Sea Circle Calendar: Year 1492

(Approximately 30 years before the Summit War)

North Blue – Open Waters

The sun shone brightly across the vast ocean, and a cool sea breeze rippled gently over the surface.

A marine warship flying the pure white seagull insignia glided steadily over the waves. A massive sail bearing the bold black characters for "正義 (JUSTICE)"stretched from the towering mast.

"Gion... My dear Gion, I like you! Please accept my love!"

On the deck, a scruffy-looking Lieutenant Commander dropped into a flamboyant sliding kneel, dramatically holding out a bouquet of vivid red roses. His eyes shone earnestly as he gazed at the beauty before him.

In front of him stood a tall young woman with flowing black wavy hair. Draped over her shoulders was the white Justice cloak of a Lieutenant Commander from Marine Headquarters. She wore a pink camisole and tight shorts that revealed her long, pale, shapely legs.

"Lieutenant Commander Tokikake is so brave!" "Go for it, Tokikake!" "This time he might just succeed!"

Excited cheers broke out from the surrounding Marines. Someone tossed confetti, another blew a trumpet, and a third even fired a celebratory cannon.

A large banner fluttered in the wind: "Lieutenant Commander Tokikake's 38th Confession."

Spurred on by the raucous support behind him, Tokikake’s chest swelled with confidence. He flicked his oily hair dramatically and put on what he thought was his most charming smile.

"Gion! Accept my love! There’s no man in the world more outstanding than me!"

Gion: …

Her eye twitched. She exhaled lightly.

"Tokikake, you’re a good person… but we’re not compatible."

Suddenly, silence fell over the deck.

The trumpets, cheers, and cannons all ceased. Everyone stared at Tokikake, still kneeling with his bouquet, his back now appearing inexplicably lonely and pitiful.

"Poor Tokikake..." "He's confessed so many times already..." "Sigh..."

They began to approach him with sympathetic expressions, about to offer comfort—

Until Tokikake suddenly turned around, his face tear-streaked.

"Did you hear that?!"

He bit his lip, eyes watery.

"We heard you, Lieutenant Commander Tokikake..." "You don’t have to be so discouraged..." "That’s right, you’re a real man..."

They tried their best to comfort him.

"—Gion actually said I’m a good person!!"

Tokikake suddenly sprang to his feet. His teary eyes gleamed with determination, and his face flushed red with excitement.

"She acknowledged me! That means if I keep trying, maybe next time she’ll agree to go out with me!"

The Marines: …

Did she really mean that as a compliment...?

They exchanged awkward glances, faces stiff with forced smiles.

"Yeah, totally!" "Absolutely!" "She’s definitely coming around!"

"I knew it!!" Tokikake cheered, fists clenched.

"She’s testing my patience! I finally understand your deep intentions, Gion!!"

He turned around, smiling lecherously:

"You really don’t need to test me anymore—we’ve known each other so long. Don’t you already know my feelings for you? Come on, give me a kiss..."

He puckered his lips and leaned toward her.

BAM!!

A second later, Tokikake flew backward like a cannonball, crashing into the mast and sliding down like a sack of wet rice.

Bright red blood poured from his nose, and he twitched on the deck.

The Marines calmly put away their props and returned to their duties as if nothing had happened.

With the farce concluded, Gion massaged her temple and sighed.

She turned her gaze back to the document in her hands — a Marine dossier.

Name: Rogers Darren

Age: 19

Origin: North Blue (orphan)

Position: Base Commander of Marine 321st Branch, North Blue

Rank: Captain

Devil Fruit: Suspected metal-manipulation type; specifics unknown

Assessment: Highly ambitious, decisive and ruthless, unorthodox behavior, commands significant influence in North Blue. Exceptional potential. Candidate for Officer Training Program.

Note: Serious issues regarding personal conduct.

Beneath the notes were line after line of pirate suppression reports and military commendations.

Attached was a photo from the Marine Photography Division.

Gion glanced at it lazily, her black gem-like eyes glinting slightly.

The man in the photo had deep black eyes and hair, strong features, and an intense gaze. A wild, untamed charisma radiated from him.

"This guy’s kinda handsome. Almost enough to rival me," Tokikake muttered, limping over with tissues stuffed in his nose.

"So this Darren guy is our inspection target?"

Gion fought the urge to punch him again and replied flatly:

"Yes. This man has a firm grip on North Blue. He’s practically its uncrowned king. Intelligence suggests connections to underground syndicates, mafias, and even secret dealings with multiple kingdoms."

"According to Vice Admiral Tsuru, Darren is extremely dangerous and competent."

"We’re here not only to award him honors—but to conduct an inspection."

