Navy Headquarters, Marineford.
The geographic location of Marineford is extremely unique: it is situated not only below the city of Mary Geoise, the residence of the world government, but also above the underwater passage to the second half of the Grand Line to Fish-Man Island, making Marineford a strategically important point for guarding two major sea arteries.
Of course, in terms of distance, Sabaody is closer and occupies a higher strategic position.
However, as a subordinate force of the World Government , the navy naturally had to serve the aristocratic Celestial Dragons.
Where is the island of Sabaody located?
It is the island with the most beautiful scenery in the world, also protected by the red earth continent, and it is free of typhoons and other bad weather phenomena throughout the year!
The Dragons have long used Sabaody Island as their own garden and auction house for extravagance.
The navy had no rights to construct enormous fortresses in the territory of the Celestial Dragons.
The strategic location couldn't be better.
Thus, the navy has long developed the barren, rocky island—Marineford.
It has also become the central hub of the navy.
Each of the high-profile fleet officers is stationed at headquarters.
A shock in all directions, suppressing the entire Grand Line.
But it is worth mentioning.
Pirates appear every year, but those like the later OverLord Rocks or the later Pirate King Roger are indeed rare.
At the moment.
Although pirates are flourishing, pirates with bounties in the hundreds of millions also appear from time to time, and they all fight for themselves, not posing a serious threat.
Rocks, an ambitious pirate, has yet to make his mark.
Pirates, in the end, are nothing more than small forces and small groups rooted in different parts.
And so.
During this period, the navy is relatively relaxed compared to the great era of the sea that Roger would later start. Their combat capabilities have not yet reached their peak, and the admirals are still young. Of course, at present, the rank of Marshal exists only theoretically within the navy.
As for Zephyr, Sengoku, and Garp... these foundational figures, it is unknown where they are developing at sea now. It is assumed that it will take a few years before they reappear.
Meanwhile, the highest rank at navy headquarters is Admiral. At this moment, there is only one, and that is the Steel Bone—Kong!
At this time in the admiral's office, the beardless Steel Skeleton held a Den Den Mushi from the Western Sea. His brows furrowed, and his expression grew serious.
Upon seeing the staff general, the Steel Bone tapped on the table, his tone turning angry: "A Den Den mushi from the Western Sea reported that our 123rd branch in Novix Town in the Western Sea was destroyed by two pirates, the branch building completely demolished, and Colonel Sgreim, along with 24 naval elites, was killed in the street."
"As a result of the incident, 59 sailors died and 37 were injured!" A colonel is the pinnacle rank in the navy across the Four Seas, serving as the supreme commander. Such a general being killed in the street by pirates is undoubtedly a blow to the navy's reputation.
When the Steel bone's voice stopped, the admirals around took a deep breath, their expressions quite telling.
"This is a terrible incident! It's a provocation against the marines!"
"Which pirate dares to provoke our navy in the Western Sea?"
— How hateful! What an outrage! Unheard of!
— That's a colonel, executed in the street!!!
— Are the pirates in the Western Sea really so brazen?
The Steel bone, Kong, with a cold face: "The culprits are two children! Just two brats, only thirteen years old!"
— What——!
Upon hearing this, the eyes of the surrounding vice-admirals widened, and they were left speechless.
Thirteen-year-olds?
Are you sure the information is not mistaken?
It can't be!
— One is called Kazan, and the other is Shiki! Both possess Devil Fruits, and seem capable of controlling warships and destroying branches, and both can fly, which is an absolute headache!
The Steel bone threw a handful of documents onto the table, the papers filled with the biographies of Kazan and Shiki.
— The locals confirmed that the two brothers are from Novix, and there are no issues with the information!
It might not be rare for two thirteen-year-old children to eat a Devil Fruit.
But their logic of actions truly surprises me!
If it were petty theft or even murder, even if the opponent were a three-year-old child, the Steel Skeleton could understand.
After all, the sea is inherently chaotic, murders are common, and many thieves start at a young age.
But.
To destroy a naval branch in an instant and publicly kill the most senior -colonel...
Practically wiping out all the active forces of the branch, two thirteen-year-old children did this...
It's unbelievable to think about.
Everyone wonders if they really heard it wrong!
Even famous pirates wouldn't dare attempt such a thing!
— General Kong, issue a search warrant, such children must be cut down at the root!
— Yes! These spawn of the devil must be suppressed at their inception!
