He successively defeated a Warlord of the Sea and a Calamity, became the youngest Vice Admiral in Headquarters history, and then, at Impel Down, he crushed Shiki the Golden Lion, who had come for revenge…
This man's record was dazzling to the point of absurdity.
In just twenty years of life, he had already achieved so much. Even Sakazuki and Borsalino couldn't compare.
At this rate of growth, in the future… could he even surpass his own old man?
A monster like this—thankfully, he was no longer stationed in the West Blue. Otherwise, Dragon's plan for the Agatha Kingdom, no matter how imminent, would have been delayed indefinitely.
"Natsuya Nao…"
Dragon muttered the name, his deep gaze as if piercing through the night sky beyond the city outskirts, all the way to distant Marineford.
Back when Kuma contacted him, it wasn't only to issue a warning—he had also revealed something quite intriguing.
This Vice Admiral Nao seemed to be just as disdainful of the World Nobles as his old man. He had even beaten a World Noble in the Holy Land of Mariejois.
If such an incident had gone public, it would have been another scandal shaking the entire world.
But somehow, it was quietly suppressed. Even more bizarre, the Celestial Dragon siblings who were beaten swallowed their humiliation, never pursuing the matter.
Utterly unbelievable.
"Kuma said perhaps it's worth attempting private contact with you… but," Dragon murmured softly, his eyes hidden beneath deep shadows, "just what kind of man are you, really?"
Suddenly—
Footsteps echoed, breaking his train of thought.
Turning his head, he saw a young woman with a heavily pregnant belly struggling to push the door open, arms full of thick files.
"You're still not resting?"
Dragon quickly stood, taking the stack of intelligence reports from her and guiding her to sit, his brows furrowed with mild reproach.
"In just two or three months you'll be due. I've told you already—during this time, you shouldn't be overexerting yourself. Leave these matters to the others."
"Little Lightning just came rushing by, dropped off all these files, and ran. Someone had to bring them to you."
The young woman smiled warmly, stroking her belly as she spoke softly:
"As for sleeping… I'd love to. But this little rascal kept kicking me awake all night. I figured I might as well wait until he settles down before I try again."
Her gaze softened with affection as she looked down at her swollen stomach.
"Not even born yet, and already so restless… I'd bet it's a boy."
Dragon chuckled despite himself, squatting down with the intent to listen to his wife's belly. But at that moment, the corner of his eye caught sight of a newspaper atop the pile of reports.
"Hm?"
On the front page was a familiar photo, with the bold headline: "Marine Forces Achieve Overwhelming Victory! Two Emperors of the Sea Forced to Flee!"
Dragon's eyes narrowed, his focus instantly drawn in.
This man… what astonishing thing had he done this time?
Without realizing it, he sat back down at the desk, flipping through the paper again and again, eyes widening with shock. For the moment, wife and child were forgotten entirely…
...
Grand Line. An unnamed island nation.
Children of all races huddled together, listening intently as the older girl who could read proudly recited the newspaper headlines. Their eyes sparkled with admiration.
Their hearts rose and fell with every twist in the war report. But when they heard that Nao had defeated not just one but two of Kaido's Calamities, and even clashed directly with two Emperors of the Sea, they couldn't hold back their excitement any longer—
"Yeah!"
"As expected of Nao-sama! He's too amazing!"
The small courtyard erupted into cheers and laughter.
Only one figure remained excluded, just as he had been last year—sitting outside the yard, alone and scowling.
"Why is it always that guy hogging the spotlight?"
Jack slammed his fist against the wall with a snarl, fury bubbling in his chest. "A bunch of pirate brats cheering for a marine… all because he's good-looking? What kind of nonsense is that?"
As for those so-called Emperors of the Sea—Kaido of the Beasts? Nothing but hollow reputation!
"Just wait and see!"
His eyes burned with resentment as he muttered to himself, "If you lot keep refusing to play with me, then fine! When I set out to sea, I'll surpass that Nao… I'll beat that so-called Kaido until he's covered in lumps, kneeling on the ground and begging for mercy!"
...
Sabaody Archipelago.
Inside a modest little bar known as Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
The elegant owner, Shakky, lazily lit a cigarette, the smoke curling around her lips as she gazed across the counter at the group of guests.
