At this stage, the Marines' primary objective was to strengthen their control over the New World.
Fleet Admiral Kong's inspection of G-1 Marine Base was meant to boost the morale of the Marines stationed on the front lines.
It might seem unnecessary at first glance.
But in reality, it was extremely important.
The arrival of the Fleet Admiral represented the attention and support of Marine Headquarters, and it greatly boosted the confidence of the Marines operating in the New World.
Morale was something you couldn't see or touch—
but sometimes it played a crucial role.
"G-1…" Kong looked at the imposing fortress rising from the sea in the distance and sighed softly.
"It's been a few years since I last came here."
Kuzan smiled.
"Once we regain full control of the New World, even if you move Marine Headquarters here, Fleet Admiral, no one would complain."
Diermude glanced at Kuzan in surprise.
This guy is practically a prophet…
Although it wouldn't happen under Kong, Marine Headquarters would indeed be moved here in the future.
Kong waved his hand with a chuckle.
"What nonsense. Marineford's Trinity system has stood unchanged for eight hundred years."
The so-called Trinity was precisely why Marineford had remained an unshakable stronghold in the first half of the Grand Line for centuries.
The Trinity referred to the Three Pillars of Justice:
Marine Headquarters – Marineford
The Great Underwater Prison – Impel Down
The Island That Never Sleeps – Enies Lobby
These three strongholds formed a triangular formation.
Each location was connected by a Gate of Justice, which controlled massive ocean whirlpools.
Even though the distances between them were considerable, once the Gates of Justice opened, ships riding the currents could travel at incredible speeds.
According to Diermude's knowledge, traveling from Marineford to either Impel Down or Enies Lobby through normal routes took around five days.
But with the currents—
it could be done in half a day.
The Trinity system meant that if any one fortress was attacked, the other two could rapidly send reinforcements.
In other words—
attacking one was equivalent to attacking all three.
In the past eight hundred years, no one had ever conquered them.
At least… not until twenty years later.
When the Straw Hat Pirates, practically cheating fate itself, caused chaos in all three places.
Back then, Diermude hadn't fully understood the situation.
Now he could only sigh:
Timing and fate.
Enies Lobby didn't need much explanation.
The Marines had deployed a Buster Call fleet.
If not for the miraculous rescue by the Going Merry, the Straw Hats would have ended there.
That was simply plot armor.
As for Impel Down, Marineford had been fully occupied preparing for war against the World's Strongest Man, Edward Newgate.
At the same time, Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach, infiltrated as a member of the Seven Warlords, acting as an inside agent.
That was how the prison was breached.
Meanwhile, Enies Lobby had just been destroyed and was still under reconstruction.
Impel Down was also dealing with the prison riot.
Neither fortress had the strength to reinforce Marineford.
So when Whitebeard's fleet attacked Marineford, it happened during an incredibly rare moment—
when the Three Pillars of Justice were all weakened simultaneously.
Otherwise, even Whitebeard would never have broken through the Trinity defense.
While Diermude was thinking about these things, he noticed something on the sea ahead.
Between the warship and G-1, there was a tiny boat.
It was about the size of a Marine lifeboat—basically a small skiff.
In that instant, a name popped into his mind.
Dracule Mihawk?
In his memory, the only person who sailed the seas like that was the future World's Strongest Swordsman, Dracule Mihawk.
The man who rowed without paddles and relied purely on the waves.
But although Mihawk would later become legendary, at this point in time he had almost no reputation.
Diermude had rarely even heard his name mentioned.
So he was surprised to see someone like that here.
His reaction caught the attention of both Kuzan and Fleet Admiral Kong.
They followed his gaze.
Both of them immediately became serious.
This was the New World.
Anyone sailing like that was definitely no ordinary person.
Kuzan couldn't identify the figure.
The distance was too great to see clearly.
But Kong's expression suddenly changed.
"That method…"
"That bastard!"
Diermude frowned.
Why is the Fleet Admiral reacting like this?
Even if it's Mihawk, he shouldn't be that terrifying yet.
With Kong, Kuzan, and himself present, how could they possibly lose?
Unless Mihawk was already the strongest man in the world.
Before he could ask anything, Kong's voice became cold.
"Prepare the cannons!"
Kuzan froze briefly before immediately relaying the order.
"Fleet Admiral… who is that?"
Kong replied grimly:
"A dangerous enemy."
"The Red Count."
"Only he sails the seas like that."