"Also, this is my mission. Why did you tag along?"

She glared at Tokikake, who smirked shamelessly.

"Where you go, I go."

He chuckled, then muttered, "Still, he’s just a Captain. Is he really worth all this fuss from Tsuru?"

Tsuru—Vice Admiral and Great Staff Officer of Marine HQ—was a pillar of justice in the world.

Her scrutiny was usually reserved for figures like Whitebeard, Golden Lion, or Roger himself.

"He may outrank me for now," Gion thought, "but that’s only because I haven’t had the chance to accumulate battlefield merit yet. Once I start taking missions, I’ll surpass him easily."

"No," Gion said aloud. "If Tsuru said so, there’s a reason."

Tokikake's eyes sparkled. "So if we find something suspicious, are we taking action?"

He cracked his knuckles, clearly eager for a fight.

For some reason, just looking at Darren’s picture made him want to punch the guy.

Definitely not because he was better looking.

"No. We’re just reporting back to HQ."

Gion closed the file and turned to the sea. The wind caught her hair.

She remembered Tsuru’s instructions and all the rumors she’d heard about Darren...

North Blue—the most chaotic of the Four Blues.

As her thoughts drifted, a fortified military base slowly emerged from the mist ahead.

"We’re almost there," Gion said softly.

The lookout’s bugle blared from the warship.

From the distance, another bugle answered—from Marine 321st Branch.

"Prepare for disembarkation," she commanded.

The warship docked at the port.

Rows of heavily armed Marines stood in a strict formation, exuding a deadly aura.

"These North Blue Marines... they’re not ordinary," Tokikake muttered, observing them closely.

Though 321st Branch was North Blue’s largest and strongest, the Four Blues were notorious for having lower standards than HQ.

Yet these soldiers radiated discipline and intensity. Their eyes were sharp. Their weapons top-grade.

"Something’s not right... That Darren guy actually trained them to this level?"

Gion and Tokikake exchanged glances, each seeing the same suspicion in the other’s eyes.

"Salute!" a young Lieutenant Commander stepped forward from the formation.

At his order, all Marines saluted in unison.

Gion and Tokikake returned the gesture and stepped off the ship.

"Lieutenant Commander Momonga. A pleasure to meet you," Gion said.

She studied the man with dark purple hair and a stern face. Her memory aligned with the intelligence:

Momonga – Lieutenant Commander, Deputy Commander of 321st Branch, right-hand man to Rogers Darren.

Momonga shook her hand firmly. "Welcome, Lieutenant Commander Gion and Lieutenant Commander Tokikake. Thank you for coming."

Though equal in rank, officers from HQ carried higher authority, and thus respect was expected.

"No need for formality—we’re colleagues," Gion said with a smile. Her gaze swept the area.

"Where is Captain Darren?"

Momonga hesitated. "The base commander... is still occupied."

Occupied?

Gion raised an eyebrow. Her eyes caught a luxurious royal vessel docked nearby, adorned with colorful ribbons and a kingdom’s flag.

"That’s... the royal ship of the Kingdom of Yadis?"

She recognized the flag and her expression turned ice-cold.

Rumors of Darren’s depravity and womanizing echoed in her mind.

That ship was clearly feminine in design. Its owner...

No way—

A bad feeling churned in her gut. She clenched her teeth and strode forward, bypassing Momonga.

Her mind was flooded with all the scandalous rumors about Rogers Darren—corruption, lust, and moral decay.

---

To be continued…

Darren awoke on a soft, luxurious bed.

With a high-bridged nose, eyes deep as starlight, brows sharp as blades, and tousled black hair, his whole look radiated unruly charisma.

He slowly rose. His bare upper body was covered in gruesome scars, wild muscle contours enhancing his feral appeal.

In short—he was devastatingly handsome.

“Lord Darren, you're awake?” came a sweet, sultry voice from beneath the sheets.

A mature, alluring face peeked out, followed by curves that defied censorship.

The woman’s dewy eyes gazed longingly at the tall man by the window, her expression full of satisfaction—thoroughly conquered.

She had never met such a man—feral, domineering, untamed.

Though it had been her first time, due to her husband’s preference for men, this wild stranger had given her pleasure beyond imagination.

Darren stepped to the window, picked up a premium cigar from a crystal table, lit it with practiced ease, and exhaled slowly.

“Mm. Go back to sleep, darling.”

Though he called her "darling," she was just another fleeting conquest in his hunt for beauty.

He’d forget her soon enough.

Though, admittedly, this noblewoman had been quite enjoyable.

He casually threw on a loose white shirt, chest still bare, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and picked up the morning paper.

