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Shells rained down like a storm without end, blanketing every inch of the island.
Flames roared skyward, spreading in waves, swallowing everything in their path.
"Ohara…"
Dr. Clover stood at the bow of the ship, tears streaming down his face.
Behind him, the other scholars wept in silence.
This was their home. And today, it was turning to ash.
The mood aboard the warship was heavy. Crocodile smoked in silence, his expression unreadable. Bullet stood with his arms crossed, face grim.
"Now's not the time to fall apart," T. Bone said sharply. "We're not out of danger yet."
He stared ahead, his usually gaunt, corpse-like face tense.
A warship had broken away from the fleet and was slowly cutting across their path.
Two towering figures stood at its prow, broad-shouldered and imposing. Everyone recognized them instantly.
"Sengoku the Buddha."
"Black Arm Zephyr."
"Let's fight them," Bullet said, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes as battle intent surged across his face.
But Crocodile extended an arm, blocking him. "Don't forget our primary mission."
He glanced at the scholars behind them.
"They're still not safe."
Bullet's expression stiffened. He clicked his tongue in annoyance. "I really don't get why Kyle insisted on saving this bunch."
"You don't understand their value," Crocodile replied.
He paused, then added flatly, "Of course, neither do I."
"Just follow orders."
"If blame comes down later, neither of us can afford it."
Bullet snorted, but didn't argue further.
A thousand meters away, aboard the approaching warship, Sengoku and Zephyr stood in silence.
Ahead of them, flames soared into the sky, devouring everything.
All of Ohara was now engulfed.
"Ohara…" Zephyr let out a quiet sigh.
Then his gaze sharpened.
"That ship."
Sengoku raised his eyes. "They're Kyle's subordinates."
"The leaders are former Roger Pirate Douglas Bullet and Crocodile."
He paused.
"Both extremely powerful."
"As for the rest of that squad, including T. Bone, Intelligence believes they've all reached at least vice-admiral level."
Zephyr narrowed his eyes.
"That's an elite unit."
Sengoku nodded. "Over the past two years, G-18 Fortress has doubled its training volume. They've produced a remarkable number of strong officers."
"Their spending on supplies, equipment, and weapons maintenance is five to eight times higher than other bases."
"It's safe to say that this West Blue branch is now comparable to some of the Grand Line's elite forces."
A flicker of shock crossed Zephyr's face. "Headquarters approved that kind of budget?"
Sengoku's eyes shifted, but he didn't answer.
After all, he had played a role in approving it. Fleet Admiral Kong had agreed as well. Sending someone with admiral-tier combat power like Kyle to the Four Blues had already left them feeling guilty.
So they let him do as he pleased.
A stronger branch base only benefited the Marines.
Who could have predicted that two years later, Ohara would meet this fate… and that they would end up crossing blades with Kyle?
"They've taken the scholars," Zephyr said hesitantly. "Do we intervene?"
Technically, the scholars were the primary objective of this mission. But no one had expected G-18 to interfere midway.
"The scholars of Ohara…" Sengoku's expression shifted.
Suddenly, he recalled the words Saul had hurled at him before leaving.
Are these people truly evil?
Is there even any proof they've done wrong?
The answers were obvious.
Erasing an entire island over a fragment of history… If it were a direct order from above, bound by position and duty, he would have carried it out without hesitation.
But now—
"It's already come to this," Sengoku said quietly.
"Kyle is standing at the front."
"So are we really going to attack a group of unarmed civilians?"
Zephyr glanced at him but said nothing.
Sengoku was right. Someone was already bearing the responsibility. Even if their mission failed, the World Government wouldn't be able to pin it on them.
"We can't let everything Kyle's done go to waste," Sengoku murmured.
A faint smile appeared on Zephyr's face. He nodded.
"And besides… our true objective this time…"
Sengoku's eyes turned razor-sharp.
"That brat."
Zephyr's gaze hardened as well.
"Then let's see how much Kyle has grown."
Just then, a colonel hurried over.
"Admiral Sengoku, we've received a message from the World Government."
"They've ordered that your battle with Kyle be recorded and transmitted live."
Both admirals froze for a moment, then frowned.
"The Five Elders want to watch?" Sengoku's voice turned cold.
"More accurately," Zephyr said thoughtfully, "they want to assess Kyle's strength."
"Bunch of idle old men with nothing better to do," Sengoku snorted.
They were already in a foul mood, and the coming fight was guaranteed to be brutal. Now the Government wanted to observe it in real time.
