Crimson Empire, Submarine Harbor
Momousagi was the first to leap from the warship, her sharp eyes instinctively scanning the massive underground port. The sheer scale of it was impressive, but what truly caught her attention were the numerous artificial Zoan Devil Fruit users bustling about, carrying heavy cargo with practiced efficiency.
Her brows furrowed in surprise as she turned and called out to the others still aboard.
"Vice Admiral Garp, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Admiral Kizaru—over there."
At her voice, the three veterans descended effortlessly from the warship, landing beside her. Following the direction of her pointing finger, they took in the scene before them.
Several large ships, each rivaling a Marine battleship in size, were docked nearby. Surrounding them were dozens—perhaps hundreds—of beast-like individuals, their movements disciplined yet strangely out of place.
Garp crossed his arms, a puzzled expression forming on his face. "Are all of these guys Zoan users?"
Sengoku shook his head. "No. Kaido was the one who built an army of Zoan Devil Fruit users—most of them created through artificial means. What we're seeing here must be the result of that process… though there are always side effects."
Kizaru exhaled slowly, his lips curling into an amused smirk. "Ooh~ scary."
Momousagi, still perplexed, muttered, "Why would fighters with this level of power be working as laborers? This doesn't make any sense."
Sengoku chuckled. "Curious, are you?"
Then, without hesitation, he started striding toward the nearest group of workers.
Momousagi and the others exchanged glances. Even Garp, for all his recklessness, raised a brow.
"He's acting even bolder than he did as Fleet Admiral," Momousagi murmured, before sighing and following after him.
Sengoku, unfazed by the oddity of the situation, stopped before one of the workers—a centaur-like man with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse or deer. The creature had just been about to lift a crate when he noticed the approaching group.
With a casual smile, Sengoku adjusted his glasses. "Hello there. We're a Marine sightseeing group visiting the Crimson Empire. Mind if we ask you a few questions?"
The centaur turned, blinking in surprise.
Before him stood an old man with white hair, round glasses, an embroidered blue shirt tucked into baggy shorts, and a Justice cloak draped over his shoulders. Behind him, a long-legged woman in short shorts—Momousagi—watched with an inquisitive gaze, the insignia of the Marines clearly displayed on her brow.
And behind them—two figures impossible to mistake.
Hero Garp.
Admiral Kizaru.
The centaur gulped. This was going to be an interesting conversation.
If this had happened in the past, the centaur might have trembled in fear. But now, he remained perfectly calm. Instead of panicking, he casually turned his head, glancing toward a man in the distance—one who had just risen from a reclining chair. The man wore a sleek black suit, his most distinctive feature being a long, pointed nose.
The moment their eyes met, the suited man gave a subtle nod.
Seeing this, the centaur smirked and turned back to Sengoku. "No problem, Sengoku."
Sengoku raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You know who I am?"
The centaur chuckled. "The former Fleet Admiral of the Marines? Who wouldn't recognize you?"
Sengoku was momentarily taken aback by the centaur's composed demeanor. He folded his arms, watching him closely. "If my guess is correct, you were once part of Kaido's Zoan Legion, weren't you? What are you doing here?"
The centaur nodded. "That's right."
After a brief pause, he puffed out his chest and spoke with unexpected pride.
"Most of us never committed any real crimes—we didn't kill or pillage. Because of that, we were given a chance. As long as we work hard for three years, we'll earn our freedom. After that, we'll even become full citizens of the Crimson Empire and receive a house—a real estate grant that can't be sold or traded."
The Marines listened in stunned silence as the centaur continued.
"And the best part? We're not working for free. We get paid. Since we're Zoan users, we're stronger than normal workers, so our wages are even higher. Our earnings depend on the amount of cargo we move. It's a fair deal."
"What?!" Sengoku's voice was sharp, his brows furrowed in disbelief. His strategist's mind immediately sought a logical explanation, but none made sense.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Garp barked, his fists clenching at his sides. He had spent a lifetime fighting pirates—there was no way they'd suddenly start treating prisoners like honored guests.
Kizaru, ever the laid-back observer, raised an eyebrow, his tone lazy yet laced with curiosity. "Ohh? Are they giving you benefits? That's quite the generous prison system… fufufu, how scary."
Momousagi's sharp eyes narrowed, her arms crossing as she scrutinized them. "Are you seriously trying to tell us you're prisoners? Because it sure sounds like you're not prisoners."
Seeing their shocked faces, the centaur crossed his arms, his grin widening.
"You think this is special? Our treatment is actually the lowest. We were prisoners, after all—we caused harm to this country. Of course, there's a difference between us and regular citizens."
