When Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Aokiji finally stepped out of Dressrosa's colosseum, there was another figure walking beside them—a tall, quiet young man named Kyros.
Kyros had always been decisive by nature. Since he had agreed to join the Navy, he didn't waste time hesitating or saying long farewells. He had no family left in Dressrosa, no friends to bid goodbye to—nothing to keep him there.
The arena manager, however, was far from pleased.
Kyros was the colosseum's shining star, its greatest money-maker, with a record of 441 victories. Letting that kind of talent just walk away was a painful blow to the profits.
At first, the man tried to talk him out of it, muttering,
"You're a murderer."
"Out there, you'll be looked down on."
"The Navy will never accept someone like you."
"You'll just end up being discriminated against."
But those protests came to a quick, icy halt the moment Aokiji froze the man's entire desk solid with a single touch.
After that, no one dared to interfere.
And so, Kyros walked free.
He had little to his name—just a few sets of plain clothes, a set of old gladiator armor, and his most prized possession: a double-edged greatsword.
"Kyros," Aokiji said as they walked through the streets toward the harbor, "you're strong. Once you join the Navy, I'm sure you'll go far."
"For now, just stick with me. When we board Vice Admiral Garp's ship, I'll have your enlistment papers sorted."
"Oh, and don't worry—Vice Admiral Garp's one of the best. He's a good man. You won't have any problems."
Aokiji smiled as he spoke, his voice calm and reassuring.
"Still," he added, "even if you're strong, in the Navy, everyone starts from the bottom. I did too. When we get back to Headquarters, I'll ask Teacher Zephyr to let you enter the Navy Academy."
"Zephyr-sensei's the chief instructor of the Navy, a former admiral. He's a strict man, but he's fair—and he'll like someone like you."
His words came out in a steady stream, full of conviction.
To Aokiji, the Navy wasn't just a job—it was purpose. A place where people could find their meaning, where strength could be used for justice.
And that conviction, that quiet passion, began to ease Kyros's lingering tension.
He'd been nervous ever since agreeing to join. The arena manager's bitter words still echoed faintly in his mind. But Aokiji's warmth and sincerity gradually dissolved that unease.
During their walk, Kyros also learned more about Yoriichi.
A prodigy.
A key figure being groomed by the Navy.
A direct disciple of Vice Admiral Garp.
And more surprisingly—someone born a commoner.
Rather than returning straight to the local naval branch to meet Garp, Aokiji first made a call through the den-den mushi, briefly explaining the situation.
Then, instead of heading directly to the port, he decided to take both Yoriichi and Kyros around Dressrosa for a while.
They shopped for clothes, sampled the local cuisine, and took in the sights.
Kyros had lived here all his life, but poverty had never allowed him to enjoy any of it. Walking the lively streets now, tasting food he'd never been able to afford before—it felt strangely liberating.
He knew that once he left this island, it might be years before he ever saw it again. So, for the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to simply enjoy the day.
By evening, the golden light of sunset shimmered across the sea.
Yoriichi and the others finally arrived at the Dressrosa Naval Branch, arms full of shopping bags. Aokiji had even bought some local gifts—fruit-flavored donuts and crisp senbei—to bring to Garp.
"You're late," Garp boomed with his usual grin as they entered.
"Let me guess—this young man here is Kyros, right?"
"Welcome to the Navy! I'm Vice Admiral Garp."
Kyros straightened instantly, nerves rising again. A real Marine Vice Admiral—someone whose name alone carried weight across the seas!
"H-Hello, Vice Admiral Garp," he stammered, bowing slightly.
But Garp's hearty laughter and easy smile immediately set him at ease.
Just as Aokiji had said, the man radiated warmth and kindness.
"Come on," Garp said, clapping his hands once. "You've kept me waiting long enough."
"It's time to set sail."
He turned toward the sea, his grin widening.
"I've just received word—"
"—the Roger Pirates have been sighted!"
Garp gave Kyros a firm nod, his cheerful grin fading as his tone grew more serious. Turning toward Aokiji, he said in a low voice,
"We set sail tonight."
The words made Aokiji's easygoing expression vanish. He straightened at once, his usual lazy drawl replaced by crisp focus.
"Leaving at night?" he asked, glancing up at the darkening sky.
Garp nodded. "Yeah. Time's tight. If we lose Roger's trail this time, who knows when we'll get another chance?"
He paused for a moment, then dropped the real bombshell:
"Roger's heading for Charlotte Linlin."
"His destination is Totto Land."
The words hit like thunder.
Aokiji froze for a heartbeat, eyes widening. "Charlotte Linlin… you mean that Charlotte Linlin? The one who used to sail under Rocks D. Xebec?"
Garp grinned, his expression saying exactly that.
Aokiji exhaled sharply. Even he, young as he was, knew what that name meant. "Roger's crew going after a monster like her… what are they planning?"
"This is… this is a big deal, Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Of course it is," Garp said with a careless snort, then promptly ruined the heavy mood by digging a finger into his nose.
"But that's exactly why we're going after them! Once I've got Roger in cuffs, whatever 'big deal' he's up to won't matter anymore, right? Wahahaha!"
He burst out laughing, the sound booming across the harbor as he started striding toward the dock.
By the time evening fell, Garp's ship—already prepared earlier that afternoon—was waiting at the naval port. The crew was assembled and ready; only Garp, Yoriichi, Aokiji, and Kyros remained to board.
Yoriichi had thought they'd stay in Dressrosa for a few more days. He hadn't expected to arrive in the morning and be shipped off again by nightfall.
The Navy's pace, he realized, was harsher than any 996 work schedule.
Still, he wasn't upset. On the contrary—he was curious.
To meet the true powers that ruled this sea… to see for himself the strength of one of the future Four Emperors—that was something worth sailing for.
Charlotte Linlin.
The world would one day know her as Big Mom—one of the mightiest pirates alive.
Once, she'd been a crewmate of Rocks D. Xebec himself, fighting alongside Whitebeard, Kaido, and other living legends in the chaos of the God Valley Incident.
After Rocks fell, she built her own empire in the New World: Totto Land, the "Land of All Nations."
Thirty-four islands, hundreds of thousands of people, countless races all living together under her rule.
So long as they offered up a portion of their lifespan to her in tribute, they could live in peace, under the protection of her monstrous power.
It sounded benevolent—until one remembered what "offering lifespan" really meant. Yet compared to Doflamingo's tyrannical Dressrosa or Kaido's brutal Wano, Totto Land almost seemed like paradise.
Family was her foundation. Protection was her promise. Through those bonds, Charlotte Linlin built her kingdom of many nations—a self-contained world where she alone was queen.
Even the World Government and the Navy dared not meddle in her territory.
And now, Roger was heading there.
To the Navy, that was a storm waiting to happen.
Garp stepped onto the deck, his laughter echoing through the night.
"Set sail! Our destination—Totto Island, the territory of Big Mom!"
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