East Blue, Windmill Village.
In the peaceful village, the residents, who would normally start their day's work, were gathered in the village's only tavern. The elderly village chief, leaning on his cane, looked angrily at the broadcast playing on the screen, tapping his cane on the floor in frustration.
The constant thumping echoed through the otherwise silent tavern.
Glancing at Makino, the worried tavern owner beside him, the village chief spoke sternly, "I told them back then not to go off and become pirates! What was wrong with staying as villagers or joining the Navy under Garp's guidance?"
"And now look! Ace not only got captured by the Navy but his identity is exposed to the whole world! Not even Garp can protect him now!"
"Chief." Makino gently steadied the almost hyperventilating village chief, softly patting his back.
"I'm sure Mr. Garp won't let Ace die. After all, he's his grandson. And Luffy will definitely go to save Ace. Luffy's now a renowned pirate across the seas. He'll rescue Ace for sure!"
"You're dreaming!" The chief slammed his cane down, reigniting his anger. "You have no idea! You've never left the village, so you don't understand how powerful Navy Headquarters is. This time, they've gathered Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Garp, the three Admirals, the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and all the top brass. With Ace's identity revealed, neither the Navy nor the World Government will let him live."
"Unless…"
The chief hesitated, looking conflicted as he turned to Makino. "Unless you ask your man to intervene. Without help from someone like him, there's no way the aging Whitebeard and his crew can stand against the Navy."
"Shanks?" Makino murmured, biting her lip as she looked at the battle unfolding on the screen. After a moment of thought, she nodded to the villagers' expectant gazes.
"I'll ask Shanks for help."
"Big sister, I don't think that red-haired guy should get involved in this war today." A calm voice suddenly spoke from the tavern entrance. All eyes turned to see an unfamiliar figure, Infinite, standing in the doorway. Scanning the room, he approached the village chief.
"Here's a letter someone asked me to deliver to you." Handing over the letter, Infinite turned to leave.
"Let's go, Xiaohei."
"Got it, Master," replied Luo Xiaohei, who had been curiously examining the photos on the tavern's wall. Smiling at the astonished villagers, Luo Xiaohei followed Infinite out the door.
Inside the tavern, the village chief glanced at the departing trio before opening the letter, recognizing the messy handwriting all too well.
Chief,
Don't worry about Ace. He won't be in danger, though he'll have to endure some hardships. That rascal refused to listen to me and snuck off to become a pirate. After this is over, I'll make sure he becomes a proper Navy soldier.
By the way, something big is about to happen. But don't be scared; it's just a god cleaning up some filth. The new world is coming, Chief. Don't kick the bucket before you get to see it.
Hahahaha, Garp.
"Tch, that guy. Who does he think he's underestimating?" The chief's frown softened as he finished reading, his worries easing. The crude handwriting and dog doodle at the bottom confirmed it was undoubtedly from Garp. Even if someone tried to forge it, no one else could mimic such terrible handwriting.
Turning to the curious villagers, the chief waved his cane. "Alright, alright. Garp sent word. He says Ace will be fine."
"And it seems something big is about to happen here in East Blue. Don't be afraid; it's part of the Navy's plan."
"Really?!" Makino's face lit up with relief. "That's wonderful! Ace doesn't have to die! I knew Mr. Garp would save him."
"Hmph!" The chief snorted, glancing out the door. "Do you think Garp got his 'Hero of the Navy' title for nothing? Ace's public execution and revealed identity must be part of Garp's agreement with the Navy. After all, Garp is still a Navy man—he has to uphold justice and order."
"But something unexpected must have happened for Ace's identity to go public. And yet Garp is still confident Ace will be fine. Whatever's coming next won't be small."
"Since Ace is safe, I'm heading back." A burly figure chain-smoking cheap cigarettes spoke up from the corner. Her hand trembled slightly as she stood, and she walked toward the door.
Standing in the doorway, Dadan wiped her reddened eyes and took a deep drag from her cigarette. Through the smoke, a faint smile appeared.
Clang!!!
Suddenly, a clear sword hum echoed from the heavens. A platinum light radiated from the sky, overshadowing the sun's brilliance.
Thud.
The cigarette fell from Dadan's hand as she stared at the colossal sword in the sky, sinking slowly to the ground.
"Chief, look outside!" shouted a villager near the window, pointing at the celestial phenomenon with a terrified expression.
"I see it!" The chief barked, walking to the door and leaning on his cane. Gazing at the enormous sword dominating the sky, he muttered, "Garp called this 'something big'? What an understatement."
"Still, calling this power divine feels entirely appropriate," the chief added, squinting at the radiant scene. "Because only a god could wield such force."
Above, Infinite stood atop the colossal sword with Luo Xiaohei and Shirou Emiya by his side. His eyes glowed with white light as he surveyed the seas and islands below, his expression grave.
"When I came to this world, I knew it was in terrible shape. Under the oppression of the so-called World Government, countless people turned to piracy. The pervasive malice and resentment here amplify human desires, leading many down dark paths."
"Though I am merely an executor without the authority to judge, the Navy has granted me permission to act."
Raising his hand, Infinite's divine sense locked onto every individual consumed by malice and evil.
A stern and reassuring voice resonated across the East Blue:
"Judgment begins now."