Sakazuki never expected the Revolutionary Army to overthrow the government. Their purpose was to throw the world into chaos, to keep the government unsettled. Once Sakazuki's plans were complete and the pirates were thoroughly eradicated... nothing would be a problem.
But that was too far off for now. Sakazuki shook his head, returning to reality. "Let's get this stuff to Mr. Vegapunk first."
"Find us in the West Blue later," Enel said, his spirits lifting.
"Okay." He beckoned to some nearby soldiers, who carefully wrapped the equipment on the ground. Carrying the equipment, he vanished in a flash of lightning.
---
An unknown sea, Red-Haired Pirates.
The crew, having just defeated another pirate crew and seized a large amount of treasure, was celebrating with the spoils piled on deck. Suddenly, a baby's cry interrupted Shanks' smile. He rubbed his chin, uncertainly, and walked to the treasure chest, reaching out to push open its lid. He stared in astonishment at the infant crying on top of half the treasure.
Bambook, a strong monkey, clung to the edge of the chest, looking on with curiosity. Beckman said with surprise, "Masaka..."
"That pirate crew..."
Suddenly seeing so many people, the crying infant began to giggle. Shanks looked helpless. "No way... Hey!" As if sensing Shanks' exasperation, the baby started crying again.
Shanks fumbled, not knowing how to soothe the child. As if struck by an idea, he sang a song with a troubled expression. The infant immediately froze, staring blankly at Shanks and then began to laugh. Shanks himself suddenly froze.
It was as if the scene from the God Valley years ago flashed in his mind. Captain Roger opening a chest, and seeing the astonished looks on Captain Roger and Vice-Captain Rayleigh's faces. The baby's laughter pulled him back to reality. Looking at the infant with one red and one white lock of hair split down the middle, his gaze softened.
"What a twist of fate..." Fate seemed to have come full circle. Shanks, who was once placed in a treasure chest and discovered only when the Roger Pirates brought the chest aboard, had, after forming his own pirate crew, also found an infant in a plundered treasure chest... named Uta.
---
East Blue, Kingdom of Oykot.
In a small port town, a towering blaze had erupted. Marines who had responded to the mission were fighting a group of pirates. Unlike clashes between powerful individuals, the battle between ordinary people was chaotic. Pirates wielding cutlasses mingled with Marine soldiers as if in a brawl. Fire, sword light, blood – on rooftops and the ground.
Under the command of a burly man wearing a horned helmet, the pirate force gradually pushed the Marine soldiers back. Behind a pile of collapsed rubble, Bellemere and several Marine soldiers, armed with muskets, were firing at the pirates in the distance. But even so, the hastily summoned Marine soldiers were being killed one after another... Until the last man fell.
Having plundered the riches, the pirates abandoned their fallen comrades, ignited the fires, and burned the entire town. Bellemere, lying against a crumbling wall, was covered in blood and sustained countless knife wounds. As the blood flowed, her consciousness began to blur.
"I can't anymore..." Her remaining awareness tried to move her body, but it was unresponsive, as if she had lost control. After struggling for a long time with no effect, she was too tired. "Forget it..."
Scenes from her past replayed in her mind like a slideshow. For some reason, the last person who appeared in her mind was the clumsy village resident in the security uniform. "Idiot Ken..." Her eyes slowly closed, her strength gone.
Suddenly! The sound of a baby crying echoed through the silent town. Bellemere's hazy mind snapped awake. It was! No! I have to get up! And... and the baby is alive. If I die... she... A belief, from an unknown source, propelled her to stagger to her feet.
In the distance, a blue-haired little girl was walking aimlessly, holding a crying infant. Bellemere stumbled towards them, her voice weak. "Is that your sister?"
The blue-haired little girl turned her head in surprise and saw the blood-covered Bellemere. She then shook her head expressionlessly. "I don't know whose child it is."
Thump... Bellemere, who had staggered to stand before them, could no longer hold on and collapsed to the ground. She looked at the little girl with a gentle smile, reaching out to stroke her small face. The orange-haired infant giggled. Looking at the carefree smile, Bellemere's tears flowed uncontrollably. "You truly... don't understand how I feel at all."
No one is born strong. The blue-haired girl, whose town, family, and friends had been massacred by pirates, could no longer hold back, her tears streaming. Smiling and crying at the same time... Bellemere gently embraced them both. "I'll take you... home."
---
North Blue, an island before Reverse Mountain.
A fleet of nine massive warships, all soldiers in formation. At Sakazuki's command, they slowly sailed out of the port. Not long after setting sail, a giant warship arrived late and rejoined the fleet. Then, Barrett, clad in a custom black military uniform, leaped several times onto Sakazuki's ship.
Sakazuki, reading a newspaper on deck, frowned. He said to Barrett beside him, "Take a break, Barrett. There's dessert in the mess hall, prepared for you."
Barrett grinned. "Thanks, boss. What's wrong? Is there bad news in the paper?"
Sakazuki handed him the newspaper. "It's nothing much. Another Shichibukai has been added."
"A dog that hasn't been disciplined is not a good dog." Since Sakazuki was on assignment in the four seas, another Vice Admiral had handled this recruitment.
Barrett nodded. "Indeed. Gecko Moria, huh? I'll find a chance to teach him a lesson later."
Sakazuki replied, "That guy is nothing. A piece of trash. But the one on the third page, Dracule Mihawk. He's quite bold."
Barrett's interest piqued. "Oh?"
Rustle— The sound of pages turning echoed. Barrett looked closely, his brow furrowed, and his tone gradually grew colder. "Marine Hunter?"
"That fool who doesn't know his place. Should we take care of him?"
Sakazuki said with a faint smile, "Such good material. We must preserve the whole body..."