Year 1520 of the Sea Calendar!
East Blue, Goza Kingdom, Windmill Village!
At this moment, a crowd had gathered on the small pier in the village. Today marked the day when Luffy would set sail, taking his first step towards becoming a pirate.
Almost everyone from Windmill Village had gathered there, including the mountain bandit Dadan, the tavern owner Makino, and many others.
"Luffy, make sure to visit us again in the future!"
"Boy, stay safe out there and don't get into trouble!"
"I hope the next time we hear about you, you've made a name for yourself."
"Remember us, Luffy. We'll be watching over you from the village."
The people gathered on the pier were a mix of tearful farewells and heartfelt blessings. Luffy, on the other hand, sported a wide grin. He hugged each person in turn and then made his way towards the dock.
There, he boarded his slightly worn-out wooden box– his very own pirate ship!
Sitting in the boat, Luffy gazed out at the endless blue sea, his eyes filled with excitement and anticipation. Ever since he was a child, his dream had been to become a pirate, explore the wonders of the sea, and embark on adventures across the world. And now, that dream was finally becoming a reality.
"Sabo, I'll carry on your dream..."
"Ace, I'm on my way!"
As a child, Sabo had dreamt of living a life of freedom without any constraints. Luffy had become a pirate to fulfill that dream on his behalf. And now, he not only pursued his own dream but also followed in his brother's footsteps.
"Take care, and when I return, I'll have found One Piece!"
Luffy waved at everyone, laughing as he prepared to row the wooden oars and set sail into the sea.
Meanwhile, in the Grand Line, Marineford Island, at the Navy Headquarters!
In a spacious room, several figures sat around a massive round table. These figures were some of the most powerful and influential individuals in the world.
At the head of the table sat the current World Government Fleet Commander-in-Chief, Kong.
Others present included Seven Warlords of Sea such as the No.1 swordsman Mihawk, the shadowy Moria, the beautiful Hancock, the formidable Kuma, the cunning Doflamingo, the enigmatic Jinbei, and Crocodile.
Occupying the first seat was the current Fleet Admiral of the Navy, tSengoku.
The three Admirals – Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru – sat nearby, along with Vice Admiral Garp, who held the title of a Navy hero and was as formidable as anyone in the room.
"Oh, Sengoku, I told you there was no need to summon me for meetings."
"I'm just an ordinary Vice-Admiral; I don't have the qualifications for this. I'd rather be getting some sleep," Garp, wearing a dog-shaped hat, said with a wide grin while munching on rice crackers.
His demeanor mirrored Luffy's.
Sengoku replied, "We've already decided to convene a meeting of the Seven Warlords of the Sea to discuss recent events in the seas. Given your status, you should participate."
Garp laughed and replied nonchalantly, "What's the big deal about my status? Just a Vice Admiral. You all can do your thing; don't worry about me."
"But since you all called me here, I can't just leave now, can I? So if that's the case..."
"I'm full, so I'll catch some sleep!" With that, Garp's eyes shut, and he fell forward, his head thumping onto the table. Seconds later, loud snores filled the room.
Everyone in the room had grown accustomed to Garp's antics, so they simply continued with their meeting without complaining. Even the hot-tempered Akainu and the aloof Mihawk seemed unfazed. Only Sengoku sighed, resigned to Garp's behavior.
"Now, let's officially begin the meeting!"
However, just as Sengoku was about to speak, a loud commotion erupted outside, followed by intense vibrations.
"What's happening!?"
Sengoku, Kong, and the others were taken aback, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern.
Could it be an attack on the Navy Headquarters?
Even Garp, who had been napping moments ago, stood up in alarm.
Everyone rushed to the balcony to see what was happening, and their faces changed in shock.
In the sky, a colossal light curtain had appeared out of nowhere, its vast expanse covering the entire sky above Marineford.
The same phenomenon occurred simultaneously above Windmill Village.
Such a sight left everyone bewildered and terrified.
They had never witnessed anything like this before.
They were all in a state of shock when a beautiful voice resonated throughout the world.
[The live broadcast is now commencing!]
[Next, the screen will present the Top Ten remarkable Battles and events. Please stay tuned, dear viewers]
At that moment, as the voice echoed, people everywhere were left dumbfounded.
In Windmill Village, the Navy Headquarters, Revolutionary Army Headquarters, Skypiea, Water 7, Mermaid Island, and every sea area around the world, people were stunned.
"Top ten remarkable battles?"
Sengoku exclaimed, and even the Admirals and Warlords beside him were taken aback.
The Warlords, including the usually composed Mihawk, were wide-eyed with astonishment.
In Windmill Village, Dadan and the others shared the same reaction. Even Luffy, who had just disembarked from his ship, gazed at the sky in astonishment.
"Luffy, how about you postpone your departure and watch this first?"
Luffy considered the suggestion for a moment and then stepped away from his wooden box.