Chapter 1: The Inspection Team Has Arrived

Sea Circle Calendar: Year 1492

(Approximately 30 years before the Summit War)

North Blue – Open Waters

The sun shone brightly across the vast ocean, and a cool sea breeze rippled gently over the surface.

A marine warship flying the pure white seagull insignia glided steadily over the waves. A massive sail bearing the bold black characters for "正義 (JUSTICE)"stretched from the towering mast.

"Gion... My dear Gion, I like you! Please accept my love!"

On the deck, a scruffy-looking Lieutenant Commander dropped into a flamboyant sliding kneel, dramatically holding out a bouquet of vivid red roses. His eyes shone earnestly as he gazed at the beauty before him.

In front of him stood a tall young woman with flowing black wavy hair. Draped over her shoulders was the white Justice cloak of a Lieutenant Commander from Marine Headquarters. She wore a pink camisole and tight shorts that revealed her long, pale, shapely legs.

"Lieutenant Commander Tokikake is so brave!" "Go for it, Tokikake!" "This time he might just succeed!"

Excited cheers broke out from the surrounding Marines. Someone tossed confetti, another blew a trumpet, and a third even fired a celebratory cannon.

A large banner fluttered in the wind: "Lieutenant Commander Tokikake's 38th Confession."

Spurred on by the raucous support behind him, Tokikake’s chest swelled with confidence. He flicked his oily hair dramatically and put on what he thought was his most charming smile.

"Gion! Accept my love! There’s no man in the world more outstanding than me!"

Gion: …

Her eye twitched. She exhaled lightly.

"Tokikake, you’re a good person… but we’re not compatible."

Suddenly, silence fell over the deck.

The trumpets, cheers, and cannons all ceased. Everyone stared at Tokikake, still kneeling with his bouquet, his back now appearing inexplicably lonely and pitiful.

"Poor Tokikake..." "He's confessed so many times already..." "Sigh..."

They began to approach him with sympathetic expressions, about to offer comfort—

Until Tokikake suddenly turned around, his face tear-streaked.

"Did you hear that?!"

He bit his lip, eyes watery.

"We heard you, Lieutenant Commander Tokikake..." "You don’t have to be so discouraged..." "That’s right, you’re a real man..."

They tried their best to comfort him.

"—Gion actually said I’m a good person!!"

Tokikake suddenly sprang to his feet. His teary eyes gleamed with determination, and his face flushed red with excitement.

"She acknowledged me! That means if I keep trying, maybe next time she’ll agree to go out with me!"

The Marines: …

Did she really mean that as a compliment...?

They exchanged awkward glances, faces stiff with forced smiles.

"Yeah, totally!" "Absolutely!" "She’s definitely coming around!"

"I knew it!!" Tokikake cheered, fists clenched.

"She’s testing my patience! I finally understand your deep intentions, Gion!!"

He turned around, smiling lecherously:

"You really don’t need to test me anymore—we’ve known each other so long. Don’t you already know my feelings for you? Come on, give me a kiss..."

He puckered his lips and leaned toward her.

BAM!!

A second later, Tokikake flew backward like a cannonball, crashing into the mast and sliding down like a sack of wet rice.

Bright red blood poured from his nose, and he twitched on the deck.

The Marines calmly put away their props and returned to their duties as if nothing had happened.

With the farce concluded, Gion massaged her temple and sighed.

She turned her gaze back to the document in her hands — a Marine dossier.

Name: Rogers Darren

Age: 19

Origin: North Blue (orphan)

Position: Base Commander of Marine 321st Branch, North Blue

Rank: Captain

Devil Fruit: Suspected metal-manipulation type; specifics unknown

Assessment: Highly ambitious, decisive and ruthless, unorthodox behavior, commands significant influence in North Blue. Exceptional potential. Candidate for Officer Training Program.

Note: Serious issues regarding personal conduct.

Beneath the notes were line after line of pirate suppression reports and military commendations.

Attached was a photo from the Marine Photography Division.

Gion glanced at it lazily, her black gem-like eyes glinting slightly.

