Having grown accustomed to a life of relative peace and stability, Saint Roselith Seraphina could now clearly perceive the cruel truth that ruled the seas.
The pirate creed.
The strong prey upon the weak.
Again and again, she had witnessed it with her own eyes across East Blue.
She knew it was wrong.
Every act of cruelty, every glimpse of injustice gnawed relentlessly at the soul she had carried from her previous life.
Because deep inside, she remembered a different kind of world.
A world where people could live peacefully.
A world where strength was not used to oppress the weak.
And because she remembered that world
She could not bring herself to truly love this one.
Because this world was wrong.
And so Seraphina refused to compromise with it.
If that made her selfish…
Then so be it.
In truth, all she wanted was to protect the soul she had carried from her former life.
"Hina…"
"I want to see such a world."
Her voice was calm, but her eyes were filled with conviction.
"A world where everyone can live in peace."
"A world where no one goes hungry."
"A world where everyone has clothes to wear."
"A world where people no longer harm one another."
"A world where no one is forced to wander without a home."
"A world where every single person can live safely."
She paused for a moment.
Then continued softly.
"So I…"
"…want to protect the beautiful world that exists inside my heart."
To protect such a world
First, such a world had to exist.
And Seraphina intended to create it.
Her dream was grand.
Perhaps even unrealistic.
At least, that was how Hina saw it.
Yet Seraphina never doubted it.
Because she had once lived in such a world.
She knew it was possible.
"Pfft…"
Hina suddenly laughed.
"That really does sound like something little Seraphina would say."
The world Seraphina described was the hidden hope buried deep inside the hearts of countless righteous people.
But the reason people called it an ideal world…
Was because no one had ever achieved it.
The moment humanity divided itself into nobles and commoners, the hierarchy of the world had already been decided.
Some people were born holding golden keys.
Endless wealth and privilege awaited them.
Others were born already burdened with debt.
Their entire lives spent struggling simply to survive.
And yet…
Seraphina's vision was incredibly tempting.
Wasn't it?
Beside her, Smoker's eyes were already burning with determination.
He wanted to see that world too.
"Hina. Smoker."
Seraphina looked at both of them seriously.
"If I tried to make the world like that…"
"Would you stand with me?"
She asked the question sincerely.
Because Hina and Smoker were not merely comrades.
They were people she truly acknowledged as friends.
"We will."
Hina answered without hesitation.
Not only because the world Seraphina described fascinated her.
But also because they were friends.
And when a friend made a request like that
How could she refuse?
"Count me in!"
Smoker grinned.
He didn't care about complicated ideals.
If something was right, then he would fight for it.
That was enough.
"Good."
Seraphina smiled slightly.
"With both of you on board…"
"So what's the plan?" Smoker asked immediately.
"Yes, what do we do now?" Hina added.
Seraphina's expression turned serious again.
"I want to begin by reforming the Marines of East Blue."
"I need both of you to become officers at different Marine branches."
She then explained the same plan she had previously discussed with Bruce.
"No problem!"
Smoker and Hina answered at the same time.
If they became branch commanders, they could enforce their own justice without interference.
"Hina, you will be assigned to Branch 16."
"The former captain died during a pirate suppression operation several months ago."
"The position has remained vacant."
"For now, Vice Admiral Rat has been acting as the temporary commander."
Seraphina's tone turned slightly colder.
"He's not exactly trustworthy."
"Keep an eye on him."
Hina nodded.
"Understood."
"Smoker."
"You'll go to Branch 17."
"The former captain, Jess, was dismissed."
"The new captain is his former vice-captain."
"His name is Blin."
"He lacks combat ability, but he's competent at administration."
"Assist him when necessary."
Seraphina pulled out the notebook she always carried during her patrols.
Inside were detailed records she had compiled while traveling throughout East Blue.
Every Marine branch.
Every officer.
Local maps.
Regional customs.
Civilian reports.
Everything was carefully documented.
Ink on paper was always more reliable than memory.
Of course, these were merely references.
The actual decisions would be up to Smoker and Hina.
As for the forty-plus Marines who had graduated from the Special Training Camp
They were all classmates.
Smoker took several.
Hina took several more.
Just over twenty remained.
It couldn't be helped.
Smoker was powerful, but his personality made teamwork difficult.
He preferred fighting alone.
Hina, on the other hand, was extremely popular.
And undeniably beautiful.
Many recruits naturally gravitated toward her.
Even so, every single one of them was an elite Marine.
At Headquarters they might still be considered junior officers.
But within the branches of East Blue, they were already officer-level fighters.
Because of their academy ranks, however, most were still listed between Petty Officer and Sergeant.
The remaining twenty recruits were therefore placed directly under Seraphina's command.
Her personal Commodore squadron.
Concerned that Hina might be manipulated by the cunning Vice Admiral Rat, Seraphina assigned Fran to serve as Hina's deputy.
"Lieutenant Hina, good afternoon."
"Lieutenant Fran, good afternoon. Let's work well together."
Their conversation ended after that simple greeting.
Facing Hina's imposing beauty, Fran felt even more pressure than when facing Seraphina.
Hina possessed a natural queen-like aura.
Her expression was usually cool and distant.
With unfamiliar colleagues, her tone always sounded somewhat businesslike.
Yet with Seraphina
She became surprisingly affectionate.
Just as Seraphina often joked:
Hina was extremely easy to get along with once she decided someone was her friend.
"SENSEI!"
Suddenly, a voice burst out from the side.
Kuina's eyes sparkled like stars.
"What about me?"
"What about me?!"
She had watched everyone receive their assignments.
And now she looked at Seraphina with eager anticipation.
She wanted to help her teacher.
More than anything, she feared being left behind.
She refused to be useless.
One day she would become a great swordsman.
"Kuina."
Seraphina smiled gently.
"You're still too young."
"For now, focus on training your swordsmanship."
"When you grow stronger…"
"…perhaps even I will need your help someday."
Seraphina would never indulge her recklessly.
Kuina was only twelve years old.
Including her in Marine operations would be nothing short of child exploitation.
"I understand…"
Kuina lowered her head slightly.
But she didn't complain.
She was a strong girl.
Instead, her resolve hardened once again.
She would become stronger.
Stronger and stronger.
Soon after, she said goodbye and ran toward the training grounds.
Her daily sixteen-hour training session began.
Just yesterday, a letter had arrived from her father.
It contained both concern and questions about her progress.
The letter also mentioned someone.
Roronoa Zoro.
Apparently, Zoro had already begun training fifteen hours every day.
Kuina clenched her fists.
She absolutely refused to let him catch up.
Meanwhile…
At Loguetown, the final island before Reverse Mountain.
Two pirates stared toward the distant sea.
"Krieg!"
"Look over there!"
"Is that guy… rowing a boat with a giant cross on his back?"
"Hey, you're right!"
"Hahaha! That's ridiculous!"
"Quick, grab a camera!"
The pirate burst into laughter.
Click.
The camera captured a perfect moment.
Far out at sea
A lone man drifted across the waves in a coffin-shaped boat.
And the enormous cross on his back gleamed silently in the sunlight.