[Third-person perspective]
"Good grief... I knew it would be this way, but the New World is no cakewalk."
The man letting out that sigh had a distinctive hairstyle that looked like the number "3" was sitting on top of his head.
His name was Galdino.
A former agent of the secret criminal organization Baroque Works, he was now a member of the Golden Lion Pirates. His long career in the underworld and his quick wits had earned him a position carrying out various missions across both Paradise and the New World.
Demanding work, sure, but the pay matched the difficulty, and the experience kept piling up. Combat or otherwise, all of it became part of him. He could feel himself climbing, step by step, to a higher stage than before.
Standing beside him was Marianne, his partner since the Baroque Works days.
The two of them knew each other's ways inside and out, so they often worked missions as a pair, or occasionally alongside a few other members.
'What twist of fate is this, ending up working under a Shichibukai yet again... Life really is unpredictable. Well, it's easier on the mind than before, and the guaranteed amnesty from arrest by the Marines is certainly appreciated, but...'
At the moment, both of them were on a somewhat extended break between missions, their last assignment finished and the next one yet to come. They were enjoying a vacation on one of the islands in the Golden Lion Pirates' Territory in the New World. Smaller in scale, but much like Kyuka Island, this island was equipped with all sorts of facilities where one could relax and enjoy oneself.
Sipping his favorite Earl Grey tea, Galdino glanced at the newspaper and saw that Buggy, who like himself had escaped from Impel Down, had become a Shichibukai. He'd rallied the prisoners who followed him out and those who flocked to his name afterward, and apparently founded a mercenary company called Buggy's Delivery.
The system: dispatch pirates as mercenaries to various locations, where they fight for hire while simultaneously plundering as pirates to rake in profits. And all of it rendered legal and beyond reproach under the authority of Buggy's Shichibukai title.
At first glance, it seemed cleverly devised, but...
'It looks like nothing more than a half-baked venture launched on pure momentum and enthusiasm... Is he really pulling it off? The larger a group grows, the harder it becomes not just to lead but even to maintain... And where did the startup capital come from in the first place...?'
"...Well, it's none of my concern anymore. No use thinking about it. Oh, right, I also need to file a report about those people from the other day."
"The ones who said they want to come under the Golden Lion's banner?"
"Yes. I did a light background check and verified their identities, and there don't seem to be any issues. As rank-and-file members, there should be no problem adding them."
"There've been a lot of those lately."
"Between the legendary pirate Golden Lion and the Pirate Literary Master who demonstrated her power at the Summit War, we have two Symbols at the top... It's only natural that people would be drawn to us. Miss's joining the Shichibukai didn't have much of a negative impact, either... If anything, the prospect of a position where one is no longer pursued by the Government or Marines has attracted even more people. Though... it's a mixed bag in terms of quality."
"I thought regular pirates looked down on the Shichibukai as Government dogs."
"Normally, yes... There are certainly plenty who see it that way. But... Miss is a different case."
"How so? Because she's the Pirate Literary Master? Or because she's the Golden Lion's daughter?"
"Both of those are factors, but the biggest reason is... nobody actually thinks of Miss as a Government dog in the first place. Well, this is less about Miss herself and more about what the Big Boss has caused."
At Galdino's words, Marianne tilted her head, a question mark practically floating above it.
He could tell she wasn't following. He thought for a moment about how to explain.
"Think about it. The Golden Lion is a legendary pirate who has lived since the era of Pirate King Gold Roger, a Big Boss who commands a pirate fleet. His strength remains undiminished to this day, and he is feared throughout the underworld."
"Mm-hm, mm-hm."
"Now, a figure of that magnitude retires, hands over the reins to his only daughter, effectively becomes her subordinate, and chooses to spend his remaining years peacefully and quietly, even going so far as to protect civilians under a Shichibukai's umbrella... Now, hearing all of that, what would you think?"
"I wouldn't believe it."
"Exactly. Beyond 'I've lost respect for him,' beyond 'How disappointing,' it's 'I can't believe it' and 'There's definitely something going on'... That's what the pirates think. All the more so because the Golden Lion was known as an extremely meticulous and cunning strategist, a pirate who in his prime contended for supremacy over these seas with the Pirate King and other Great Pirates... Nobody would ever believe such a man would simply settle into quiet retirement."
And so, the pirates had arrived at this interpretation:
His retirement, the Pirate Literary Master's induction into the Shichibukai and appointment as Second Generation Admiral, all of it was merely part of the Golden Lion's grand scheme. His Fangs hadn't truly been pulled. He hadn't gone soft.
