One Piece:Becoming the King of the World from the Rocks Era

North Blue – Onandi Island

Onandi Island, known for its flowers blooming year-round, was a serene paradise in the North Blue.

"Ah, I forgot to bring any Berries," muttered Marine Vice Admiral Dragon, scratching his head in embarrassment. He still had crumbs from senbei rice crackers on the corners of his mouth.

"Shopkeeper, could you let me pay you back later? I'm a Marine, and I'll bring the money back after I return to my ship."

The shopkeeper, an older man, snorted in disdain. "Hmph! You Marines don't know how many times you've come to my stand and eaten for free. Don't think you can dodge paying this time!"

His voice was loud enough for everyone around to hear, drawing attention to the well-dressed yet seemingly forgetful Marine. The bystanders began whispering among themselves, exchanging amused glances at the sight of a Marine Vice Admiral caught without money.

Dragon's face turned beet red. His sense of justice and responsibility made him unwilling to argue with ordinary citizens. After all, he was in the wrong for eating without paying.

"Uncle, I'll pay for him!"

A soft, sweet voice rang out. A little girl, no older than seven or eight, stepped forward. Her chubby, cherubic hands held out a handful of Berries as she smiled up at the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper's stern expression softened at the sight of the girl. "Ah, it's little Jasmine! Girl, don't be so foolish. Marines like this one aren't worth helping!"

"It's okay," Jasmine replied brightly. "Mom says that everyone faces difficulties sometimes. If we help others now, maybe someone will help us when we're in trouble."

Her words, coupled with her attempt to look mature, made her even more endearing to everyone around.

"What's your name, little one? Where do you live? I'll bring the money to your home later," Dragon asked, deeply touched by her kindness.

"I'm Jasmine! I live on Jasmine Flower Street at the Jasmine Flower Shop. Come visit me anytime!"

Jasmine's response was cheerful, and she skipped off with her basket of flowers, calling over her shoulder, "Oops! I'm late for my flower deliveries. Bye, big brother Marine!"

"Such a hardworking and kind child," someone remarked.

"She's truly a little angel," another agreed.

Listening to the praise from the townspeople, Dragon couldn't help but smile. The girl's kindness and her reputation warmed his heart.

"I need to hurry back and get the money. As a Marine Vice Admiral, I can't owe a little girl," he muttered, wiping crumbs off his face before rushing off.

---

A Tragic Scene

Just as Dragon returned with the money and headed toward the Jasmine Flower Shop, a gunshot shattered the island's peace. Screams and cries followed, filling the air with panic.

Dragon's Observation Haki immediately activated, sensing a dangerous situation. To his horror, he found Jasmine kneeling on the ground, a gun pointed at her.

"Stop!"

In an instant, Dragon disappeared from where he stood, reappearing between Jasmine and the gunman. With a swift motion, he caught the bullet aimed at the little girl.

"You insolent Marine! How dare you stand in the way of a Celestial Dragon!"

The shooter, a sniveling man in an opulent diving suit, was Celestial Dragon Lesheck Saint. He glared at Dragon, his voice thick with contempt.

Dragon ignored him, turning instead to Jasmine, who was clutching her mother's lifeless body. The woman had been shot in the forehead and lay in a pool of blood.

"Mommy! Mommy, wake up!" Jasmine's anguished cries tore through the air.

Dragon wanted to comfort her, but words failed him. As a Marine, he was here to protect Lesheck Saint. Yet the same man had just murdered this innocent woman.

---

Celestial Fury

"You lowly Marine! Get out of my way! How dare you defy your master? I'll have the Fleet Admiral strip you of your rank!"

Lesheck Saint was enraged at Dragon's defiance.

"Kill him! Kill that insolent Marine!" Lesheck commanded the CP0 agents guarding him.

"Rokuogan!"

One of the CP0 agents immediately stepped forward, unleashing a powerful shockwave attack. The strike sent Dragon hurtling backward over a hundred meters.

