sea circle calendar 1495, a year destined to be recorded in history.

In this year, the wheels of fate began to spin faster, and the tide of the era swept across the entire Grand Line.

At the beginning of the year, the Marine rising star, Heaven Tremor Gern, was defeated in a fierce battle with Roger, a confrontation that showed the world the true power of the future Pirate King.

At the same time, it made Gern realize the gap between him and a King-level opponent.

However, the irony of fate was that several months later, it was this defeated general who indirectly saved the Roger Pirates.

In the Ed War Sea, facing the massive fleet led by Golden Lion Shiki, the astonishing tsunami triggered by Gern became the turning point for Roger's desperate survival.

This epic battle, later known as the Edwal Sea Battle, completely reshaped the landscape of the New World.

The Flying Sky Pirates, once renowned across the seas, suffered heavy losses in this battle.

Golden Lion himself sustained severe head injuries, plummeting from his position as one of the three legendary Pirate powers.

In the latter half of the same year, the Roger Pirates' adventure continued.

They obtained a crucial Poneglyph from the young Charlotte Linlin, but struggled as no one could decipher its secrets.

This predicament led Roger to turn his attention to the Kozuki Clan of Wano Country, thus setting his sights on Kozuki Oden of the Whitebeard Pirates!

Meanwhile, the Devil's Heir Barrett, aboard the ship, suffered a collapse of his beliefs upon learning that Roger was terminally ill and had not long to live.

Therefore, after realizing he could never defeat Roger in his lifetime, he launched a final challenge on Koya Island.

After his defeat in the challenge, he officially disembarked, ending his bond with Roger.

Subsequently, the time officially entered sea circle calendar 1496, and the wheel of history continued to roll forward.

There were personnel changes at Marineford; Borsalino and Kuzan were promoted to Vice Admiral, while Gern retained his Rear Admiral rank due to penalties for unauthorized actions…

On the high seas, the Roger Pirates encountered the Whitebeard Pirates, and after their skirmish, Roger knelt and begged Whitebeard to allow Kozuki Oden to join him to help him find and decipher the Poneglyphs.

It was also early this year that Crocodile encountered Barrett, who was wandering alone.

He issued a challenge, and the two fought to a draw, earning the title “Desert Crocodile” which resounded throughout the New World!!

In the same year, within the halls of power in Mary Geoise, the World Government was brewing a plan that would change the balance of power on the sea.

The prototype of the Seven Warlords of the Sea system had already emerged!

The World Government was preparing to invite powerful Pirates to join, to balance the combat power in the first half of the Grand Line.

This move caused an uproar within the Marine.......

........

Marineford, Marineford.

Inside Akainu’s residence, a cool breeze blew. Sakazuki sat on the sofa, clutching a document tightly in his hand, his knuckles white from the grip.

His brows were furrowed, and flames of anger burned in his eyes.

“Gern, look at this!” Sakazuki slammed the document onto the table, his voice low and suppressed.

“The World Government actually wants to implement some ‘Seven Warlords of the Sea’ system!

Inviting those damnable Pirates to become legal plunderers? It’s absurd!”

Gern sat opposite him, holding a cup of hot tea, the rising steam blurring his expression.

He took a small sip of tea, his gaze calmly sweeping over the contents of the document, then set down the teacup and slowly began to speak: “Sakazuki, calm down.”

“Calm down?!” Sakazuki abruptly stood up, his fist slamming onto the table, making the teacup jump.

“The existence of the Marine is to eliminate Pirates! Now we’re supposed to cooperate with them? What kind of justice is that?!”

Gern did not respond immediately, but instead looked up at Sakazuki, his eyes deep and complex.

After a moment of silence, he said softly: “Since the World Government has already informed us, it means they don’t care about the Marine’s opinion.”

“So what?!” A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Sakazuki’s eyes.

“We can unite with other Admirals and Vice Admirals to oppose this absurd decision!

Admiral Sengoku, Zephyr, and even Vice Admiral Garp, they will never agree!”

Gern shook his head, a helpless smile playing on his lips: “Sakazuki, you are too naive.

What the World Government needs is merely a tool for balance, not our opinions.

They have already made their decision; informing us is just a formality.”

Sakazuki’s breathing became heavy. He stared intently at Gern, as if trying to discern something from his eyes.

After a moment, he gritted his teeth: “Are we just going to compromise like this?

Allowing those Pirates to continue their evil deeds under the guise of legality?”

“Compromise?” Gern chuckled, his eyes gradually growing cold, “No, I’m just telling you the reality.

The World Government no longer trusts the power of the Marine; they need new ‘tools’ to maintain balance.”

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the pond in the courtyard, his voice low and meaningful.

“Sakazuki, have you ever thought about why the World Government would suddenly propose such a system?”

Sakazuki frowned: “What do you mean?”

Gern turned around, his gaze like a blade: “Because they are afraid.

Afraid that the Marine’s power will gradually slip from their control, afraid that we ‘monsters’ will one day threaten their rule.”

“So they choose to cooperate with Pirates?” Sakazuki clenched his fists, the power of his Magma-Magma Fruit causing his arm to glow a dark red.

“This is simply betrayal!”

“Betrayal?” Gern sneered, “No, this is just a game of power.

What the World Government needs has never been justice, but stability.

And we are merely a blade in their hands.”

Sakazuki fell silent, the anger in his eyes gradually replaced by a deeper emotion.

He slowly sat back on the sofa, his voice hoarse: “Gern, what exactly are you trying to say?”

“Heh, I just want to tell you…” Gern walked back to his side, patted his shoulder, his tone calm yet with a hint of seduction and familiar instigation.

“True justice should not be bound by anyone.

If the World Government is already corrupt, then…” He paused, his eyes sharp as swords.

“Perhaps we should consider who the ‘Justice’ side truly is.”

Sakazuki suddenly looked up, his pupils contracting slightly: “You…”

“Oh, come on! Of course, I’m just suggesting a possibility.” Gern interrupted him, smiling slightly.

“After all, our justice shouldn’t be defined by others.”

The bamboo pipe in the water-filled courtyard clattered. A flicker of struggle crossed Sakazuki’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.

“Gern, I will remember what you said today and won’t tell anyone.” He stood up, his voice low and firm.

“But no matter what, my justice will never waver.

Pirates are Pirates, no matter what guise they wear, I will utterly eliminate them!”

Gern looked at him, the smile on his lips deepening: “That’s the Sakazuki I know.”

He raised his teacup and gently tapped Sakazuki’s fist: “To the unextinguished flame of justice.”