"It's lawless! God falls! How dare you provoke the Navy Headquarters!"
That was two days ago. After Vane had a phone call with Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the call ended with Vane threatening him—and then hanging up.
Sengoku slammed his fist into the desk, the impact so forceful it nearly shattered it.
That same afternoon, Admiral Akainu departed Navy Headquarters. His destination: Alabasta. His mission: suppress the arrogant Vane, who had reportedly raided the royal family of Alabasta. Such behavior was intolerable! Alabasta was one of the major powers in the first half of the Grand Line, and as a member nation of the World Government, it could not be allowed to descend into chaos.
"We must capture him this time and throw him into the sixth level of Impel Down for life! I've lived a long time, and only that bastard Vane ever dared to threaten Navy Headquarters! What, does he think he's the next Golden Lion?"
Sengoku rubbed his temples in frustration.
"Will he cause an incident? Did he really expose his location on purpose?"
He voiced his concern aloud.
Garp, chewing with his nose in the air, replied, "Pirates that age are cocky. They think a little strength makes them invincible. It's normal."
Sengoku scowled. "I'm more worried this is a trap. Vane doesn't strike me as careless."
Garp chuckled. "A fifteen-year-old kid? That's younger than my grandson. You think he's smarter than Luffy?"
"Garp, I'm being serious!"
Sengoku sighed again, clearly troubled. "Now the higher-ups are furious again. We may not respect them, but we still have to follow orders in the end."
"Being a Fleet Admiral isn't easy," Garp muttered.
"No kidding."
Meanwhile, Akainu had already departed and was cutting through the waves en route to Alabasta. He stared out at the open sea, swearing to crush Vane once and for all. He couldn't allow anyone to grow powerful enough to trample over Navy Headquarters.
Especially someone who had killed a Celestial Dragon. That wasn't the act of a mere pirate. If the navy couldn't catch him, it would be a disgrace.
But the truth was—Vane never went to Alabasta.
Two days later, his ship entered the port of Water 7, the City of Water.
Water 7 was a tower-shaped metropolis built around water. It was one of the most beautiful and prosperous cities in the world, with a vibe reminiscent of the modern cities from Vane's previous life.
After disembarking, Vane donned a mask to avoid trouble. His bounty had soared to 700 million Berries—just below the likes of the Yonko. In the first half of the Grand Line, such a bounty was unprecedented. Pirates and bounty hunters from every corner of the sea now viewed him as a prime target.
700 million Berries was a tempting reward.
Regardless of Vane's strength, without further achievements beyond killing a Celestial Dragon, he hadn't yet earned true fear or respect from most people. To them, he was just another rising pirate.
But Vane came to Water 7 with a purpose: to build a ship.
Water 7 was home to the world's greatest shipwrights and shipbuilding companies. The Oro Jackson, Pirate King Roger's ship, had been constructed here.
Vane needed a large vessel—an extraordinary ship that could carry him into the New World and help him contend for the title of Pirate King. A proper pirate ship.
His name had already made the papers, branded as a fearsome pirate, but Vane didn't care. One day, the Navy and the World Government would understand who he truly was—and how powerful he would become.
Upon entering Water 7, Vane aimed to meet with Iceburg, the city's mayor and the president of the Galley-La Company, the top shipbuilding firm in Water 7. Iceburg was also a renowned shipwright.
He was the perfect person for the job.
As for whether Iceburg would agree to build the ship, Vane wasn't worried. He had his ways—and they didn't involve brute force.
Additionally, Vane needed wood from the Treasure Tree Adam, the rarest and strongest shipbuilding material in the world.
This ship would carry the weight of a revolution. It had to be made from the best materials imaginable.
Its specifications would match, or even surpass, the Oro Jackson.
Rhett Vane was more ambitious now. He'd always been ambitious—but now that he had power, he dared to dream bigger.
From the town center, Vane made his way to the Galley-La Company's primary dock: Dock One.
Iceburg wasn't present. To meet him, it would be better to speak with his secretary first.
For now, it was best to keep a low profile. Vane planned to stay in Water 7 until his ship was complete.
But he wasn't the only force lurking here.
CP9, the World Government's secret intelligence unit, had already embedded themselves in the city. Their target: the blueprints of the ancient weapon Pluton, hidden by Iceburg.
They had been operating in secret for four years.
Just as Vane arrived at Dock One, a woman's voice rang out.
"Rude guy!"
"Seriously!"
She had blonde hair, wore glasses, and dressed like a secretary.
She was Kalifa—one of CP9's undercover agents stationed in Water 7.
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To some, the start might be boring. But give it a read, the fanfic is good 👍
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