"Haha! Let's see who dares to protect you now!" Lesheck sneered as he raised his gun toward Jasmine again.

"YOU BASTARD!"

Dragon roared in fury. In a flash, he unleashed a razor-sharp wind blade that slashed through the air, severing Lesheck Saint's neck.

"Y-you…"

Lesheck Saint staggered, his face frozen in shock. He had never imagined that a Marine—a protector of the Celestial Dragons—would dare to kill him.

Around them, the townspeople were paralyzed with fear.

"The Celestial Dragon is dead!"

"Run! The Admirals will destroy the island!"

Panic swept through the town like wildfire. People scrambled to flee, knowing the World Government would retaliate mercilessly.

---

A Fatal Decision

"Lesheck Saint!"

"You damned Marine, you've signed your death warrant!" the CP0 agent screamed in fury, charging at Dragon.

"Get out of my way!"

Dragon roared, unleashing his Conqueror's Haki. A gale of wind surged from his body, accompanied by a shockwave of raw willpower. The CP0 agent faltered but pressed on.

In the ensuing fight, Dragon severely injured the CP0 agent, leaving him incapacitated on the ground.

Picking up the unconscious Jasmine, Dragon fled. He couldn't leave her behind to face certain death.

---

Navy Headquarters

"Fleet Admiral, we've received urgent news. Vice Admiral Dragon killed Celestial Dragon Lesheck Saint in the North Blue on Onandi Island!"

Vice Admiral Tsuru reported the news to Steel Bone Kong, her expression grim.

"What?! I sent Dragon to protect Lesheck Saint! How could this happen? Did I give the wrong orders?" Kong's disbelief turned to fury as he processed the implications.

"No, Fleet Admiral. The orders were correct. Here is a detailed report of the incident." Tsuru handed over the file.

"Damn it! That hot-headed fool! This is a disaster. We can't let this information leak to the public, or it'll tarnish the Navy's reputation beyond repair," Kong growled.

He had seen Dragon's extraordinary potential. The young Vice Admiral excelled in strategy, combat, and leadership. With his lineage as Garp's son, Dragon was expected to become a Fleet Admiral in the future.

And now, all of that was ruined.

"Seal off the information immediately. Ensure it doesn't spread beyond the Marines. Above all, prevent the public from learning that the Navy killed a Celestial Dragon."

"What about Garp?" Tsuru asked.

"Don't tell him yet. Summon him back to headquarters. As for Dragon… Send Sengoku to bring him in!"

"Fleet Admiral, Garp is currently pursuing the Roger Pirates in the Grand Line. Sengoku is dealing with Walde's theft of the Explosive Rock in the New World," Tsuru explained. "Moreover, evidence suggests that the Infinite Pirate Crew, led by Li Yuan, was also involved in the theft."

Kong's frustration deepened. "Damn it all!"

"Li Yuan of the Infinite Pirate Crew? These damned pirates, none of them can stay in line!"

Steel Bone Kong rubbed his temples, his frustration mounting.

"Leave the Roger Pirates for now and recall Garp. As for the Explosive Rock, put it aside for the moment and have Sengoku focus on capturing Dragon," he ordered.

The recent chain of events had been overwhelming, leaving him feeling powerless.

---

The next day, the world woke up to shocking headlines plastered across newspapers:

"Shocking News: Another Celestial Dragon Killed After Three Years!"

"My goodness! This time, it wasn't a pirate but a Marine who killed the Celestial Dragon!"

"Is the Navy betraying the World Government and the Celestial Dragons? Could this be the start of the Navy's independence?"

Each paper included vivid images of the bisected body of Lesheck Saint, leaving no doubt about the events.

The orchestrator of this media storm was none other than Morgans, the newly appointed president of the World Economic News Agency. Determined to make a bold statement with his debut headline, Morgans spared no effort in creating a sensational, attention-grabbing report.

-Support me on Ko-Fi for 35+ advance chapters there.

https://ko-fi.com/zxc1015

Thanks!