One Piece: Magma of Absolute Justice

"Monkey D., huh…"

Sakazuki's deep voice rumbled, but after a moment's thought, he dismissed it with a nod, letting the young man handle the pirate stragglers on his own.

Meeting the man who'd one day become the world's most infamous rebel barely registered. Right now, Dragon was just a promising Marine—talented, sure, but that was only natural with Garp as his father. He stood out among his peers for his skill and potential, but otherwise, he was simply a model soldier. Aside from his family background, there was nothing particularly special about him.

With Dragon leading the charge, the Marines crushed the enemy. He took command, organizing the cleanup and tending to the wounded. Meanwhile, Sakazuki's warship finally arrived at the scene, and he headed up the gangplank.

Dragon looked up, catching only Sakazuki's back as he boarded the ship. He raised a hand in farewell, but Sakazuki was already gone.

Half a year later...

The waters near Jaya Island.

A Marine warship, bound for Jaya, spotted something unusual in the distance.

"What's that? A pirate ship?"

"So much debris out there."

"It's all rotted—must've been drifting for years."

"Should we haul some of it up for a look?"

"There's a little boat over there. Looks like someone's on it."

The deck buzzed with speculation as the Marines eyed the ancient wreckage scattered across the waves—splintered hulls, barnacle-encrusted crates, and battered flags, all worn by time.

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, there's wreckage ahead. Shall we salvage it?"

"Let's take a look."

"Yes, sir!"

As the warship drew near, a small figure lurking beneath the waves caught sight of its massive shadow. The boy pressed a hand over his mouth, swimming quietly up to the little boat. He poked his head out for a breath, then cautiously peeked at the approaching Marine vessel.

Seeing the Navy insignia, he let out a long sigh of relief and hid behind the boat, waiting for them to pass.

But Sakazuki had already sensed the boy's presence the moment he surfaced. He glanced over, then lost interest, while the crew dropped lines into the water, tying them to whatever wreckage and chests they could find.

The adjutant sifted through the salvaged debris, examining a tattered flag. "These ships must be from a hundred and seventy years ago. This flag belonged to the Kingdom of Derick, destroyed a century and a half back."

"After Derick fell, it split into two nations—both carried on most of its traditions, even their flags look almost the same."

"They're the Endless War Nation and the Kingdom of Garzbourg."

"They've been fighting ever since, cut off from the outside world."

"With constant war, nobody really visits those places."

"This ship was probably blasted into the sky by Jaya's Knock Up Stream."

"Who knows how long it drifted in the White Sea before finally falling down here."

Just then, a sailor burst from the water, waving something overhead and shouting, "I found gold!"

"Whoa!!!"

"It's real!"

"Look at the size of that chunk!"

"Tie it up—quick!"

"Hahahaha!"

Behind the little boat, the boy stared, stunned, at the golden artifact in the sailor's hands. He muttered, "It can't be wrong… It can't be wrong… My ancestor wasn't lying—it's real! It's really real!"

Several times he nearly dashed out, but reason held him back. He could only glare at the gold, frustration etched across his face.

Sakazuki noticed the boy's reaction. The source of the commotion was clear—the golden relic the sailor had just hauled up.

He called out, "Come out, kid."

"Stop hiding—there's no one else around."

"Yes, you. Behind the boat."

At last, the boy crept out, trembling with fear. Every eye on deck turned to him, and for a moment he froze.

Sakazuki shook the golden artifact in his hand. "You recognize this, don't you?"

"Care to tell us about it?"

"Y-yeah… Okay!" The boy snapped out of his daze and stammered an answer.

Sakazuki couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. Was he really that intimidating?

He nodded to a Marine, who used Moonwalk to zip over to the small boat, scoop up the boy, and bring him back to the deck.

The boy still looked nervous, but when Sakazuki handed him the golden artifact, his nerves slowly settled.

He took a deep breath and began, voice steadying as he spoke:

"I've seen this in my family's records. The pattern matches the description my ancestor left in our clan's book. This is a ceremonial plate used by the Shandian tribe of Jaya Island four hundred years ago."

"Four hundred years?!"

"That's incredible!"

"Unbelievable!"

The Marines around him gasped. The adjutant, curiosity piqued, asked, "Can you tell us your ancestor's name?"

"My ancestor's name is... Montblanc Noland."

Some of the North Blue sailors frowned, the name tickling at their memories.

"Sounds familiar…"

"Where have I heard that?"

"You too?"

"Who was it again?"

"Wait, let me think—!"

Suddenly, the adjutant snapped his fingers. "Your ancestor—he's the legendary 'Great Liar' Noland from the North Blue, isn't he?"

"Whoa!"

"That's right! Noland!"

"No wonder it rang a bell."

"Yeah, I heard his story all the time as a kid."

"You too? Hahaha!"

Surrounded by the chatter, the boy's face flushed with anger. He glared at the Marines and shouted:

"He wasn't!"

"My ancestor was NOT a liar!"

"He never lied! This proves it!"

"My ancestor was framed!"

Tears glimmered in his reddening eyes and his cheeks burned with fury.

This artifact was just the beginning. He would prove it—no matter what.

His ancestor.

Did! Not! Lie!

Even if it took his whole life, he'd prove the truth!

The Marines around him fell silent, awkwardness etched on their faces. No one quite knew what to say or why the boy's emotions ran so deep.

A large hand landed gently on the boy's head. He instinctively tried to brush it away, but a low, resolute voice reassured him:

"I believe you."

The boy froze. Tears welled up uncontrollably, spilling down his cheeks.

"Uwahhh—!"

"Uwahhhh—!"

~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~

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