One Piece: Starting in God Valley as a Slave

At Marine Headquarters,

In the Fleet Admiral's office, Uta was animatedly sharing her recent experiences in Marineford with Carl, who listened with a warm smile.

Not long ago, Carl had brought Uta back to Marineford and even arranged for her to hold a concert at Headquarters.

This wasn't just to fulfill Uta's "little wish," but also to reward the Marines stationed there. After all, many Marines were fans of Uta's singing.

After the performance, Carl had specifically instructed Ginny to show Uta around Marineford for a few days, during which Uta gained a fresh perspective on the Marines.

She had initially assumed that Marine Headquarters would be a solemn and imposing place, but after observing for a few days, she realized it was not entirely as she had imagined.

Many areas had a lively, everyday atmosphere—such as the well-equipped recreational zone.

Since Carl took on the role of Fleet Admiral, the World Government had significantly increased its funding for the Marines. Most of this generous budget was allocated by Carl to improve welfare and enhance the facilities at Headquarters. As a result, Marineford now had everything one could imagine.

In the recreational area, Uta even encountered several high-ranking Marine officers frequently mentioned in the newspapers, including the famed and fearsome Admiral Akainu.

Feeling tired from all the talking, Uta leaned against Carl's chair armrest, casually grabbed his cup of water, and took a sip.

After drinking, she lazily rested her head on Carl's shoulder and said, "Uncle, you wouldn't believe how people outside talk about you. Their expressions of admiration are just..."

Carl fondly patted Uta's pink-and-white hair and replied, "You're a superstar. Everyone admires you too."

Uta shook her head and sighed, "It's different, Uncle."

As a celebrity, Uta was no stranger to the adoration of countless fans. However, compared to Carl's "fans," she realized there was a vast difference.

It was reverence. Uta believed that those soldiers would even give their lives for Carl.

Carl merely smiled, about to say something, when his expression suddenly turned serious. His brow furrowed, and a commanding aura filled the room.

Startled by the shift, Uta quickly sat up and asked, "Uncle, what's wrong?"

Carl raised his hand to signal her to stay quiet. He closed his eyes and focused. When he opened them again, a deep, meaningful look flashed through his gaze.

He turned to the window and muttered as though to himself, "What a restless little pest..."

Uta couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, who are you talking about?"

Carl smiled faintly. "Just a lurking troublemaker."

...

Somewhere in an unknown sea, a massive ship bearing a skull-and-crossbones flag sailed slowly.

Onboard were the Straw Hat crew along with Lindbergh and his subordinate, Dubbo.

The Thousand Sunny had been confiscated and dismantled by the Marines back at Sabaody Archipelago. Its materials were used for public projects.

The ship they were now sailing on had been provided by the Revolutionary Army. Lindbergh and Dubbo had chosen to stay with Luffy, acting as bodyguards for the "Young Master."

Nami stepped out of the cabin and called to Luffy, who was sitting at the ship's bow, gazing at the ocean. "Luffy! We're almost there!"

Luffy, staring at the distant outline of an island, murmured, "That's it. The sound is getting louder!"

Standing behind Luffy, Lindbergh looked grave.

"Luffy, we're close to Marine Headquarters and the Red Line. Are you sure that sound is coming from that island?"

Luffy nodded firmly. "Yeah. Something's waiting for me there. I have to find it!"

Nami approached and looked toward the island in the distance.

"That's Egghead Island, an uninhabited place. It shouldn't be dangerous."

Luffy didn't respond, his golden-tinged pupils locked onto the island, unnoticed by the others as he stood with his back to them.

Two hours later, the ship docked at the island. Luffy jumped off without a word, dashing straight into the forest. Ignoring Nami's calls, he left the group far behind.

It was only thanks to Lindbergh's sharp senses that they managed to follow Luffy's trail.

They eventually reached a ruined site, where they found Luffy standing silently in the middle of the debris.

Panting heavily, Nami planted her hands on her knees.

"Luffy! Why'd you run so fast? Wait for us next time!"

But Luffy remained motionless, not even acknowledging Nami's complaint.

Frustrated, Nami clenched her fists and started toward him, intent on giving him a piece of her mind.

Before she could take more than a few steps, Luffy suddenly moved. He stepped back, and his right arm inflated into its Gear Third balloon form, becoming enormous.

Without warning, he punched the ruins in front of him, sending clouds of dust billowing into the air.

Startled, Nami froze in her tracks. When the dust cleared, everyone's eyes widened in shock.

Before them stood a colossal steel giant, its surface covered in moss and its lower half buried in the ground. The giant appeared ancient, weathered by time.

As the group stared in disbelief, Luffy approached the steel giant, placing one hand over his heart and the other on the giant's metallic surface.

A rhythmic drumming sound began to echo from Luffy's chest, growing louder and faster. The ground trembled around the giant.

Holding their breath, the crew watched as golden light flared from the giant's eyes. With a thunderous mechanical roar, the giant began to move.

It pushed itself off the ground, pulling its buried lower half free as the group watched in awe.

-----------

+240 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg