The Gathering Storm
Marineford, Marine Headquarters.
A warship sailed smoothly into the crescent-shaped harbor, navigating its way to an open docking spot. Rows upon rows of warships were already lined up, at least thirty or forty in sight.
As soon as the ship docked, a messenger waiting at the port rushed over, informing Sakazuki to head to the conference room immediately.
After assigning his subordinates to restock supplies, Sakazuki made his way toward the tallest building in the headquarters. On the way, he exchanged greetings with a few familiar officers, walking together toward the meeting room.
Though he wasn't particularly skilled at socializing, the notebook Jorisen had given him back then had proven to be a valuable tool. Slowly but surely, Sakazuki was beginning to make his mark within the Marines.
....
"Hey, Sakazuki! Over here!"
A rough voice called out as Sakazuki entered the large meeting room. The speaker was a broad-shouldered man with a cigar clenched between his teeth, waving him over with a grin.
It was Vice Admiral Ward Morris.
Morris wasn't just any officer—he was one of the key figures in the Absolute Justice Faction, a hardliner who had spent the past two years vying with Zephyr for the last vacant Admiral position.
Currently, Marine Headquarters had Admiral Sengoku, known as "The Buddha."
There was also Garp, a man with strength and seniority that everyone acknowledged as Admiral-level, but who stubbornly refused promotion.
That left one final, unclaimed Admiral position, and both Zephyr and Morris were after it.
But the fight for that position wasn't just about strength or seniority. Politics, alliances, and the decisions of the higher-ups played an equally important role.
Setting aside Fleet Admiral Kong, who rarely intervenes directly, both Sengoku and Garp lean more toward supporting Zephyr. Additionally, Tsuru, the leader of the female Marine forces, maintained a close relationship with all three, having enlisted alongside them in the same year.
While she didn't oppose Morris's ambition to become Admiral, she wasn't exactly supportive either.
And when it came to the Five Elders of the World Government, they didn't really care who filled the Admiral rank.
Aside from the Fleet Admiral, who required more careful consideration, the Admirals themselves weren't given as much importance. After all, if the chosen Fleet Admiral couldn't control the Admirals, what was the point of choosing one in the first place?
Plus, knowing the future events from his past life, Sakazuki was well aware that Morris didn't stand a chance. Still, his strength was undeniable. He stood among the Marines' top brass.
Sakazuki walked over and greeted him.
"Vice Admiral Morris."
Morris grinned wider and slapped a hand on the seat next to him.
"Come on, sit."
Sakazuki sat beside him and asked, "Vice Admiral, do you know why Headquarters suddenly called this meeting?"
Taking a long drag from his cigar, Morris exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"Tch, it's those pirate rats again," he said. "Rocks has been amassing forces, hasn't he? It's been a few months now, and pirates across the New World have mostly rallied under him. Spies have reported back, the Rocks Pirates have set sail. Their destination is West Blue, God Valley."
"God Valley? Isn't that the Celestial Dragons' place?" Sakazuki's eyes narrowed. He remembered seeing it on a sea chart before. It was clearly marked as a Celestial Dragons' residence.
Morris nodded grimly.
"Yeah. Word is, five Celestial Dragons are on the island now, along with countless slaves. Rocks isn't coming alone either. He's got Golden Lion with his Float-Float Fruit leading the fleet. They're heading to West Blue at full speed."
He flicked the ash from his cigar. His voice dropped lower, more serious.
"The Five Elders sent an urgent order. We're to gather forces immediately and protect the Celestial Dragons at all costs."
Sakazuki's brow furrowed slightly as he listened.
Everyone knew the truth. If someone wanted to kill a Celestial Dragon, Sabaody Archipelago was practically a hunting ground. Wait around long enough, and you could take down more than a few.
Flying all the way back from the New World to West Blue just to kill a handful of them? That's pure madness.
Noticing Sakazuki's confusion, Morris leaned in and whispered.
"The message didn't stop there. If things go south, we have orders to initiate obliterate the God Valley."
Sakazuki's eyes widened, surprised.
Rocks was throwing everything he had at this.
The World Nobles… if they couldn't be saved, they'd be wiped out along with the island.
