Polispian Island.
An island in the New World. Just over two years ago, it was still a member nation of the World Government. But when it failed to pay its Heavenly Tribute on time, it was expelled.
Once stripped of its status, the island was quickly swallowed by the raging pirate tide of the New World. Its government collapsed, leaving the place in chaotic self-rule. Unless someone ruthless stepped up to impose order, it wouldn't be long before Porispi turned into yet another lawless haven—a pirate's paradise.
At the harbor, chaos reigned. Two pirate crews were locked in a brutal clash, each trying to seize the other's loot.
The local gangsters and underworld figures, used to such spectacles, lounged safely in corners, treating the carnage like entertainment.
Then, in the middle of the gunfire and bloodshed, a gangster suddenly screamed in panic.
"A warship! A Marine warship is coming!"
"What!?" A gang boss shot to his feet. "Is it a fleet? How many ships? What flag?"
"Not a fleet—just one warship. The sails… they're flying the G-5 Marines' insignia!" the lackey shouted back.
"G-5?" The gang boss froze, then immediately bolted. "Quick, into the cellars! The G-5 bunch may look like Marines, but they're worse than pirates!"
"Boss, it's just one ship! There are three pirates on this island alone with bounties over a hundred million. One warship can't make waves here, right?" The underling couldn't understand why his boss was running without hesitation.
"Idiot! G-5 isn't like the other Marines. They're monsters!" the boss snapped, before vanishing into the alleys.
The gangsters who had come to watch the bloodshed scattered, but the pirates fighting showed no sign of stopping.
Yet, as the warship neared the docks, easing smoothly into port, even the pirates instinctively lowered their weapons. They split into two groups, glaring from the pier, radiating menace and clearly unwilling to give the Marines any face.
"Diamond Club, the Marines are here. Why aren't you running?" sneered a burly man nearly two and a half meters tall, hefting a massive machete as he taunted the pirate captain across from him.
The one called Diamond Club was a one-eyed brute, a heavy spiked kanabō hanging from his hand. A deep scar cleaved across his face, and his bulging muscles made him look like a beast of war.
At the taunt, he spat back curses. "I've lost count of how many Marines I've killed. Back before the New World, I cut them some slack. But now? Here in the New World, they're worthless! Today, I'll slaughter every last one of these bastard Marines—then drown you in the sea!"
"How bold! Funny enough, I was thinking the same—first kill the Marines, then finish you. After that, I'll pledge myself to Slekemind-sama. From then on, I'll be one of the Shichibukai! Ahahahahaha!" The opposing captain roared with laughter.
"You clueless fool..." Diamond Club sneered inwardly.
Why bother with Slekemind? Gecko Moria was right here on the island, a man already invited to become a Shichibukai! He had just suffered a crushing defeat against the Beasts Pirates, his entire crew reportedly wiped out. If I throw in with him now, I'll secure a high-ranking position instantly—and enjoy the privileges of a Shichibukai. Perfect!
While the two pirates schemed about their futures, the Marine warship paid them no mind. It didn't fire a single cannon, docking smoothly before lowering its gangplank with casual ease.
From it descended Vice Admiral Ortoren, draped in the Navy's coat of justice. He had his nose buried in a heavy book titled The Complete Guide to Fishing Spots in the New World, reading intently even as he walked.
At his side followed Vergo, currently acting as Ortoren's assistant and shadow.
Only when he stepped onto the pier did Ortoren sniff the air, his brow furrowing slightly. "What's with this strong stench of blood?" he muttered.
Lifting his gaze at last, he took in the sight of two snarling pirate crews facing off, and the corpses strewn carelessly across the ground.
Ortoren cast the crowd a look of disdain before asking, "What are you all standing around here for?"
"Captain, that looks like Benn Ortoren. I heard he's terrifying—even the Pirate King fell to him..." one pirate whispered nervously to Diamond Club.
Diamond Club snorted. "Idiot, don't let those dirty Marines fool you. He just picked up scraps while tagging along behind Garp. A measly Logia? Sure, it might've meant something in the first half of the Grand Line, but this is the New World. I've spent three months grinding my Haki just to smash the skulls of arrogant Logia users like him. Watch and learn."
After snapping at his underling, Diamond Club hefted his massive spiked club, strode forward a couple of steps, and roared at Ortoren, "Stupid Marine! I'm here to take your life!"
At that, Ortoren's face lit up with shock, disbelief, and utter confusion. Turning to Vergo beside him, he asked, "What's going on?"
Ever the dependable assistant, Vergo already had the wanted posters in hand. Without missing a beat, he explained, "Diamond Club Bilicol. Bounty: 87 million berries. Paramecia-type Swing-Swing No Mi. By swinging his weapon, he generates powerful shockwaves. In the first half of the Grand Line, he once destroyed a small Marine warship with a single strike. According to reports, he entered the New World five months ago. Still a rookie."
After a short pause, Vergo gestured toward another pirate. "That one's called Big Bucktooth. Zoan-type, Nezu Nezu no Mi, Model: Mole. Nothing noteworthy on his record. He's been in the New World for about four months."
Only then did Ortoren's expression shift to sudden realization. So that's all it was—just some small-time punks. No wonder.
After all, Ortoren had been famous for years. At this point, anyone bold enough to challenge him was either a true monster—Whitebeard, Kaidou, even his own mother—or ignorant rookies like these, fearless because they didn't know any better.
In the original story, even Borsalino—an Admiral for years—went to Sabaody and got his head nearly blown off by a local thug's sniper rifle. That alone showed how reckless these types could be.
The ones in between—neither rookies nor legends—were the most cautious. Seasoned veterans who knew exactly where they stood, and never dared overstep.
"What a waste of my time..." Ortoren snapped his book shut, raised one finger, and said flatly, "I'll spare their lives. Chain them all up, haul them back to base, and send them to the Calm Belt to mine."
The moment his words fell, brilliant lightning flared from his fingertip.
A chain of condensed electricity shot out, striking a pirate. But that was only the start—the energy pierced straight through him, leapt to the next, then split into two, then four, spreading in a crisscrossing web.
In an instant, lightning engulfed the harbor.
Chain Lightning!
Whether it was Diamond Club with his 87 million bounty or the reckless rookie pirates, all were equal under its crackling judgment. In seconds, they were scorched black, smoking, and collapsed on the ground.
Ortoren didn't even bother to check if they were alive. With unhurried steps, he walked straight through the pile of charred bodies, scanning the distant town for the meeting point he'd arranged with Moria.
Vergo raised a hand, summoning a squad of Marines from the ship. They moved in quickly, rounding up the half-dead pirates. From now on, those fools would pay for their disrespect toward Ortoren with hard labor.
...
Meanwhile, halfway up a mountain slope at the island's center, one of the three pirates with bounties over 100 million was having a barbecue picnic.
The leader wore a straw hat, its brim shading his bright red hair. It was none other than Shanks.
He noticed the flash of lightning from the harbor, pulled out a spyglass, and froze. His face drained of color. "That cursed man? Quick, pack it up! We can't stay here—we need to move!"
"Who could scare you like that?" Yasopp asked curiously.
Clutching his good arm, though the phantom ache of an old wound made him grimace, Shanks replied bitterly, "Benn Ortoren. The real monster of the Marines—the one I warned you about."
"The one you said if we ever saw, we run instantly—or we won't get another chance?" Yasopp shot up in alarm.