The year is 1492 in the Sea Circle Calendar. (About 30 years before the Marineford War.)
The waters of the North Blue.
The sun shone brightly, and a cool sea breeze sent ripples across the water's surface. A warship, its mast towering high, sailed steadily across the sea. A massive sail, emblazoned with the word "Justice" in bold black letters, billowed beneath the snow-white Seagull flag.
"Gion... my Gion, I love you! Please accept my feelings!"
On the deck of the warship, a scruffy-looking Marine Lieutenant Commander slid in with an exaggerated flourish, dropping to one knee. He held out a bouquet of vibrant roses with both hands, his eyes brimming with sincerity as he gazed at the beauty before him.
Standing in front of him was a tall girl with long, wavy black hair. Draped over her shoulders was the "Justice" cloak of a Lieutenant Commander. She wore a pink tank top with short sleeves, and her lower half was clad only in hot pants, leaving her long, fair legs fully exposed.
"Lieutenant Commander Tokikake is so brave!"
"Go for it, Lieutenant Commander Tokikake!"
The moment Tokikake made his public confession, the deck erupted in cheers. Confetti flew, trumpets blared, salutes fired into the air...
Someone even raised a banner that read: "Lieutenant Commander Tokikake's 38th Confession."
Fueled by the raucous encouragement of his subordinates, Tokikake was suddenly filled with an overwhelming sense of confidence. He dramatically shook his head, sending a greasy lock of hair flicking through the air, and flashed what he believed to be an irresistibly handsome smile.
"Gion! Accept my love! There is no man in this world better than me!"
Her lips twitched as she let out a quiet sigh.
"Tokikake, you're a good person, but we're not meant to be."
The deck fell into an abrupt silence. The trumpets, cheers, and celebratory salutes all came to an immediate halt.
Every Marine turned to look at Tokikake, still kneeling with the bouquet in hand, their gazes filled with pity. For the first time, they noticed just how forlorn and defeated his figure looked from behind.
Thinking this, they couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
"Lieutenant Commander Tokikake has it rough..."
"He's confessed so many times already..."
A few of them instinctively stepped forward, ready to offer some words of comfort. But before they could say anything, Tokikake, who had been perfectly still, suddenly turned his head. Tears streamed down his scruffy face.
Tokikake bit his lower lip, his eyes glistening with emotion. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
"Lieutenant Commander Tokikake, we all heard it..."
"Really, there's no need to be discouraged..."
"That's right, as a man—"
The Marines scrambled to console him.
"—Gion actually said I'm a good person!!"
Tokikake suddenly leapt to his feet, eyes shining with excitement despite the tears. His face flushed red as he practically vibrated with joy.
"She finally acknowledged me! Do you know what that means?! It means that if I keep trying, next time she might actually agree to go out with me!"
Wait... was that a compliment?
"You're a good person"—is that really something to be happy about?
They exchanged stiff, awkward glances. After a few silent signals, they all nodded and grinned in forced agreement.
Tokikake pumped his fists in the air, his excitement uncontainable.
"She's testing my patience! Gion, I finally understand your good intentions!"
He turned to her with a wide grin.
"You don't have to test me, you know. We've known each other for so long—haven't I already proven how much I love you? Come on, just give me a little kiss—"
As he spoke, he puckered his lips and leaned toward her.
A second later, Tokikake was sent flying like a cannonball, crashing into the mast before sliding down like a sack of potatoes.
Two bright red streams of blood trickled from his nose, his body occasionally twitching.
The surrounding Marines, clearly used to this routine, calmly put away their celebratory props and went back to their duties as if nothing had happened.
With the commotion over, Gion sighed and rubbed her temples.
She flipped open the military file in her hands once more. Inside was a Marine's personnel record.
Origin: North Blue, orphan
Position: Base Leader of North Blue Branch 312
Rank: Captain, Marine Headquarters
Abilities: Suspected Devil Fruit ability related to metal manipulation, specifics unknown
Assessment: Highly ambitious, acts decisively and ruthlessly, straightforward personality, holds significant influence in the North Blue, possesses remarkable potential, a suitable candidate for the Officer Training Camp selection
Note: Serious issues with personal conduct
At the bottom of the file, rows of densely packed records detailed his achievements in eradicating pirates.
Attached to the report was a photograph provided by the Marine Photography Department.
Gion casually glanced at the picture, her onyx-like eyes flashing slightly.
The man in the photo had black hair and black eyes, with sharp, well-defined features. His gaze was as deep as the night sky, carrying an untamed and unruly aura.
"This guy is pretty handsome... almost enough to rival me."
Just then, Tokikake, his face still swollen and bruised, leaned in to take a look. Clicking his tongue in admiration, he remarked,
"So this Daren guy is the subject of our review?"
Gion shot him a glance, noting the two wads of tissue still stuffed into his nostrils. She barely managed to suppress the urge to beat him senseless again before responding in a neutral tone,
"According to Tsuru-nee, this Daren guy is dangerous and highly capable."
