Lunar Calendar, May 1480th.
That day, Rockefeller Charlotte was practicing his swordsmanship by the sea when an unsettling chill crept up his spine.
"What is this feeling? Why does it suddenly feel like something's terribly wrong?"
Charlotte paused, his sword frozen mid-swing. His eyes narrowed as he turned toward the sea. But the waters lay calm, deceptively undisturbed.
...
"Captain Rocks, you're incredible! Another Marine outpost just got wiped out!"
The thunder of cannon fire echoed across the sea as screams and the clash of steel rose in a chaotic chorus. Amid it all stood a tall, red-haired man—expressionless, imposing. Pirates around him cheered in wild admiration.
"Guhahahaha! With this stronghold down, the Navy loses its grip on this entire stretch of the Grand Line's second half."
The voice belonged to a towering blond man, nearly seven meters tall, brandishing a massive blade. He smiled as he surveyed the carnage.
"Newgate's right! Sooner or later, the latter half of the Grand Line will belong to us pirates!" added another, shorter man wielding twin blades and puffing on a thick cigar.
"Well then! That means more sweets for Lingling!" roared a curvaceous, statuesque woman in a red leather jacket who stood taller even than the blond giant.
If Charlotte had been there, he'd have instantly recognized these infamous figures: Edward Newgate (Whitebeard), Shiki the Golden Lion, and Charlotte Linlin (Big Mom).
"Make it quick. We don't have time to loiter," barked the red-haired captain.
"Guhahahaha! If you say so, Captain, then I guess we should wrap it up."
Edward Newgate raised his bisento. A glowing white aura covered the blade as he brought it down on the Marine officer commanding the garrison. A massive shockwave exploded from the strike, drowning the Major General and cleaving through the island itself. The ground quaked violently.
"Jie hahaha! Save some for me, Newgate! Shi Shi no Goshou Jiju!"
Golden Lion Shiki plunged his hands into the earth, conjuring up three giant lion heads made of stone that attacked friend and foe alike.
"Boss Shiki, we're your allies!" "Stop! Boss! Please!" "Justice will not fall to you!"
Chaos reigned as Navy men and pirates alike fell under the assault.
"Shiki, if you keep this up, we won't have any crew left!"
Newgate glared.
His beard was still more blond than white, but the beginnings of the legendary Whitebeard look were already there.
"Jie hahaha! If they can't take one of my attacks, they don't deserve to be in our crew. There are countless small fry in the sea. Why waste time feeling sorry?"
Newgate fell silent, unwilling to argue further.
Soon after, under Shiki's relentless attack, the G-8 Marine base was obliterated. The Rocks Pirates departed, ten fleets heavy with plunder.
"Shaqi, any islands nearby to restock?"
Captain Rocks turned to the ship's navigator, Xia Qi.
"Let me see... There's a small island nearby, population around a thousand. But my sources say it's protected by someone dangerous. In the past year, several pirate crews were wiped out just by approaching. Their heads turned in for bounty rewards."
Xia Qi reviewed her intel.
"A powerful person, huh? How strong are we talking?" sneered Golden Lion Shiki.
"Apparently, he can unleash slashes like a true swordsman. And the island's under the influence of Umis, one of the Six Kings of the Underworld."
"Umis? That sewer rat?" Shiki scoffed.
Xia Qi glanced at Captain Rocks, exasperated by the interruption.
"Interesting. A young swordsman, you say? Let's pay a visit."
Captain Rocks grinned. He had a habit of collecting talented individuals.
"Yes, Captain!"
Xia Qi directed the fleet to change course. Nine other ships followed.
"Guhahaha! Looks like we're recruiting again," said Newgate, raising his bottle.
"Recruit? If the brat can't take one of my hits, he's not worthy of being my crewmate," Shiki scoffed.
Newgate didn't respond, focusing on his drink.
Rocks stood at the bow, watching the sea, lost in thought.
...
Back on Kame Island, Charlotte stood at the port. The unease inside him deepened.
He stared out at the empty sea, his posture tense.
Villagers watched him curiously, some whispering.
"Why is he just standing there?"
Charlotte didn't respond. His senses were fixated. Then—
"Everyone, up the mountain! Now! Pirates are coming!"
His voice rang with authority. His Observation Haki had detected the enormous fleet approaching.
Port workers and townsfolk blinked in confusion. They looked toward the ocean.
Nothing.
"Go! Run to the mountains! There's a massive fleet coming, and they aren't friendly!"
Charlotte shouted again.
Many of the locals—those who knew Charlotte and trusted him—dropped what they were doing and fled inland. He had saved them countless times. They didn't doubt his words.
But others, especially foreign merchants unfamiliar with him, hesitated.
"This kid must be joking. The sea's calm. Where are the ships?"
"Hey! You! Get back to work!"
Some barked at dock workers, refusing to let them run.
...
What came next would change Kame Island forever.