When Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Kuzan stepped out of the coliseum in Dressrosa, a new figure had joined them, a young man named Kyros.
Kyros had always been a decisive man. Since he'd agreed to join the Navy, he wasn't the type to dither or second-guess. Besides, in all of Dressrosa, he had no family or friends left behind. There was no one to say goodbye to.
The coliseum manager was anything but pleased when he heard that Kyros planned to leave and enlist in the Navy. After all, Kyros, with a record of 441 victories, was the coliseum's greatest cash cow!
Letting him walk away just like that? It was a painful loss.
Still, Kuzan was a captain in the Navy Headquarters. In Dressrosa, a nation aligned with the World Government, that title carried weight.
The manager didn't dare openly obstruct a Navy recruitment. He could only drop veiled warnings, muttering things like, "You're a murderer," "It's dangerous out there," "The Navy won't accept a killer like you," and "They'll discriminate against you."
But once Kuzan used his powers to freeze the manager's desk solid, all those whispered protests dried up fast.
And just like that, Kyros was freed.
He had no baggage to speak of just a few linen garments, some armor plates, and the large double-edged sword he always carried.
"Kyros, you're strong," Kuzan told him. "You'll definitely make something of yourself in the Navy."
"Stick with me for now. Once we're aboard Vice Admiral Garp's ship, I'll get your enlistment paperwork sorted."
"Oh, and Vice Admiral Garp is a top officer in Navy Headquarters—he's a really good guy. You won't have any issues joining up."
"Also, even though you're strong, you'll still have to start from the bottom. That's just how it is in the Navy."
"I went through the same thing. When we're back at HQ, I'll see if I can ask Teacher Zephyr to let you into the Naval Academy."
"Zephyr-sensei is the Navy's chief instructor, a former admiral, and honestly, he's a great person. I bet he'll really like someone like you."
As they walked, Kuzan talked up the Navy with enthusiasm. In his eyes, there was no better place in the world to belong. His passion gradually put Kyros at ease. Though he'd agreed to join, Kyros had still been nervous, the manager's parting words had left some lingering doubt.
Through their conversation, Kyros began to get a feel for Yoriichi.
A prodigy. A key prospect being trained by the Navy. Protégé to Vice Admiral Garp and, in every sense of the word, a true disciple of Zephyr, the former admiral. And… a commoner.
Rather than heading straight to the naval base to rendezvous with Garp, they wandered the city instead.
Kuzan used a Den Den Mushi to call Garp and quickly brief him on the situation. Then, taking Yoriichi and Kyros along, he spent the day showing them around Dressrosa. He bought Kyros new clothes and took him on a culinary tour of the city's famous local delicacies.
Though born and raised here, Kyros had grown up poor. He'd never had a chance to truly experience the place he called home. This might be his last opportunity in a long while—who knew when he'd return again? So he accepted Kuzan's kindness, letting himself enjoy the day.
By evening, the sun dipped low, casting a golden sheen across the sea.
With bags in tow, the three of them finally arrived at the Navy outpost to meet up with Garp. Ever thoughtful, Kuzan had brought back a box of Dressrosa's famous fruit-flavored doughnuts and a packet of local senbei crackers for Garp.
"You guys are really cutting it close," Garp barked, though his voice carried more amusement than reproach.
"This young man must be Kyros, huh?"
"Welcome to the Navy. I'm Vice Admiral Garp, Navy Headquarters."
He had been waiting for them at the outpost. The moment Garp's gaze fell on Kyros, a smile broke across his face. There was a warmth in his tone that put Kyros at ease.
"G-Greetings, Vice Admiral Garp," Kyros stammered, a little awestruck. A Vice Admiral of Navy HQ, this was a serious figure. But Garp's kind demeanor quickly calmed him. Kyros gave Kuzan and Yoriichi a grateful glance before bowing in greeting.
So Kuzan had been right, Vice Admiral Garp really was a good man.
"Come on then," Garp said cheerfully. "I've been waiting a long time."
"We're setting sail."
"I've just received intel on the Roger Pirates!"
Kyros nodded nervously. But Garp's next words instantly shifted the tone. His voice grew firm as he turned to Kuzan, who immediately dropped his usual carefree expression and straightened up.
"We're heading out tonight?" Kuzan asked, glancing at the sky.
"Yeah. Time's tight. If we miss this chance, who knows when we'll get another."
"Roger… he's heading for Charlotte Linlin."
"The target is Totto Land."
Garp's declaration hit like a cannon blast. Kuzan blinked in surprise at the name Charlotte Linlin. Then his eyes sharpened with recognition.
"Charlotte Linlin? You mean the one who was with the Rocks Pirates back in the day? That Charlotte Linlin?"
Clearly, Kuzan knew her history and the weight of her name. His face turned serious.
"The Roger Pirates are trying to make contact with someone like her? What are they planning?!"
"This is… this is serious, Vice Admiral Garp!"
Garp nodded, but then, his face abruptly relaxed into a lazy smirk. Digging around in his nose, he answered casually:
"Of course it's serious."
"That's why we've gotta get over there. As long as we catch Roger, whatever mess he's planning won't matter anymore, right?!"
"Bwahahaha!"
With that, Garp strode off toward the naval harbor. His ship had been transferred to the outpost earlier that afternoon. The rest of the crew was already onboard and ready—only Garp, Yoriichi, Kuzan, and Kyros had yet to embark.
Yoriichi had assumed they'd spend a few days resting in Dressrosa.
But they had arrived in the morning… and by nightfall, they were already heading back to sea.
The Navy's workload made the infamous "996" schedule look like a vacation.
Still, Yoriichi didn't complain. More than food and sightseeing, what he truly longed for was to test his mettle against the powerful figures scattered across the vast sea.
Charlotte Linlin… the future "Emperor of the Sea," Big Mom.
She had once been a core member of the legendary Rocks Pirates. After the battle at God Valley, she formed her own crew and carved a fearsome name for herself in the New World.
Now, her power had grown into a vast empire.
The "Totto Land" Garp had mentioned was the territory she ruled—a sprawling archipelago of 34 islands, home to hundreds of thousands of inhabitants.
In Totto Land, people of all races lived together peacefully… so long as they offered a portion of their lifespan to Charlotte Linlin. In return, she gave them protection and a place in her paradise.
At first glance, the concept of "lifespan tribute" sounded terrifying—and truthfully, it was terrifying. But Linlin gave her people a choice: if they didn't want to give up their life force, they were free to leave Totto Land.
In that sense, it was arguably more humane than Dressrosa under Doflamingo or Wano under Kaido.
Bound by blood, built on the promise of protection, Linlin had constructed a kingdom all her own.
In Totto Land, she was queen.
Even the World Government, even the Navy, had no authority there.
Now, it seemed the Roger Pirates were trying to reach her.
To the Navy, this wasn't just troubling, it was a nightmare.
"Set sail!" Garp roared. "Next stop: Big Mom's territory, Totto Land!"
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