Three days later
Sakazuki massive Marine warship cut through the open sea, its hull groaning softly against the rolling waves as it set its course toward to the main Marine base in North Blue.
The rescued prisoners from the pirate ship had already been delivered to a nearby Marine base—to start a new life in nearby town with the assistance of the Marines but Ken stayed aboard Sakazuki's ship he had became a chore boy on his ship.
Days blurred into a rigid cycle of labor and discipline—scrubbing the deck until it shone like polished bone, hauling supplies under the sharp eyes of Marines, and running errands no one else bothered to remember. Yet even in the lowest ranks, Ken did not idle.
Under Sakazuki's brutal doctrine, he trained relentlessly. Every mistake was corrected with harsh words, every weakness exposed without mercy. The Vice-Admiral's presence alone felt like pressure pressing down on his spine, forcing him to harden or break.
When he wasn't working or training, Ken studied under Roberto, learning how to read and write whenever he could steal a moment of peace between duties.
There was no comfort aboard the ship. Only expectation.
And so Ken endured all three lives at once: chore boy, disciple of Sakazuki, and student of Roberto—each demanding more than he thought he could give, and each slowly forging him into something harder than the sea itself.
While Ken was mopping the deck of the ship, sweat dripping as he scrubbed away the salt and grime of the sea, his movements steady under the rhythm of the waves, he suddenly paused.
Out on the endless blue horizon… a shape began to rise.
An island.
Slowly emerging from the mist
He ceased his vigorous scrubbing of the deck, the sound of bristles against wood fading into the rhythm of the sea. Slowly, he straightened his back and stepped away from his chore.
Boots thudding lightly against the planks, he moved to the ship's railing.
The ocean stretched endlessly ahead—dark blue rolling under the wind—as he looked at the Island ahead.
Suddenly, a Marine soldier strode toward Ken, boots thudding lightly against the deck with disciplined rhythm.
The man's posture was straight as a blade. He stopped just within arm's reach and offered a calm, almost disarming smile—too relaxed for someone wearing the insignia of the Marines.
"Kid… you'd better keep scrubbing that deck clean if you don't want to end up on Vice-Admiral Sakazuki's bad side… or worse, draw the attention of the other captains."
Ken smiled and gave the Marine soldier a nod.
"Thanks for the advice, sir… but I just spotted an island on the horizon," the boy said, scratching his head with a curious grin. "I couldn't help but get a little curious, y'know?"
The Marine soldier let out a low chuckle as his gaze drifted toward the distant island on the horizon.
"We have arrived to Notice Town."
Ken tilted his head, his brow furrowing in genuine confusion as he stared at the Marine soldier.
"Notice Town? That is a weird name for a town."
The Marine soldier chuckled again and nodded his head.
"One day, when you finally become a Marine, kid… you'll sail across seas and set foot on islands with names so strange they'll twist your tongue—and each one'll have its own madness waiting for you."
Ken let out a light chuckle, giving a firm nod before turning on his heel. Without another word, he grabbed the mop once more and resumed scrubbing the deck, the steady whop—whop—whop echoing across the ship as the sea breeze ruffled his hair.
As Sakazuki's warship finally groaned to a halt against the docks of Notice Town, thick ropes were cast and secured with sharp, practiced precision. The sea breeze carried the scent of salt and iron as planks were lowered with a heavy thud.
Sakazuki stepped forward first, his magma-like presence alone enough to make the air feel heavier. Without a word, he disembarked, his boots striking the wood with a commanding echo. The rest of the Marines followed in disciplined formation.
Ken trailed behind, wiping sweat from his brow as his eyes wandered across the port—
—and that's when he noticed them.
A full line of Marines stood waiting on the dock, backs straight, expressions sharp, as if they had been anticipating this very arrival. Their gazes locked onto Sakazuki with a mix of respect… and tension.
They all saluted Sakazuki respectfully in unison.
"Welcome Vice-admiral Sakazuki."
Sakazuki gave a firm nod, his molten gaze unwavering.
From the ranks, a man stepped forward—the white Justice coat draped over his shoulders like a banner of authority. He was a towering, broad-chested figure, his presence as solid as a fortress. His tanned, round face bore a distinct look: a rounded nose with flared nostrils, thick lips curled into a surprisingly cheerful grin, and a wide, sturdy chin framed by a thick beard that connected seamlessly to his brown buzz-cut hair.
A cigar rested between his lips, a thin trail of smoke curling upward as he moved.
His attire stood out boldly—a dark brown double-breasted suit, sharp and imposing, layered over a yellow dress shirt speckled with red polka dots, paired with a neat black tie. Brown trousers and polished shoes completed the look, giving him an oddly flamboyant yet commanding air.
Despite his size and the authority he carried, his smile was warm—almost disarming—like a Marine who could crush enemies without hesitation, yet laugh just as easily among allies.
This man is Yamakaji he is the Marine captain and the base commander of Notice Town Marine base.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, sir—welcome to Notice Town!"
"Everything has been prepared for your arrival… please, follow me."
Sakazuki gave a silent nod, as his coat of justice fluttered behind him. Without a word, he stepped forward, his heavy boots striking the ground with authority. The surrounding Marines immediately fell in line, their spines straightening as they followed in disciplined formation.
Together, they marched toward the Marine base, the air growing tense with each step—as if even the sea breeze itself dared not cross the path of the man known as absolute justice.
______
In base commander office
Sakazuki's gaze hardened as he fixed it on Yamakaji, who sat firmly behind his desk.
Sakazuki spoke—each word carrying the weight of his conviction.
"Listen well, Yamakaji… There's a brat aboard my ship," he said, exhaling a thin trail of smoke. "I've taken him in as my apprentice. The kid's got talent—more than most seasoned Marines—but he's still green… far too young for the seas."
"I'm leaving that brat in your hands. For the next ten years, you'll watch over him—make sure he grows." He paused, exhaling a thin trail of smoke as his eyes sharpened. "And when he turns fifteen… that's when his real trial begins."
A faint, dangerous smirk tugged at his lips.
"I'll personally recommend him to Zephyr-sensei's training camp. If he's worth anything… he'll prove it there."
Yamakaji was surprised upon hearing this and said.
"Vice-Admiral… you seem to hold unusually high expectations for that brat, you've never once recommended anyone for Zephyr Sensei's training camp before."
Sakazuki's lips curled into a dangerous smirk, his gaze sharpening as it settled on Yamakaji. With a low, steady tone, he spoke of Ken—how he had personally rescued the boy from the pirates—and how Ken shows unexpected talent, especially with the pistols he wielded.
Each word carried weight, as if he were measuring steel under fire. The name alone seemed to linger in the air, hinting that the boy's skill was not something to be dismissed lightly.
Yamakaji listened in silence, sensing that Sakazuki wasn't merely recounting an incident… he was marking something worth remembering.
"I'll be returning to Marineford next month," Sakazuki said firmly, his gaze sharp as steel. "Until then… make sure you train him well for me."
Sakazuki slowly reached into his coat and pulled out a blue-covered manual. Without a word, he extended it toward Yamakaji, his expression steady and unreadable.
Yamakaji's eyes widened the moment his gaze fell upon the manual in his hands.
"This… this is the Rokushiki training manual," he muttered under his breath, disbelief cutting through his usual calm.
"Sir… I'm not authorized to learn Rokushiki yet."
Sakazuki nodded his head upon hearing this.
"True… but I am a Vice-Admiral. That alone grants me the authority to teach it to any subordinate."
"Take it as my repayment for training my apprentice," he said with a calm but weighty tone, eyes narrowing slightly. "And when the time comes… I want you to be the one to teach him Rokushiki."
Yamakaji nodded his head and thanked Sakazuki.
"Understood sir thanks for your generosity."
Sakazuki gave a slow, deliberate nod. He turned on his heel, coat flaring slightly as he moved to leave the office.
But just as his hand reached the door, he stopped.
"Yamakaji… if I recall correctly, your son is five years old," he said in a low, steady tone. "The same age as my apprentice. Am I mistaken?"
Yamakaji was confused but he nodded his head.
"Yes, sir."
Sakazuki was satisfied upon hearing the answer and continued.
"In that case, I will also put your son forward for Zephyr-sensei's training camp," he said coldly. "But that is the extent of the assistance I will grant you."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Whether your son makes use of that opportunity, or wastes it… will depend entirely on him—and on how well you prepare him."
Yamakaji's eyes lit up with genuine excitement at Sakazuki's words. He rose to his feet at once, chair scraping softly against the floor, and bowed deeply in respect.
"Thank you, Vice-Admiral Sakazuki!" he said, his voice trembling with immense gratitude.
Sakazuki gave a slow, measured nod. Without another word, he turned on his heel and exited the office.
_____
One Month Later
One month had passed since Sakazuki and the others arrived at Notice Town Marine base.
After Sakazuki met with Yamakaji he prepared the required paperwork to assign Ken as a chore boy in Notice Town Marine base.
Claim offer
Ever since Ken had arrived at Notice Town Marine base Sakazuki intensifies his physical training and Momonga started training him in marksmanship while Doberman began instructed him in hand to hand combat. One piece style rewrite
Ever since Ken's arrival at the Notice Town Marine Base, the atmosphere within the garrison had shifted noticeably.
Sakazuki, once distant even in discipline, had become even more relentless—his physical training growing harsher by the day, as if trying to carve steel from flesh through sheer will alone. The sound of his presence alone seemed to weigh on the base like molten pressure.
Meanwhile, Momonga had taken it upon himself to refine the boy's aim. Under his sharp-eyed supervision, Ken's marksmanship training began in earnest—each shot corrected, each breath controlled, each mistake immediately punished by repetition until perfection was demanded.
Not far behind in intensity was Doberman, whose training was far less forgiving. His lessons in hand-to-hand combat were brutal and unyielding, focused on breaking Ken's instincts down to rebuild them into something precise, efficient, and merciless when needed.
Within the span of days, Ken was no longer merely a passenger in the base's routine—he had become its focal point, shaped by three different blades of discipline, each cutting away weakness in their own way.
Both Momonga and Doberman couldn't hide their surprise as they observed Ken's rapid progress.
The boy's growth was nothing short of monstrous.
Each correction, each instruction—he absorbed them almost instantly, as if his body refused to forget what it had learned. His movements, once rough and unrefined, were now beginning to carry a sharpness that didn't belong to someone his age.
Momonga narrowed his eyes slightly. "At this rate… he's adapting too quickly."
Doberman clicked his tongue, arms crossed tightly. "Hmph. It's not normal. The speed of his improvement… it's like he's been through real combat before."
But there was no denying what they were seeing.
Ken's stance tightened, his strikes became cleaner, and even his breathing was starting to sync with his movements—each session carving away his inexperience at an alarming pace.
From a distance, even the Marines watching couldn't help but whisper.
A child… learning like a veteran.
And somewhere in the midst of it all, both Momonga and Doberman silently reached the same conclusion:
'This kid is a true monster.'
Even Sakazuki—rarely one to show even a flicker of emotion—found his eyes narrowing in quiet appraisal.
'The brat's talent is good I wasn't wrong about him.'
For a brief moment, so subtle it could be mistaken for nothing at all, a faint smirk tugged at the corner of Sakazuki's mouth—gone as quickly as it appeared, swallowed by his usual stern, unyielding expression as he continue observing Ken as a hawk.
________
Since arriving at Notice Town Marine base Ken always study under Roberto after he finish his daily training.
Roberto's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Ken.
It had only been one month—barely any time at all—and yet the boy had already mastered reading and writing.
"That brat…," Roberto muttered under his breath, genuinely shocked. "His learning speed is ridiculous."
Even in the harsh world of the Marines, where talent was often measured in battle, this level of intellect felt abnormal.
Ken, on the other hand, simply looked down at the page with calm focus, as if it were the most natural thing in the world to him.
