On the red line, dividing the sea into two parts, stretches the Grand Line. On one side, the first half, the "Paradise" of pirates; on the other, the New World, where perils defy imagination. Barely a day after the encounter between Aokiji and Gojo's right-hand man...
---
Marineford
The imposing fortress of the Marines vibrates with tension in Sengoku's office. Clenched teeth and a comical smirk on his face, he glares at Aokiji, slouched in front of him.
"Why did you let Yuta, the cursed king, slip away?" he demands, his voice trembling with anger.
"I told you, he was just taking a walk. Catching him would have been... complicated," the admiral replies, yawning and scratching the back of his neck nonchalantly.
A burst of laughter resonates in a corner. "Bwahahaha! Still as lazy as ever, Aokiji!" exclaims Garp, devouring his rice crackers with legendary carefreeness.
"Silence, Garp!" roars Sengoku, pointing an accusatory finger. Sighing, he sits back down. "Those damn elders want Gojo's head, and you're laughing..."
"It takes guts to climb Mariejois just for fun," Garp retorts, a teasing smile on his lips.
Sitting on the ground, Aokiji adds, "That was eleven years ago, your first encounter with them, right?" lazily.
"Yeah... Kids, already pretty strong. And look at them now!" agrees Garp, a broad smile lighting up his face with nostalgia.
"If you had captured them that day, we wouldn't be here!" Sengoku explodes, grabbing Garp by the collar, exasperated.
"Bwahahaha! Calm down, Sengoku!" Garp replies, chuckling.
Red with anger, Sengoku mutters insults. Aokiji stares at the ground, lost in his thoughts. After a long "Mmmh," he murmurs, "Gojo with eternal eyes... He could become a real threat," thoughtfully.
Silence falls. Sengoku regains his composure, while Garp sports a fierce smile.
"The youngest Yonko, with unmatched potential..." muses Sengoku, pensive.
"Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido... At 31, none can rival Gojo. Shanks is the only one who could come close," adds Garp, smiling.
The Yonko, titans of the seas, are of such balanced power that a duel between them would remain uncertain. But at Gojo's age, none can match him, except perhaps Shanks, who was appointed Yonko at 33. For many, Gojo is a monster. Facing one of the Five Great Pirates is equivalent to suicide.
Standing up, hands in his pockets, Aokiji concludes, "And his crew... They would follow him to the ends of the earth. It's the crew that scares me the most," calmly.
---
Three days later, in the New World
On Cancer Island, Gojo's domain, the atmosphere is lighter. This island, imbued with traditional Japanese style, is bustling with civilians in kimonos and rustic houses. In the center, Utahime Iori's castle overlooks the city, while workshops at the back manufacture weapons for ships and pirates, under Utahime's supervision.
Sitting next to her, Gojo sips tea. "So, how is he?" he asks, a mischievous smile on his lips.
"He's in Water 7, inspecting materials for Maki's ship," Utahime replies calmly.
"And the cannons I asked you for?" Gojo insists, smiling sideways.
"Yes, they're ready. But making them... what a headache," Utahime replies, sighing.
"Perfect! Maki will love them!" he exclaims, enthusiastic.
"You spoil her too much, Gojo," Utahime retorts coldly.
"Jealous, Utahime?" he teases.
"I'm not jealous!" Utahime exclaims, a vein pulsating on her temple.
Gojo laughs carefreely, while Utahime seethes. Their light banter contrasts with the weight of their shared past. Utahime has been following Gojo for ten years, sharing his adventures and eccentricities. Despite her annoyances, she never regrets following him.
---
In Water Seven
Usopp, the sharpshooter of the Straw Hats, is devastated. Bandaged all over, red-eyed, he gazes at the Going Merry, his beloved ship, deemed irreparable. After a quarrel with his captain, he left the crew, refusing to abandon the Merry.
"Damn! It can't be over... It can still be repaired!" he mutters, in tears.
A huge shadow suddenly looms in front of him. A colossus of 3.6 meters, with an imposing build, stares at him behind his sunglasses.
