Rear Admiral Sakazuki, you're back!"
Sakazuki walked through the Marine Headquarters, nodding at the saluting soldier.
He currently holds the rank of Rear Admiral. His rapid promotion was largely due to the World Military Draft, which they all benefited from. He is still young but already hopes to rise to Vice Admiral.
However, he was still far behind compared to that woman from his cohort!
Marine Admiral, "Divine Gun" Ann!
The current three Admirals were Black Arm Zephyr, Golden Body Astar, and Divine Gun Ann, each named after their signature attack styles.
Zephyr was known for his Armament Haki-covered fists, Astar inherited Sengoku's title and Devil Fruit, and Ann's combat style revolved around her "Divine Gun."
Yes, Shadowcut was a sword, but after Vegapunk's modifications, it incorporated the powers of the Spring-Spring Fruit, allowing it to extend and retract at will.
In crucial moments, Ann would use this short sword like a gun, delivering a lethal shot as if pulling a trigger, the blade shooting out to pierce the enemy's heart.
Ann, known as Divine Gun, had been a contemporary of Sakazuki. No, she had even appeared as a rookie instructor in the World Government's draft training camp!
After the draft, she became an Admiral, sparking intense global discussion.
Everyone had doubts about this new Admiral, even more than they did when Astar was promoted.
However, as Ann fought numerous battles, public doubt decreased, transforming into admiration.
After joining the Marines, she undertook the most dangerous missions in the New World. Over the years, she clashed with countless pirates, even causing Roger's pirate crew to flee from her.
These were Ann's old adversaries: Charlotte Linlin, Kaido, Whitebeard, and Roger.
Ann captured Kaido for Vega punk's research, although Kaido eventually escaped.
Sakazuki often accompanied Ann on her missions. He admired Ann's strength and intimidation of pirates, vowing to become the next Divine Gun and the nightmare of all pirates.
Today, he had just disembarked from Ann's ship, feeling the fatigue from days at sea. Fortunately, he had a few days to rest before his next assignment.
Returning to his quarters, he fell asleep immediately.
He found himself in a cloud-covered world.
White clouds swirled around him, everything dreamlike. He seemed to be in a grand hall like a giant's palace, majestic and vast.
Though he couldn't see the structure clearly through the thick clouds, he felt the greatness of this world.
He sat in one of the chairs, part of a grand assembly, with a card in front of him.
The card's cover depicted a winged youth with a red mark on his forehead and elongated ears resembling some animal's horns.
The top and bottom of the card bore the same word in different scripts: "Fire."
...
Meanwhile, Zephyr leaned back in his office in Marine Headquarters, gradually drifting into sleep and finding himself in a similar world.
Noticing the change in his surroundings, he immediately heightened his vigilance. As the oldest active Admiral, he was more cautious than Sakazuki and Shanks.
Sensing the change, he tried to stand but was suppressed by an eerie force, unable to move.
"…"
Zephyr wanted to speak but decided to observe first.
The world around him was too vague. He could barely discern the silhouettes of three others through the mist.
Two sat on either side, their outlines like giants, matching the grand hall's scale.
Another sat in the highest position, overseeing everything like a king. All the clouds and furniture emanated from that high platform.
Though he scrutinised the top figure, he found nothing discernible.
Looking ahead, he saw a card on his table.
The card's cover depicted a girl in a kimono holding a mirror, her expression gentle, with angelic wings on her back.
The top and bottom of the card bore the same word in different scripts: "Mirror."
Mirror? What does this mean?
As he pondered, the figure at the top spoke. "Welcome, 'Hermits' chosen by the era."
The voice echoed like it was part of the world, resonating directly within the mind.
Hermits?
"What is this place?!" Sakazuki demanded, frowning.
As a Rear Admiral, his mind held many secrets. Being transferred to another place unnoticed made it hard to stay calm.
Zephyr, having faced many storms, remained outwardly calm though uneasy. He didn't recognise Sakazuki's voice, altered by the mysterious echoing effect. Neither face nor voice was clear, only the card in front of them.
The speaker's card, shrouded in mystery, bore the faint inscription: "Adam."
This was a cautious organisation...
"The center of the era, the convergence of fate. By coming here, you become guides of the era," Adam said slowly. "You need not do anything but act under the divine power bestowed upon you."
Divine power?
"What does that mean?" Zephyr asked, frowning. "Are you a follower of the Cross Church?"
Those who spoke most of the gods were either Celestial Dragons or Cross Church followers.
And Adam…
Zephyr pondered while the representative of "Dash" spoke.
"Divine power… Can it lift a demon's curse?"