Cover Page Serial: "Law's Chapter— 'Medicine Can't Save the People of Flevance'"
Late at night in the now peaceful and tranquil Flevance, Dr. Trafalgar, having finished a busy day at the hospital, finally returned home. Just after hanging up his coat, he unexpectedly noticed the study light was still on.
"That boy Law… still as hardworking as ever," the doctor thought with a smile. "But medical skill isn't something you master overnight."
Feeling a bit sorry for his son, he pushed the door open to tell him to rest — only to freeze at the sight before him.
Law wasn't studying at all; he was bare-chested, dripping with sweat, and holding a horse stance in the middle of the room.
Father and son stared at each other — wide-eyed, speechless.
...
Jinbe lifted his eyes, staring coldly at Arlong without saying a word.
For a moment, the air between them was tense, sharp enough to cut.
Fortunately, at that moment—
"Oh my god!"
"It's Lord Tiger! Lord Fisher Tiger is back!"
The distant shouts broke the tension.
The name alone seemed to carry a strange magic — both Jinbe and Arlong froze, turning toward the sound.
At the edge of the plaza, a crowd had gathered. Countless mermaid girls surrounded a tall, broad-shouldered red-skinned fish-man, chattering excitedly with admiration and awe.
It was none other than Fisher Tiger, the most famous adventurer and explorer of Fishman Island.
"Lord Tiger! It's been so long since you've come back!"
"Where have you been these past few years? Please, tell us about your travels!"
Carrying a worn travel pack, Tiger looked dusty and exhausted — yet he still smiled warmly, answering their questions with his usual gentle tone.
Just as he was trying to find a polite way to slip away, two familiar figures appeared before him.
"Big brother!"
"Big bro Tiger!"
Jinbe and Arlong stood on either side, grinning from ear to ear at their long-lost brother.
"Jinbe? Arlong?"
Tiger burst into hearty laughter, using the opportunity to push through the crowd and step into the center of the plaza. He clapped both of them on the shoulders.
"Long time no see! You both look well!"
"It really has been a long time," Jinbe said, scratching his head and smiling like a child — the earlier tension completely gone. "You must've gathered plenty of stories during your travels, right?"
"Stories…" Tiger's eyes darkened for an instant, but he quickly covered it with a smile: "Yes, many stories indeed. But I'll tell you about them later — I've got something urgent to take care of first. I need to go to Ryugu Palace."
Ryugu Palace — the magnificent coral-and-shell fortress located on the sunlit upper level of Fishman Island. It was both a national landmark and the royal palace of the Neptune family.
"I'll guide you there!" Jinbe said, tapping his helmet proudly. "I'm currently serving as a captain in the Neptune Army! I know the way to the palace like the back of my hand!"
"I'm coming too! I know the way just as well!"
"What are you tagging along for? You're just a filthy pirate now. Big Brother Tiger doesn't want to be associated with pirates!"
"Ha? I don't recall Big Bro ever saying that!"
..
The two began bickering again, as they always did.
Watching the familiar scene unfold, Tiger could only shake his head with a helpless smile. Tightening the straps of his backpack, he strode off toward Ryugu Palace.
It wasn't until he'd walked several dozen meters ahead that Jinbe and Arlong realized and scrambled to catch up.
"Three years away, and Fishman Island's really changed," Tiger said softly, glancing at the streets around them, eyes filled with nostalgia. Then, as if casually, he added,
"Oh, by the way — in these past few years, have you heard of a Marine who can control lightning?"
"A Marine who controls lightning?"
Arlong looked blank, but Jinbe's face shifted slightly.
"Big Brother… you must be talking about Vice Admiral Nao the White Dragon, right?"
"Who's that?"
Arlong frowned. "The name sounds kinda familiar... I think I've heard people talk about him somewhere. Why? Is he that famous?"
"Famous?!"
