The winds in the New World never blow gently. The weather can shift from sunny to a deadly storm in a matter of hours.
Today, however, the sky above G-5 Naval Base looked quite friendly.
A Navy warship bearing the blue seagull emblem slowly pulled up to the stone pier.
On land, hundreds of G-5 Navy soldiers—known as "Navy Gangsters"—marching in neat formation with upright postures.
At the front of the line stood a middle-aged man with a scar running across his chin. He was the Vice Admiral serving as Commander of G-5 Base.
As soon as the ship's gangplank was lowered, Quentin Seven stepped down. He wasn't wearing a formal shirt, but rather a high-collared black outfit with a red-and-white fan emblem on his back, layered with a Justice coat draped loosely over his shoulders. Behind him, Sakazuki and Borsalino followed in rhythmic step.
And behind the two of them walked a woman with wavy blue hair. Gunko was now wearing the standard Navy uniform. The outfit was slightly too large for her slender frame, yet it gave her a delicate air that further highlighted her beauty and the unique color of her eyes.
"Welcome to the New World, Red-Eyed Junior Admiral!" the Vice Admiral greeted him with a loud laugh that echoed through the harbor. He stepped forward and shook Seven's hand firmly. There was not a trace of rank-driven arrogance on the veteran's face, only sincere respect.
"Thank you, Vice Admiral," Seven replied calmly.
"You don't need to be so humble in front of me," the old man patted Seven on the shoulder, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "News from Marineford spreads faster than a storm. A Rear Admiral capable of standing toe-to-toe and withstanding Vice Admiral Garp's attack? That's an extraordinary achievement, son."
The Vice Admiral snorted softly, gazing out at the ocean for a moment. "Who is Garp? When Fleet Admiral Kong was tied to his desk, Garp was our strongest spearhead. That man gave the Roger Pirates a hard time, and was even able to hold off monsters like Shiki the Golden Lion and Edward Newgate, who had just joined the Rocks crew. You managed to hold your own for a long time while fighting him, Quentin Seven. In a few years, these seas will see a second Garp, or perhaps even someone who surpasses him."
Seven merely smiled faintly, not responding to the praise with excessive enthusiasm.
The Vice Admiral's gaze then shifted past Seven's shoulder. His eyebrows raised slightly as he looked at Gunko. "And this young lady? As far as I know, the reports from Marineford never mentioned a blue-haired female soldier on your ship."
Gunko lowered her head, fiddling with the hem of her uniform shirt as if intimidated by the Vice Admiral's piercing gaze.
"She's under my direct supervision," Seven cut in with a tone that left no room for argument. "She's not a pirate spy or a threat. I vouch for her."
Hearing that tone, the Vice Admiral immediately laughed and nodded. "If you vouch for him, then she safe on this base." The man's gaze then shifted toward the two figures standing behind Seven. His smile turned into a defiant smirk.
"So… these are the two monsters Admiral Black Hand Zephyr spoke of," the Vice Admiral muttered, eyeing Sakazuki and Borsalino from head to toe. Ten and thirteen years old, yet their physiques already matched those of adult frontline fighters. "Zephyr said you two are pure monsters. Well, kids? Interested in stretching your muscles on the G-5 field? I want to test just how strong you two are firsthand."
Sakazuki gave a faint smirk, steam immediately rising from his right fist. "Of course."
"Sounds interesting," Borsalino tilted his head, his round glasses glinting. He turned to Seven. "We'll be gone for a bit, okay, Big Bro?"
"Go ahead. Don't wreck other people's base," Seven replied casually, gesturing with his hand.
The Vice Admiral laughed contentedly and immediately led Sakazuki and Borsalino to a special training area in the center of the base, leaving Seven and his crew to handle the unloading.
An hour later, in the quieter coastal area of G-5 base.
The faint sounds of explosions and clashing Haki could be heard from the direction of the training field, indicating that the Vice Admiral was undergoing a grueling test from the two future Admiral candidates.
Under the shade of a coconut tree, Seven sat reclined in a lounge chair, enjoying the sea breeze. He had taken off his Justice coat, wearing only clothes that revealed his pale neck and arms. On a small table beside him, a fresh young coconut had been pierced, complete with a wooden straw.
Gunko stood beside him like a highly dedicated servant. She held an empty tray in front of her stomach.
"Is the fruit not sweet enough, Rear Admiral?" Gunko asked in a soft, cautious tone.
"It's just right," Seven replied casually, without opening his eyes, which remained peacefully closed.
Seeing that Seven seemed unaware, Gunko set her tray on the table, then stepped behind Seven's chair. Her slender, soft hands reached out, beginning to gently massage Seven's shoulders and the base of her neck. Her massage had a soothing rhythm—a technique she had been specially trained in.
Seven didn't resist. He let the woman do her job.
"Rear Admiral," Gunko spoke again, this time her tone sounding innocent and slightly curious. Her fingers continued to massage Seven's shoulders steadily. "Ever since Fishman Island, I've always noticed the emblem on your back. A red and white fan. Is that the Navy emblem of a special unit?"
Seven slowly opened his eyes, gazing up at the sky.
"No," Seven replied casually. "That is my family's emblem."
Gunko's fingers paused on Seven's shoulder for a split second—a reaction not lost on Seven's Observation Haki.
"Family?" Gunko repeated, trying to keep her tone of voice admiring. "It must be an extraordinary family to have produced someone as strong as you. In which sea does your family live? Is it somewhere in the West Sea?"
Seven picked up his young coconut, sipped the water slowly, then set it down again. The corners of his lips turned up slightly.
"Very far," said Seven, he voice calm, blending with the crash of the waves. "Far beyond what anyone can reach. A place I want to return to."
Seven leaned he head back, letting Gunko continue the massage. "I sewed this emblem onto my clothes myself. Not to show off... but so I'd never forget where I came from, and to whom I'll return someday."
Behind him, the gentle smile on Gunko's face remained perfectly in place, but her heterochromatic eyes sharpened unnaturally. Her heart beat a little faster.
She immediately recalled the words of Her Majesty Imu from that time. Her Majesty Imu had dreamed several times of the Nine Great Beasts capable of destroying everything, and there was a red-and-white fan near that Great Beast.
'Family,' Gunko thought, a chill creeping slowly down her spine. 'Could it be that Quentin Seven is connected to Her Majesty Imu's dreams?'