Marineford.
The air inside the Fleet Admiral's office was thick enough to squeeze, so heavy it felt like moisture might drip from it. The atmosphere was tight, almost foggy.
(Sengoku: Kuzan, get out.
Ritter: Hehehe.)
Some traditions never change. In moments like this, the saying feels painfully accurate.
A thunderous crack exploded through the room.
Z (Zephyr) slammed his fist through Sengoku's desk, the blow shaking the entire building.
His eyes were bloodshot, veins bulging along his neck. "Sengoku! What in the world are the Five Elders thinking?! The World Government bowed to a pirate. A pirate! And even granted him the status of an allied nation?!"
Sengoku sat stiffly in his chair, face pale, the documents in his hands crushed into a wrinkled ball. "Z, calm yourself."
"Calm?!" Z roared. "How many of my students have died fighting for justice? My family was slaughtered by pirates! And now you're telling me we should shake hands with that 'Lord of the Mist,' Ritter? He's the greatest pirate menace out there!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru set down her teacup gently, her voice calm but firm. "Z, we cannot overturn the World Government's decisions. Ritter is… not like ordinary pirates."
She paused, a wry smile tugging her lips. One day she, Tsuru, had actually become someone protecting a pirate. And not just any pirate. A Sea Emperor.
"Heh. Change?" Z sneered. "The only thing that's changed is how thoroughly the Five Elders have tamed you."
Garp, unusually quiet, stood by the window instead of munching on rice crackers.
"That kid won't stir up unnecessary chaos. He's better than those lunatic Warlords ever were," Garp said casually.
"You too?!" Z spun around, glaring daggers. "I've opposed the Warlords since the beginning. And now a Sea Emperor is our official ally? What a joke!"
Garp only sighed. "Z, anger solves nothing."
Sengoku stood up, pressing both palms against what remained of his desk. His voice was low and unyielding. "Listen, Z. Ritter becoming an allied state does not mean the Marines will stop hunting him. This is a temporary measure. The Marines need time."
"Time?" Z scoffed. "Time will only make that monster stronger."
Ritter: Refined taste, I like it.
Tsuru rose slowly and placed a hand on Z's shoulder. "Z, we understand Ritter's threat better than anyone. But for now, we endure."
Z brushed off her hand and strode toward the door. "Endure? Don't be foolish. Once this hole is opened, they'll choose pirates over Marines every single time. And if they can't, the pirates will bow to them, become Warlords or allies, and all our sacrifices will become a farce."
He reached for the door.
"Z!" Sengoku barked. "Don't do anything foolish!"
Z halted for a moment. Without turning, he asked, "Sengoku, what is your justice now? Supreme Justice? Or compromised justice?"
He exhaled, calmer now. "I'm sorry, Sengoku. My students have sacrificed too much in pursuit of justice. This hurt… this hurts even more than the Warlords. It's a good thing it's Ritter. If it were someone else, I'd punch you myself."
Silence swallowed the office.
Finally, Z walked out, tossing one last cold remark behind him: "My training camp cadets are heading out for real-world combat drills. Garp, you're coming with me."
Sengoku slumped back into his chair, removed his glasses, and rubbed his temples. "This is trouble…"
Garp leaned against the window, chewing rice crackers again, eyes following Z's departing figure. "Guess I'm still popular. Sengoku, stop assigning me missions. I'm going on a trip."
Tsuru picked up her teacup once more. A shadow of worry crossed her gaze. "If Z acts on his own… things will only spiral further."
Sengoku stayed silent for a long moment before slamming his fist onto the table. "Those damn Five Elders! They're playing with fire and don't even know it!"
He inhaled deeply, steadying himself. "He's Z. He won't cross the line."
Another breath. Firmness returned to his eyes. "Increase surveillance on the New World. Especially Ritter's movements. And…" He looked at Tsuru. "Contact CP0. I want to know the World Government's real intentions."
Tsuru nodded. "I'll handle it."
Garp suddenly grinned. "Should I go 'visit' Ritter? He took my grandchildren somewhere. I have no idea where they are. I'm furious! And the last time I looked for him, you dragged me back after I demolished only a few buildings."
Sengoku glared at him. "Do not cause more trouble!"
Garp only burst into hearty laughter, though beneath it lingered a heaviness no one could entirely hide.
Outside, thunderclouds gathered, hinting at a storm yet to break.
But high above, on the Sky Island, the skies were clear.
**
Sky Island.
Golden City.
Ritter lounged lazily in a cloud-shell chair, a newspaper in hand. Misty blood curled around his fingertips, shredding the Marine headlines into dust-fine scraps.
"Tsk. That old man Sengoku must be fuming, beard sticking straight up." Ritter grinned, tossing the shredded paper into the air. "The Five Elders played this move beautifully. I get free allied-nation status and the Marines can only swallow the humiliation. Guess I'll need to make a public statement. Hehehe."
Shanks, sitting nearby, covered his face and laughed. "Big bro, you're too dirty. The Marines are probably cursing you nonstop. Even the rookies in the training camp are probably yelling your name in frustration."
"Let them curse," Ritter shrugged. "None of them can beat me anyway."
At that moment, Tesoro and Stella walked over. Tesoro, usually composed, fidgeted anxiously, twisting the golden ring on his finger. His lips moved several times before any words formed.
Ritter raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? Even the Golden Emperor gets shy sometimes?"
Tesoro inhaled sharply, then suddenly grabbed Stella's hand. His voice trembled. "Captain, Stella and I… we…"
Stella smiled warmly and gently touched her slightly rounded belly. "Lord Ritter, we're expecting a child."
Clink.
Ritter's wineglass slipped from his hand and hit the ground.
The mist froze. For a moment, the entire Sky Island seemed to pause.
Ritter shot up from his chair. "Wait. How long has it been?!"
"About six months," Tesoro admitted, scratching his head with a rare earnest smile. "After you returned home, we went to Water Seven…"
Ritter grabbed him by the shoulders, pressing his forehead to Tesoro's. "You sly fox! You hid this from me! Why didn't you tell me immediately?!"
Tesoro swayed dizzily. "Captain, please! We wanted to tell you face-to-face!"
"Face-to-face? Quietly? Softly?" Ritter burst into laughter and released him. The mist condensed beside him, forming a huge ornate cradle. "I'm becoming this kid's godfather! Isn't that what they call it in West Blue?!"