She then frowned at the shameless man in front of her.
"Besides, this is my mission. Why are you even here?"
Tokikake grinned, completely unfazed.
"Where you go, I go."
He waggled his eyebrows playfully before muttering,
"But come on, he's just a Captain from Headquarters. Why is Chief Staff Officer Tsuru paying so much attention to him?"
The Tsuru Gion referred to wasn't just anyone—she was a Senior Staff Officer of Marine Headquarters, a key figure in the forces of justice across the world.
Shouldn't the people Tsuru personally took note of be legendary pirates like Whitebeard, Golden Lion, or Roger?
Yet this guy was merely a Headquarters Captain stationed in the Four Seas, though technically two ranks above him.
But that was only because he had grown up in Marineford and hadn't yet had the time to accumulate enough battle achievements for promotion.
If he started taking on real missions, it wouldn't take long for him to surpass this guy with ease.
Gion, however, shook her head and said,
"No, Tsuru-nee must have her reasons for saying that."
Tokikake rolled his eyes.
"So if we do find something wrong during the investigation, are we taking action?"
As he spoke, he couldn't help but crack his knuckles, looking eager to get started. For some reason, just looking at the photo in the file gave him the urge to punch the guy in the face.
He couldn't explain why.
But it definitely wasn't because the guy was better-looking than him.
"No, we just need to report back to Headquarters," Gion said as she slowly closed the file and turned her gaze toward the distant sea.
The cool sea breeze swept across the vast waters, making her long black hair dance in the wind.
She thought of Tsuru's words before their departure... and the rumors she had heard back at Headquarters about this Daren...
North Blue—the most chaotic of the Four Seas.
As her thoughts wandered, the silhouette of a heavily fortified military base slowly emerged from the mist on the horizon.
"We're almost there," Gion said calmly.
From the warship's observation deck, the sound of a bugle rang out.
The loud call carried across the water, and soon, a responding bugle echoed from the 321st Marine Branch in the distance.
A signal of recognition.
"Prepare to dock," Gion instructed the gathered Marines.
The warship gradually approached the port of the 321st Marine Branch.
Rows of heavily armed Marines stood stationed on land, forming a disciplined military formation with an imposing presence.
"This North Blue Marine force... seems different," Tokikake muttered as he rubbed his chin, surveying the Marines stationed at the 321st Branch.
Though this was the largest and most powerful branch in the North Blue, the Four Seas Marines were notorious for their low overall quality—compared to Headquarters, the gap was well known and undeniable.
Yet something here felt off.
Tokikake noted that these Marines carried themselves with a sharp and hardened demeanor. Their eyes were resolute, their movements disciplined, and their equipment—pistols and sabers alike—was all of the highest quality.
Judging by their bearing alone, they were no less competent than Headquarters' elite troops.
Something's not right...
That guy, Daren, had somehow trained the North Blue Marines to this level?
Gion and Tokikake exchanged glances, both sensing the same doubt in each other's eyes.
A young Marine Major, likely in his twenties, stepped forward from the formation, his military cap sitting neatly on his head.
At his command, the entire unit at the port saluted in unison.
Gion and Tokikake returned the gesture before stepping off the warship.
"Lieutenant Commander Momonga, nice to meet you," Gion said, extending her hand while taking a closer look at the man before her.
He had dark purple hair, a stern and sharp expression, and a strong, unshakable presence. As she observed him, relevant details from her intelligence reports surfaced in her mind.
A Lieutenant Commander and Deputy Base Commander of the 321st Marine Branch.
More importantly, the right-hand man of Rogers Daren.
Momonga firmly shook Gion's hand and spoke in a deep voice,
"Welcome to our base, Lieutenant Commander Gion, Lieutenant Commander Tokikake."
Though they held the same rank, Gion and Tokikake came from Marine Headquarters, representing its authority. Naturally, a certain level of respect was required.
"We're all colleagues; no need to be so formal," Gion said with a polite smile, though her sharp eyes scanned the area.
"Where is Captain Daren?"
For a brief moment, Momonga's expression stiffened. He hesitated, almost stumbling over his words.
"Captain Daren... is still busy."
Gion frowned, then suddenly noticed an ornately decorated official ship docked at the far end of the port.
Bright, colorful ribbons adorned its hull, and the flag of a kingdom fluttered from its mast.
"This is... an official vessel from the Eigis Kingdom?"
Recognizing the emblem on the ship, Gion's expression turned ice-cold.
She recalled the rumors she had heard about Daren back at Headquarters.
Her jaw clenched slightly.
The ship's lavish design had a distinctly feminine touch—meaning its owner was likely a woman.
A foreboding sense of irritation welled up inside her. Without another word, she strode forward, brushing past Momonga with gritted teeth, heading straight toward the Base Commander's residence.
Her mind was filled with every single rumor she had heard about Rogers Daren's corrupt, depraved, and womanizing lifestyle.