffy is his son. Now that his son has been taken by the Marines, he can't possibly remain indifferent. The Revolutionary Army and we might share a common goal."
Shanks fell silent.
His thoughts drifted back to the distant past.
One of the reasons he'd gone to Windmill Village in the East Blue back then wasnt simply to visit.
Because he'd already learned that the first person to rescue him at God Valley wasn't Roger, but Dragon—who was just a seventeen-year-old Marine soldier at the time.
Back then, Dragon had saved him and his twin brother Shamrock from their mother, hiding the two brothers in a crate.
Only afterward did Roger find him and take him aboard.
"No."
After a long silence, Shanks shook his head and picked up the bottle again, pouring himself another drink.
"Let's wait a little longer."
He downed the glass in one gulp, his eyes regaining their usual composure.
"The Revolutionary Army is watching and waiting too. There's no need for us to rush. Let's first see what that Fleet Admiral intends to do with Luffy."
...
Marineford, Marine Headquarters Plaza.
Orion had just stepped off the warship when several figures in Marine uniforms—yet strikingly distinctive—came running toward him.
The leader had dark skin and a physique that was no longer obese and bloated as before, but instead brimming with explosive muscular definition.
It was Smorgard of the Jaygarcia family, a Celestial Dragon who had been put through rigorous training by Ryokugyu.
"Fleet Admiral!"
Upon seeing Orion, Smorgard's eyes blazed with fanatical light.
He came to an abrupt halt, feet together, and snapped a perfectly crisp salute, shouting with all his might.
"LOYALTY!"
??
Orion stopped and studied him for a moment before recognizing him, then smiled.
"Not bad, you've changed quite a bit. It seems Green Bull's training has been effective."
"Keep it up. I believe it won't be long before you become the coolest guy in Mary Geoise... one of them."
Smorgard's eyes instantly reddened.
This once-arrogant Celestial Dragon now trembled with overwhelming emotion.
"Yes!"
"I will never disappoint you, Fleet Admiral!"
Orion smiled and raised his hand to pat Smogard's shoulder, preparing to leave.
Just then, two fragrant breezes swept in.
"Orion!"
Pirate Empress Hancock, like a fluttering butterfly, rushed toward Orion with hearts in her eyes.
Orion deftly sidestepped her.
"Orion, you've finally returned! Kujaku missed you so much!"
Kujaku quickly followed, spreading her arms wide as she attempted to embrace Orion.
"Halt!"
Hancock instantly bristled, stretching out her arms to block Kujaku like a territorial cat.
"Orion's embrace belongs only to me! You—stay away!!"
Kujaku defiantly puffed out her chest. "Hancock, are you asking to be scrubbed clean by Grandma and hung on the clothesline again?"
Orion paid no attention to the two women's rivalry, striding forward without a glance.
Hancock and Kujaku exchanged a glare, snorted coldly, and hurried after him, flanking him on either side while chattering incessantly to capture his attention.
Soon, the trio arrived at a training ground in front of a new recruit dormitory.
Gion was already waiting there.
Behind her stood a group of teenagers with varied expressions—the problem children Garp had brought back from the East Blue and the Grand Line.
Zoro leaned against the wall, eyes closed, cradling his three swords.
Sanji stood with his hands in his pockets, posture slouched.
Usopp hid behind Ace, trembling uncontrollably.
Chopper and Brook curiously surveyed their surroundings.
"Wow!"
Before anyone could react, a figure suddenly shot forward like an arrow, landing right in front of Orion.
It was Luffy.
Tilting his head, Luffy stared at Orion with innocent wide eyes and spoke without a trace of reverence.
"You're the Fleet Admiral? You don't look that strong—at least not as strong as Gramps!"
Silence fell over the area.
Zoro's lips twitched.
Ace silently took another step back.
Hancock, standing behind Orion, instantly turned frosty, her beautiful face clouded with fury.
This Straw Hat brat dared to disrespect her dream husband!
Unforgivable!
"Perfume Femur!"
Without hesitation, Hancock's long leg sliced through the air in a graceful arc, landing squarely on Luffy's face with a sharp crack!
"Bam!"
Luffy flew backward like a cannonball, tracing a parabola through the air before crashing heavily at the far end of the training ground.
Hancock slowly retracted her leg, leaning back in an extremely arrogant pose.
She pointed a finger at Luffy, who was struggling to get up in the distance, and declared in her condescending tone:
"No matter what sin I commit, whether kicking a kitten or sending an insolent brat like you flying, the whole world will forgive me!"
"Because I am Orion's woman!"
---------
Read 50 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator