In stark contrast to the warm and lively celebration aboard the Flame Fang—
just a few nautical miles away,
a dangerous chase was unfolding.
The sea wind howled.
A Marine warship with a dog-head figurehead cleaved through the waves, relentlessly pursuing a somewhat worn yet surprisingly agile pirate ship ahead.
On the Marine deck stood a towering man in a justice coat, built like a bear.
His booming laughter drowned out both cannon fire and crashing waves.
"Hahaha! Roger! Stop wasting your effort! Today is your end—just surrender already!"
At the railing of the pirate ship ahead, a man wearing a straw hat leaned out, smiling helplessly.
"Garp! Aren't you sticking too close? You bastard—don't you celebrate the New Year?!"
"New Year? Catching you is the best New Year activity I've got!"
Garp laughed even louder.
With lightning-fast movements, he grabbed two solid cannonballs from the ammunition crate beside him.
"Here! Take this! My New Year gift! Fist of Love: Meteor Shower!"
Before his words even finished—
his arms bulged with muscle as he casually hurled the cannonballs like pebbles.
One after another—
they shot forward like a storm.
The air shrieked as they tore through it.
"Here it comes again! That monster!" someone aboard Roger's ship shouted.
But no orders were needed.
Several figures leapt into the air.
Blades flashed. Sword energy surged.
Those cannonballs—capable of sinking warships—
were effortlessly split or deflected midair, exploding into towering water columns.
"Try this! A big one!"
Garp, now fully enjoying himself, grabbed an enormous iron ball—far larger than standard cannonballs—from a device behind him.
With a roar, he hurled it like a meteor toward Roger's ship.
The massive projectile screamed through the air, aiming straight for the ship's hull.
"Rayleigh!"
Roger called out.
"Leave it to me."
Silvers Rayleigh appeared instantly at the stern.
A sharp flash of his blade—
The giant iron ball froze midair—
then split cleanly apart, shattering into countless fragments that splashed into the sea.
"Tch… what a troublesome bunch."
Roger scratched his head, glancing at the Marine ship closing in.
"We just can't shake them."
Then—
out of the corner of his eye—
he spotted something.
Off to the right front—
a massive three-masted ship, brightly lit, with faint music and laughter drifting across the water.
He didn't recognize the flag—
but it was clearly a pirate ship.
And more importantly—
they were celebrating… while Marines were nearby.
Roger's eyes lit up.
"Got it!"
He grinned widely and pointed ahead.
"Turn the helm! Head toward that lively ship!"
"Captain, what are you planning?" a crew member asked.
"Introducing our Marine friends to some new friends!"
Roger burst into laughter.
The ship swiftly changed course, cutting toward the Flame Fang.
"Roger! Where do you think you're going?!"
Garp roared.
But Roger only waved casually without answering.
On the Marine warship—
a lookout reported urgently:
"Rear Admiral Garp! Based on the flag of that large ship ahead—it's the Jellyfish Pirates! Predator Riberra Sami's crew!"
"The Jellyfish Pirates?"
Garp raised an eyebrow, recalling recent reports.
"The one who killed Hark and delayed Sengoku's promotion? Three hundred million bounty?"
A dangerous grin spread across his face.
He cracked his knuckles.
"Perfect! Looks like my New Year's achievement is going to be bigger than expected!"
"Orders! Lock onto both pirate ships! We're taking down Roger—and that little jellyfish—together!"
Back aboard the Flame Fang—
the celebration had reached its peak.
"Happy New Year! Cheers!"
"Hahaha! Keep drinking!"
Then—
a fast-moving pirate ship suddenly cut across their forward flank.
On its deck—
a straw-hatted figure waved enthusiastically toward them.
His mouth moved, as if shouting something.
"Huh? A passing ship?"
A drunken crew member squinted and waved his cup.
"Oh! Fellow travelers? Happy New Year! Hahaha!"
"Happy New Year!!"
"HEY—HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO!!"
Nearby crew members joined in, waving enthusiastically.
To them—
this was just a festive encounter at sea.
But—
Riberra Sami, who had just raised his cup with Aldo—
froze.
"PFFT—!!!"
He spat his drink all over Aldo's face.
His eyes widened.
That face…
That straw hat…
Gol D. Roger?!
Riberra Sami's mind went blank.
What the hell?!
Wasn't he stirring chaos in the New World not long ago?
Why is he here—in the first half of the Grand Line—passing right by my ship?!
Has the timeline changed because of me?!
Before he could process it—
BOOM! BOOM!!
Massive water columns erupted near the Flame Fang's starboard side.
Cold seawater splashed onto the deck.
"What's going on?!"
"Where did that cannon fire come from?!"
Riberra Sami's heart sank.
He rushed to the railing and looked toward the source.
There—
a Marine warship with a dog-head prow was charging toward them.
And its target—
was no longer just Roger.
What made Riberra Sami's heart nearly stop—
was the towering figure standing at the bow.
Arms crossed.
Like an immovable fortress.
Monkey D. Garp.
Riberra Sami sobered instantly.
Cold sweat broke out across his back.
"Roger! You're not getting away!"
Garp's booming voice carried across the wind—
confirming Riberra Sami's worst fear.
"Holy—! It's really Garp and Roger!!"
Riberra Sami nearly jumped.
He spun around and roared at his still-dazed officers, his voice cracking.
"Hans! Where's Hans?! Stop drinking! Emergency! Full combat readiness!"
"Aldo! Marcus! Wake up all the drunk idiots—NOW!"
"Raise anchor! Set sails! Everyone who can move—back to your stations!"
"Move! MOVE!!! The stat monsters are here!!!"
In just seconds—
the festive atmosphere aboard the Flame Fang was torn apart.
Riberra Sami stared at the rapidly approaching Marine warship—
and the distant silhouette of Roger's ship.
His scalp tingled.
This is bad…
Really bad…
Can someone explain to me—
how taking a day off for New Year's—
ended up attracting the future Pirate King…
and the future Hero of the Marines… at the same time?!
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