It felt like surveillance.
Neither admiral liked that.
Moments later, a report came in.
"The G-18 forces have withdrawn. They've evacuated the civilians of Ohara."
Sengoku nodded, then suddenly asked, "What about the scholars?"
The marine officer hesitated. "We didn't see them."
"They were probably killed in the Buster Call bombardment."
A faint smile appeared on Sengoku's face. "Good. Dead is fine."
The officer exhaled in relief and withdrew.
On the other ship—
"They didn't attack us." Alvida let out a breath, patting her chest. "Looks like their target is Kyle."
Crocodile's eyes flickered. "Seems that way."
"Old T!" Bullet suddenly called out.
T. Bone turned. "Bullet."
"You take them back to base."
T. Bone blinked. "And you?"
"I'm going to help," Bullet said, grinning wide, battle hunger blazing in his eyes.
Ever since joining Kyle, he hadn't had a proper fight in ages. Faced with a situation like this, there was no way he could sit still.
T. Bone stiffened, instantly understanding his intent.
"And you, Sand?" Bullet asked, turning.
Crocodile exhaled a plume of smoke, smiling faintly. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."
T. Bone hesitated.
Part of him desperately wanted to help Commander Kyle.
But the commander's order had been clear.
Protect the scholars.
"Old T, don't hesitate!"
"The next battlefield is ours. Bullet and I are the best choice."
"And you—this is where you're needed most!"
Crocodile took a slow drag on his cigar, smoke curling from his lips as he continued, "He once said everyone has a place they're meant to stand. Just doing your part well is already no easy thing."
T-Bone's body trembled. Then he lifted his head and nodded firmly. "I'll protect them. No matter what."
Crocodile and Bullet exchanged a look and broke into faint smiles.
"Drop us on the ice up ahead."
——
The wind howled across the frozen sea, snow sweeping through the air in sharp, cutting flurries.
Kyle stood bare-chested on the ice, his powerful frame unmoving against the cold. He looked like a statue carved from iron.
Suddenly, his eyes sharpened.
A warship had docked against the frozen shoreline at some point without him noticing. Two figures leapt down from it one after the other.
Footsteps crunched faintly over the ice. The wind seemed to pick up.
After a moment—
"You've caused quite a storm, kid."
The deep voice carried across the frozen plain.
A broad-shouldered man with a cropped purple buzz cut stepped forward. It was Zephyr.
"Teacher Zephyr."
Kyle grinned.
"Teacher?" Zephyr let out a low chuckle. "Looks like I really did raise a remarkable student."
Strict as ever, but there was pride in his eyes. Even if Kyle had officially been Garp's disciple, he'd still trained under Zephyr during his recruit days.
"Zephyr, this isn't the place for reminiscing."
"Don't forget why we're here."
Another figure approached, his voice heavy with authority.
"Admiral Sengoku."
Kyle called out calmly.
"You've stirred up something enormous."
Sengoku's gaze turned sharp. "Kyle… are you planning to defect from the Navy?"
"I have no intention of leaving the Navy."
Kyle shook his head.
"I'm just following the justice in my heart."
He let out a quiet breath.
"The little bit of goodness I still have tells me this was something I had to do."
His eyes hardened.
"And besides… the West Blue has been under my protection for two years now."
"I won't allow this kind of injustice to fester in the waters I oversee."
Sengoku fell silent for a moment, then let out a cold laugh.
"Your waters?"
"What are you trying to become—a warlord?"
Kyle narrowed his eyes and leaned forward slightly. A fighting stance.
"If the Navy I serve can't uphold real justice… can't protect the line we swore never to cross…"
"Then I'll build another one myself."
"A true Navy."
His voice rang out like steel striking steel.
Zephyr and Sengoku both felt it—the weight of his conviction. This wasn't empty talk. He meant every word.
"This may not be injustice," Zephyr said slowly, shaking his head. "But it is still—"
He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't have to.
"We're here to arrest you," Sengoku said coldly. Golden light began to flicker around him.
"Your crimes will be determined after your capture and trial."
Zephyr stepped to the side, giving himself space. He, too, prepared to strike.
"So…"
Kyle bared his teeth in a wide grin, though his eyes were deadly serious.
"Looks like we're settling this with our fists."
Two Admirals.
Not easy opponents.
Another one-against-two.
And this time, it would be even harder.
Hard enough that his life might very well hang in the balance.
"..."
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