The evidence I've seen presented for its location is a reference, in the Skypiea flashbacks, to Norland getting clearance from Marie-Joie to get on to the Grand Line. People have generally interpeted this as meaning that Marie-Joie is on the intersection of the Grand Line and the Red Line, at the exact opposite point in the world to Reverse Mountain, and that it too has channels leading from the Four Blues onto the Grand Line.

I'm a little skeptical about this, myself. There may be some sort of passage at the intersection, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Marie-Jois is built on top of it. It could be simply a phrasing along the lines of 'we had to go through Washington to get clearance to take our warship through the Panama Canal' – that doesn't mean that they sailed up the Potomac River and past the White House to reach the canal, just that they had to get formal permission from the government, which is headquartered in Washington.

Heh. When I was translating, I had to read that bit a few times to realize what was going on… And then reread it a few more times to make sure I wasn't completely delusional. It's left a little ambiguous, but I really do think she was doing something with the meat, or possibly the chopsticks.

Oh, and for reference: The New World is the translation of the name. Technically it's 'Shinsekai' if you want to use the original Japanese, but since there's no ambiguity at all in the translation, I think New World sounds better.

Slight update to the translation – thanks to the higher-quality scans coming out, I've been able to correct Franky's dialogue. I think. (He still talks rather eccentricly.)

Ceasarr, go ahead and use my translation -- you have my permission.

My translation is up now in the Translation Forum. I don't think it's quite as good as last week's – the scan was blurry enough that I got lost at a couple of points -- but I think all the important plot points are translated accurately, and there's probably only a few bits of dialogue in passing that I really fumbled.

Enjoy!

Here it is! The scan I was using was a bit blurry, so there's a few parts I'm not sure of – a few of Garp's lines early on, and Franky's arrival dialogue, which suffers both from blurriness and Franky's highly slangy style of speech. But the rest I'm pretty confident in.

Chapter 433
"The Name of That Sea is…"

Eneru's Great Space Strategy Vol. 4: 'There's Someone in the Hole'

Garp: Because you're my grandson! I'm gonna give up on catching you here.

That's gonna be my excuse to the Navy, anyway, so don't worry, be their guest here.

Bogart: That's not actually a good excuse, sir – let's just say he ran away.

Garp: Anyway, I only came along for the sake of those two guys. Go on and... talk at leisure with them.

I'm going home.

Luffy: Okay, see ya.

Garp: THAT'S WAY TOO CASUAL!

Luffy: AUGH!

Garp: Show some regret, you idiot!

I'm your long separated grandpa, for pete's sake!

Luffy: Well, what the heck did you expect? All you've been doing is beating me up!

Garp: That's just 'cause I'm showing my love for my grandson!

Nami: Feels like an amazing ego runs in the family...

Sanji: That geezer swept through like a storm...

Robin: I was quite surprised by the news about Dragon. That's certainly no ordinary bloodline.

Chopper: Where's Luffy?

Zoro: Outside, talking with Coby.

Sanji: You okay with that? He's your pal too.

Zoro: It takes me back, but the one with the strongest connection to Coby was always Luffy.

Chopper: Nami's not here, either... I thought she'd want to listen to the conversation with the Navy... Maybe she got cold feet.

Robin: Actually, she went to the pool with Kokoro and the others.

Chopper: Pool?

Robin: There's a swimming pool for Galley-La Company employees behind this building.

Sanji: OOOH! NAMI-SAN IN A SWIMSUIT?? I'M GONNA BRING HER A DRINK!

Luffy: So, you guys came onto the Grand Line by going through that mountain, too?

Coby: Ah... no. We never climbed Reverse Mountain.

Luffy: Why not?

Coby: Marine Headquarters battleships can cross through the Calm Belts...

There's not a 100% success rate, but...

Luffy: Eh? That's amazing!

But how'd you do it? No matter how many battleships you've got, there's way too many Sea Kings there! They really gave us a nasty look.

Coby: A layer of stones called 'Seastone' is spread across the bilge of a battleship.

Luffy: So what?

Denden Mushi (Coby): Seastone radiates the same energy as the ocean itself.

To the fish in the sea, the ship is...

Nami: The ocean's energy... I see!

So even when the ship's sailing right above them, the Sea Kings can't even tell it exists!

The Navy's scientists really are something!

Chimney: Nee-chan! Nee-chan! Aren't you gonna swim?

