South Blue, Marine 47th Branch Base!
"Giggle giggle…"
Joyful laughter echoed non-stop. A little girl, about three or four years old, was soaring up and down in the air. Every time she came down, the branches of a large tree beside her would catch her and launch her upward again.
Ordinary children in this situation would likely cry in fear, but this little girl laughed gleefully, utterly thrilled.
Standing below, Jon gazed up at her with eyes full of affection.
The little girl was his sister—his much younger sister, born twenty-one years after him.
He had already spent three days at the 47th Branch Base. During that time, Jon had stayed close to his parents. His arrival brought them immense joy—especially his mother, who couldn't hold back her tears when she saw him.
Initially, little Natasha was wary of this brother who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. But after Jon used all kinds of tricks to win her over, she soon melted.
For the past two days, Natasha had clung to Jon the moment she woke up.
Perhaps because she was a child born to older parents, the Walsons spoiled her tremendously—resulting in her bold personality.
Like now—being thrown into the air and caught again like a game. Despite being less than four years old, Natasha wasn't scared at all. In fact, she insisted Jon play with her.
Having never had a sister before, Jon was completely smitten with this adorable little sibling, indulging her every request.
But happy days are always short-lived. After a few days at home, Jon was preparing to depart.
"Jon, are you sure you don't need me to go with you?"
At the base port, Walson straightened Jon's uniform, patted his shoulder, and asked.
Jon smiled slightly. "Don't worry, Dad. No need for you to come along this time. I'll take my own men. If I complete the mission, I'll swing back before I leave again."
"All right then. Your mother and I will wait for your victorious return."
Jon's mother had wanted to see him off as well, but Natasha wouldn't stop crying and clinging to her brother, unwilling to let him leave. With no other choice, she stayed behind, letting Walson come alone.
"Go on then, remember—observe, listen, don't try to stand out too much."
As a father, Walson knew his son well. Jon had talent, but he also had his flaws—like being too headstrong. That could easily offend people, so he reminded him repeatedly.
"Got it, Dad. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
"Go, son. Serve the Marines well. Everything you have today is thanks to the Marines. Don't forget where you came from."
Walson had dedicated his life to the Navy and felt a deep sense of belonging. He hoped his son would follow in his footsteps and give back as well.
Jon had never wavered in his beliefs or considered leaving the Navy—largely because of his father.
He departed with a unit from the branch base—1,000 soldiers and two warships.
"Hymer, haven't seen you in years, and you're already a Major? Moving fast, huh?"
Aboard the ship, Jon teased the young man in front of him.
The man, named Hymer, was two years older than Jon. They'd grown up together—Hymer's father was Walson's deputy, and the two families were very close.
Hymer smirked. "Compared to you, a Rear Admiral, what am I? If Walson-uncle hadn't vouched for me, I wouldn't be here. I've been waiting for you for years, you know. You didn't forget our deal, did you?"
Jon looked a bit sheepish. "Of course not. You wouldn't believe the stuff I've been through these past few years. Super busy. But don't worry—after this mission, I'll find a way to get you transferred to HQ."
"Really?"
Hymer lit up with joy. He had always dreamed of reaching a bigger stage. Ever since Jon's generation passed, there had been no new opportunities. His talent was decent, but it only stood out in the South Blue.
Without connections, it was nearly impossible to get noticed.
Hymer believed neither his father nor Walson had the ability to get him into the Grand Line's HQ or even its branches—but Jon was different. As a Marine HQ Rear Admiral, transferring a branch Major shouldn't be too difficult.
"Really. Relax. Even if I can't do it myself, I have friends at HQ."
A few years ago, Jon might not have dared to promise that. But now, things were different.
He might not hold much real power as a Rear Admiral, but he had plenty of friends.
Sakazuki and Borsalino—both soon to be Vice Admirals—were close friends of his. For a high-ranking officer at HQ, transferring someone like Hymer would be a piece of cake.
And even if they weren't available, Jon's allies in the logistics division could easily help.
"Then I'm counting on you! Ideally, I'd love to serve directly under you."
Jon shook his head. "That might be tough right now. My position is a bit special—even though I'm a Rear Admiral, I don't have much real authority. But I can get you under one of my friends."
"Whatever works—as long as I can get to HQ, I don't care if I'm just mopping floors."
Hymer's goal was simple: leave the South Blue and join Marine HQ. Now that the opportunity was here, of course he was thrilled.
This return trip to the South Blue wasn't just a mission for Jon—he also planned to bring people back with him. He might not have real power yet, but building his own team was essential.
The warships cruised swiftly. Midway, Jon received a call from Sengoku, who instructed him to head straight for Baterilla Island.
Jon was shocked when he heard the news—amazed by how fast the Marines and World Government had moved.
Just a few days ago, before he left, the exact location hadn't even been confirmed. Yet now, Sengoku already had the precise coordinates.
Jon had only recently pinpointed it as "Baterilla Island" after checking maps at the branch base. All he'd known before was that Ace and his mother were on some island in the South Blue beginning with "Ba…"
The fact that Sengoku confirmed it so quickly gave Jon a new level of respect for the World Government's intelligence network—it was truly all-seeing and all-knowing.
"Let's go. Change course—head for Baterilla Island!"
As Jon's fleet redirected toward Baterilla, Sengoku had already led a massive Marine force to completely surround the island.
After arriving in the South Blue, Sengoku had immediately summoned nearby branches, mobilizing large numbers of troops. Sealing off a single island wasn't difficult.
Now, Baterilla Island was under complete lockdown—no one in, no one out.
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