I Am Honkai

This water-covered planet was an exceptionally unique celestial body, with a dense, multi-layered cloud cover and unpredictable weather patterns.

At this moment, floating fortresses and fleets stationed about 500 kilometers above the planet's surface, within its near-earth orbit, were not particularly conspicuous. (PS: Heights ranging from 200–2000 kilometers above the sea level are classified as near-earth orbit.)

Given the average intelligence level and technological development of the planet's inhabitants, only a handful could observe these objects.

Sabaody Archipelago.

Two years after the last major conflict, the Archipelago once again found itself embroiled in warfare—this time at an unprecedented scale.

The Empire's vast deployment of drop pods and small support warships rained down upon the naval installations located in Areas 60 through 69 of Sabaody. The two sides clashed fiercely amidst the archipelago's mangrove trees.

The air was thick with smoke and the thunderous roar of artillery fire, interspersed with the cries of combatants.

Death became commonplace as fresh grass fields were littered with shell fragments and the broken bodies of the fallen.

Whether Imperial troops, Marines, or agents from the World Government's CP agencies, all sides suffered casualties. Life became mere statistics, the numbers climbing with each passing second.

One moment, dozens of Marines were obliterated by projectile-based weaponry used by the Empire's auxiliary forces. The next, a barrage of massive muzzle-loaded cannonballs fired from the Marines' stronghold tore through an entire Imperial squad, scattering their mangled remains.

Even Astartes warriors were not exempt from losses.

"For justice!"

A towering Marine officer, his Justice cloak trimmed with gold epaulets, made a last stand. At the cost of his own life, he managed to slice through the vulnerable connection between an Astartes' helmet and the neck armor of his power suit, while simultaneously piercing the chest plate of another with his rapier.

As enraged Astartes warriors descended upon him, tearing his body apart, fragments of his broken sword glinted with traces of flowing black Armament Haki.

But alas…

Unlike the Marines, whose medical capabilities ranged from primitive bloodletting practices to early 20th-century techniques like intravenous fluids, the Astartes' medical corps was highly advanced. Regenerating severed limbs was child's play; as long as a warrior was alive—even if only half their body remained or their throat was slashed—they could be saved.

Chain sword in hand, an Astartes Apothecary strode into the fray, cutting through the Marines like a scythe through wheat.

With the injured warrior's life-support system in his power armor activating, the Apothecary removed his patient's helmet using his battlefield medical override. His gauntlet transformed, extending a needle that injected a targeted Honkai energy regeneration serum directly into the injured warrior's major artery.

Then, dragging the wounded Astartes, the Apothecary retreated to safety.

"Area 63 of the Sabaody Archipelago, lock onto the enemy fortress artillery. Plasma cannon, ready—fire!"

From the skies above, the Empire's tactical air support responded swiftly to neutralize the active Marine stronghold cannons.

Shwooooom!

A radiant purple-red beam streaked across the heavens, followed by an ear-shattering explosion that echoed throughout the battlefield.

The spiraling, flame-like shockwave of purple-red energy rippled outward, annihilating every living entity within its radius.

When the brilliance and shockwave subsided, the Marine artillery zone was reduced to scorched earth. The fortress walls had been partially sheared away, molten metal flowed in rivulets, and the surrounding soil had crystallized from the extreme heat.

Despite the restriction from Chapter Master Sanguinius against deploying weapons above fleet-grade bombardments, such as orbital cannons, space mines, or energy lances, the firepower of tactical support vessels alone was overwhelming for over 98% of this world's military capabilities.

Whether it was rotary bolt cannons, plasma cannons, radiation weapons, tactical Honkai fission missiles, or rocket launchers, the Empire held an undeniable technological edge.

Swinging his power sword aloft, an officer of the Blood Angels bellowed a battle cry:

"Blood Angels—let us be worthy of Selene's blood!"

In the Empire, the extraordinary Honkai-infused bloodline of the Astartes didn't come from their respective Chapter Masters. Instead, every warrior shared the same origin: Selene herself. The rallying cry, "Worthy of Selene's blood," was as fitting as it was profound.

