"Griffin, starting tomorrow, you will be the base commander of West Blue Branch 179."
...
West Blue waters.
Two figures sat on a bench at the end of the street, shrouded in swirling smoke under the dim streetlights.
The speaker was a burly man with silver-white cropped hair, constantly puffing on two cigars clenched between his teeth.
A native of the Grand Line, currently serving as base commander of West Blue Branch 179, Marine Headquarters Lieutenant Commander, and user of the Logia-type Smoke Fruit - Smoker.
Smoker took a deep drag from his two cigars and slowly exhaled the smoke.
His eyes swept over the hurried pedestrians on the street as he snorted coldly: "I know what those higher-ups are scheming. Those shit-eating bastards took bribes and don't want me pursuing the gang matter. Damn it!!"
"Having you, the branch vice-commander, take over means they think you'll be easy to manipulate!"
...
It was currently Ocean Calendar 1510, approximately ten years since that man's execution and the beginning of the Great Pirate Era.
Pirate activity had become far more rampant than in previous years, and since then, those appointed as base commanders generally needed to undergo training at Headquarters for some time and obtain a Headquarters rank before taking up the position.
...
On the other side of the bench, a young man sat relaxed with his arms casually draped over the backrest, making his shoulder line appear even more streamlined and upright.
His features were sharp as if carved by a knife, with black hair tips slightly falling near the corners of his eyes, tied in a high ponytail. His fair complexion didn't give off any feminine impression.
He was a handsome man who formed a stark contrast with the rough-looking Smoker.
From Smoker's words, it could be deduced that his name was Griffin, Smoker's vice-commander.
A cigarette hung loosely from his lips, swaying slightly as the young man's throat moved.
"Well~ What does it matter? It's still a promotion anyway, and the salary will increase quite a bit."
"Commander Smoker, where will you go after this?"
...
"Loguetown."
Smoker's voice was low.
Loguetown was located at the convergence point of East Blue and the Grand Line. This name had resounded across the seas due to Pirate King Roger's birth and public execution there, earning it the title 'The Town of Beginning and End'.
Griffin's eyebrows twitched slightly as he slowly brought his hands together: "That's quite an extraordinary place..."
At the same time, Griffin thought of something else.
According to the timeline, this guy Smoker would stay in Loguetown for eight whole years.
As a Logia-type fruit user with close ties to Kuzan, who was a strong candidate for Marine Admiral, yet never got promoted all these years...
Hmm... Smoker's self-willed, disobedient personality was probably the main reason.
He was one of the rare Marines who questioned the World Government's concept of 'Absolute Justice', adhering to his own standards of justice.
It was perfectly normal for the higher-ups to dislike him.
...
Griffin wasn't a native of this world, but a crosser.
To be precise, a crosser who ended up in the wrong world.
Name: Uchiha Griffin
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Origin: West Blue's Flower Country, orphan
Position: Current Deputy Base Commander of West Sea Branch 179 (tomorrow the "Deputy" will be removed).
Military Rank: Navy Branch Lieutenant Colonel (tomorrow will be Colonel).
...
So what's the problem...
Yes, the Uchiha.
Just like the D Clan, in another world, this surname carries equally profound significance.
When Griffin focused his mind, he could see something resembling a mission panel.
——
"Filial Piety, Love, Peace, and Beautiful Vision Realization Plan"
"Due to the abilities and experiences of the Uchiha, this clan is known as the Cursed Clan, having tasted tragedy and suffered countless misfortunes.
You shall be the one to change such tragedy!
You are a child born from an Uchiha clansman and a woman of the Yuki Clan, possessing both the Sharingan and Ice Release Bloodline Limits, shouldering the responsibility of merging ice and fire, severing causality!
Resolve the emotional conflicts between Kaguya Otsutsuki and her children, end the thousand-year-old grudge between Indra and Asura, and prevent the tragedy of the Uchiha Clan...
You will return to the Uchiha Clan from the Land of Water...