He was using even his own daughter, plotting something, quietly making preparations.
Before long he would make his move, and unleash something tremendous once more.
The reports filed by the press corps permitted to cover Sue's Shichibukai induction only added fuel to the fire.
In front of the interview teams from the World Economic News and other outlets, Sue had appeared as though she hadn't been told about Shiki's retirement or her own appointment as Admiral, which strongly impressed upon everyone that this personnel decision had been Shiki's unilateral call. He must be scheming something, they thought, something he hadn't even revealed to his own daughter.
And the fact that Sue didn't refuse it... That only confirmed for the pirates that the one holding the reins was still the Golden Lion.
Because of all this, even after Sue became a Shichibukai, there was no disappointment, no sense that she'd become a Government dog. If anything, the pirates were excited, anticipating what might come next.
As a result, the number of pirates wanting to join as subordinates kept growing on its own.
"But haven't the Marines noticed all this?"
"Of course they have. But... even knowing, there's nothing they can do about it."
"What do you mean?"
"With Whitebeard's death, his Territory was stained with blood. The people living there were on the verge of being devastated by pirate attacks... But the one holding the line across most of that territory is the Golden Lion. The Government and Marines simply can't extend their reach that far. If they were to expel the Pirate Literary Master along with the Golden Lion, there would truly be no one left to protect those areas."
"But during the Summit War, the Marines and Government went to war knowing all of that, didn't they?"
"Yes, fully prepared for the massive bloodshed that would follow. But in the end, that worst case didn't come to pass. In that regard, the people living there were fortunate. But... if the Marines or Government were to endanger them again, their despair and anger would be far greater than before. Great enough that they might well be swept up in the Revolution that's been making so much noise lately."
"So the Government and Marines don't mind if those nations and regions are destroyed, but they want to avoid them becoming enemies."
"Precisely. And the one who could make that happen, if she felt so inclined, is the person who holds the highest power as an Instigator in this world: the Pirate Literary Master... Miss. Making an enemy of her is tantamount to making enemies of all of the Golden Lion's Territory."
"But Sue wouldn't do something like that. All she does is write her novels the way she wants to write them."
"True, but the Government can't make that kind of judgment. That organization already has far too many enemies, and yet they keep doing things that create even more enemies. And on top of it all, they've grown far too accustomed to making enemies and simply destroying them with violence."
Not just Galdino. Marianne too, having followed the conversation and apparently grasped it all, wore an expression of pure exasperation when...
Ring ring ring... Ring ring ring...
A Den Den Mushi rang. And not just any line. The covert line used for missions.
"Hello... This is Galdino."
"Oh, good, it went through. ...It's me, Sue."
"! Miss... What can I do for you?"
Surprised that the caller was the very boss they'd just been discussing, Galdino asked his question. Perhaps it was about the next assignment, he thought.
What came back, though, was somewhat different from what he'd expected. Or rather, something he couldn't quite make sense of.
"It's not so much a request as... I was thinking the report's a little overdue, you know? Sorry to rush you, but could you at least give me an update on where things stand?"
"Pardon? Report? Update? What are you referring to?"
"What do you mean, what... The job I asked you to do the other day. It's been a week already, so you should have found out something by now... right?"
"A job... What do you mean? I haven't heard anything about..."
Mid-sentence, something occurred to him.
Come to think of it, for the past few days, his partner Marianne had been staring intently at some scrap of paper...
And, come to think of it, something like this had happened before...
"...Marianne. You've been staring at that scrap of paper for the past few days... I'm getting a very bad feeling right now... What is it?"
Marianne unclipped the "scrap of paper" from the binder she was holding and flipped it around to show him.
"Work orders from Sue."
"Why didn't you say so sooner?!"
"...Ah, yeah, got it. So that's what happened..."
"My deepest apologies, Miss. I'll get on it immediately... Also, from now on, if at all possible, could you send mission orders directly to me..."
"Sure, understood. Well, it's not exactly an urgent matter, but... I'm counting on you, Galdino."
***
"So, with all that said, I'm sorry, but I need to borrow your help..."
"...Been a while since one of these."
"Now that the Summit War's over, it kinda feels like she's reverting back to her usual spacey-girl self..."
"Still as laid-back as ever despite being in the underworld, isn't she, Marianne..."
Three people had gathered on short notice at Galdino's call.
Like Galdino and Marianne, they were former Baroque Works comrades who frequently worked alongside them as members of the Golden Lion Pirates: Gem, Mikita, and Zala, all three assembled.
