The next morning.
"Everyone, we'll meet again! Farewell!"
The island was bustling with people as Shirogai floated high above them, waving goodbye with a calm smile.
"Shirogai, next time we meet, you've got to bring me some more of that original brew!"
Beckman, the Vice Captain of the Red-Haired Pirates, waved lazily, cigarette in hand and a grin tugging at his lips.
"Hey, Shirogai! Next time, make that braised pork again! No matter how I cook it, it never tastes as good as yours!"
Lucky Roux laughed heartily, already munching on a piece of meat even this early in the morning.
"Take care of my boy, Shirogai! Tell him I'm sorry... I regret not being there for you and your mother when you were hurting!"
Yasopp called out, his tone half cheerful, half regretful.
"Take care of Luffy! Let's meet again at the top of the pirate world!", the ship's doctor, cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted.
"Heh heh, safe travels!"
Benn Beckman, the navigator, smiled as he raised a hand in farewell.
"Woo woo woo!"
Monda, the monkey perched on Binns's shoulder, waved its little arms enthusiastically, mimicking its companion. It had grown quite fond of the fruit-shaved ice that Shirogai had made for it.
"Hahaha! Take care of Luffy! Shirogai, next time we meet, we'll sing and dance again!"
Binns, the musician, grinned wide as Monda clung to his back, both waving energetically.
The other members of the Red-Haired Pirates joined in, all smiling and shouting their goodbyes to this strange yet fascinating new pirate.
Shanks looked up toward Shirogai, tilting his head back with a broad laugh.
"Shirogai, safe travels! I'll leave Luffy in your care!"
Shirogai nodded and smiled, rising higher into the morning sky.
"Don't worry. Leave Luffy to me. Well then... farewell, everyone."
With a sharp whoosh, the six radiant wings on his back flared, slicing through the air with a thunderous hum. The sound rippled across the sky as his form arced gracefully into the distance.
The Red-Haired Pirates had spent a cheerful, peaceful night with him before parting ways in mutual respect.
If the Big Mom Pirates or the Beasts Pirates had seen how easily the Red-Haired Pirates and Shirogai got along, they'd probably question reality itself.
Wasn't this the same man who clashed with an Emperor of the Sea without hesitation, using his Haki the moment tempers flared? Could that same man truly act so courteous?
"Hmm?" Yasopp squinted at the distant horizon, a faint red glimmer flashing across his eyes. After a brief pause, he said,
"Shanks... in the direction Shirogai went, the Marines..."
Shanks nodded, his expression calm.
"Yeah. Twenty-three Marine warships seem to be waiting for him."
Clearly, he had already sensed it with his Observation Haki.
"So he's heading straight for them..." Yasopp muttered, uneasy.
He knew Shirogai wasn't oblivious. The man's Observation Haki was no joke—he'd seen it himself the night before.
During a friendly contest, they had a shooting game.
Within the Red-Haired Pirates, there were plenty of marksmen, but Yasopp usually dominated these games. Yet that night, Shirogai claimed victory.
The challenge was simple: a small wooden boat was set adrift on the sea, a single matchstick standing upright upon it. The shooter had to ignite the match with a bullet. The farther the boat drifted, the better the score.
Yasopp had waited until the boat was barely visible, then fired one precise shot that lit the matchstick instantly.
The champion seemed decided—until Shirogai took his turn.
He didn't even look at the drifting boat. Instead, he casually fired into the air.
The bullet curved unnaturally across the sky, descending from the clouds to strike the boat that had already drifted beyond sight—and lit the matchstick in a single spark.
"Whaaaaat!?"
The crew erupted in shock. Yasopp could only gape, knowing immediately that Shirogai's Observation Haki surpassed his own.
"Don't worry," Shanks said, smiling. "He's more of a headache to the Gorosei than even the Four Emperors. Those twenty-three warships won't be enough to stop him. Still, let's go cheer him on!"
"Aye!"
The Red-Haired Pirates burst into laughter, quickly packing their things and preparing to follow after Shirogai.
---
Far ahead, twenty-three Marine warships formed three tight lines across the open sea, cannons aimed and ready.
"Hmph, the Fleet Admiral must be getting old, to send this many ships just because he's afraid of a so-called Fifth Emperor!"
On the golden flagship, a Marine Vice Admiral stood proudly, coat of justice fluttering in the sea breeze. He held a Den Den Mushi and sneered toward the distant island.
"Does that 'Arrogant Emperor,' Shirogai, really think he can face the might of the Marines?"
A voice on the other end of the Den Den Mushi scoffed.
"I bet he's seen the warships and already tucked his tail and run."
Another voice, sharp and cold, chuckled darkly.
"I hope he's foolish enough to come here. That way, we can kill him outright, offer his corpse to the World Government, and rise in rank. Admiral positions—one each for us, sounds perfect."
"Vice Admiral Gin, isn't this... going against Fleet Admiral Sengoku's orders?" one Marine asked hesitantly. "This area is close to the Red-Haired Pirates' territory. We were ordered only to monitor, not engage! The fleet formation you set up—it's too risky!"
"Hmph! What's there to fear?" Vice Admiral Gin growled, his grin stretching wide. "With us three Vice Admirals—Gin, Yin, and Tong—here, who dares challenge us?"
His eyes glinted dangerously as his aura flared. "It's just a so-called Emperor. And that rookie, Shirogai... he's only been at sea for half a year!"
"Everyone, watch out!" came a sudden warning through the Den Den Mushi. "Big Brother, Second Brother, I think I see something flying toward us!"
"Hm? Could it be that Fifth Emperor, Shirogai?" Gin's gaze sharpened as he barked, "All units, prepare to fire! Cannons aimed at the sky—let's show them how Marine justice is written!"
"Yes, Vice Admiral Gin!"
"One man... flying in the sky?" Gin sneered. "He really is arrogant."
Dark fur began spreading across his skin as his body grew larger and more feral, his mouth stretching into a savage snarl. His claws tore into the deck, muscles swelling.
"Vice Admiral's transformed! We'll be fine!" the Marines shouted.
Gin had eaten the Dog-Dog Fruit, Doberman Form. His brothers, Yin and Tong, possessed the Corgi and Bulldog Forms respectively. Together, they were known as the Three Dog Brothers—famed for their vicious close-quarters combat and tracking abilities.
No pirate ever escaped once they were targeted.
"Let's see what you've got, Shirogai Yamikuro," Gin growled.
But to everyone's surprise, the figure in the sky stopped, hovering far from the fleet.
The man reached out, summoning a sword seemingly from thin air. A faint smile tugged at his lips as his eyes locked onto the warships below.
"I have one sword," he murmured. "A sword that cuts down gods and ends eternity..."
He bent slightly, blade glinting with divine light.
"Fairy Fall!"
The heavens split.
A blinding arc of light descended from the sky, consuming the sea and the fleet in one overwhelming stroke.