His voice grew even more passionate.
"But we don't mind. In three years, we'll be free, just like everyone else. And among Kaido's former Zoan Legion, those who never participated in the war, those without criminal records? They've already been granted full citizenship!"
The centaur's eyes gleamed with conviction.
"That's why we're so willing to work for Buggy. That man—he's really living his dream. And I've already decided—when I become a free citizen, I'll dedicate myself to Lord Buggy's vision and help build the Crimson Empire!"
A chill ran down the spines of Sengoku and the marines.
For a moment, they felt their scalps go numb. This was insane.
They were all seasoned veterans, men and women who had seen the world. They could tell at a glance when someone was lying. But the centaur wasn't lying.
And that—that—was the most terrifying part.
They would have preferred if he had been deceived, manipulated.
But this?
This was genuine national pride. And this centaur—a former prisoner—was speaking with the kind of unwavering confidence they had never seen before.
Garp exhaled, scratching his head. "Damn it… is this the charisma of Buggy? It feels like that bastard Roger all over again."
Sengoku shot him a look, his expression unreadable. "Really, Garp? That's what you're worried about?"
For a brief second, Garp blinked in confusion before realization hit him. His own son—Monkey D. Dragon—was leading a revolution against the World Government, and here he was, talking about Roger's charisma as if it were the real problem.
Garp coughed into his fist, looking away as if nothing had happened. "Hmph. Anyway, let's keep moving."
After questioning the centaur, Sengoku and the others couldn't shake off an unsettling feeling. Even in the most peaceful days of Marineford, they had never seen people with such overwhelming positivity—let alone a prisoner speaking with that kind of enthusiasm.
Sengoku furrowed his brows. "I think we'd better go up and take a look."
Garp nodded. "Yeah, and we should talk to more people, investigate properly."
Kizaru lazily scanned their surroundings, his usual smirk replaced with mild curiosity. "Strange… shouldn't someone from the Crimson Empire have come to receive us by now?"
Momousagi crossed her arms, her sharp gaze flicking between the guards. "Maybe they didn't notice our arrival? But that wouldn't make sense. If we were here to cause trouble, the damage would be significant."
The unease settled in their stomachs, but there was only one way to get answers.
A voice cut through the discussion. "No… They know we're here."
Everyone turned to Kizaru, who narrowed his eyes. "I can feel something sweeping over us every now and then… A Devil Fruit ability."
Sengoku's expression darkened. "Observation Haki?"
Kizaru shook his head. "More than that. It's that Lightning Devil Fruit user." His tone grew more serious. "I've fought against him before—this feeling is unmistakable. It's Enel."
"Tch!" Garp clicked his tongue. "That damn Thunder Fruit is seriously busted. Even with all our experience, we can't even pinpoint his location?"
The group exchanged wary glances before continuing forward, making their way up from the flooded harbor while they talked.
Up ahead, Kaku—who had been lounging as a supervisor—had already received word of their arrival. He wasn't concerned in the slightest. Instead, he remained comfortably sprawled out, waiting for the shipment to be completed.
As Sengoku and the others ascended through an underground passage, they finally emerged into the open.
And what they saw left them speechless. The sight before them was nothing short of stunning.
Amigasa Village stretched out in front of them, a far cry from what they had expected. Their reactions mirrored those of Kin'emon, Momonosuke, and Kanjuro when they had first arrived—complete and utter shock.
"Wasn't Wano supposed to be in ruins?"
"Weren't the villages abandoned?"
"What the hell is going on here?"
Before them, elderly villagers sat peacefully, playing chess and chatting leisurely under the shade of trees. Not far away, children laughed and played in a designated playground, their joy filling the air.
Adults worked in groups, moving lumber, crafting furniture, and chopping firewood. Women busied themselves with housework, setting up small stalls to sell snacks and drinks.
It was a thriving, self-sufficient community.
Sengoku and the marines stood there, stunned.
Still unwilling to believe what they were seeing, they began inspecting the village more thoroughly.
And the more they saw, the more apparent it became—these villagers were living even better than the centaur prisoner they had spoken to earlier.
All because of Buggy.
Thanks to his leadership, the Crimson Empire had neutralized the toxins left behind by the SMILE Factory, using massive forests of the mori mori no mi to cleanse the land. With agriculture flourishing, food had become plentiful once more.
The Empire's abundance wasn't just luck—it was the result of sheer power reshaping the environment itself.
Sengoku exhaled slowly. "This… this is the power of a true king."