Jinbe looked at Arlong as if he were an idiot. "Only someone like you — a fool who wastes his days messing around in that little world of yours — wouldn't know who Nao is! That man is the strongest Vice Admiral in Marine history! Two years ago he was already promoted to Admiral-Candidate, and just recently he defeated one of the Sea Emperors — Big Mom! He's about to become the youngest Admiral in history!"
"Tch, whatever Vice Admiral or Admiral, it doesn't matter..."
Arlong snorted, lazily picking at his ear. "At the end of the day, he's still just one of those inferior creatures who can't even breathe underwater. If he ever dares to come to Fishman Island, I'll make sure he learns his place."
"Idiot!"
Jinbe snapped, glaring furiously. "That's a man even our entire Fishman Island wouldn't dare provoke! If you ever run into him, you'd better run as far as you can — before you drag all those brothers you've been leading astray down with you!"
"Leading astray? When did I ever do that? You mean Hatchan? Or maybe Chew?"
"You know exactly who I mean!"
The two started bickering again, their voices fading into meaningless noise to Fisher Tiger, who tuned them out completely.
He pursed his lips and turned back, glancing silently in the direction they'd come from.
The strongest Vice Admiral in Marine history?
He even defeated Big Mom…?
So the man who had saved him that day… was actually someone that incredible?
He had originally thought about repaying the favor someday — but if fate ever brought them face to face again, they'd likely stand on opposite sides as enemies.
Maybe it's better if we never meet again.
What a shame.
But thinking of the decision he had already made, Tiger drew in a deep breath. Determination filled his eyes as he looked toward the distant Ryugu Palace.
Since his mind was made up, nothing — and no one — could stop him from taking that step forward.
Still, this matter was too important; it could easily implicate the entire Fishman Island.
Before setting off on this path, he had to first meet King Neptune and Queen Otohime, to explain everything in advance — and to apologize sincerely.
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
In the garden.
Nami and Nojiko were sitting together, earnestly playing house according to a picture book they had found in Nao's study.
The book was titled Arcane: Tales of Two Cities — its opening chapters told the story of two sisters, Vi and Jinx, who went from being inseparable to walking different paths.
Because Nami's hair was the same color as Vi's, she insisted on playing the big sister, leaving Nojiko — whose hair matched Jinx's — no choice but to play the little one.
Poor Sadaharu, who had been napping nearby, was forced to play the part of every "punching bag" in their game, looking utterly miserable as the girls teased him relentlessly.
As for Nao…
Having just returned to Headquarters a few days ago, he now sat on the second-floor balcony, one leg casually crossed over the other, basking in the sunlight with a relaxed smile as he watched his daughters laugh and play in the yard.
"Yesterday Nami caused another big commotion," Hina said with a scowl as she sat across from him, puffing her cheeks in frustration. "She was throwing flash shells around in the recruits' camp and accidentally set fire to Instructor Brandon's blanket that was hanging out to dry. The poor guy had nothing to cover himself with that night and ended up catching a cold!"
"How many times is that this year? She's getting more and more mischievous. I've told you several times, Nao-nii, but you don't do anything about her."
"She's a child. It's normal to be a bit naughty." Nao chuckled, clearly not taking it too seriously. "But, if you make a mistake, you have to take responsibility. After dinner during our walk, I'll take her to Instructor Brandon to apologize in person."
"Just apologizing isn't enough. She needs strict discipline." Hina folded her arms, still somewhat dissatisfied, muttering, "You're practically spoiling her, Nao-nii. That's not what a qualified father should do. If this continues, you'll end up raising two spoiled, willful young ladies."
"Nojiko's always been level-headed and independent," Nao said leisurely, taking a sip of his tea. "As for Nami — don't worry, I know what I'm doing. She's still young. Let her have a carefree childhood for now. There's no rush to be strict with her; another couple of years won't hurt."
Hina sighed, shaking her head. "Honestly, there's just no reasoning with you…"
After pouring herself a cup of tea, her curiosity got the better of her.
"Oh, right — Nao-nii, I heard from Gion-neesan that Fleet Admiral Kong scolded you yesterday in front of a whole crowd at the conference hall. Is that true?"
