The world of One Piece is a vast expanse dominated by the sea, giving rise to unique cultures and customs. Since ancient times, countless individuals have been drawn to the ocean's allure.
The sea is boundless, serving as the mother to all who navigate her waters.
Whether one is a Marine, pirate, adventurer, merchant, or fisherman, all stand equal before the sea, without favoritism.
In the current era, the world is broadly divided into two factions. One is the order faction led by the World Government, with its primary representative force being the Marines, the maritime authority reigning across the seas.
The strength of the Marines is formidable. Backed by the World Government, their influence spans the globe.
However, over the past decade or so, the Marines' power has notably waned.
Kanzaki Kenzo observed that the Marines under the World Government have begun to retract their presence in the New World, and it appears they might be compelled to withdraw entirely from this tumultuous region.
The reason for this is quite evident. Years ago, a formidable pirate named Rocks D. Xebec emerged.
He seized the opportunity to amass a crew of exceptionally powerful individuals under his banner, forming the notorious Rocks Pirates.
The Rocks Pirates united top-tier figures in the pirate realm, consolidating the previously fragmented pirate factions.
In some respects, Rocks significantly bolstered the pirates' collective strength.
The formidable Rocks Pirates even proclaimed their ambition to dominate the world.
They took concrete steps toward this goal. Establishing a base in the perilous New World, characterized by its treacherous climate and seas, they gradually expelled Marine forces from the region, plunging the New World into a chaotic era dominated by pirates.
However, as the saying goes, "The tallest nail gets hammered down."
The World Government, having ruled for eight centuries, was not to be trifled with. Ultimately, the Rocks Pirates met their downfall.
In the Battle of God Valley, the pirate overlord Rocks was directly defeated by Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, who allied with the future Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. Rocks met his end on that battlefield.
Due to Roger's status as a pirate, the World Government kept details of this battle under wraps. Additionally, Garp's involvement in protecting the Celestial Dragons was not a point of pride, leading to further secrecy.
As a result, the Battle of God Valley remained largely undocumented officially, with Garp emerging as the "Hero of the Marines," shattering the legend of the Rocks Pirates.
However, while the "corporation" of the Rocks Pirates collapsed due to poor leadership, many of its "shareholders" remained unscathed. Only Rocks, the "chairman," perished.
With the crew disbanded, its prominent members went their separate ways.
Consequently, the top pirates from the Rocks Pirates returned to their roots, resuming their piratical endeavors and flourishing.
Interestingly, this fragmentation, while reducing the pirates' cohesion, allowed their influence to spread by "expanding from point to area," rapidly carving up the chaotic New World and establishing individual strongholds.
On the other hand, despite winning the Battle of God Valley, the Marines suffered significant losses. Coupled with the World Government's corruption and administrative inefficiencies, they effectively lost control over the New World. It was a pyrrhic victory.
Now, in the year 1496 of the Sea Calendar, the world stands on the brink of a significant upheaval. Heroes of the sea vie for supremacy, the Marines struggle to maintain order in the New World, and pirates compete fiercely, each aspiring to become the next pirate overlord after Rocks.
The power struggles among New World pirates have sent ripples across the globe, leading to increased chaos in the North Blue. Consequently, the region has seen a surge in pirate activity.
Pirates come in various calibers. Generally, they are categorized into two groups: those with bounties issued by the World Government and nameless individuals who self-identify as pirates.
These categories are further divided, primarily based on bounty amounts. For instance, those with bounties exceeding 100 million berries are deemed "notorious pirates." At Rocks' level, one might be termed a "pirate overlord."
Currently, titles like the Four Emperors and the Seven Warlords of the Sea don't exist, and the grandiose title of Pirate King remains elusive.
In the past, while the North Blue had its share of infamous pirates with bounties, Kanzaki Kenzo rarely encountered them. Most he came across were mere ruffians—gathering a crew, hoisting the Jolly Roger, and wreaking havoc upon sighting coastal towns.
If fortunate to evade capture a few times, they might attract the Marines' attention, earn a bounty, and officially become "recognized" pirates.
However, most lack real prowess, preying only on common folk and intimidating civilians. Thus, despite their numbers, few possess the capability to become "officially recognized."
Naturally, any ship flying the pirate flag is a target for the Marines. It's impractical to send every captured pirate to Impel Down; otherwise, the prison would overflow.
Such pirates are typically apprehended, enslaved, and dispatched by the World Government for laborious tasks like mining and construction. It's said that a bridge-building nation in the East Blue is populated entirely by such slaves.
Conversely, pirates with notable bounties are considered valuable captures. The World Government offers rewards corresponding to their bounties. This system has given rise to a semi-legal industry: bounty hunting. These individuals make a living by capturing these wanted criminals. While brave, most are of moderate renown.
Of course, claiming bounties isn't exclusive to bounty hunters. Marines receive "performance bonuses" for capturing such pirates. Others, including fishermen and local guards from remote towns like Kanzaki Kenzo's, can also claim these rewards.
Now, Kanzaki Kenzo has slain a pirate with a 29 million berry bounty. Reporting this to the Marines would prompt an investigation, and if all checks out, he'd instantly become a wealthy man.
"Hahahahaha, with this money, our brothers have the means to settle down and establish ourselves. We'll have confidence in whatever we pursue," Kenzo said with a grin.
"That's right..." Beckman replied, smiling and nodding. After a brief hesitation, he continued, "But Kenzo, you're aware of the nature of our North Blue Marines. Twenty-nine million berries isn't a small sum. If they intend to swindle us..."
"I risked my life for that bounty. If those scoundrels think they can cheat me, they'll have to contend with my war hammer. Do they really think I'm easy prey?" Kenzo responded assertively.
Indeed, the North Blue isn't a tranquil place. Its people are resilient, and the Marines are notably corrupt. While they maintain a facade of stability, underlying turmoil persists.
In recent years, underworld forces have become increasingly rampant. The Donquixote Family has risen, dominating the North Blue and becoming a formidable entity.
Additionally, the nefarious Germa Kingdom has been peddling "war" in the North Blue, destabilizing various nations and orchestrating significant atrocities that led to the downfall of four countries.
With these two major scourges, it's no wonder the North Blue struggles to develop peacefully.
The Marines' inaction, coupled with the havoc wreaked by the Donquixote Family and the Germa Kingdom, and the
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