“Infamous pirate 'World Destroyer' Byrnndi World sinks World Government ship. Celestial Dragons outraged. 200 million bounty placed! Wald Pirates now deemed top threat!”

“Gol D. Roger sails again! Last sighted in the weakest of the Four Seas—East Blue!”

“Golden Lion Shiki recruits in the New World, aiming to build the largest pirate fleet ever!”

“Kaido and Charlotte Linlin clash in the New World. A small island is wiped off the map!”

“...”

Headline after headline flashed before Darren’s eyes, each more explosive than the last. He narrowed his gaze.

“What a wild era...”

He folded the paper, took a sip of whiskey, and lit another gold-embossed cigar.

The rich smoke stirred his senses as he sank into thought.

Yes—Darren was a transmigrator.

But unlike others, he had no system, no cheat codes. His only advantage was a strange merger of souls, granting him uncanny control over his body—far beyond normal human limits.

He had crossed into this pirate-filled world five years ago, starting as a bottom-ranked Marine. Climbing to his current position hadn’t been easy.

The North Blue—though outside the Grand Line—was the most chaotic and violent of the Four Blues. No peace like East Blue, no wealth like West Blue, no stability like South Blue.

It was full of mafia wars, underground strife, endless conflicts between kingdoms, and rampant pirates.

A nightmare for any Marine.

From a nameless recruit to commander of 321st Branch and now awaiting official commendation from HQ, Darren had survived countless trials, betrayals, and bloodshed—most of which he couldn’t even remember.

But the scars on his body told the story.

It was precisely because he knew how hard-fought his path was that Darren lived so indulgently.

After all, this was the year 1492 of the Sea Circle Calendar.

The Valley of the Gods Incident had ended just a few years ago, and global order was in chaos—

Roger hadn’t yet completed his grand journey.

Shiki was still dreaming of ocean domination.

Whitebeard was still out collecting “sons.”

Kaido hadn’t become “that suicidal dragon.”

Big Mom still had a figure and was hunting stallions.

Shanks was just a trainee, Buggy hadn’t risen, and Luffy wasn’t even born.

This was an age without Yonko, without the Warlords, full of chaos and bloodshed.

Even the Marines—a favorite class for transmigrators—was still a job where your life dangled by a thread.

Darren never knew if today might be his last. So he lived fully.

He’d crossed worlds—why live miserably?

Even as a Marine, he refused to be some poor dog of justice.

Drink the best liquor. Smoke the strongest cigars. Sleep with the most beautiful women.

That was his philosophy.

Degeneracy? Corruption? Reputation?

He wasn’t a pirate. What use was reputation?

In the North Blue Marines, good reputation didn’t get you promoted.

Look at his former bosses—Borsalino and Sakazuki—both from the North Blue too.

Not exactly saints.

Yet now they were HQ elites, graduates of the officer training camp, and future Admirals in the making.

Of course, fun aside, Darren was deadly serious about improving his strength. He applied the same strict standards to training as he did to women.

He adjusted his breathing, sharpening his focus inward.

The soul fusion had granted him a special ability—hyper-precise bodily perception.

After years of experimentation, he developed a way to quantify his condition—personal stats—comparing himself to real-world examples like Sengoku and other Admirals.

Unbelievable as it sounded, if he could transmigrate, this wasn’t too far-fetched.

Personal Attributes:

Physique: 58.103

Strength: 53.831

Speed: 57.539

Devil Fruit: 71.345

Physique measured durability, vitality, endurance.

Strength was raw power and explosive force.

Speed was movement and short-distance bursts.

Devil Fruit measured his control over his Devil Fruit.

The reference scale was out of 100.

For instance, Kaido—“the world’s strongest creature”—was likely 90 in Physique, given how only advanced Haki could even hurt him.

“Hmph, physique improved by 0.03,” Darren muttered, smiling.

His hunch was right.

After a two-hour conquest the previous night and a refreshing sleep, his body had clearly grown stronger.

It made sense.

Back on Earth, moderate physical “activity” raised testosterone and dopamine, boosting muscle growth.

0.03 might seem small, but every bit added up. Even a mosquito has meat.

This was how Darren had discovered the optimal ways to train and grow stronger—through precise feedback from his own body.

Just then—

Swish!

The door was suddenly sliced open by a flash of swordlight.

A tall woman with flowing black hair stormed in, her expression cold as ice, eyes blazing with fury.

“Captain Darren! You command 321st Branch of the North Blue—how dare you do this inside a Marine base?! Have you no shame?!”

In her hand gleamed a golden katana.

Gion glanced at the trembling woman hiding beneath the sheets. Her gaze burned with outrage.

