Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1522 — August
Several months had passed since Gern Reginald Sigmar assumed the position of Fleet Admiral and declared the Marines' complete severance from the World Government that had ruled the seas for eight hundred years.
And yet, the world remained in upheaval.
At the beginning of July, Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, after a bizarre and farcical wedding incident that spiraled into an all-out conflict, confronted one of the Four Emperors—Charlotte Linlin—on Whole Cake Island in the New World.
Their captain, Monkey D. Luffy, defeated two of the Big Mom Pirates' powerful Sweet Commanders in succession—Charlotte Cracker and Charlotte Katakuri.
What should have been an overwhelmingly one-sided battle instead ended with the Straw Hats escaping unscathed—thanks to the sudden intervention of multiple factions, including the technologically advanced forces of Germa 66 and the timely betrayal of the Fire Tank Pirates.
At the same time, the president of the World Economy News Paper, the self-proclaimed "Big News" Morgans, had long since placed his bets on the surging tide of the "New Era."
Under his relentless—and often questionable—reporting, the narrative took shape:
Luffy now possessed the strength to rival a Commander.
He commanded a "Grand Fleet" of over five thousand warriors.
And after the Whole Cake Island incident, the former Warlord of the Sea, Jinbe, had officially joined his ranks.
Power. Influence. Reputation. Legend.
With Morgans fanning the flames, the world came to recognize a new figure:
"Straw Hat" Monkey D. Luffy — Bounty: 1.5 billion Berries.
The title of the "Fifth Emperor of the Sea" spread like wildfire, placing him alongside the Four Emperors themselves.
A nineteen-year-old "Fifth Emperor"?
Absurd.
And yet, perfectly fitting for this mad era.
At the same time, movements across the seas continued to stir the balance.
The former Warlord, self-proclaimed "son of Whitebeard," Edward Weevil, under the instigation of his mother Miss Bakkin, launched an attack on the rising mercenary organization known as the Cross Guild.
But fate had other plans.
Stationed there was the legendary figure—the "Lonely Red," Baron Omatsuri Redfield.
After a brief yet intense clash, Weevil was utterly defeated and forced into a humiliating retreat.
Redfield's verdict was simple:
"He truly possesses the strength Whitebeard had in his youth."
Elsewhere, another storm was brewing.
One of the Four Emperors, Shanks, suddenly accelerated his movements.
With precise coordination, his forces began harassing the New Marines' outposts and patrol fleets along the fringes of the New World and key maritime routes.
His intentions remained unclear.
Meanwhile, in the first half of the Grand Line, the banner of the Revolutionary Army continued to fly.
They ignored entirely the goodwill signals released after Gern's declaration of independence.
Their actions remained consistent with their ideology.
Soon, multiple islands still under Marine jurisdiction came under attack.
Faced with a world in turmoil, the newly independent Marines did not remain idle.
Fleet Admiral Gern Reginald Sigmar formally signed an order announcing the first high-command appointments since independence.
Former core member of the "Calamity" faction, the self-proclaimed god Enel, was promoted to Admiral of Marine Headquarters—codename: "Thunder God."
Former core member of the same faction, the "Demon" Douglas Bullet, was promoted to Admiral—codename: "Demon."
Gone were the old titles like "Aokiji" or "Kizaru."
The new era demanded names that embodied power, personality, and fear.
Gern's own faction had now fully taken control of the Marines' highest combat echelon.
Marine Headquarters had officially entered the Era of Gern.
At last, the long-silent World Government responded.
In Mary Geoise, one of the Five Elders—the God of Law Enforcement, Topman Warcury—personally descended to the lower world to negotiate.
August of Year 1522.
The rise of a Fifth Emperor.
The shifting alliances of old powers.
Clashes of legends.
The spread of revolution.
The sharp edge of the Marines.
The storm had only just begun.
New Marineford — Fleet Admiral's Office
After a brief—what Gern could only describe as salvation—period of rest, Sengoku returned to the office he once commanded.
Though now serving as Inspector General rather than Fleet Admiral, his composed and sharp presence remained unchanged.
Seated across from Gern, holding a cup of hot tea, Sengoku listened as Gern laid out his strategic plans for the rapidly shifting world.
"Regarding Shanks," Gern said, his finger tracing across the New World on the sea map, "send Borsalino to handle it."
"His speed makes him ideal for dealing with highly mobile harassment."
"The goal isn't to repel him—it's to uncover his true intentions. What he's probing for. Where his limits lie."
"If necessary, allow limited counterattacks. But don't escalate into full conflict. We can't afford to split our focus."
Sengoku nodded slightly, adding, "Red Hair isn't reckless. Every move he makes has meaning."
"Kizaru is indeed the right choice… but remind him not to fall for that 'Face-Face Fruit' trick of Shanks'—don't let him get talked into backing off over nothing."
Retirement had clearly loosened Sengoku's personality.
Gern nodded, filing it away.
"As for Straw Hat Luffy—ignore him for now."
"The 'Fifth Emperor' title is mostly Morgans' exaggeration, but he's currently drawing the majority of Kaido and Big Mom's attention in Wano."
"Let them… clash."
He paused briefly.
"Or rather—let them exhaust each other."
"As long as the Straw Hats don't attack Marine bases or threaten our core interests, we leave them be."
Sengoku raised an eyebrow. "And your newly promoted Admirals?"
Gern's expression twitched ever so slightly, recalling how Enel and Barrett had nearly come to blows over titles and rankings in the headquarters plaza.
"They can't be left idle," he said flatly.
"Assign them to rotational patrols across the New World. Divide their sectors."
"Use their presence to suppress the pirate factions getting restless after our independence and the Emperors' movements."
"Stabilize our control over the first half of the New World."
"Good plan," Sengoku said, sipping his tea. "Their deterrence alone is enough. Better than letting them fight each other at headquarters."
He set the cup down, his expression turning serious.
"What about the Revolutionary Army, Gern?"
"After your declaration, you sent them goodwill signals immediately—even proposed integrating their officers into Marine administrative roles."
"That was sincere… but," Sengoku looked at him, "Monkey D. Dragon hasn't responded positively at all."
Gern fell silent.
Standing before the window, his figure blurred in the light.
He understood the Revolutionary Army's ideals—their relentless pursuit to overthrow oppression and inequality.
Deep down, he even respected Dragon's unwavering idealism.
That was why he had extended an olive branch at the very beginning—
Hoping to find some form of coexistence… even cooperation, against the common enemy that was the World Government.
He needed their grassroots organization, their ideological influence, their ability to mobilize the masses.
To truly root the new Marines among the people—not merely rule them by force.
But Dragon's rejection had been cold. Absolute.
To him, Gern's proposal was a trap.
The new Marines were merely another form of the old oppressive order.
That distrust shattered Gern's vision of unifying anti–World Government forces.
The silence stretched.
Sengoku did not rush him.
At last, Gern opened his eyes.
There was no anger.
No disappointment.
Only clarity.
"I don't have time to play guessing games with him," Gern said calmly, his voice carrying firm resolve.
"Nor the energy for endless ideological debates."
"The World Government. Im. The Five Elders. The God Knights…"
"Those are our true enemies."
"Everything—internal consolidation, expansion, strengthening—must serve that goal."
He turned to Sengoku.
"Former Fleet Admiral Sengoku, send a direct order to Sakazuki."
"The Revolutionary Army's activities in the first half of the Grand Line are now entirely his responsibility."
"Objective: ensure stability and order within Marine territories. Maintain the authority of the new Marines."
"How he achieves that—expulsion, suppression, negotiation, or otherwise—is up to him."
"I only want results."
The meaning was unmistakable.
Entrusting the matter to Sakazuki—the embodiment of Absolute Justice—was itself the clearest statement possible.
"And tell him," Gern added, his tone sharpening, "if the Revolutionary Army continues to stir unrest within Marine territory…"
"…it will be treated as a direct provocation."
"I understand," Sengoku replied.
He hesitated briefly, then asked, "And if Dragon himself appears?"
Gern turned toward the vast sea beyond the window.
"If time permits… I'll go personally."
A promise.
And a warning.
Sengoku looked at Gern's resolute back and suddenly smiled—there was admiration in it, and a hint of satisfaction.
"Gern," he said, "you're starting to… have presence."
"Presence?" Gern blinked, turning around instinctively—then froze at Sengoku's knowing smile.
He immediately took two cautious steps back.
"'Presence'?" Gern said carefully, almost pleading, "Former Fleet Admiral… even if you're helping with paperwork, I… I'm not into that!"
"Really! That kind of 'presence'—maybe you should take Vice Admiral Garp instead! He's sturdy! He can handle it!"
"No wonder you used to keep a goat—so that's what it was for—"
He stopped abruptly.
Because Sengoku's face had gone visibly dark.
Veins throbbed at his temple.
"You brat…" Sengoku growled through clenched teeth.
"I meant—you're becoming more decisive, more responsible, more like a proper Fleet Admiral!!!"
"That was a compliment! A compliment, do you understand?!"
"And what the hell does that have to do with my goat?! That was a pet! For stress relief! What are you even imagining?!"
Silence.
Awkward, suffocating silence.
Gern coughed lightly.
"I see… a compliment."
"Thank you, former Fleet Admiral. I'll keep working hard."
He swiftly changed the subject.
"Now then—regarding the arrival of the World Government's Law God, Topman Warcury…"
At that moment—
Knock. Knock.
The office door was tapped.
From outside, Gild Tesoro's voice rang out:
"Fleet Admiral Gern. Inspector General Sengoku."
"The harbor watch reports that a World Government vessel has reached the outer waters of New Marineford."
"They are requesting permission to dock."
A brief pause.
"Topman Warcury… has arrived."