One Piece Thundergod Marine

*Grand Line, Marine G-10 Branch Port.*

"This is… quite the rare visitor!" 

Rowen, with Dante and Ain at his side, walked up with a cigar in his mouth. "Kuma, I didn't expect you'd visit me."

After all, pirates like the Shichibukai rarely have any deep connection with the Marines. The only exception was Doflamingo, who had already been taken down by Rowen long ago.

"Vice Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon), no need for formalities," Kuma replied. "The Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) asked me to assist with verifying some matters in Century City. Since I was passing by G-10, I thought it only natural to pay a visit."

Standing on the light-gray stone steps, Kuma wore his usual black coat and light-colored paw-print trousers. His tall, broad frame and large head gave him the aura of a standing brown bear.

"Verifying matters in Century City?" Rowen chewed over those words silently. 

*Looks like Tesoro's distraction is working…* 

There was no way Fujitora would orchestrate such a scheme, so the job had been handed over to Tesoro, who was already implicated in the setup. It made things easier to arrange.

"Well, regardless, a guest is a guest…" 

Rowen quickly put the thought aside and gestured behind him. 

"Please, join us. I've prepared some simple food and tea. You can't get through the day on an empty stomach."

As he said that, Dante placed one hand on the hilt of his sword, and with a downward motion of his right hand, he commanded, 

"Fire the salute!"

Boom, boom, boom! 

The gunners lit the fuses, and colorful fireworks exploded in the bright blue sky.

After all, the visitor was a Shichibukai! 

The Shichibukai were a special class that answered only to the government's top officials, effectively working directly for the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars). Like CP0, they enjoyed certain privileges.

Given that a Shichibukai had come to visit, as a Marine, Rowen had to observe all the proper protocols, ensuring that those above saw his respect, avoiding any possible criticism.

As Rowen's group left the port, meanwhile, aboard Kuma's battleship, another group nodded in acknowledgment before dispersing and blending into the accompanying soldier ranks, discreetly entering the G-10 branch.

---

"Is there a war going on outside?" Zoro, signaling to Sanji that he was full, asked, 

"I heard the sound of cannons."

"No, today Vice Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon) has two important guests. It was probably the salute you heard," Sanji replied, clearing the plates.

"One of them is the Shichibukai, 'Tyrant' Kuma, and the other is the 'Surgeon of Death,' Trafalgar Law. As a Marine, Soryu (Azure Dragon) is definitely going all out in preparations."

"What exactly are the Shichibukai?" Luffy, patting his full stomach, asked with his eyes gleaming with curiosity. 

"They sound pretty strong."

"They're seven pirates who have made peace with the government. They're granted legal authority to pillage, and they represent the government in controlling sections of the seas," Sanji explained.

"The term 'Sections' here refers to 'self-proclaimed kings,' meaning that the areas the Shichibukai occupy don't see much interference from the Marines or the government. Some even operate completely independently."

"Their purpose is to use their influence to deter and stop new pirates from causing trouble in the Grand Line. Unlike the Marines, who use more lenient methods like arrest, the Shichibukai usually take much harsher actions."

Nami chimed in, her expression serious, as she further explained. 

"Did you know that the Oka Shichibukai has changed twice in recent years?"

"When we were in Alabasta, Vivi told us about the so-called 'Hero of the People,' the 'Nation Robber' Crocodile, and 'Gecko' Moria, who ruled over the Florian Triangle. Both of them had even faced the Yonko in the New World and survived. They're among the strongest of the strong."

"Hawk Eyes Mihawk, the man Zoro aims to defeat and the world's greatest swordsman is also one of them."

"Wow, so they really are strong," Luffy said, nodding. 

"But then… what are the Yonko?"

Nami: "..." 

"The Yonko are… You know what? Never mind. Just think of them as really strong pirates." Waving her hand in frustration, Nami gave up on trying to educate Luffy further and continued seriously, "But even the Shichibukai don't dare to challenge the government's authority!"

"Normally, a Shichibukai would be no match for a Yonko, yet the government has even defeated one of the Yonko! And the person responsible for that was none other than Vice Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)— the 'Undying Vice Admiral,' also known as the Marine's Wicked Demon."

"Whoa, so the old guy is that strong?!" Luffy exclaimed, wide-eyed. "No wonder I didn't stand a chance back then."

"So stop thinking you can just go on like before! Don't you get it?!" Nami yelled, her teeth bared in frustration. "The Marines are not something a small pirate crew like ours can confront."

"This isn't something you can fix by just fighting harder. The pirates in Alabasta gathered together because they were terrified of the Marines."

After the chaos in Alabasta, the Straw Hat Pirates had truly come to understand the monstrous power that the Marines used to maintain control over the seas.

"The pirates they fought so desperately against were nothing more than a bunch of losers who lacked the courage to continue moving forward."

The real Marines, as Nami said, are a force that even pirates at the Yonko level can't easily confront.

"But pirates still exist, don't they?" Luffy smiled. "Don't worry, there's always a way."

"I'm going to be the King of the Pirates!" 

"There's no way I'll give up like those guys!"

"..."

"Fine, do whatever makes you happy. Just don't drag me into it again," Nami sighed as she stood up.

"One last thing, Luffy. I heard your grandpa is on his way here. He'll arrive in about a month and a half at the latest."

With that, Nami turned and walked away, leaving behind a suddenly pale and trembling Luffy, along with the Straw Hat crew staring at him as if they were looking at the devil.

After a long silence, Sanji flicked his cigarette butt onto the ground and stomped it out. 

"Nami-san, she's really been looking out for us, hasn't she?"

"You don't need to remind us, Curly-brow," Zoro snapped back with a smirk. "If she were really content, why do you think she's still wearing the Log Pose on her wrist?"

On Nami's left wrist, the Log Pose they took from Twin Cape was still securely fastened. 

It's common to see someone wearing a bracelet, a watch, or a bangle as an accessory, but who's ever heard of a woman wearing a Log Pose as jewelry?

Sanji fell silent for a moment, then shot back angrily, "What did you just call me?"

"Curly-brow, what's it to you?" 

"You jerk! Next time, all you'll get is leftovers, green seaweed head!" 

"Huh?? You think I won't fight you over that?!"

"I have to get out of here within a month and a half! I will!" Luffy's fighting spirit burned intensely, his eyes practically shooting flames.

Watching these three terrifying individuals, Chopper and Usopp exchanged a glance, clutching themselves in fear. *I really want to move to the next cell over…*

---

Creak…

The heavy wooden door slowly opened. As Kuma scanned the bright hall, his footsteps came to a sudden halt. 

"Law, I didn't expect to see you here."

Behind Law stood Bepo, the giant white bear. Law, seated with his legs crossed and Kikoku resting beside him, raised his head at Kuma's words.

"It's been a while, Kuma."

Since the day Kuma knocked him unconscious, Law had followed Rowen's orders and refrained from seeking revenge. But as a pirate, how could he let such an insult go?

So, upon hearing the news, Law had come immediately, prepared to contribute in some way.

However, Kuma remained unfazed. 

It was only natural for Law to hate him. If Law had behaved calmly, Kuma would have suspected ulterior motives.

Rowen dismissed his attendants, and Law asked Bepo to step outside as well. The three of them, forming a triangular seating arrangement, sat down. Once they were certain no one was eavesdropping, Rowen broke the silence.

"Well then, you called me earlier. Care to explain now?"

"Hm???" Kuma paused, glanced at Law, and then nodded. "Understood."

(End of chapter)

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