Old Tom's thoughts returned to the brutal pirate raid twenty years ago.
Back then, his right leg had been injured, leaving him crippled ever since.
And now, on this recruitment order, beside the note about his lame right leg, the words does not affect combat ability had been circled in red pen, like fate mocking him cruelly all over again.
"From this day forward, all males on this island over the age of sixteen will be incorporated into the Divine Kingdom's Third Corps."
In the square, the enormous loudspeaker Transponder Snail suddenly released a deafening sound, exploding through the air like thunder.
The sudden noise startled a flock of mourning birds that had been resting nearby. They flapped their wings in panic and scattered in every direction, letting out sharp, mournful cries as if lamenting the disaster about to come.
The officer's cold, mechanical voice echoed through the smoke-filled air.
"Violators will be dealt with under Article… of the World Government Code…"
Every word struck people's hearts like a heavy hammer.
When she heard the announcement, a mother's face instantly turned deathly pale.
A flash of resolve crossed her eyes. Without hesitation, she picked up her daughter and turned, rushing toward the dark alley.
Her cloth shoes hurried across the ground, accidentally stepping over a torn family photo.
In the picture, the man in a Marine uniform—her husband—was smiling brightly at the camera.
But he had never returned from the brutal Summit War three years ago, leaving behind only that precious photo and endless longing.
The child in her arms still did not understand. She shifted uneasily and asked in a soft, childish voice, "Is Daddy on that ship?"
The mother's heart ached as if cut by a knife, but she held back her tears and buried her face deep in her daughter's milk-scented hair, trying to find even the smallest trace of comfort.
Just then, the crisp metallic sound of rifles being loaded came from the distance.
In the silence, that sound was especially piercing, like the footsteps of death slowly drawing near.
At that moment, she finally understood completely.
When the waves of the Great Pirate Era and the Divine Kingdom Era collided, ordinary people at the bottom of society, those with no strength to resist, were as fragile as ants.
They would be the first sacrifices in the storm, dragged into it mercilessly and crushed to pieces.
...
The New World.
The sky seemed covered by a thick layer of gloom. Dark clouds rolled and surged, flashing now and then with blinding lightning, while thunder roared endlessly like war drums.
In that vast stretch of sea, one island covered in lightning stood out in particular.
Thick bolts of lightning tore through the dim sky like savage dragons before smashing down onto the island, sending stone fragments and dust flying everywhere.
On the sea near the island, a scene of utter devastation came into view.
The Marine fleet had suffered unprecedented damage.
Warships were covered in scars, their hulls filled with blackened marks and deep dents.
Some ships had already lost control and were rocking violently in the waves.
Others had begun slowly tilting as seawater poured into their cabins.
At that moment, the wreckage was sinking helplessly toward the deep, dark abyss, creating huge whirlpools around it, as if everything devoured by this cruel battlefield was bidding farewell to the world above.
Amid that tense, suffocating atmosphere, a roar suddenly rang out.
"Rankyaku: Chaos!"
A Marine officer in a crisp uniform stepped forward, fury and resolve burning in his eyes.
With his shout, a powerful force erupted from his leg, turning into a razor-sharp cutting wave that surged forward with overwhelming momentum.
However, to everyone's shock, that seemingly powerful attack was easily deflected by a brilliant diamond barrier that suddenly rose from the calm sea.
The diamond barrier was like an indestructible wall, radiating a cold, dazzling light as it completely neutralized the Marine officer's attack.
While everyone was still stunned, a figure walked across the waves.
It was a man wearing a monocle—Carlos.
His steps were steady and confident, each one seeming to land directly on the hearts of those watching.
At his fingertips, he gently turned a crystal-clear gemstone. Under the sunlight, the gem refracted countless deadly points of light, like stars falling to earth, yet carrying an aura that chilled the blood.
Someone recognized him and cried out in terror, shouting his name and bounty.
"'Gem Merchant' Carlos! Bounty: four hundred and eighty million berries!"
That cry was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, making everyone present feel unprecedented pressure and fear.
"Terrifying…"
On the sea, the lookout's sharp and miserable scream was like a blade slicing through the silent sky.
Before the sound had fully faded, a chilling change occurred.
The entire majestic warship seemed to be attacked by some mysterious and horrifying power.
The rows of cannon barrels that had once stood straight and cold with metallic shine suddenly twisted as if they had lost their bones, bending into bizarre, corkscrew shapes.
They tangled and squeezed against each other, giving off harsh creaking sounds, as though an invisible hand with limitless strength were kneading them at will.
The entire scene looked like a vision from a nightmare.
"A Paramecia-type Metal-Metal Fruit…"
A battle-hardened, imposing Vice Admiral frowned, his eyes showing gravity and caution.
His right hand quickly gripped the sword at his waist, a blade that symbolized honor and authority.
The edge slowly slid half an inch from its sheath, the cold light revealing his decisiveness.
Yet at that critical moment, a bone-piercing chill suddenly touched his neck, as though countless tiny ice needles had stabbed into his skin.
Looking closely, he saw a mysterious figure wearing a crow mask standing silently atop the raised sail at some unknown time.
A strange aura surrounded that figure, and the pitch-black wings behind him were like dark messengers arriving before nightfall.
The shadow they cast was like an enormous net, covering the entire scene and making everyone feel an unprecedented pressure.
"I heard you're looking for King the Wildfire?"
The Vice Admiral sneered coldly, then continued his attack.
"That's right!"
"Then step over my corpse and go find him!"