The old man with messy gray hair, unable to resist the enthusiasm of the younger generation, was casually telling stories from back in the day, while Lucky Roux and Yasopp were listening intently, like kids sitting on little stools.
"So when you clashed with the Whitebeard Pirates, that's what really happened…"
"One slash to send Kozuki Oden flying? As expected of Captain Roger."
"Conqueror's Haki Coating… I can't believe such a terrifying power even exists in this world."
They muttered in awe, utterly entranced.
Shakky refilled their drinks and said with a smile, "Here you go. These are on me, since you're with your captain. Next time you two come alone, I'll have to charge you a high price."
"Thanks, Aunt Shakky!"
The two were overjoyed and quickly thanked her as they took their drinks. Rayleigh was finally able to rest for a bit. He looked at their impatient demeanor and smiled slightly:
"To think… after all these years, I'd bump into Shanks again here of all places."
"Even more surprising, he's a captain now, with a proper crew, heading for the New World?"
Shakky exhaled a puff of smoke, finishing his thought with a laugh. "But his personality hasn't changed much. He's still that idiot kid with a screw loose…"
Yasopp and Lucky Roo nearly choked on their drinks, exchanging a guilty glance.
They couldn't bring themselves to admit that they'd already been here once, just last year.
Back then, because their captain refused to haggle, they'd been swindled by a black-hearted coating craftsman. Their bubble nearly burst before even reaching Fishman Island. If not for Shanks' ridiculous luck and stubbornness, forcing the ship back up to the surface, they'd have all drowned in the deep sea…
"Speaking of which, where is Shanks?"
Rayleigh glanced around in confusion. "Didn't he just step out to buy a newspaper? It's nearly noon already. Didn't he promise to take me to get the ship coated this afternoon?"
"Who knows…" Yasopp muttered, rolling his eyes. "But given how he stirred up Sabaody the night before last, driving off more than ten pirate crews singlehandedly, he's bound to be in the headlines."
"Which means…" Lucky Roo grinned, tearing into a drumstick, "he's probably off in some corner, staring at the newspaper with that goofy smile of his."
Rayleigh laughed, draining his glass.
But then his brow arched suddenly, as if his Observation Haki had sensed something. He hummed in surprise, rose to his feet, and pushed open the bar's shutter doors.
Yasopp and Lucky Roo hurried after him.
And outside—
There he was. Their captain.
Shanks was crouched beneath a tree near the bar's entrance, staring blankly at the bubbles drifting through the sky, his eyes vacant.
"Well, if it isn't young Shanks," Rayleigh teased with a grin. "What's this? You look like someone just broke your heart."
"Vice Captain Rayleigh…"
Only then did Shanks snap back to his senses. Meeting Rayleigh's eyes, his vision blurred with tears, grief welling up in his chest.
"I… I overheard you talking outside the door just now. It made me think of Captain Roger… and everyone else again…"
So that was it.
Rayleigh sighed softly and ruffled Shanks' hair.
"Silly child…"
Behind them, Yasopp and Lucky Roo exchanged a glance—and clearly saw their captain hurriedly shove the newspaper he'd been clutching behind him, trying to hide it.
...
West Blue. First Branch Base.
Late at night in the marine dormitory, T-Bone tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Finally, he slipped out of bed and turned on his desk lamp.
In the pale light, he once again unfolded the newspaper he had bought yesterday. By now, he had read it so many times he could almost recite the words from memory.
Tens of thousands of elites clashing in a grand war. Two Emperors of the Sea pressing forward like a tidal wave. And then—Vice Admiral Nao, single-handedly reversing the tide.
Even knowing the report by heart, T-Bone's blood still boiled, his chest swelling with fire.
"The year's end… the elite recruit tournament…"
He slammed the newspaper shut. In the glow of the lamp, the young man clenched his fists tight, his determined gaze shining like starlight.
"Mr. Nao, I'll train twice as hard! I'll join the Elite Camp and follow in your footsteps—I won't let you down!"
...
G-2 Branch. Commander's Office.
"Well, what a dreamlike record this is…"
Kizaru leaned back, scratching his head as he flipped through the internal report from headquarters, clicking his tongue in amazement.