"So that's the real reason you took the day off and came over to 'mooch dinner,' huh?" Nao gave her an amused, knowing look. "Didn't expect the gossip to spread so fast — even the Elite Camp knows already."
"So it's true, then?"
Hina frowned. "It's because of the White City incident, right? Everyone in the Elite Camp was furious about it yesterday. We all think you didn't do anything wrong! Fleet Admiral Kong always used to value you so highly, but this time not only did he not protect you, he actually sided with those guys from the World Government..."
"Silly girl."
Nao laughed softly and tapped her on the forehead.
"Ow! What was that for?" she complained, rubbing her head indignantly.
"Because you're completely wrong," he said calmly, setting down his teacup.
"When I first returned to Headquarters," Nao said evenly, "Fleet Admiral Kong had already spoken with me privately. According to him, the World Government's upper council — including the Five Elders — were furious about my recent actions. Not only did they revoke the commendation ceremony that had been planned, but they also ordered him to issue a public reprimand and warning."
"That still didn't mean he had to scold you in front of everyone," Hina protested. "He could've just done it behind closed doors — make a bit of noise, pretend to comply with orders from above. Why humiliate you in public like that?"
"Privately?" Nao shook his head with a faint smile. "The people upstairs aren't that easy to fool. And besides — how was I humiliated? After what happened yesterday, no one at Headquarters mocked or looked down on me. On the contrary, everyone — just like you recruits — was indignant on my behalf."
He paused for a moment, then continued:
"Also, think about it. I've been on leave at home since I returned. Nothing's been in the papers. So how do you think news of the White City incident spread through Headquarters in the first place?"
"Eh?"
Hina blinked, then suddenly realized. "So that was Fleet Admiral Kong's intention…"
"Exactly. Don't go making assumptions before you know the whole story."
Nao chuckled, lifting his cup of black tea and taking a slow sip. "Even though Fleet Admiral Kong is close to the World Government, he's still an old Marine man through and through — his loyalty lies with us. We should always show him respect."
"Mhm!"
Hina nodded quickly, just about to speak again when she saw the courtyard gate below swing open. A tall, striking figure in a white coat of justice stood framed in the doorway — graceful and commanding.
"Well, well, the Rear Admiral finally returns?"
Even though Gion had officially been promoted to Vice Admiral last year, Nao hadn't dropped his old nickname for her. Smiling, he waved from the balcony. "Come on up and wash your hands. Bellemere and Shia been in the kitchen all afternoon — they've just been waiting for you to get home so we can eat. Tonight's special is beef stew—"
"Nao."
Gion cut him off softly. She lifted her face — still as beautiful as ever — but her expression was heavy, shadowed with sadness.
She pressed her lips together before speaking quietly, her tone tinged with loss.
"Fleet Admiral Kong… is leaving."
"Huh?" Nao froze.
——
The year 1507 of the Sea Circle Calendar was destined to be an extraordinary one.
Just halfway through March, a shocking piece of news erupted from the Holy Land Mary Geoise.
Jesse Swank, the current Commander-in-Chiefof the Three Great Military Forces of the World Government, was found at home, having shot himself in the chest seventeen times, dead at the age of ninety-nine.
This old man had served as Fleet Admiral of the Marine for over fifty years. Once, he had been an invincible force across the seas, his exploits legendary — a hero so formidable that, back when Garp and Zephyr were still children playing in the mud, countless pirates already trembled at the sound of his name.
No one could have imagined that the era that belonged to him would end in such a way.
The news spread quickly — from Marine Headquarters to every corner of the world — stirring deep sighs and sorrow among countless people.
At the same time, Jesse's death meant that the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Three Military Forces was now vacant — a seat far too important to remain empty even for a single day.
The World Government's upper echelons immediately convened an emergency meeting and, without delay, unanimously passed a resolution:
Fleet Admiral Kong — known as "Steel Bone" — would be officially promoted to succeed as the new Commander-in-Chief of the World Government's Three Military Forces.
...
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