As for Babe, Drophy, and Lassoo, they were out on a separate mission and unfortunately couldn't be reached.
"Well, fine by me... So, Galdino, what's this job about?"
"It's nothing too complicated. Apparently, ships belonging to pirate crews outside our umbrella have been frequently spotted near the Territory lately. There hasn't been any actual damage, but since they're passing close to routes used by merchant ships we have ties with, the job is to investigate the cause as a precaution."
"If that's all it is... shouldn't take too much effort. Let's start by checking the nearby islands."
And so the group began their investigation... In practice, it didn't require much difficulty at all, and they wrapped things up within a few days.
It was simply this: certain pirates had gotten into a conflict on a nearby island, and other pirates, fearing the shockwaves of that fighting might reach them, had taken wide detours to avoid the normally used routes. As a result, they happened to pass near the Territory.
The conflict that caused it had already subsided.
Apparently, the whole thing started when one of the Supernovas, part of the wave of rookies who entered the New World after the Summit War, had been on a rampage.
There appeared to be no intent to challenge the Golden Lion's Territory, though.
The Supernova had simply defeated rival pirates who stood in the way, and when those pirates came back with reinforcements and alliance partners, fought them again, causing the scale of the conflict to grow somewhat.
The result was victory for the Supernova's side.
Their ship no longer appeared to be anywhere nearby. Despite winning the conflict, they hadn't come away unscathed, and were believed to have retreated somewhere to regroup.
Even if they needed to deal with the situation, Galdino's group had to admit they were at a disadvantage against an Over 100 Million Berry pirate, so they would likely need to leave it to the appropriate division within the Golden Lion Pirates.
Having reached that conclusion, Galdino and the others prepared to leave the area.
Along the way, though, on a certain island where they stopped over, they found themselves caught up in a small bit of trouble.
They hadn't come to that island for any particular reason.
It was simply to avoid spending the night at sea. They'd pulled the ship to shore just to dock and sleep for one night.
But that night.
"...Hm...?"
Mikita, standing the night watch, sensed something strange.
She couldn't see anyone. But there was definitely... someone, or something, there.
She thought it might be her imagination, but when she focused harder, it only made her more certain it wasn't.
Faint sounds of rustling fabric and breathing reached her ears.
Bracing herself against a possible intruder, she walked slowly toward the source of the presence... when suddenly a small shadow burst from the darkness and lunged at her.
Startled but quick, she twisted her body to dodge and tried to deliver a Counter kick, but the figure ducked low and evaded it.
"...?! A kid?!"
The shadow was hard to make out in the darkness of night, but the figure was even smaller than her comrade Marianne. The shock of it froze Mikita for an instant.
But in the next moment, that small child suddenly transformed, her body growing rapidly until she was roughly the size of an ordinary adult woman.
Then she darted into Mikita's guard and slammed her palm forward.
The instant the impact tore through her body, Mikita's form began to shrink and shrivel, turning her into a child.
"?! What is this, a Devil Fru... mmph?!"
"I ain't gonna kill ya, just sit tight for a bit...!"
The one who had mounted the now-shrunken Mikita was a beautiful woman who looked exactly like what you'd expect that child to grow into.
Too dark to tell her hair color, but she had a great figure, and if appearances were any indication, she looked to be around twenty.
"...! Who are you..."
"Sorry, time to sle... yaaawn..."
Just as the mysterious woman reached out to choke off Mikita's carotid artery, her body suddenly shuddered, as if all the strength had drained out of her, and she toppled sideways with a little thump.
She curled up on the ground, arms and legs folded in...
"...Sleepy... it's nighttime... going to sleep..."
"...?"
Mikita stared in bewilderment at the woman who had suddenly started snoring right in front of her, then noticed a familiar Mark painted on the woman's back. She understood the reason immediately.
And the culprit responsible was standing right there, easily spotted.
"Colors Trap... Indigo of Slumber. Are you okay, Mikita?"
"Marianne... Thank you, you saved me."
After a little while, Mikita's body returned to normal.
By then, alerted by Mikita, everyone who had been inside the ship was up and about. For the time being, they had restrained the woman with handcuffs Galdino fashioned from his wax.
When they got a good look at her face in proper lighting, they realized who she was, and every last one of them was shocked.
"This woman... she's one of the Supernovas, isn't she?"
"Yes... Bounty of 140 million Berry... Jewelry Bonney, the Big Eater."
They had stumbled upon one of those who would later be known as the Worst Generation.
And that this encounter would become a major turning point in fate, not only for them but for Bonney herself... was something that, for now, no one yet knew.
To be continued...