Then she spat out a line that left the man behind her, Tokikake, staring in stunned silence:

“That woman is the governor’s wife—of the Kingdom of Yadis!!”

To be continued…

“That woman is the governor’s wife—from the Kingdom of Yadis!!”

As the words left Gion’s mouth, a flush of shame and fury colored her cheeks.

Darren—this damn degenerate—had done something so indecent within a Marine base. For Gion, who had grown up at headquarters under the guidance of Great Staff Officer Tsuru and her teachings of “pure justice,” this was utterly intolerable.

Let alone the fact that she was here on official business—as part of a special inspection team from Marineford.

If word of this ever got out, it would deal a severe blow to the reputation of the Marines!

Darren… was a stain on justice.

Yet the man responsible didn’t look the least bit guilty. He simply smiled—confident and charming—as he stood up slowly.

“Oh? If it isn’t Lieutenant Commander Gion and Lieutenant Commander Tokikake, all the way from Marineford. You’ve traveled far.”

A cigar between his lips, Darren extended a hand with bold casualness.

“Welcome to the North Blue. Welcome to 321st Branch.”

Gion stared him down icily, making no move to return the handshake.

Darren didn’t mind in the slightest. He merely shrugged and plucked another cigar from a nearby case, offering it to Tokikake, who had been peeking around curiously.

“Lieutenant Commander Tokikake, I’ve heard of you.”

Tokikake’s eyes lit up when he saw the cigar. The golden-embossed band marked it as an exclusive import from the West Blue—noble-grade.

He instinctively reached for it—but caught Gion’s fiery glare and instantly withdrew his hand, chuckling awkwardly.

“Hey, Darren… is that really the governor’s wife?”

He asked in a hushed tone.

Darren gave no reply, only smiling.

Tokikake inhaled sharply through his teeth.

Beast.

He cursed silently.

He’d seen Lady Marguerite—mature, graceful, seductively refined—and yet this bastard had somehow scored with her?!

Unbelievable. Tokikake couldn't help but think: I’m better looking—why don't I ever get this lucky?!

And she wasn’t just some noblewoman. She was a governor’s wife!

The sheer audacity…

Clenching his teeth, Tokikake muttered, “Captain Darren… this kind of conduct… isn’t exactly great, you know.”

There was more than a little jealousy in his tone.

Gion shot Tokikake a scolding glare before turning toward the bed and bowing deeply to the woman still hiding under the covers.

“My deepest apologies, Lady Marguerite. This is a failing on our part as Marines.”

“I am Lieutenant Commander Gion, part of the inspection unit sent from Marine HQ. Please rest assured—we will thoroughly investigate Captain Darren’s misconduct and ensure he is held accountable.”

Silently, Gion made a vow: she would report this disgrace back to HQ. The Marine Corps must not harbor someone like Darren!

Just then, Lady Marguerite cautiously peeked out from beneath the blanket. Her eyes drifted toward Darren, who stood calmly smoking his cigar. A faint blush lit her cheeks as she said in a soft, sweet voice:

“Um… Lieutenant Commander Gion… actually… I volunteered.”

“I… really like Captain Darren.”

Gion froze in place.

Tokikake’s jaw dropped.

They had assumed Darren had used power or coercion to force Lady Marguerite into this.

But this… this was mutual consent?

Wait a minute.

They both recalled the government ship moored at the port.

This was… was this room-service?

“Well then,” Darren said cheerfully. “Our guests from headquarters—let’s not disturb this lovely lady’s rest any longer.”

He slipped on a crisp, clean uniform, threw his cloak over his shoulders, and gestured toward the door.

“Shall we continue this conversation in my office?”

---

321st Branch – Base Commander’s Office

A large plaque hung on the grey wall behind Darren’s desk, bearing the boldly brushed word: Justice.

Darren sat at the head seat without hesitation, lighting another cigar as he asked casually:

“So, Lieutenant Commander Gion, Lieutenant Commander Tokikake—do you bring good news? Has my appointment finally come through?”

As he spoke, his sharp gaze swept across the two officers before him.

This was the first time, since transmigrating, that he had met these two future "Admiral candidates."

Gion stood tall and graceful, long legs smooth and strong, her figure lean and toned.

Her long black hair was tied in a high ponytail, and the crisp Marine cloak flowed over her shoulders. Her jet-black eyes shone with righteous fire.

A beauty mark by her lip gave her a subtle, seductive charm.

She looked younger than her anime counterpart—perhaps 18 or 19—but already carried hints of her future allure.

Tokikake, on the other hand… was a mess.