Pirate nee-chan!

Nami: Be quiet for a minute, Chimney!

This is a huge chance for me!

I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF EAVESDROPPING HERE!

Kokoro: Is that really something you can shout about?

Coby: Behind that ground-breaking technology...

...is, of course, the Marine scientist, Dr. Begabank. He's amazing.

Helmeppo: Yeah, he really is astounding. Straw Hat, Devil Fruits like the one you ate...

Denden Mushi (Helmeppo): He's explained how they transmit their powers...

...and created the new method that allows Devil Fruits to be 'eaten' by objects...

That's all come from just the last few years of his work!

Nami: (...Doctor Begabank...)

Denden Mushi (Luffy?): Huh. Guess he's great or something.

Coby: It's full of such amazing people! The world, I mean.

Until the day I met you, I was living in such a tiny, narrow world.

I realized that on this sea.

Luffy-san, if you hadn't burst out of that barrel that day...

I'd probably still be doing chores on Alvida's ship even now.

Luffy: Ahahaha! That's right, you were on Alvida's ship. You had such a funny reason for sailing with her!

Denden Mushi: Gyahahahaha!

Luffy: Ehhhhhhh?! You're really going back? C'mon and have some food, first! Food!

Coby: We're enemies... I can't get too friendly with you.

Luffy-san!

Do you know the name of the latter half of this sea, the Grand Line?

The sea that spreads out beyond the Red Line...

That final sea...

People have one other name they call it by.

Coby: THE NEW WORLD.

Luffy: ...the New World!

Coby: The sea where those who would open up the next era gather! The one who conquers that sea will be...

THE PIRATE KING.

Luffy-san! Let's meet again there, some day, for sure!

I'll catch you that time! I'll get stronger and stronger!

Coby: Someday I will... I will... take the position of Admiral!

I... I, I, I, I'm sorry! That just slipped out on the spur of the moment!

I feel so embarassed I want to crawl into a hole and hide!

I should be grateful meeting you again, but I...

Luffy: Coby!

You're gonna fight me, right?

Then of course you're gonna get that strong!

Coby: ...!!! ...It's okay with you?

Luffy: Next time we meet, we're gonna be stronger. Greater!

Coby: Even though it was just a dream I was talking about...

How can he believe in me so strongly?

Zoro: What's this? I thought you said you were cured of being a crybaby, Coby.

Coby: I'm really glad I could meet up with the two of you again today...

(The one who can hunt down these people would truly be terrifying...)

We're... gonna get stronger and stronger! Without a doubt! We'll meet again in the New World!

Helmeppo: Prepare yourselves, all of you!

We've got the guts to see it through! Hee hee hee!

Zoro: Luffy... once again you give rise to the most unbelievable enemies.

Luffy: Coby can do it! I know he can!

??: Shishishishi! (laughter?)

[[Galley-La Company Headquarters

Employee Pool]]

Sanji: Nami-saaaaan! The Mizu Mizu meat has been grilled!

Nami: Okay!

Yokozuna: Gero!

Chimney: Granny, you're amazing!

Gonbe: Nya!

Kokoro: Ngahaha! It shmells good!

Luffy: Whoa! D'lishious...!

Chopper: D'lishous...!

Sogeking: D'lishous...! A Mizu Mizu meat barbeque!

Sanji: Okay, go ahead and eat!

Zoro: When did Sogeking...?!

Sanji: How is it, Robin-chan?

It's filled with caring service!

Robin: Yes, it's delicious.

Franky Family: Straw Hat-san! You wanted to see us?

Luffy: Oh, it's the Franky Family! C'mon over here and eat!

Family #1: Whoa, a barbecue!

Zanbai: That's my favorite food!

Family #2: Hey, there's a lot of us, so save some of the meat!

Sodom: Bahihiiiiin!

Gomorrah: Bahiiin!

Chopper: It's Sodom and Gomorrah!

Karshii: Man, I'm starvin'!

Oimo: Me too!

Tilestone: Oi! Straw Hat! You finally awake now?

Lulu: A barbecue!

Paulie: What are you doing at the pool...?

??: It's the Galley-La Company!

And the giants!

Paulie: Gyah! YOU SHAMELESS WENCH!

Nami: This is a pool, bro.

Iceburg: Nmaa, something smells good here.

??: Iceburg-san!

Mozu: We won't stop in the middle of building a ship!

