New World, Liqueur Island.
This island used to belong to Shiki, but not long ago, the remnants of his forces stationed here were wiped out by the Big Mom Pirates. Now, it's temporarily under their control.
Temporarily—because until the chaos of the New World war settles down, no one can say for certain whether this island will stay in Big Mom's hands or be taken by another crew. In fact, due to the ongoing conflict, the Big Mom Pirates hadn't even stationed any troops here.
At the island's harbor, Ortoren stood at the dock, having just disembarked from Katakuri's ship.
"So, this is where we part ways?" Ortoren asked with a smile, battle hammer slung over his shoulder.
Katakuri looked reluctant but nodded. "Yeah. This is your path now. From here on, it's up to you. Mama has already created some opportunities and spread word about you in the underground. Now, as long as you find the right moment to show off your strength and potential, agents from the World Government should come looking."
"I got it." Ortoren nodded, then added, "Good luck on your journey too... Katakuri."
"I figured you'd at least call me 'brother' or something," Katakuri teased.
"Sorry, I'm kind of stubborn like that. Maybe next time we meet, I'll be able to say it," Ortoren laughed.
Katakuri didn't mind. He patted Ortoren on the shoulder and said, "I left you a ship. Go wherever you want. The New World is in chaos—plenty of chances to make a name for yourself."
After a few final words, Katakuri turned and boarded the Sweet Donut. Before long, the ship drifted out of the port. Ortoren watched it for a while, then turned away.
The people here in the New World seemed used to war.
Even though this island had recently seen pirate battles, the towns were already back to normal, businesses running as usual.
Ortoren's first plan was to find a tavern, maybe catch wind of something interesting—and enjoy the first steps of his journey.
He wandered the town for a bit before spotting a tavern still open. Without hesitation, he walked up and pushed the door open.
The place was dimly lit, as if designed to give off that dusky, evening vibe even in broad daylight. The kind of place where people could lose track of time and drink freely.
Ortoren had assumed it'd be nearly empty at this hour. Instead, the tables were almost packed. Only one remained open in the corner.
The crowd? Mostly big, brawny men. Some had blades, others muskets—all of them with that rugged, hardened air about them.
But it was a familiar kind of energy. Back on Terian Island, the taverns had been just like this. Men with weapons slung over their backs—dockside enforcers, deep-sea fishermen, guards for merchant convoys. In the New World, if you were heading out to sea without a weapon, you might as well be walking around naked.
Moreover, without a strong physique, it was nearly impossible to land a job—after all, out at sea, danger could strike at any time. The better your physical condition, the higher your chances of survival.
Naturally, a few people in the tavern noticed Ortoren when he walked in. Standing over three meters tall, with a massive war hammer strapped to his back and a body packed with muscle, he didn't look like someone you'd want to mess with.
So, no one acted rude toward him. Most just gave him a glance or two before going back to eating and drinking with their companions.
Ortoren walked to a table in the corner and sat down. The tavern waiter quickly came over.
"A barrel of malt beer, some of your signature snacks to go with it, and a copy of the latest newspaper... If you've got any interesting intel, feel free to share it," Ortoren said, pulling a gold Belly coin from his pocket and placing it on the table.
Copper, silver, and gold coins were still accepted here. Of course, thanks to the World Government's eight-hundred-year foundation and credibility, their issued paper currency was also reliable and held strong purchasing power.
A single gold Belly coin went a long way. Ortoren could easily eat and drink here for three or four days—so long as he didn't go overboard—with just that one coin.
The waiter's eyes lit up as he picked up the coin. "No problem, sir! Your drinks and food will be ready shortly. I'll fetch a newspaper for you right away!"
He quickly went to the bar, grabbed a newspaper, and handed it to Ortoren. A moment later, he returned with a barrel of beer and placed it beside him.
Ortoren opened the paper and started reading.
The biggest story was still the Battle of Edd War. The fall of the pirate overlord Shiki was expected to dominate headlines for a while. This issue was still talking about him.
Ortoren had already heard more detailed and interesting intel through the Big Mom Pirates, so he skimmed past the Shiki coverage—it didn't offer him anything useful.
"The Silver Axe Pirates clashed with a Marine fleet in the Nitor Sea. The battle lasted two days, and in the end, the Silver Axe Pirates were defeated. Their captain, the Great Pirate Fierce Ghost Cortes Laynito, with a bounty of 264.2 million Belly, was killed on the spot by Marine Headquarters Admiral Sengoku!"
"Shiki's long-missing subordinate, the Great Pirate Bloodhand Lion, bounty 320 million Belly, has appeared on Walkenik Island!"
"A rare sighting—Zou has emerged in the Veroni Sea of the New World and is heading toward Liqueur Island!"
Ortoren blinked at that last piece. A rare sighting? Zou? Given how it moved through the sea, it really was a marvel to witness.
If he remembered correctly, his old man's homeland—the Mokomo Dukedom—was on Zou's back. Wasn't there also a Road Poneglyph there?
"And Liqueur Island... that's where I am right now, isn't it? So Zou will be passing nearby?" Ortoren thought to himself.
Should he go check it out?
Speaking of the Marines, Ortoren wasn't placing much hope in Charlotte Linlin's approach—it felt unreliable at best. He'd give it a shot, sure, but he needed to start thinking of a more practical plan in the meantime.
From what the newspaper said, Admiral Sengoku was also involved in the current war. Maybe there was a chance with him?
As Ortoren pondered this, elsewhere in the Veroni Sea, the Roger Pirates' ship, the Oro Jackson, had just sunk a Marine warship.
"Hey, Roger, didn't you say this morning that not having the News Coo around to deliver papers was driving you nuts? Here—I snagged today's edition off that warship for you," Gaban said casually, tossing the paper into Roger's lap.
Roger, sitting under the mast and wiping blood from his sword with a cloth, took a glance at the paper and lit up. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Zou's in our waters—should we go take a look?"
"Weren't we supposed to be searching for the Poneglyphs?" Rayleigh rolled his eyes.
"Maybe there's a Poneglyph on Zou too!" Roger shot back without missing a beat. "Besides, I've heard about Zou for years but never actually seen it. A giant elephant roaming freely across the New World's seas? That's gotta be more impressive than even the largest Sea Kings, right? Let's go check it out! Liqueur Island's not far—we can rest there while we wait!"
Roger was fired up, while elsewhere at the G-3 Marine Base in the New World, Garp's dog-headed warship was docked for a break. Inside the base commander's office, Garp was enjoying tea with Vice Admiral Comil, the base's commanding officer.
"I heard you're being transferred to G-2 as the top guy after the New Year?" Garp asked, lounging with his legs crossed.
It was clear the two were longtime friends.
"Yeah, G-2's away from the fiercest front lines. I'll be stationed in Paradise—nice and quiet. I plan to stay there until I retire!" Comil laughed.
G-3 was stuck in the hellscape of the New World, while G-2 was on the front half of the Grand Line. The shift would definitely make things easier for Comil.
As the two chatted and laughed, a Marine Captain suddenly burst through the door without warning, his face pale with panic.
"Vice Admiral! Rear Admiral Horens' warship encountered the Roger Pirates near Liqueur Island and has been sunk!"
"What!?" Garp shot to his feet. "Roger's crew? Are you sure it was them?"