At the Marine Headquarters, in the Fleet Admiral’s office.
Sengoku sat silently in his chair, his expression grim, his fists clenched tightly.
Finally, he could no longer contain himself. He slammed his fist onto his desk, the wooden surface shattering with a loud crack.
Perhaps due to his long partnership with the carefree Garp, Sengoku’s composure and patience as a Fleet Admiral had not entirely curbed his shock and anger.
“They actually succeeded in escaping…”
Sengoku let out a long sigh, feeling helpless and frustrated.
Evan and his companions’ successful escape from Impel Down would undoubtedly diminish the prison’s deterrent power and disgrace the World Government.
This era was becoming too chaotic.
“There’s another troubling figure in these seas,” Sengoku lamented, shaking his head. The situation had already spiraled out of control. He had no choice but to make it public and increase the bounty on Evan and the others.
“The already restless seas are about to become even more tumultuous.”
Sengoku pressed his temples, trying to calm his troubled mind.
Buzz. Buzz.
He looked down at the remains of his desk and saw the Den Den Mushi ringing.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me, Vice Admiral Borsalino.”
Sengoku fell silent for a moment, then his anger found an outlet. He roared into the receiver, “You! I sent you to handle the prisoners, and now they’ve escaped! Where have you been?!”
“That kid sent me to a remote island in the East Blue…” Borsalino replied helplessly.
The next day.
The top headline in newspapers worldwide was—“Evan Escapes from Impel Down, Marine Issues 500 Million Bounty!”
The paper included a photo of Evan, sword in hand, fighting valiantly.
The news spread like wildfire, shocking the world.
Evan’s name traveled across the seas in half a day!
A previously unknown figure for a decade had now risen to fame overnight.
A sprawling complex of buildings floated among the clouds in the sky above a certain part of the world.
Luxurious structures made of reinforced concrete hovered lightly, seemingly weightless as clouds.
Golden Lion Shiki stood atop one of the buildings, his severed legs replaced with two legendary swords, holding a newspaper in silent contemplation.
“Did they really escape?”
He wore an expression of disbelief.
Only someone who had experienced a prison break could understand its hardships and dangers.
He had escaped by severing his legs and relying on his exceptional Float-Float Fruit abilities, barely making it out alive.
Now, a young man had managed to break out with a few prisoners.
“This world has gone mad,” Shiki murmured.
In the New World, aboard Whitebeard’s ship.
“Gurararara!”
Whitebeard laughed heartily, drawing the attention of his captains.
“That kid Evan is something else!” Whitebeard marveled, taking a swig of sake.
The captains were shocked by Whitebeard’s high praise for Evan.
“Father, isn’t he just a kid who broke out of prison with a few others? Is he really that great?” asked Blackbeard, Captain of the Fourth Division.
“Don’t you see?” Whitebeard shook his head, gulping down his drink. “It’s his first bounty, and it’s already 500 million. That doesn’t necessarily reflect his strength, but it shows how much the Marine fears him. He’s someone to watch.”
“Got it.”
The other captains nodded in agreement.
“Gurarara, that kid could be my son!” Whitebeard laughed again.
In Windmill Village, East Blue.
“The sea has gained another unruly figure,” Garp sighed after reading the newspaper.
“Old man, who’s this?” Ace asked, pointing to Evan’s picture in the paper with his small hand.
“Hmm, his name is Evan, an escaped prisoner from Impel Down,” Garp replied, then scolded, “You little brat! What do you know?”
“Who are you calling a brat?” Ace retorted angrily.
“You, obviously!”
“I’m going to be a pirate!”
Garp responded by knocking Ace on the head, and a lump immediately formed.
“You’re going to be a Marine!”
Garp spat out in frustration.
“No, I’m going to be a pirate!”
Ace held his head, defiant as ever.
In Shimotsuki Village, East Blue, at the Isshin Dojo.
A six-year-old Zoro wielded a wooden sword, sparring with the slightly older Kuina.
“Zoro, I’m coming at you,” Kuina said, raising her wooden sword.
“Bring it on, Kuina. I’ll beat you one day!” Zoro’s childish face was full of determination.
Step!
Kuina charged, wooden sword raised. Zoro quickly lifted his own wooden sword to block.
They clashed back and forth, but Kuina seized an opening in Zoro’s defense, striking his abdomen and knocking him down.
“Admit it, you’ve lost again,” Kuina teased, pointing her sword at Zoro.
“I won’t give up! One day, I’ll beat you, Kuina!”
Zoro gritted his teeth, the pain from his abdomen making him sweat, but he refused to surrender.
“Whatever, you’re too weak to beat me,” Kuina dismissed, leaving to put away her sword. She noticed a newspaper on the table.
“Hmm? Evan…”
Kuina looked at the name, recalling something. She gasped and ran out with the newspaper.
“Kuina! I’ll defeat you!” Zoro shouted as he got up.
At the village coast.
Robin sat peacefully by the shore, the sunlight bathing her figure in a long dress, her skin glowing healthily.
Her purple hair flowed freely, waist-length, catching the sea breeze. She was stunning.
She gazed at the shimmering sea, eyes lost in thought, the horizon blending sea and sky.
“If you don’t come soon, my hair will reach my waist,” Robin murmured, running her fingers through her hair.
This purple hair was for someone special. If he didn’t come, it would be meaningless.
“Robin! Robin!”
A familiar, childish voice called out, growing clearer. It was Kuina.
Robin turned, her hair and dress flowing in the sunlight, a vision of beauty.
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