Large sections cover almost every named Uchiha, including even a certain white-haired mask-wearing man who infiltrated the Uchiha.
...
...
The plan has deviated, with incorrect positioning in the Land of Water.
Relevant personnel are correcting the timeline, temporarily modifying mission objectives.
——
"Elimination Plan"
Before the worldline correction, mission objective—
Eliminate all Celestial Dragons.
——
——
Hey!!
Is it necessary to be so blatantly biased?!
For a panel, your likes and dislikes are way too obvious!
And could you at least provide more mission details? What about rewards? Punishments?
"Mission details pending, rewards and punishments pending"
"There is an essential difference between the two. The Uchiha would sacrifice their entire clan to save the world, while the Celestial Dragons...
"Explanation too complicated, judge as you will"
...
So perfunctory, like a scumbag.
——
...
Griffin appeared in the Flower Kingdom as an infant, unable to recall how he crossed over—anyway, his previous life ended around his teens too.
Getting to live again, with no mentioned punishment for not completing tasks, he didn't dwell on such matters.
Fortunately, he awakened his Ice Release ability at age four, managing to survive his childhood by using ice creation techniques to make a living.
At twelve, after saving up for a long time, he bought a small boat, hoisted a pirate flag, and planned to become a free-spirited pirate...
Since this is the world of One Piece, becoming a pirate makes sense, right?
But...
Before he could even leave the port, Smoker caught him.
Logia users were just too overpowered; Griffin was no match for Smoker. The cheap pirate flag he bought for 50 Berries was torn down.
His venture ended before it even began.
After that, Griffin started interning on Smoker's ship, eventually becoming his deputy until now.
Most importantly...
The salary of a Navy officer isn't low, and there are plenty of ways to earn extra income.
...
Griffin isn't opposed to the mission of eliminating all Celestial Dragons—after all, those creatures are pretty disgusting.
But he's not like Luffy, who has powerful backing. If he were to shout "Eliminate all Celestial Dragons" as a slogan...
He'd shout it in the morning, and grass would be growing on his grave by afternoon.
Haha, just kidding—as if there'd even be a grave!
...
Back when he set sail, he originally wanted to go to Wano Country to study under Teacher Kaido, planning covert operations after improving his skills.
But over the years, he's given it serious thought.
Teacher Kaido's teaching methods are still too advanced—without a solid foundation, you can't learn them.
There's no place better than the Navy for laying a solid foundation.
Besides...
Being a Navy officer and killing Celestial Dragons don't seem mutually exclusive.
As an insider, it might even be easier to get the job done!
...
"Griffin, you're the one handling the base's daily affairs normally, so I won't say much more..."
Smoker pointed at the scattered figures in black suits in the night and continued, "Capone Bege, a pirate who's risen rapidly in recent years."
"You've heard of him, right... They say this place belongs to the Navy during the day, but to his gang at night."
The West Blue is the birthplace of the mafia, with many similar gang organizations—it's somewhat a local characteristic.
About ten years ago, there was another famous location in the West Blue.
The sacred archaeological site—Ohara.
Unfortunately, that name has completely vanished from the map.
...
"Too arrogant..."
Huu—
Smoker took a deep drag from his cigar and said gravely:
"He's a tough guy to deal with."
"Tonight, I'll take you to meet him, dampen his momentum, and let him know..."
Crack—
Smoker bit through his cigar and said grimly, "This is no place for a pirate to call the shots!!"
...
"No need for all that trouble..."
Griffin rose leisurely, turning his head with a faint smile. "You're setting off for your new post tomorrow—better head back early for a bath and some sleep."
"If something like establishing authority for a new appointment requires your involvement, he'll look down on me."
The young man wore a slight smile, carrying a lazy, roguish charm.
Since he was exceptionally handsome, one could reluctantly describe it as a bewitching smile.
"I've been meaning to say this for a while..."
"Commander Smoker, you're too lenient with pirates."
"Let me show them what the new base commander is capable of."
With his hands in his pockets, Griffin strolled calmly into the night.