We start with the tiny village of Umi in North Blue, where children gather around to hear the old man with no eyes and one leg speak. Speak of the start of, to those in the village, the Nightmare Era. He talks of monstrous beings that kill for enjoyment and terrorize innocent towns. The old man talks, while kids clinch to their older siblings hoping they could protect them from the shadows of this man's past. He talks with pain in his voice about the suffering he went through to fight them and about the cold-blooded killers who kidnapped him and took his leg. At the end of the story he takes off his tattered marine jacket to show the large wound he received from these dreadful beings; pirates. The kids, in shock, begin to move back and eventually start running from this hideous man. He laughs with pure pleasure, but is interrupted by a nauseating cough. A young boy comes up to him and asks, "Need some help Baron-san?"

"Heh, kid what're ya doing here, didn't ya listen to ma story at last year's festival?' He says regaining composure, while the youth helps him up.

"I don't see a sign saying I can't listen to it again. And besides it helps me remember that my dad is doing great things out there."

"Well you shouldna be forgettin yar dad is doing good; he's a betta marine than I could ever have been. Now go home Titus ya mom won't like ya talkin to an ol' disgustin man like me." And Titus left waving goodbye to the old man. Baron picks up his ancient marine jacket and caresses the lettering. The memories play back in his mind, he hates to remember, but he knows he must. He feels the walls as he begins to walk. He only comes to this village for the ceremony once a year, but he senses there is more than that on this quaint island. Destiny's smile shines bright here on Umi. The old man continues to hobble until he hears an all too familiar sound.

"Marines are boarding!" says the young man in the watch tower looking on as the marine ship arrives at the port. The old man hastily turns in the other direction and begins to hobble towards the port. The marines arrive and enter the village gate to a roar of applause. There is always applause when marines arrive, but this one was much larger than the usual. With very good reason, an Admiral had arrived to the small village of Umi.

The marines soaked in all of the love and envy from the crowd taking it in with a high five here and a handshake there, all, but three of them. The Admiral kept walking ignoring all of the people who came to see him, his pupil, Vice Admiral Kizaru, also ignored them, believing his pinky was more important than the entire village combined. The third marine who ignored the crowd did it for another reason; he was looking for his son. As they entered the gate he left the parade in search of his house. He had been gone for so long he had almost forgotten where it was located. Upon reaching the town center he was greeted by a raspy, old voice. "Been a while Kenshin," he turned around to see a man who couldn't see.

"Baron-san!" Kenshin replied with his confusion vanishing.

"Headin up to see them family?"

"Yep, It's been five years, can't wait to see how much Titus changed. He's seven now right?"

"Mhm-mhm. Well before ya, go ya minda tellin me wat an admiral be doin here?"

" I don't know myself; Admiral Renji said he had business here,"

"Business? What kind of busi..." before he could finish a scream loud as thunder cut him off.

" Daaaaaaaaaaaaad!" Titus ran down the hill and jumped on his father as his mother followed along, tears of joy rolling down her face. They began talking and saying how much they missed each other. Knowing he wouldn't get an answer, Baron left with a puzzled look. The Kamogawa family had been reunited and war-heroes arrived on an island with no purpose in the grand scheme of the world. While others celebrated during the feast for the marines, Baron thought only about the Admiral, looking for an explanation for why they would come here.

The next day the party had continued with all of the marines being asked to engrave their names in the town wall. While everyone was distracted with the festive events, Baron asked around wondering where the Admiral and Vice-admiral were. No one knew and despite all of Baron's searching, with him being blind, it was impossible to find them. While that was happening, the events that would soon lead up to a world-changing moment had begun to unravel.

"Hey Titus!" said Tomo, "You wanna go sneak on the marine ship?" Titus was watering the plants, fearfully watching for bees as his two best friends Tomo and Geru approached, scaring him to the point of dropping water on his pants.

"Ummmm I don't know about that, if we get caught my mo..." Titus said nervously as he hastily cleaned his pants.

"Come on buddy we're not gonna get caught, we're future marines right?" Geru hollered quickly.

Titus took a long hard look at the ship a few yards away from his home and nodded in agreement. The boys ran off in excitement towards the port. They checked to see that no one was looking and ran aboard. On the ship they all gasped at the immense size and regal-sense it gave off.

"Let's split up. Find something cool then write it down as something we need to become marines." Tomo said triumphantly, feeling like a true marine, and they did as they were told and split up. Titus went to the upper stairs and began searching anxiously for anything "cool". While looking at photos of marines saluting and trying to find his dad, Titus heard a noise. Someone was walking up the stairs. Titus hid inside the one cabinet he could fit in and looked to see who it was. He heard whistling as a man in yellow,striped pants unlocked the door labeled: ADMIRAL'S QUARTERS. The door remained a little open so Titus decided to listen in to what they had to say.

"Took me a while, but I got the papers. Had to take care of some townspeople to get there, but I found the cave." Vice-admiral Kizaru said handing the Admiral the papers.

"Aaah, information on the One Piece treasure hidden in the Grand Line, along with information on the Revolution Army. Good work Kizaru. But what about the more pressing matters?"

" Oh yes." he said pulling out more papers and a map." Here's the info on the poisonous chemical and where it's located."

"Good send some marines to start transporting it to the hidden ships. Tell Captain Royce this message as well." There was then a loud bang from downstairs. [I]That must be Tomo[/I] thought Titus looking scared and confused; he didn't understand why two great marines who fought for peace and justice were talking about stealing treasure and taking dangerous chemicals. Then the next part of the conversation was far worse.

"Hmmmm looks like we have an intruder, Kizaru check both lower floors and kill whoever it is."

"Sure, but what's the message for Royce?"

"Oh yes tell him...it's time to show the village holding this illegal information that the death penalty has been issued, in other words, kill everyone. Hahahahahahahahaha!" The laugh pierced Titus' heart destroying his hopes, dream, and happiness. The laugh continued to fly, being carried by the wings of false valor. Umi's judgment day had begun.