The bar's windows rattled from the continuous explosions outside.

"The Paramount War ended just two years ago, and the world's growing even more chaotic. Can young Monkey D. and his crew handle this?"

"This faction has outright killed the Celestial Dragons here on the Archipelago. The World Government and Marines won't let this slide."

A youthful-looking woman with short black hair and a shirt bearing a spider motif exhaled a plume of smoke from her cigarette. Her appearance belied her age.

"They don't seem like pirates—they show no interest in harming civilians. Their attacks are focused exclusively on the Marines and Cipher Pol agencies."

"If pirates don't provoke them, it seems they won't bother with them. Their attitude suggests they look down on pirates altogether."

It was this lack of civilian targeting and their focus on large-scale military opposition that allowed the owner of this bar to continue her business so leisurely.

Sabaody Archipelago, composed of 79 enormous mangrove tree islands, was home to her establishment, Shakky's Rip-off Bar, located in Area 13.

Areas 1 to 29, filled with shady businesses like slave trade, human auctions, and intelligence exchanges, were not considered key military targets. Hence, the Imperial forces' invasion caused minimal damage here.

The real devastation occurred in Areas 50 through 69, where shipyards, coating engineers, armament workshops, Marine garrisons, and World Government offices were concentrated.

"With their organization and military scale, they resemble the Marines. Could they be the Revolutionary Army? Rayleigh… Hey, Rayleigh, are you even listening?"

Placing another refilled glass of liquor in front of a silver-haired elder with long curls, the woman sighed at his engrossed expression as he read the newspaper.

"Hmm, Shakky, I'm listening. The Revolutionary Army? Impossible. I've heard of no major operations from them recently. They don't have the scale to wage such a large-scale war across the entire first half of the Grand Line."

"With all four seas occupied, this operation must involve forces exceeding a million troops. We're too old for this; the world's changing too fast, and we relics of the past can't keep up."

Setting down the paper, Rayleigh gave a self-deprecating chuckle. The rum in his glass shimmered as the ice clinked.

"As for Luffy? His growth over the past two years is visible to the naked eye. Don't underestimate a man pursuing freedom across the seas."

"Besides, with them drawing the Marines' and World Government's attention, isn't that all the better for Luffy?"

Despite his seemingly old and weary demeanor, this man was none other than Silvers Rayleigh, the "Dark King" and the former right-hand man of Pirate King Gol D. Roger.

"Rayleigh, aren't you interested in this mysterious new force that has appeared out of nowhere?"

"They seem to be targeting the Navy and the World Government. Conquering lands, maintaining order, and establishing effective governance—each one of these actions chips away at the foundation of the World Government," Shakky commented.

Rayleigh burst into hearty laughter, slapping the alcohol-soaked newspaper on the table.

"It's the World Government that should be worried. Even Big News Morgans is too scared to report freely on this. I'm just a retired old man and have no intention of getting involved in this mess."

"Oh? Really? You do realize that little Monkey and his crew have already hauled the Sunny to Area 50 for coating. The fighting over there…"

Shakky gestured out the window, where the Empire's human auxiliary forces had already replaced the Navy, patrolling and maintaining order.

In Area 13 of the Sabaody Archipelago, the black five-pointed cross banner of the World Government and the Marine seagull emblem had been replaced by the Empire's golden double-headed eagle flag and a banner depicting a blood drop with outstretched white wings.

"If little Monkey runs into them, how do you think things will go?"

"…" Rayleigh fell silent.

As time passed, the Navy's situation grew increasingly dire.

The walls of the naval fortress were no longer intact. The once-formidable battlements, cannon emplacements, parapets, watchtowers, and corner fortifications were now riddled with craters and shattered by relentless artillery fire.

The fortress lay in ruins, the acrid stench of blood filling the air as dust and debris mingled with smoke. Cannons and strongholds were reduced to rubble, leaving gaping holes and shattered defenses across the remaining structures.

