Holy Land Mary Geoise, Headquarters of the World Government, Steel Tower.
In the Grand Commander's office, tension was thick in the air.
Admiral Kong paced back and forth in front of his desk, his expression dark and grim.
Across from him, several officers from the intelligence division were clustered around a transponder snail, frantically attempting to establish contact with various departments under the World Government's command.
"Report!"
Suddenly, an officer slammed down the transponder snail, his face pale as he turned to Kong. "Fleet Admiral, we've lost contact with the Marine Science Division!"
"Report! We can't reach the Marine Special Ops either!"
"No contact from the Marine Special Science Unit!"
"Report! We've received word from Enies Lobby, they've lost all contact with Chief Judge Bass!"
"Report! We've successfully established communication with Impel Down!"
As one report after another came pouring in, Kong quickly returned to his seat and issued a stern command, "Cease trying to contact Marine Headquarters and any related divisions. Immediately reach out to all Marine bases on the Grand Line and in the four blues!"
One officer hesitated, then asked nervously, "Admiral... What's happening? Why did Headquarters suddenly lose all contact with the Holy Land?"
Kong didn't answer. He merely shot the officer a piercing glare.
That was enough. The officer dared not ask further and immediately picked up the transponder snail to contact the various Marine bases across the seas.
East Blue, Marine Base 153, Shells Town.
A squad of over ten soldiers burst into a dormitory, carrying a sealed confidential document marked with the seal of Marine Headquarters.
BANG!
The dormitory door slammed open as they barged in.
Startled, the resting officers inside sprang to their feet, eyes locking onto the group of armed men who had just stormed in.
Without delay, the lead soldier raised the document high and barked, "Order from Headquarters! Sergeant Morgan, step forward!"
A tall, imposing officer stepped out from the line, his presence commanding. He was Sergeant Morgan of the 153rd Branch.
"By direct order of the new Marine Fleet Admiral, Elio, Sergeant Morgan is hereby promoted to Branch Captain and will immediately take command of Base 153!"
Upon hearing this, Morgan's eyes blazed with fire. He stepped forward, raised his right hand high, and shouted, "Loyalty!"
"Finally!"
"We're about to get serious!"
"Long live Fleet Admiral Elio!"
As Morgan accepted the appointment letter, the nearby officers burst into cheers, excitement overflowing.
Another soldier stepped up quickly and presented a brand-new Captain's uniform to Morgan. "Captain Morgan, from now on, Base 153 is under your command. Please issue your orders!"
Morgan's hands trembled as he accepted the uniform, his eyes brimming with emotion.
He thought back to when he had first joined the 153rd Branch, full of youthful zeal, dreaming of one day cleansing this vast sea of its wickedness.
But reality had crushed those dreams. There had always been someone pressing down on him. Even though he risked his life on the front lines capturing pirates, all his achievements were stolen by others. That's how, even into middle age, he remained a mere sergeant.
Until two years ago, when someone from Headquarters changed his life.
He didn't know Elio at the time. But Elio had called him out by name.
At first, Morgan thought he was in trouble. He couldn't even raise his head when he stood before the man.
But what surprised him most was how young and gentle Elio was.
Even more shocking, Elio knew everything about him, as if they were old friends. If not for Elio's superior rank and Headquarters status, Morgan would have dragged him out for a drink and poured out all his years of bitterness.
Elio wasn't just anyone. He was the man who had now appointed him Captain of the 153rd Branch.
Before leaving the base two years ago, Elio had asked Morgan just one thing, would he offer his loyalty?
Of course he would!
Now, as a man in his middle years, Morgan understood clearly: without backing, there was no climbing higher.
In the two years since, though he never saw Elio again, he received massive sums of Berries from time to time, money Elio sent, instructing him to distribute it to those truly in need.
Over time, the funds exceeded 100 million Berries.
Morgan kept none of it. He gave it all away to his fellow soldiers and colleagues in need.
He knew this was Elio's test.
And this appointment proved, he had passed.
"Captain Morgan!"
A soldier came running, holding a transponder snail, stammering, "C-call from... the Grand Commander's office in the Holy Land..."
"Hmph?"
Morgan turned sharply to face the soldier, his tone cold and resolute. "The Grand Commander's office? From this moment on, Base 153 follows the orders of Fleet Admiral Elio only. No one else matters!"
With that, he swung on the Captain's coat and marched out of the dormitory, shouting, "Pass down my command! All officers and soldiers of Base 153, assemble at the drill ground immediately!"
Elsewhere in the East Blue, Marine Base 16.
A young man in a brand-new Captain's uniform strode down the corridor with commanding presence, surrounded by a group of determined soldiers.
BANG!
The door to the Captain's office was kicked open by one of the soldiers.
Before anyone inside could react, the squad stormed in with rifles raised, immediately seizing the two adjutants standing by the desk.
"What do you think you're doing!?"
At the desk sat another Captain in uniform, older, face scattered with unkempt stubble.
The desk was buried in stacks of Berries, some already opened and counted.
This man was Captain Nezumi, a corrupt Marine who had long abused his authority in the East Blue, working hand in hand with pirates and oppressing the innocent.
"Captain Nezumi!"
The young officer in the new uniform stepped forward, eyes cold and sharp. "For conspiring with pirates and abusing your jurisdiction to oppress civilians, I, the newly appointed Captain of the 16th Branch, sentence you to death. Execution is immediate!"
"You're spouting nonsense!"
Nezumi leapt to his feet, face red with rage. "I'm the Captain of the 16th Branch! Guards! Arrest this..."
"Save your breath, Nezumi," the young Captain interrupted with a dismissive wave. "Base 16 is under my control now. Time to die."
The moment the words fell, the squad didn't hesitate. Without a word, they pulled their triggers.
Bang bang bang bang-!
Gunfire erupted like thunder, and in mere seconds, Nezumi's body was riddled with bullets, slumping lifelessly to the floor before he could fully comprehend what had happened.
The young Captain stepped over Nezumi's corpse and turned to his subordinates, his voice powerful and clear.
"By the order of Fleet Admiral Elio, our mission is now singular, cleanse the waters of Base 16's jurisdiction, eliminate every last pirate! Leave no evil behind!"