"These young people nowadays are just getting scarier and scarier…"
He'd actually stood toe to toe against the pressure of not one, but two Emperors?
It felt like just yesterday that he'd taken Nao along to Alabasta to rescue Rear Admiral Buma.
And now…
Without even realizing it, that nameless recruit had grown into someone standing on the same tier as himself.
Kizaru put down the report, glanced at the quartz clock on his desk, then squinted at the sunlight outside. For once, he felt a headache coming on.
Damn it.
Can't this brat's growth rate slow down a bit?
Given the current situation, if the Headquarters suddenly had a change of heart and approved his previous request to transfer this guy to the G-2 Branch…
…Hiss.
Then maybe this kid would turn into the Commander, and he'd have to take orders from him. How embarrassing would that be?
...
Impel Down.
Level 4, Chief Warden's Office.
Since Chief Warden Pablo's injuries hadn't fully healed and he needed time to rest due to age, Vice Warden Magellan had been temporarily filling the role.
However…
Behind the wide desk, the Chief Warden's sofa was currently empty.
But from time to time, there was a plop-plop sound coming from the Warden's private bathroom.
"Truly incredible, Mr. Nao…"
Magellan sat squatting on the toilet, staring at the newspaper in his hands with deep admiration.
"Defeating the Golden Lion, and now pulling off another miracle…"
When would he ever become that strong?
He lost himself in the fantasy for so long that his legs went numb. Grimacing in pain, he hobbled out, steadying himself against the wall, and collapsed into the sofa.
Just then, the prison's sirens wailed to life, and the office door banged open.
"Vice Warden! Vice Warden!"
Captain Hannyabal burst inside, face pale and drenched in sweat, panting heavily.
"Something… something terrible has happened! A massive riot has broken out on Level 3!"
"Don't panic. Speak clearly."
Magellan handed him a glass of water, his tone deep and steady.
"What happened exactly?"
"It's a marine! A Captain from G-6 Branch! He came here escorting a new group of prisoners, but during the transfer, he knocked out one of our jailers, stole his uniform, and infiltrated Level 3!"
The young Hannyabal waved away the water, flustered, words tumbling over each other.
"He's out for revenge! He's already slaughtered over a hundred pirates down there—the jailer beasts can't contain him! You'll have to go in person to stop him!"
Revenge?
Magellan's eyes widened, his expression hardening instantly.
"…Take me there."
...
Grand Line.
A stretch of sea near the Calm Belt.
Inside a black-sailed ship cutting forward at full speed—
Bang!
The sound of a door slamming echoed harshly as several young girls were thrown into an iron-barred cage. Startled, they huddled together, eyes wide in fear, staring at the towering figure outside.
In the foul, dim air, that figure lounged by a card table, one leg crossed over the other, lighting a cigarette as a triumphant laugh burst from his chest.
"Hahaha! Three sisters, eh? This trip was worth it after all—can't believe I scored such a prize!"
"The warrior women of Amazon Lily, warriors of that man-hating island… Tch. I've heard every single one of them knows Haki. On the black market, their price has nearly caught up to mermaids these days."
"I'm rich, I'm rich, I'm really… hey! I'm talking! Are you listening?"
"What are you yelling for?"
The woman across the card table glared at him impatiently.
"If not for my plan, do you think you'd have captured them so easily? Sit down and shut up—you're interrupting me while I'm reading!"
"Tch. Since when do you care about newspapers, you hag? Lemme see—ohhh, no wonder you're so obsessed. That pretty-boy marine again, huh? No wonder you'd rather drool over his face than hear me talk."
The towering man sneered.
Instantly, the woman trafficker shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass.
"Pretty-boy? Vice Admiral Nao just repelled the Beasts Pirates and carved his name as a true hero! Dare call him that again—I dare you!"
Bang! She slammed the table, and the towering man flinched, shoulders hunching in surrender.
Still grumbling under his breath, he muttered, "Seriously? Getting so worked up over some outsider? And don't forget—he's a marine. If he ever met you, he'd just throw you in a cell."
"Throw me in a cell?"
The scar-faced woman let out a low, sultry laugh.
"Don't talk crap. If I really had the chance to meet him, I'd tie myself up and deliver myself to his bed. Why would I need him to arrest me?"