______
With Sakazuki
Sakazuki stood in silence for a moment as the report was placed on his desk.
"Ken has fully mastered reading and writing… in just one month."
The room felt heavier than before, as if even the air had tightened around the words.
Without a hint of surprise, Sakazuki slowly adjusted his posture. His expression remained stern, but a faint glint of approval surfaced beneath the hardened gaze.
"…Hmph."
A low hum escaped him as he nodded once, deliberate and firm—like a verdict being delivered.
"Good."
The single word carried weight, not of praise, but of confirmation—of something expected finally proving itself true.
He turned his gaze toward the window, the sea beyond the base stretching endlessly under the iron sky.
"That brat… is worth the effort."
'I was right about this boy he will be great addition to our forces in the future.'
_________
With Ken
Marine base Weapon supply room.
Right now, Ken was quietly polishing the swords one by one, the steel glinting under the dim light of the supply room.
Each blade was handled with careful precision—slow, disciplined strokes, as if he were training rather than doing chores.
At that moment, the door creaked open.
A five-year-old boy stepped inside, dressed in the simple chore boy uniform. Dust clung lightly to his cuffs, but his eyes were bright with curiosity and energy. He paused for a second, taking in the sight of Ken surrounded by rows of gleaming blades.
"Hey… you must be Ken, right?"
The boy stepped forward with a nervous but determined smile, adjusting the simple chore boy uniform on his shoulders.
"I'm Bob. I'm Captain Yamakaji's son… and I just got assigned here as the newest chore boy at this base."
He bowed slightly, then looked up with earnest eyes.
"Please take care of me from now on."
Ken slowly turned his head.
Standing there was a boy with short brown hair slightly unkempt, warm brown eyes filled with curiosity, fair skin, and a chubby, youthful build that still carried the softness of childhood.
Ken gave him a friendly smile and started introducing himself.
"Hello, my name is Ken Vane nice to meet you."
Bob smiled and walked towards Ken then sat next to him.
"Right now, I'm polishing these swords. Watch closely—there are a lot of blades that need to be cleaned and brought back to their shine."
Bob nodded and watched carefully how Ken polished the swords.
After watching Ken's polishing swords couple of times Ken handed Bob a sword and said to him.
"Give it a try."
Bob gave a firm nod and got to work, carefully polishing the blade until it gleamed under the light.
Ken watched him for a moment, arms crossed, before nodding in quiet approval. The boy was doing it properly—no wasted motion, no sloppy strokes, just steady discipline.
At that moment Momonga entered the weapon supply room.
"Ken Vice-admiral Sakazuki is summoning you follow me."
Ken obidiantly nodded and followed Momonga as exited the supply room.
When they arrived at dock Sakazuki walked towards Ken and looked sternly at him.
"Today we will be leaving Notice Town to Marineford but you will be staying here Ken."
Ken's widened his eyes upon hearing this and said.
"Sensei, please take me with you I promise I will not cause any trouble for you."
Sakazuki patted Ken's head gently.
"You are still not ready you need to grow stronger before even thinking of heading to headquarter I asked Yamakaji to train you he will take good care of you."
"When you've grown strong enough and are ready to stand beside me at Headquarters… I will come here myself and escort you to Marineford."
"I understand, Sensei!" Ken said firmly, eyes burning with determination. "I promise I'll work harder than anyone… I'll train until I'm strong enough to stand beside you at Marineford one day!"
Sakazuki gave a single, firm nod—quiet approval burning in his eyes as always. Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode toward the dock, his coat trailing behind him like a crimson shadow.
Step by step, he climbed the gangway and boarded his ship, the presence of absolute authority settling over the deck the moment he arrived.
"Set course," came his cold command.
The sailors moved instantly, tightening ropes and adjusting sails under the weight of his presence.
Slowly, the vessel began to pull away from Notice Town Marine Base, cutting through the sea with disciplined precision. Behind it, the base grew smaller and smaller—until only the horizon remained.
Sakazuki stood at the stern, unmoving, as the wind pressed against his coat then he turned around and headed to his office.
_______