Inside the highest-ranking officer's office at the Marine branch in Loguetown...
"I told you—I'm going to the Grand Line!"
Smoker's eyes were bloodshot as he bellowed into the Den Den Mushi.
"Calm down, Smoker! That man—someone who can knock you out with just a wave of Conqueror's Haki—what exactly do you think you can do even if you go after him?"
A furious voice came from the other end of the line.
Bang!
Smoker slammed his fist into the desk. His nails dug into his palm, drawing blood that trickled down his arm. He looked like a wounded beast, cornered and seething.
Yeah... even if he gave chase, what could he actually do? Bring Tashigi back? Arrest that man?
Impossible.
That man—Portgas D. Ace—only needed to unleash his Conqueror's Haki once, and he collapsed without being able to resist at all.
Had he already begun to fear him... deep in his subconscious?
Staring at his bleeding hands, Smoker felt something for the first time in a long while—helplessness.
"I'm going back to Headquarters… to get stronger," Smoker said into the Den Den Mushi, his eyes burning with resolve.
"I'll file your request."
Click.
The Den Den Mushi fell silent.
"Portgas D. Ace…"
Smoker stared intently at the wanted poster on his desk. His eyes were red and bloodshot.
He hadn't even fought the guy—hadn't landed a single blow—and yet he was taken out by nothing but Conqueror's Haki.
"I will arrest you," Smoker muttered through clenched teeth, suppressing the lingering ache left by that Haki shockwave.
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Bang!
A newly printed wanted poster was pinned to the mission board by Brannew, a Marine Headquarters Lieutenant Commander.
Seated on either side of him were battle-hardened officers of the Headquarters, their faces like steel, their killing intent tangible.
These were no ordinary branch officers. Even a low-ranking Lieutenant Commander in HQ wielded strength beyond that of most Commodores in the regional branches.
They were the true core force of the Marines—the frontline defense against the rising tide of piracy in this era.
"This man—Portgas D. Ace—a Logia-type user of the Mera Mera no Mi," Brannew announced. "He made his debut by wiping out the Arlong Pirates in the East Blue. Arlong's bounty was 20 million berries."
"He also killed Captain Nezumi, and openly taunted Marine Headquarters over the Den Den Mushi."
Brannew's voice echoed as he looked around the room at the seated officers, whose gazes were sharp enough to cut steel.
"According to the latest report from Smoker, Portgas D. Ace also possesses Conqueror's Haki."
The room fell silent. Then—
"!!!"
"Conqueror's Haki?! That rookie?!" one of the officers slammed the table, his eyes wide in disbelief.
What kind of joke was this?
The East Blue was considered the weakest sea—bounties there rarely broke even a few million. And now, a fresh rookie from that sea was confirmed to possess Conqueror's Haki?!
Even in all of Marine Headquarters, only a select few had that kind of power.
"And that's not all—Ace leveled the entire Marine branch in Loguetown just by releasing a Conqueror's Haki shockwave."
Brannew's tone darkened.
"!!!"
A cold sweat ran down the backs of several Rear Admirals and Commodores in the room.
Wiped out—completely?
Even Smoker—a Logia-type user of the Smoke-Smoke Fruit and a former disciple of Admiral Zephyr—had lost consciousness without resistance?
Though technically just a branch Captain, Smoker's strength had long been recognized as greater than many Rear Admirals in the main force. He was only stationed in Loguetown because of his insubordination and unwillingness to follow orders.
For someone like him to collapse under a single burst of Conqueror's Haki?
A terrifying name began to resurface in the minds of several officers in the room.
Another Red-Haired?
No... impossible!
The very thought made them shake their heads, trying to drive away the chilling idea.
One Red-Haired was already giving the entire Marine HQ a massive headache. A second one?
That would be a nightmare.
Still, none of them believed this newcomer could actually match Shanks.
That man was a Yonko.
"This dangerous man also abducted a female Master Chief Petty Officer from Smoker's unit," Brannew continued. "And declared himself as... the Flame Emperor."
He pinned Tashigi's photo beside the wanted poster.
But compared to the bombshell of Ace wielding Conqueror's Haki, this detail barely caused a ripple among the officers.
"At this point, Portgas D. Ace is beyond what any branch can handle. Even for HQ forces, unless led by a Rear Admiral or higher, any task force sent will be wiped out."
Brannew's face was grim.
"Worse still, we have no idea where his true strength caps out. Based on current analysis, any arrest attempt without a Vice Admiral or above is almost certainly doomed to fail."
Everyone in the room fell into a heavy silence.
A rookie pirate—just recently setting out—already needed a Vice Admiral to be subdued?
Those weren't just any officers. They were the backbone of Marine HQ.
Each one capable of leading a Buster Call.
"We must alert all regional Marine branches. If they encounter this man, they are to report immediately—do not engage. We must avoid needless sacrifice."
No one objected. Because they knew: against someone with Conqueror's Haki at that level, lacking power meant numbers didn't matter. It would only mean more casualties.
"This man's new bounty—!"
SLAP!
Brannew pinned a new wanted poster to the board—one depicting Ace as he appeared in Loguetown, flames swirling, distorting the weather around him.
"Flame Emperor! Portgas D. Ace – Dead or Alive. Bounty: 85 Million Berries!"
The officers looked at the new moniker. They understood.
This was a signal.
A message meant for the sea of pirates out there: take this man down.
"Regardless of all else—Justice will prevail!"
A Rear Admiral stood, then strode out of the room, overlooking the orderly ranks of HQ Marines assembled below.
"We are the guardians of justice—under the banner of Absolute Justice!"
"RAHHH!"
The Marines raised their blades high and roared in unison.
...
Unaware that his bounty had just risen again, Ace was already gazing at Reverse Mountain on the horizon.
"So that's Reverse Mountain... what a view."
He adjusted the brim of his orange hat, gazing at the towering wall of Red Line, and the natural, upward-rushing current that pierced the sky like a silver spear.
With a deep breath, he spread his arms wide and welcomed the sight.
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TL/N:
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