The vice-admirals in the office voiced their opinions one after another.
The facts were clear before them, and the Steel Skeleton recognized it too.
However, considering the madness of what these two children did and their bizarre Devil Fruit abilities, the Steel bone Kong also struggled with how high the initial bounty for these two children should be.
...
In the New World, a massive warship hovered above the sea.
This was a warship originally belonging to Vice-Admiral Gasco from the naval headquarters.
At this moment, it was seized by a mysterious individual.
A large man with an explosive black hairstyle and a simple yet famous sword stood on the deck.
Behind him on the deck lay a body with a severed head, its blood already dried.
He looked at the warrant in his hands, the corners of his mouth twisted wildly, and a strange smile played across his face.
— Haha! Interesting Is this in the Western Sea? The Navy's reputation is lost, and the whole sea is shaken because of this!
— It's becoming more interesting each time. Two thirteen-year-old kids can do such amazing things. The future of the sea is really worth waiting for, heh-heh-heh!
— Ridiculous! It's just ridiculous!
...
In the Western Sea, hundreds of meters up.
A warship glides smoothly.
Waves, currents, wind—these elements are always valued in the world of pirates.
They are the most important source of power for the sea, carrying key elements of an exciting maritime story.
All it takes is to raise the sails and sail along the waves, and the ship can move.
It doesn't matter if it's on the sea surface.
Or in the air.
Over the years, Kazan has learned a lot about navigation through his extensive reading.
Hence.
Using the power of the wind to sail on a hovering warship has become an easy task for him.
Shiki sat on the empty deck, slightly puzzled, looking at his wanted poster.
...
···· ——··
丨Photographs丨
···· ——··
WANTED
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
SHIKI
BJ20,000,00- (20 million beri)
ISSUED BY THE NAVY
...
···· ——····
丨Kazan丨
···· ——····
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
KAZAN
BJ40,000,00- (40 million beri)
ISSUED BY THE NAVY
...
"What a ridiculous photo, the technique was executed poorly, and they released it anyway. Want to be embarrassed?" Shiki cursed, dissatisfied with the photograph on his warrant.
Then he looked at Kazan, who was standing at the bow of the ship, and said, "Brother, you were right, the Navy is after us!!!"
When the brothers did this, they had long anticipated such an outcome.
Kazan asked, "Hmm? What's the bounty on us?"
"I have 20 million beri, hmm, is my head really worth that much? However, brother, your head seems more valuable, a full 40 million beri!" When the bounty came, Shiki still couldn't believe it.
— Maybe it's because I killed that colonel, and we're both Devil Fruit users. In an era when the prices haven't yet risen, the initial bounty reaching ten million is already a high reward.
— Brother, is there still a place for us in this world?
— Shiki, don't worry about what happened. Look at this naval ship; it has enough resources. We should have everything we need to survive for a long time. Besides, as long as we're strong enough, the entire sea will become our backyard in the future. Others will only be afraid of us and won't venture anywhere near!
— We're not seeking a place to settle down; we're aiming for great dominion!
Kazan's words resonated fully with Shiki: — Brother, I'll remember that.
Indeed, at this moment, neither of them is particularly strong.
But ever since Kazan encouraged Shiki to learn swordsmanship, Shiki found a foundation in his heart and a direction for becoming stronger.
He transformed from a wandering child, always fearing for tomorrow, into someone with ambitions.
At the same time, Shiki deeply understands that as long as the fist is firm and the blade is sharp, there's truly nothing one cannot do and nothing one cannot dare.
Isn't it nonsensical to reflect on the bounty when victorious?
Not at all.
A military branch can be easily stormed by both brothers.
Changing a route never considered before.
But ha!
Using naval ships to smash through naval branches—now, looking back, Shiki feels a surge of adrenaline.
It's so cool!
Now, Shiki confidently pounds his chest, assuring that the captured ship is the most luxurious place he's ever lived. In the cabins, not only are the rooms spacious and bright, but there are also many kitchen appliances he's never seen before.
It's so tempting that it might even make you fall in love with cooking.
And those naval fleet supplies, everything is so delicious and exciting!
...
— Brother, where are we going now?
Shiki asked, preparing to temper his excitement.
He knew that Kazan was certainly not a rash person, and perhaps his brother had already meticulously thought out a plan before setting out.
And it would undoubtedly be a grand plan that would work flawlessly.
Looking at Shiki, who is gradually rising, Kazan smiled and said: — Ohara!