The moment those words fell—
both Kuzan and Diermude were stunned.
The Red Count.
The name was both obscure and legendary.
Obscure because few people ever saw him.
He rarely appeared and kept no companions.
But legendary because he was incredibly powerful.
Sengoku once said that this man had single-handedly reached the same level as:
Roger
Shiki
Whitebeard
A terrifying pirate.
His full name was Baloric Redfield.
He had no crew.
He was completely solitary.
Whatever he did, he did alone.
Yet his strength was so overwhelming that few could stop him.
That made him extremely dangerous.
Because he was powerful—
and completely unpredictable.
In other words, he possessed a chaotic nature.
No one could predict what he would do next.
At that moment, Diermude suddenly realized what he had forgotten.
Damn it.
This is where Kong was defeated!
In his memory, before the Great Pirate Era, Kong once fought Redfield for three hundred rounds.
Both ended up severely wounded.
But Redfield had slightly more stamina.
After Kong collapsed, Redfield collapsed shortly afterward.
Technically—
Redfield had defeated the Fleet Admiral of the Marines.
That was an unbelievable feat.
However, shortly afterward, Vice Admiral Garp arrived and took advantage of the situation.
Without much effort, he captured Redfield.
Redfield was then sent to Impel Down.
He stayed there for over twenty years, until the chaos caused by Blackbeard's prison breakout allowed him to escape.
In the original timeline, Diermude didn't know the exact details.
But one thing was certain—
Because of his presence, the situation had already changed.
For example—
Garp wasn't here this time.
Instead—
it was him and Kuzan.
"Fire!"
"Sink him!"
Kong ordered the moment the cannons were ready.
Then he turned to Kuzan.
"Contact G-1."
"Tell them to seal off the surrounding sea."
"We must not let that bastard escape."
"If we've encountered him, we'll finish him here!"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
Kuzan quickly activated the Den Den Mushi.
At the same time—
the warship's cannons roared.
Shells rained toward the small skiff.
But Redfield, worthy of the title "The Lonely Red," showed no intention of escaping.
In fact, it looked almost as if he had been waiting for Kong.
That shouldn't have been possible.
The Fleet Admiral's movements were top-level secrets.
How could Redfield possibly know—
Diermude suddenly froze.
No…
Anyone else couldn't.
But Redfield might.
Because he possessed the rare ability of "listening to people's hearts."
"Fleet Admiral!"
"G-1 has lost contact!"
Kuzan reported with surprise.
Diermude's expression darkened.
That confirmed it.
Redfield had been waiting here specifically for Kong.
This man was unbelievably bold.
Just like the future Mihawk—
those who walked alone were often the most unpredictable.
Based on the current situation, it was clear what had happened.
Redfield must have attacked G-1 Base, destroying its defenses.
During that process, he learned through his mind-reading ability that the Fleet Admiral would soon arrive.
And then—
this insane pirate decided to ambush the Fleet Admiral himself.
It was actually the perfect opportunity.
The Fleet Admiral rarely left Marineford.
And when he did, the operation was highly confidential.
Normally, the only way to assassinate him would be inside Marineford itself.
But Marineford was guarded by countless Marines.
No one in the world could kill the Fleet Admiral there.
So for someone like Redfield—
this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Arrogant.
Utterly arrogant.
But his plan made sense.
All of these thoughts flashed through Diermude's mind in an instant.
Before the cannon shells could land—
a massive slash swept through the air.
Every single shell exploded midair.
The attack continued flying straight toward the warship.
Diermude's eyes gleamed.
Redfield might be confident—
but Diermude knew the future outcome.
Although Kong would lose the battle, the Marines would ultimately win.
Redfield would still be captured.
If Garp could claim the credit in the original timeline—
why couldn't Diermude do the same?
This crisis might also be the perfect opportunity to earn merit.
Without hesitation, he moved.
Kuzan wasn't a swordsman.
Neither was Kong.
Among everyone on the ship—
Diermude was the strongest with a blade.
Now was the time to prove himself.
He kicked off the deck and rose into the air using Geppo (Moon Step).
The Nagatsune Kotetsu flashed as it left its sheath.
Facing someone like Redfield, Diermude showed no trace of carelessness.
He went all out from the start.
Armam
ent Haki surged over the blade.
At the same time, the power of the Gravity Fruit wrapped around it.
His sword collided violently with the incoming slash.
"Gravity Blade—Tiger Slash!" Diermude roared.
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