Rich goods, exquisite two-story rural houses, wide and well-paved roads…
How could this possibly be a country that had endured a devastating war just over a year ago? And judging by the condition of these buildings, they weren't recently constructed either. After speaking with the locals, Sengoku and the others finally uncovered the truth.
And yet, the explanation only left them more bewildered.
Garp crossed his arms, frowning. "Houses built by Crocodile? Since when could the Sand-Sand Fruit do that?"
Sengoku adjusted his glasses, sighing. "Not just houses—roads, irrigation systems, entire infrastructure projects. If you think about it, the Sand-Sand Fruit could be an incredible tool for development."
Tsuru hummed thoughtfully. "Maybe Buggy is grooming Crocodile as his successor. It would make sense."
Kizaru, hands in his pockets, smirked lazily. "Ohh, true true. With Crocodile's current reputation, he's probably the most qualified to take over the empire someday… how terrifying~."
Garp snorted. "Buggy, that bastard, never ceases to surprise me. Alright, let's head to the Flower Capital!"
Then, his expression suddenly brightened. "By the way, I heard that old man Zephyr joined the Crimson Empire! So why didn't he come to greet us, huh? That's just rude!"
Sengoku's brow twitched, veins popping. "Idiot! Just be grateful he doesn't hold a grudge against you after everything!"
Kizaru let out a slow chuckle, while Tsuru sighed, shaking her head as the two old men bickered like usual.
Meanwhile, the villagers passing by barely reacted. Clearly, they were used to seeing outsiders dumbfounded by what they witnessed in the Crimson Empire.
The real reaction came from the underworld brokers present.
At the sight of Garp, Sengoku, and Kizaru, several powerful figures visibly stiffened, momentarily convinced the Marines were here to cause trouble.
But as they continued their journey toward the Flower Capital, it became clear these legendary figures weren't here for a crackdown—they were simply sightseeing. The underworld brokers gradually relaxed.
Among them were two of the biggest names in the business: Deep Current Umit, the King of Maritime Transport, and Hidden Seller Pepe, a major figure in underground trade. These two controlled much of the trade flowing through the Crimson Empire.
As Sengoku and the others moved forward, they found themselves stopping frequently, utterly mesmerized by the scenery around them.
This wasn't the Wanokuni described in their reports.
There was no trace of the desolation they had been led to expect. Instead, the land was full of vitality.
Even the plains weren't barren—every few kilometers, a dense forest appeared, standing unnaturally tall and lush. These weren't ordinary woodlands; they felt deliberate, cultivated.
And as they walked further, a single thought settled in their minds.
Wanokuni wasn't just recovering—it was thriving. Not only could these plants absorb toxins from the soil and water, but they also nourished the surrounding vegetation.
This was what Kizaru confirmed firsthand after flying around and surveying the area himself.
By the time the group finally arrived at the Flower Capital, it was already ten o'clock at night.
And yet—
The moment Garp, Sengoku, and the others caught sight of the city glowing in the distance, they were dumbfounded.
From hundreds of meters away, the Flower Capital shone brilliantly, bathed in warm, golden lights that stretched across its vast expanse. They had never seen a city this prosperous.
Even Momousagi, who had once set foot aboard Gran Tesoro—the legendary golden ship of Gild Tesoro—felt that what stood before her now was something entirely different. That had been a floating casino, a symbol of excess.
But this? This was an empire's beating heart.
Buggy's urban planning had transformed the Flower Capital into a masterpiece.
After a large-scale expansion of its infrastructure, the city had been divided into distinct districts, each seamlessly woven into the grand design:
A branch of Happy Street, a bustling snack street, a sprawling shopping district, a street dedicated to luxury goods, Knife Street, and even an entire district specializing in nautical equipment—all laid out according to meticulous planning by the citizens of the Crimson Empire.
This wasn't just a city; it was a vision brought to life.
A metropolis rivaling the greatest of the modern era.
While it lacked the towering skyscrapers of the previous world, Buggy had ensured that every structure radiated power and prestige.
With the abilities of the Stone-Stone Fruit user, Kadal, combined with Crocodile's mastery over the Sand-Sand Fruit, constructing 20-story buildings was effortless.
For first-time visitors, the sight was utterly breathtaking.
And right now, that was exactly how Garp, Sengoku, and the others felt.
"Oh my god..." Sengoku's voice came out in disbelief. "In a world like this... does a country like this truly exist?"
"Dressrosa once called itself the most peaceful nation in the world," Kizaru mused, his usual lazy tone carrying an edge of amusement. "Buggy proved that to be a lie. Maybe the Crimson Empire is the real deal?"