Franky: Oh, yeah! But I'm a guy who can never pass up a party!

Did ya save a seat for me?

Kiwi: Did ya or didn't ya?

Family: We've been waiting for ya, Bro!

Sogeking: All right, let's go! Sogeking's first verse! Let the singing commence!

Crowd: Wow! All right!

Luffy: All right, it's a party!

Aokiji: Just listen from there... Nico Robin.

Robin: !!! It can't be!! Aokiji!

Aokiji: Why didn't you just run away, as always? You could have escaped from CP9 at any time.

Robin: ... Didn't I say things were different this time?

I couldn't just stand by...

...and watch them die.

Aokiji: ...Twenty years ago, the giant who fought for the island of Ohara...

Jaguar D. Saul... He was a good friend of mine.

On that day, I respected his wishes, and let you run away from that island...

And so I have a duty to see how your life turns out.

Aokiji: But even after twenty years, you hadn't found a place you belonged in.

I decided I couldn't let a wild bomb like you fly around free any more.

I thought, in the end, you had to die.

This time, I was going to eliminate the last vestige of Ohara for good.

I honestly never expected these kids could bring down CP9.

...Have you, at last...

...found a place where you belong?

Robin: ...

Yes.

Aokiji: Saul's decision to let you live... Whether his choice was right or wrong...

Will you show me the answer from here on?

Robin: ...I hope to.

Aokiji: Then live on.

Ohara is not truly gone.

Robin: Ah! Aokiji!

Luffy: HEY, ROBIN! Look at this! Robin, over here!

How much can you eat?? Meeeeeeeeeat!

Sogeking: Bwahahaha!

??: Luffy, you're the greatest!

Aokiji: I wonder... What will I see from now on?

Luffy: Whoa! You're doing great, Robin!

Sanji: P-please stop, Robin-chan!

[[Grand Line – Holy City Mariejois]]

Messenger: Gorousei!

Gorousei, sirs! Terrible news!

Gorousei: What are you talking about, then?

Messenger: In the New World…

'Red-Haired' Shanks and 'Whitebeard' Edward Newgate of the Yonkou have broken through the barricade of ships we sent against them yesterday, and have finally come into contact!

Gorousei: What?!

[[Grand Line – The New World]]

Pirate: Boss! Boss! 'Red-Hair' says he wants to see you, boss!

Whitebeard: Yeah… show him in.

Hope you brought some quality booze with you, kid.

It's not actually a complete script, though it does cover the high points. I'm starting in on a full translation myself just now…

There's one big problem with your theory, Terek – the geography doesn't work out.

East Blue, where our heroes come from, is to the northeast of Reverse Mountain. Reverse Mountain itself is set in the middle of the Red Line. Thus, north and south of Reverse Mountain are giant mountain ranges. To the east is the beginning of the Grand Line, and to the west is the end of the New World region of the Grand Line.

To get to the New World from Reverse Mountain, Krieg would have had to sail through the northern half of the Red Line somehow. From what we saw of it when the Straw Hats approached it, there's no channels, no rivers, no inlets, not even a good place to climb. Certainly no place that could let through a fleet of ships like Kreig's.

And furthermore, if he had gotten to the New World and then tried to turn around and flee, why would he end up in East Blue again? North Blue and West Blue are the closest seas to the New World, and would be much more convenient spots for him to stop and reprovision. He'd only have to pass the Calm Belt to get to one of them, not both the Calm Belt and the Red Line.

It seems much more likely to me that Mihawk was on the first half of the Grand Line at the time. After all, we know that Crocodile wasn't in the New World at that time, either, and we know de Flamingo went to Jaya, also in the first half, some time later, so it's not like the Shichibukai somehow avoid that half like the plague.

And just to make it absolutely clear: the first page is a list of Navy ranks. The list is identical to that which appeared in SBS some time ago. And the list includes both Vice-Admiral (chuujou) and Rear Admiral (shoushou) as separate ranks. So it's explicit confirmation that the rank of Rear Admiral exists in the World Government Navy, even if we haven't yet seen any officers at that rank.

And the SBS in question was Volume 8, Chapter 66.

Whitebeard is indeed one of the Four Emperors, as the picture implies. Basically, it's saying that, at the highest level of power, there are four pirates, and Whitebeard is the most well-known of them. I might not have phrased it as clearly as I could in the translation.

As long as I'm properly credited, sure! Go for it.