In the New World, at the G-5 Base.
This base, now hailed as both the "strongest fortress in the New World" and the "most lavish stronghold", was bathed in the slightly stifling heat of the afternoon sun.
Though the outer defenses remained as strict as ever, with heavily armed turrets and iron-blooded patrol fleets, the atmosphere in the core administrative zone was… miserable.
"I can't do this anymore… I really can't…"
Potts, the acting commander of G-5, was slumped over his oversized desk, eyes lifeless, sockets sunken, as if a ghost had drained all his vitality.
Before him, mountains of documents loomed like two insurmountable peaks, completely burying him.
"These are supply requests from three New World allied nations…"
"This is the expansion report for Phase Two of the G-5 Economic Zone from Rear Admiral Ain…"
"This is the medical report for Momonosuke's now defunct 'care program' left behind by Chief Steward Rehn…"
"And why the hell do I have to review complaints like 'I want a softer pillow' from random soldiers?!"
Potts let out a despairing wail, clutching his increasingly thinning hair.
Ever since Renzo had taken the core team to headquarters to "stir things up," the entire burden of G-5's operations had fallen on him alone.
Even with a solid system in place, the feeling of having no central pillar left him in constant anxiety.
"Lord Renzo… please come back…"
Tears streamed down Potts' face like noodles. "Without you sleeping up there, I just don't feel at ease!!"
"WOOOOOOOO!!"
Just before Potts completely broke down, a deep, heavy horn, like the breathing of a beast from the abyss, pierced through the walls and exploded in his ears.
Potts shot upright from his desk, his bloodshot eyes suddenly blazing with light.
"That sound… that frequency… that lazy yet domineering wave…"
He scrambled toward the window and flung it open.
On the distant horizon, a massive black shadow, large enough to blot out the sky, was slowly entering the G-5 harbor route.
Pitch-black, matte-coated, absorbing all light like a moving void.
And at its peak, a sleeping grey sheep flag fluttered in the wind.
"The Lullaby!!!"
Potts' voice cracked with excitement. "They're back! Lord Renzo is back!!"
"All personnel assemble!! Formation!! To the harbor at top speed!!"
"Even if you're in the middle of taking a dump, pinch it off and run out!!!"
"Welcome our god!!!"
…
Ten minutes later, at G-5's exclusive Deepwater Port No. 1.
Thousands of elite G-5 marines stood in perfect formation under Potts' command.
Every face was filled with fanaticism and anticipation.
They had already heard what happened at headquarters, how their lord had not only pushed Admiral Kizaru into the Fleet Admiral position, but also publicly humiliated that annoying Akainu!
What overwhelming dominance!
Rumble…
The massive black warship docked smoothly, even the splashing waves seeming composed.
The enormous gangway, large enough for giants, descended slowly. Though the ship was painted black, Rehn had insisted on keeping the gangway pure gold, calling it "low-key luxury."
First to disembark were the signature black-suited bodyguards, followed by the pot-bellied, radiant Chief Steward Rehn.
"All hands, SALUTE!!"
Potts roared.
"Shhht!"
Thousands saluted in unison, their voices shaking the sky.
Then, the man they had all been longing for finally appeared.
Renzo, still draped in his loose gray cloak, sunglasses on, looking like he had just woken up and didn't want to deal with anything, slowly walked down the gangway.
Behind him: Monet holding an umbrella, Ain carrying documents, Sanji with a cigarette, and Nami counting money.
"Welcome Lord Renzo back to port!!!"
The cheers surged like a tsunami.
Renzo frowned, annoyed by the noise, and waved his hand, signaling silence.
The entire place fell silent instantly.
Potts rushed forward, dropped to one knee, hugged Renzo's leg, and burst into tears:
"My lord! You're finally back! I've missed you to death! These past few days have been hell! Without your snoring, I can't even sleep!!"
"Get off. You're getting snot on my pants."
Renzo kicked him lightly in disgust. "Gone a few days and you've become as gross as Rehn."
"Hehe, that's my devotion to you, my lord!" Rehn chimed in shamelessly.
"Enough nonsense."
Renzo yawned. "This trip, I brought back two 'new employees.' Go arrange things."
"New employees?"
Potts blinked, then looked toward the gangway.
"Who are they? Logistics? Combat division?"
At that moment, more figures descended.
Leading them was a man carrying a massive black blade, wearing a black hat trimmed with white fur, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.
Each step he took seemed to slice the air with invisible sword intent.
Behind him floated a ghostly girl, and a lively red-and-white-haired girl with headphones.
The moment the black-bladed man stepped onto G-5 soil,
The entire harbor fell into dead silence.
Potts' eyes nearly popped out, his jaw hitting the ground.