Morris spoke again, snapping Sakazuki from his thoughts.
"Don't worry. Sengoku and Garp have already departed for God Valley ahead of us. Now, we're gathering forces to prepare the Buster Call. Our job is to back them up the moment they signal."
They fell silent as more marines filed into the room, each taking their seats with stiff postures and grave expressions.
Soon, Fleet Admiral Kong arrived, wasting no time issuing official Buster Call orders and assigning roles. Then, just as quickly as he arrived, Kong left. He followed a figure in a uniform and mask, their identity shrouded in mystery.
Before Sakazuki could even register it, both figures disappeared entirely from his Observation Haki perception.
'They vanished… Is that a Devil Fruit ability?'
His mind raced.
'The World Government's strength runs deeper than I imagined.'
The oppressive feeling of an impending storm weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.
No one spoke.
In complete silence, they assembled their forces at top speed, setting off toward West Blue.
...
In the New World, airships streaked through the skies, heading swiftly toward the West Blue.
On the largest ship, a grand banquet roared with life.
At the head of the table sat a man with wild, unruly hair, downing a massive drink without pause: Rocks D. Xebec.
Lined on either side of the table were some of the most fearsome names the sea had ever known.
Shiki the "Golden Lion".
Edward "Whitebeard" Newgate.
"Big Mom" Charlotte Linlin.
Silver Axe.
Ochoku.
Captain John.
Each one a high-ranking officer of the Rocks Pirates, notorious figures with bounties reaching into the hundreds of millions.
Slamming his bowl down, Rocks began.
"As you all know… God Valley is the place of those filthy pigs, the Celestial Dragons. And we, gathered here, are the strongest force in the world!
"Let's kill to our hearts' content! Drag those arrogant bastards down where they belong!
"Everyone, the conquest of the world begins right now! Xehahahaha!!!"
His wild laughter echoed through the ship.
The pirates around him laughed along, drinking deeply. What they truly thought didn't matter; in this setting, no one would dare speak up.
Whitebeard, amidst the chaos, reflected inwardly, his thoughts far from the grand ambition of world domination.
Instead of the world, what he truly desired was family.
As he chuckled and drank, the other pirates, including Shiki and Charlotte Linlin, shared a different sentiment. Their expressions were complex. These were individuals with the potential to rule, each possessing the qualities of a king. How could they ever tolerate someone sitting at the top of the world, ruling over them?
As the banquet continued amidst the laughter and celebration, the mood was far from light for everyone.
...
Meanwhile, aboard the Oro Jackson.
Not long ago, Gol D. Roger had arrived at Lodestar Island. Instead of continuing toward the legendary final destination, he had ordered the ship to turn around and head toward the West Blue.
As night settled in, Roger stepped out of the lively banquet hall and walked to the bow of the ship. The cool sea breeze brushed against him, his mind wandering in silence.
"What are you thinking about?"
A familiar voice broke the quiet.
Rayleigh, his vice-captain, strolled over with a bottle in hand. He took a drink as he walked, then leaned against the railing and set the bottle down.
"Rayleigh... that thing. Whether it ends up with the Celestial Dragons or Rocks, neither outcome will be good. Should I... try to stop it?" Roger's voice was low, uncertain.
"So that's what's eating at you. Haven't you already made up your mind?" Rayleigh replied, a knowing smile tugging at his lips.
Roger stared at him for a moment before his expression shifted. Slowly, his mouth stretched into a wide, familiar grin—sharp and confident, like a crescent moon hanging in the sky.
"Yeah… I have."
The weight in his voice disappeared, replaced with his usual energy.
"Come on, let's drink 'til we drop tonight! Wahahahaha!" Roger bellowed, his laughter booming across the deck.
Before Rayleigh could protest, Roger grabbed him and dragged him back toward the banquet hall.
"Hey! My booze!" Rayleigh yelped, reaching for the bottle he'd barely had a sip from. His hand missed it as it wobbled on the railing.
"Such a waste…"
His resigned voice faded into the distance, leaving only the sounds of laughter and celebration echoing through the night.
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God Valley will have changes compared already known info. Just think of it as AU or Sakazuki's butterfly effect if you want.
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