"What's wrong, kid?" he asks, in a deep voice.
"Who are you, the giant?" Usopp points, startled and intimidated, a trembling finger.
"Relax. My name is Masamichi Yaga, I'm a carpenter," the man answers seriously.
Masamichi Yaga, known in the New World as Magister Yaga, is the carpenter of Gojo's crew, the creator of ships. He has eaten the Kugutsu no Mi fruit, a Paramecia type, which brings to life the puppets he creates. He stands at 3.6 meters, is 48 years old, and masters both types of Haki. He is a serious man, loyal to Gojo, who despises weak motivations. His bounty is 437,100,000 berries.
The word "carpenter" reignites a glimmer of hope in Usopp. He begs Yaga to examine the Merry, convinced that his ship can be saved.
"The carpenters here say it's done for, but I know it can sail! My crew gave up, but not me!" he implores, desperate.
Yaga inspects the ship in silence, then shakes his head. "It's over for this boat. Its journey ends here," he declares.
"You don't understand! This ship means everything to us!" Usopp cries, furious, grabbing Yaga's jacket.
"Listen, kid. A carpenter knows better than anyone what a ship represents. Seeing a boat unable to continue is painful. But clinging to it is humiliating. Move on," Yaga replies, effortlessly lifting him, fixing him with a piercing gaze.
He releases Usopp, who collapses, devastated. Yaga's words resonate within him. Gradually, a spark of determination replaces his tears.
"Thank you, old man! I know what I have to do!" declares Usopp, getting up.
He rushes off, running towards his destiny. Behind him, Yaga gives a discreet smile, thinking, "Well done, kid. You're still a novice, but nothing should stop your adventure."
---
The next day, on Sagittarius Island
Gojo, Utahime, Toji, and Choso play cards, but the game degenerates, as always.
"Stop cheating, you cursed captain!" Utahime shouts, furious, grabbing Gojo.
"It's not my fault if you're a sore loser!" he retorts, mocking.
"Why do we keep playing? It always ends like this," Choso sighs, monotonous.
"I like it. These two arguing, it's entertaining," Toji adds, amused.
Suddenly, a pirate bursts in, interrupting the argument. "Captain Gojo! Enemy ships! It's the Germa 66! Nanami-sama is waiting for you!"
"Oh? Who dares to venture here?" Gojo asks, smiling.
"Germa 66... What do they want from us?" Toji inquires, intrigued.
"Shall we destroy them, Gojo? They don't have permission to enter," Utahime suggests coldly.
"Germa 66, the kingdom of science. They want one thing: Shoko's technology on Hydra Island," Gojo replies, smiling sideways.
"They have guts to aim so high!" comments Toji, laughing.
"I'll help Nanami," Choso declares seriously.
Standing up, a gleam in his eyes, Gojo interrupts, "No, Choso. I'll go myself."
Utahime and Toji exchange a glance. No one has ever crossed the Virgin Island, guarded by Nanami, without permission.
---
At the territory's entrance
Nanami's ship, adorned with a figurehead with round glasses and the word "infinite" on the sails, blocks the way. Tie loosened, arms crossed, Nanami stares at the horizon where Germa 66's floating kingdom approaches.
"Germa 66, you shall not go further," he declares coldly.
On the enemy's vessel, Judge observes Nanami through a telescope. Behind him, four silhouettes wait in the shadows—three sporting arrogant smiles, while the fourth remains strangely reserved.
"Jakuten Nanami... as expected. The currents here are as treacherous as his allies. But once we have seized the technology of this territory, Germa 66 will regain its past glory... and North Blue will be ours," Judge murmurs, in a cold and calculated tone.
He knows that Hydra Island, his objective, is still far away. To reach it, he will first have to crush Nanami, then defeat the other shamans one by one. Finally, he will have to face the heart of this cursed territory: Sagittarius Island, where Gojo and his curses reign. Entering this domain without permission... is challenging death itself.