"Damned pests! How many waves is this now? Administer all five punishments!" Sanguinius roared in frustration.

What could drive the usually warm and sunny Sanguinius to such anger? None other than the local specialty of this world: pirates.

The pirates of this world consistently shattered his expectations of how low self-awareness could go. Back when the Empire was not yet unified, even uneducated mountain bandits understood not to provoke the Imperial Guard.

But these pirates? Weak and laughable, yet lurking in the shadows with flintlock pistols, trying to assassinate Lady Alyssa and him?

Their sheer lack of self-awareness—was it an insult to him, or just plain stupidity?

He had long since noticed their feeble presence but had dismissed them as ordinary rabble not worth his attention. And yet, they had jumped out to attack.

From his perspective, these pirates fancied themselves noble and unyielding, heroes among the enemy who were 'dying for their cause.'

Laughable. If Selene had heard his thoughts, she would undoubtedly find them amusing.

The pirates of this so-called Great Pirate Era—or rather, most people in this world—lacked intelligence, save for a few elites. Most were barely literate muscle-heads, unable to comprehend the disparity in power.

In the original story, there were pirates foolish enough to use flintlocks to ambush Admiral Kizaru, dreaming of instant fame. That a few would see Alyssa's delicate appearance and think they could kidnap her for ransom seemed entirely plausible.

As for how they planned to escape afterward? Ha! They likely hadn't thought that far ahead. A few swigs of cheap liquor, and their impulsiveness took over.

In response to Sanguinius's order, the brutal Astartes warriors descended upon the pirates. Hundreds of them—tall, short, fat, or thin—were subjected to the gruesome execution of the Five Punishments.

Their noses and ears were cut off first, followed by the dismemberment of their limbs. They were then beaten to death with power hammers, decapitated with their heads displayed as warnings, and finally ground into mincemeat in full public view.

Such horrific deaths deeply traumatized the residents of the Sabaody Archipelago, who were forced to witness the executions.

"If anyone dares to offend again, this will be their fate!" declared a Blood Angel officer, holding his chainsword aloft.

"Ugh… what is this? Their drinks are absolutely vile!"

Standing at the dock, Alyssa threw a bottle of liquor far into the distance and kicked open a newly unpacked crate of booze, her face contorted with disgust.

"It's as if someone pried your mouth open and poured in a mix of syrup and alcohol. It's unbearable! It feels like slimy tentacles rubbing against your throat—coarse, cloying, and impossible to swallow."

"The Queen is right. Things from outside are inedible!"

Curiosity had indeed killed Alyssa this time.

Accustomed to drinking tributes from across the Empire and eating exquisite dishes prepared by Sous Chef Susanoo, her palate had become exceedingly refined.

But influenced by Selene's culinary explorations and her own curiosity, she decided to try it. The result was… intolerable.

"Wait, Sanguinius—look at that! His body seems to have undergone modifications," Alyssa suddenly exclaimed, her interest piqued.

A peculiar wooden ship docked nearby, shaped like a lion's head with red and brown hues. Onboard, a heavily modified man danced a bizarre jig.

"His modifications are fascinating. The energy source seems to be beverages?!" Alyssa's eyes glimmered with red light as she analyzed him intently.

"There are cannon ports on the ship, so it's likely not a merchant vessel. Is it a pirate ship or something else…? Bring that ship over here. Do not let the modified individual escape!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

The Sisters of Battle accompanying Alyssa activated their flight packs, roaring into the air on orange flames as they swiftly descended upon the Thousand Sunny.

"Commoner, surrender! Both you and your ship are hereby requisitioned!"

Whoosh!

At that moment, a voice rang out—full of earnest determination and optimism—as a stretched-out fist hurtled toward them.

"Absolutely not! The Sunny is our family, our comrade. I'm going to be the Pirate King, and I'll never abandon my crew!"

Alyssa froze, her mind briefly going blank at the sheer grandeur of this declaration.

"Pirate… King?" she murmured, her eyes wide in disbelief.

What an utterly unique ambition.

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