With a cigarette in his mouth and both hands stuffed in his pockets, he stood with a slouch, constantly stealing glances at the cigars on the desk. He looked utterly shady.

Despite being just around twenty, he had the aura of a weathered man in his forties—tired, unkempt, prematurely aged.

Typical sons of high-ranking officers… Darren mused.

Tokikake's background was humble enough.

But Gion? A true "second generation elite."

Her talent was incredible, and her background ridiculous.

Vice Admiral Tsuru, the Great Staff Officer herself, treated her like a younger sister. Admiral Sengoku personally mentored her. She’d been raised under the wings of Marine legends.

Even “Hero of the Marines” Garp was casually referred to as “Little Garp” in her presence.

What kind of favoritism was that?

Some people are just born lucky…

Darren had clawed his way up from the very bottom for years to reach Captain.

Gion? Her first field assignment—and she started as a Lieutenant Commander.

Worse yet, it was obvious that Gion and Tokikake’s trip to the North Blue was more of a formality than anything.

After a few months, they'd go back to HQ, a padded résumé in hand, ready for Zephyr’s officer training program—one step away from the core of Marine leadership.

Nothing enviable about it—just reality.

Still, they were young—idealistic, proud, and unseasoned. That much was clear.

As if to prove it, Gion gave a sharp snort and produced an official envelope.

“Congratulations, Captain Darren. As of this moment, you are now the top commanding officer of the North Blue.”

Darren opened the document.

---

Official Appointment Letter

Effective immediately,

Captain Rogers Darren, Base Commander of Marine 321st Branch, is hereby appointed as

Supreme Commander of the North Blue Marines.

---

He smiled in satisfaction.

The title of Supreme Commander was a formal position unique to the Four Blues outside the Grand Line. It wasn’t a military rank—Darren’s official rank remained Captain—but the power it conferred was immense.

Each of the Blues—North, South, East, and West—had a single Supreme Commander who held absolute authority over all Marine bases and justice operations within their waters. They reported directly to Marineford and were, without question, the highest power in their seas.

In practice, this piece of paper changed little—Darren already was the North Blue’s ruler.

But even so, formal recognition still mattered.

Besides, who but Garp would complain about gaining more power?

With this title, he could act even more freely.

So... Sakazuki kept his promise, Darren thought.

“Thanks for your trouble,” he said aloud, flashing a wide grin. “How long will you two be stationed here?”

Gion replied coolly, “Up to six months, as few as three—it depends on the inspection.”

“Captain Darren, for the sake of confidentiality, Lieutenant Commander Tokikake and I will be operating under cover during the inspection. Officially, we’re your adjutants.”

“No problem,” Darren replied. “Then I’ll be in your care, Gion.”

At this time, the Marine officer training program hadn’t yet become the full academy it would later be. It followed a bootcamp model, selecting the most elite from each sea for centralized training.

As such, the screening process for candidates was extremely strict—and Darren was now under it.

If he passed, he’d join the elite corps under former Admiral Black Arm Zephyr, where he would learn Rokushiki, even Haki, and become a true powerhouse.

And with that experience, he’d gather the political capital to soar even higher.

He turned to Tokikake and offered him another cigar.

“Looking forward to working with you too, Tokikake.”

Tokikake eyed the gold-labeled cigar—he’d never smoked something this good, not even at HQ. Suddenly, the cheap tobacco in his mouth tasted like ash.

“Hey… Gion…”

He gave her a pitiful glance.

Gion rolled her eyes.

“Fine. Take it.”

“Hell yeah.”

Tokikake lit the cigar eagerly, puffing with exaggerated delight.

Then Gion’s tone abruptly turned icy.

“Captain Darren, you still owe us an explanation for what happened earlier.”

“Even if Lady Marguerite was… willing, your actions reflect terribly on the Marines and our internal discipline.”

“Given her status as a governor’s wife, this could have caused a serious diplomatic incident.”

Tokikake perked up at that, watching Darren with interest.

Let’s see how you talk your way out of this one…

He’d known Gion for years and understood her well.

Under Tsuru’s influence, her view of justice was pristine. Unforgiving.

Let’s see you squirm now, Darren.

Also… damn, this cigar is good.

Darren responded with an utterly innocent look.

“Gion, do I even need to explain? Isn’t it obvious?”

“I’m just… caring for the people. Civilian–military cooperation, you know?”

“Pffff—”

Tokikake nearly choked on his cigar, coughing violently as his face turned red.

He stared at Darren in shock.

Ca… caring for the people?

Civilian–military cooperation?!

This… this…

This… actually kinda makes sense?!

Why hadn’t he ever thought of such a brilliant excuse—no, reason?!

---

To be continued…