Standing in the darkness, just outside the reach of the streetlamps, Garp's mouth hung open as he took it all in, his expression one of sheer astonishment.
But then—
A sharp gaze locked onto them. Instinctively, they turned their heads.
At the very end of the illuminated street, sitting in a small pavilion, was a broad-shouldered man with cropped purple hair.
He leaned back lazily, watching them with a half-smile.
Watching them struggle to process what they were seeing.
Garp suddenly burst into laughter, slapping his knee.
"Bwahaha! Zephyr! You old bastard, you're just here to watch us make fools of ourselves, aren't you?"
Sengoku crossed his arms, shaking his head with a smirk. "Hmph. Still as sharp as ever, I see."
Kizaru let out a slow chuckle, tilting his head. "Ooh~ looking strong as ever, Teacher Zephyr. That's scary~."
Momousagi's expression softened, her voice warm. "Teacher Zephyr!"
A familiar grin spread across Garp's face as he threw up a casual wave.
"Yo! Long time no see, Sensei!"
A reunion in a foreign land.
But for these veterans—especially for those who had once carried guilt over Zephyr's fate—this meeting meant more than just nostalgia.
It was a moment of joy. A moment of redemption. And, perhaps, the start of something new.
The moment Zephyr noticed them, he didn't bother sitting anymore. Instead, he got up with a broad grin and greeted them with open arms.
"Took you long enough! I've been waiting here for almost a whole day!"
With a hearty laugh, he pulled them into a firm embrace.
Sengoku raised an eyebrow. "A day off, huh? Since when do you get holidays?"
Zephyr smirked. "Thanks to you lot. Because of your arrival, I happened to get the day off."
Sengoku's puzzled expression deepened. "Wait... don't tell me—you actually joined the Crimson Empire?"
His eyes narrowed slightly. "No wonder we haven't heard a damn thing about you for the past year."
Zephyr chuckled and nodded. "Buggy put me in charge of building the Crimson Empire's Marine force. He's short on manpower right now, so I agreed to take over for a few years."
He crossed his arms, looking utterly at ease. "The Marine Marshal here, like the head of state, is elected every five years. With my current condition, two or three years of service shouldn't be a problem."
"WHAT?!"
Zephyr's words hit them like a cannon blast.
Even Garp's eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "Good grief..."
They had assumed Zephyr had simply joined Buggy's crew. But to learn that he had taken on the role of Marine Marshal in the Crimson Empire?
Their expressions twisted into something between shock and disbelief.
Sengoku let out a heavy sigh. "That guy Buggy really trusts you, huh?" His tone was laced with something unreadable.
Zephyr just laughed. "Buggy said trust is absolute. If he believes in someone, he doesn't doubt them." He grinned. "And if the man trusts me that much, how could I let him down?"
Kizaru, who had been silent until now, gave a lazy pout before muttering:
"Even you speak so highly of him... Damn, that Buggy guy is seriously terrifying."
Momousagi's big, round eyes gleamed with curiosity. "The more I hear, the more I want to meet this man. What kind of person earns Zephyr's trust so easily?"
Zephyr smirked. "There's always a chance. As long as you're not here to cause trouble, I can arrange a meeting anytime."
"Bwahaha!"
Garp grinned, cracking his knuckles. "We're just here for sightseeing. No need to meet that brat just yet. Show us around the Flower Capital first, Zephyr!"
Zephyr let out a booming laugh. "Alright then! Follow me!"
At that moment, with the city lights shining behind him, he looked more spirited than ever. As Zephyr approached the gates of Flower City, the two guards standing watch immediately straightened and saluted with crisp precision.
"Marshal Zephyr!"
Zephyr returned the salute with a nod. "Good work, everyone."
Behind him, Garp, Sengoku, Kizaru, and Momousagi exchanged complicated glances.
It was a surreal sight—Zephyr, once a stalwart of the Marines, now standing as Marshal of the Crimson Empire's Marine force.
But Zephyr himself was more than satisfied. Seeing old comrades from his past, now treating him with this level of respect, filled him with an undeniable sense of pride.
He couldn't help but recall Buggy's words from before:
"It's best if you're the one to receive them. Let them see firsthand just how much both the Crimson Empire and its Marines value you, Zephyr."
And at this moment, deep in his heart, Zephyr felt nothing but gratitude.
That man's charisma is truly something else.
Meanwhile, that very man—Buggy—was on Egg Head Island, preparing to stir up yet another storm.
He had already tasked Doringo with a critical mission: printing the fourth Road Poneglyph.
And as for who currently possessed it...
The answer lay aboard a black ship, drifting through the New World.
Others might not have known its true owner.
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