The marines who had been sneaking glances at mermaids now froze, gasping like strangled ducks.
"That… that black blade…"
"Those eyes…"
"If I'm not mistaken…"
A trembling marine pointed at him, voice shrill, "That's… one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea! The world's greatest swordsman!!"
"Hawk-Eye… Dracule Mihawk?!!!"
Boom!
The crowd exploded.
"Is that really Hawk-Eye?!"
"Why is he here?! Is he an enemy?!"
"Alert! Stay alert! That's the strongest swordsman in the world!"
"Shut up, it's too noisy!"
Renzo snapped impatiently.
He pointed casually at Mihawk.
"That's the new… hmm, head of security. He'll handle base security. Also trim the garden trees for me."
"PFFT!!!" Potts spat.
'Head of security?!'
'Trimming trees?!'
'Using the world's greatest swordsman and a supreme blade to prune branches?!'
"My lord! Are you flexing?!"
"And that one."
Renzo pointed at Uta.
"She's the new… broadcaster. Responsible for morning wake-up calls and nighttime sleep-aid music."
"That red-and-white hair… isn't that…"
Someone recognized her.
"The world's top diva! Uta?!!!"
The entire crowd turned to stone again.
'The world's greatest diva… as a broadcaster?!'
"As for the floating one…"
Renzo glanced at Perona.
"That's a buy-one-get-one-free bonus. Just shove her somewhere."
"Hey! Who are you calling a bonus, you rude lazy bum?!"
Potts looked at this absurd lineup and felt his worldview collapse once more.
'Went out once, not only settled the Fleet Admiral, but also brought back the world's greatest swordsman and the world's greatest diva… as security and a broadcaster?!'
'This is Lord Renzo's strength?!'
"I'll arrange everything immediately!"
"Wait."
Renzo stopped him.
"They're not ordinary people. Regular quarters won't suit them."
He pointed toward the restricted zone behind the base.
"Take them to Eden."
"E-Eden?!"
Potts was shocked. "But that's your private territory, and the mermaids."
"Doesn't matter."
Renzo waved it off.
"Give Hawk-Eye a quiet place with a large garden. Preferably somewhere he can farm. He likes that. Top-tier facilities."
"As for Uta, give her a villa with a soundproof music room. Near the flower fields."
"Yes! Understood!"
"Rehn, go with them."
Renzo added, "Move in the top-tier furniture we took from Tesoro's ship. Golden toilets, velvet carpets, everything. If they're here, their quality of life can't drop."
"Yes, my lord!"
Rehn beamed. "This is the standard of a great power! Let them see that being your security is ten thousand times better than being a Warlord!"
Mihawk's lips twitched slightly.
Security sounded bad, but garden, farming, and "op-tier facilities…
His retirement-loving heart stirred, just a little.
"Lead the way."
He adjusted his hat and didn't refuse.
…
Behind G-5, in the Eden zone.
If the base was a steel jungle, beyond the massive Seastone gates lay a true paradise.
A vast artificial lake, crystal-clear, filled with exotic fish.
At its center, a grand island of marble and coral, dotted with luxurious villas.
"Wow…"
Uta gasped. "This is even more beautiful than Elegia!"
"Hmph, not bad," Perona muttered, though her eyes lingered on the flower fields.
Potts led them across a jade bridge.
"Hawk-Eye, this is your Zen Sword Residence."
A wano-style estate with farmland and a massive open dojo.
"Quiet. Fertile imported black soil. Top-tier crops."
Mihawk looked at the land… then the dojo.
For the first time, satisfaction appeared in his golden eyes.
"Not bad."
"And Uta, this is your Cloud Sound Pavilion.'"
A shell-shaped villa surrounded by flowers, with top-tier sound systems and full soundproofing.
"Really?!"
Uta ran inside. "This is amazing! I can hold my own concert!"
After settling them, Potts wiped his sweat and looked toward the center, Renzo's residence: the Temple of Laziness.
Renzo lay by an infinity pool, mermaids swimming happily nearby.
"My lord~ Want some grapes?"
"The water's perfect~"
Renzo lay back on a lounge chair.
"Ah…"
"Home really is best."
Rehn handed him a chilled drink.
"My lord, they've settled in well."
"Good."
"With Hawk-Eye guarding, Uta helping me sleep…"
Renzo smiled faintly.
"Looks like I can finally… sleep peacefully."
Sunlight fell across his face.
G-5 had transformed from a rogue marine base into a paradise of monsters envied by the world's strongest.
"Rehn."
"Yes!"
"Sprinkle some of that Golden Emperor's gold dust into the water."
"…Why?"
"Looks festive. Helps me sleep."
"Understood!!!"