The man in the photo had deep black eyes and hair, strong features, and an intense gaze. A wild, untamed charisma radiated from him.

"This guy’s kinda handsome. Almost enough to rival me," Tokikake muttered, limping over with tissues stuffed in his nose.

"So this Darren guy is our inspection target?"

Gion fought the urge to punch him again and replied flatly:

"Yes. This man has a firm grip on North Blue. He’s practically its uncrowned king. Intelligence suggests connections to underground syndicates, mafias, and even secret dealings with multiple kingdoms."

"According to Vice Admiral Tsuru, Darren is extremely dangerous and competent."

"We’re here not only to award him honors—but to conduct an inspection."

"Also, this is my mission. Why did you tag along?"

She glared at Tokikake, who smirked shamelessly.

"Where you go, I go."

He chuckled, then muttered, "Still, he’s just a Captain. Is he really worth all this fuss from Tsuru?"

Tsuru—Vice Admiral and Great Staff Officer of Marine HQ—was a pillar of justice in the world.

Her scrutiny was usually reserved for figures like Whitebeard, Golden Lion, or Roger himself.

"He may outrank me for now," Gion thought, "but that’s only because I haven’t had the chance to accumulate battlefield merit yet. Once I start taking missions, I’ll surpass him easily."

"No," Gion said aloud. "If Tsuru said so, there’s a reason."

Tokikake's eyes sparkled. "So if we find something suspicious, are we taking action?"

He cracked his knuckles, clearly eager for a fight.

For some reason, just looking at Darren’s picture made him want to punch the guy.

Definitely not because he was better looking.

"No. We’re just reporting back to HQ."

Gion closed the file and turned to the sea. The wind caught her hair.

She remembered Tsuru’s instructions and all the rumors she’d heard about Darren...

North Blue—the most chaotic of the Four Blues.

As her thoughts drifted, a fortified military base slowly emerged from the mist ahead.

"We’re almost there," Gion said softly.

The lookout’s bugle blared from the warship.

From the distance, another bugle answered—from Marine 321st Branch.

"Prepare for disembarkation," she commanded.

The warship docked at the port.

Rows of heavily armed Marines stood in a strict formation, exuding a deadly aura.

"These North Blue Marines... they’re not ordinary," Tokikake muttered, observing them closely.

Though 321st Branch was North Blue’s largest and strongest, the Four Blues were notorious for having lower standards than HQ.

Yet these soldiers radiated discipline and intensity. Their eyes were sharp. Their weapons top-grade.

"Something’s not right... That Darren guy actually trained them to this level?"

Gion and Tokikake exchanged glances, each seeing the same suspicion in the other’s eyes.

"Salute!" a young Lieutenant Commander stepped forward from the formation.

At his order, all Marines saluted in unison.

Gion and Tokikake returned the gesture and stepped off the ship.

"Lieutenant Commander Momonga. A pleasure to meet you," Gion said.

She studied the man with dark purple hair and a stern face. Her memory aligned with the intelligence:

Momonga – Lieutenant Commander, Deputy Commander of 321st Branch, right-hand man to Rogers Darren.

Momonga shook her hand firmly. "Welcome, Lieutenant Commander Gion and Lieutenant Commander Tokikake. Thank you for coming."

Though equal in rank, officers from HQ carried higher authority, and thus respect was expected.

"No need for formality—we’re colleagues," Gion said with a smile. Her gaze swept the area.

"Where is Captain Darren?"

Momonga hesitated. "The base commander... is still occupied."

Occupied?

Gion raised an eyebrow. Her eyes caught a luxurious royal vessel docked nearby, adorned with colorful ribbons and a kingdom’s flag.

"That’s... the royal ship of the Kingdom of Yadis?"

She recognized the flag and her expression turned ice-cold.

Rumors of Darren’s depravity and womanizing echoed in her mind.

That ship was clearly feminine in design. Its owner...

No way—

A bad feeling churned in her gut. She clenched her teeth and strode forward, bypassing Momonga.

Her mind was flooded with all the scandalous rumors about Rogers Darren—corruption, lust, and moral decay.

---

To be continued…

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