Half an hour later, in the Marineford infirmary.
The afterglow of the setting sun spilled into the ward.
Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan sat together, each holding a Devil Fruit with a strange pattern, their expressions complex.
They had lost.
They had lost completely.
But the man who had beaten them had thrown this power, which was enough to trigger wars on the sea, to them like trash.
"Only Haki... is the truth that transcends everything?"
Sakazuki looked at the Mag-Mag Fruit in his hand, his eyes dark. Although he was unwilling, he had to admit that Tatsuki's words had a heart-shaking boldness.
"It's really annoying." Kuzan scratched his hair. "It makes it feel like we're just picking up his leftovers."
"Yeah, he's truly a scary man."
Borsalino held the Glint-Glint Fruit, looking thoughtful. "Preferring to trust his own body rather than take a shortcut... I'm ashamed to say I can't match that level of resolve."
At this moment, although the three still felt resentment toward Tatsuki, there was an added sense of respect that they didn't want to admit but definitely existed.
That man, perhaps he really did it to spur us on.
Just then, a bruised figure with a limp was passing by the window, grumbling.
"Damn Zephyr, he really hit hard. If you won't give the money, then don't, but was it necessary to kick me in the face?"
"No, this is a huge loss. I must sneak into his office tonight and steal all those boxes of special-supply cigars he's been hoarding."
The voice drifted clearly into the ward.
The originally heavy and moving atmosphere in the room vanished instantly.
Crack.
The apple in Sakazuki's hand was crushed.
The three looked at each other, several black lines hanging from their foreheads in unison.
Moved, my ass!
He is still that piece of scum!
Time flew by, three days later.
Sabaody Archipelago, Area 13, the edge of the Lawless Zone.
Boom! Boom!
Explosions rang out one after another, and thick smoke billowed into the sky.
A pirate ship flying a Jolly Roger crashed onto the shore, smashing half of the commercial street to pieces.
"Hahahahaha! Don't move! Or I'll crush these pigs to death!"
Inside the shattered auction house hall, a pirate Captain wearing studded leather and a Mohawk laughed wildly.
His legs had turned into giant metal springs, constantly compressing and bouncing in place, leaving deep craters in the marble floor every time he landed.
Dozens of shivering civilians knelt at his feet. Several women and children had knives held to their throats by his subordinates, their cries filling the air.
On the perimeter, the Marines had already set up a cordon.
"Quick! Evacuate the crowd!"
"Snipers in position! Don't do anything to provoke the pirates inside!"
A warship had just docked at the shore.
Warrant Officer Tatsuki, Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan stood at the bow, their expressions varied.
This was a sudden live-combat mission.
Zephyr wanted them to adapt to their newly acquired powers, but he didn't expect them to run into trouble as soon as they arrived at Sabaody Archipelago.
"The situation is dire."
A Branch Major in charge of field command ran over, looking at these four Marineford elites as if they were lifesavers, and reported while drenched in sweat, "The pirates inside are the 'Flea Pirates.' Their Captain is Galdo, with a bounty of 68 million Berries. He is a Paramecia-type, Spring-Spring Fruit user."
"They've taken over a hundred civilians in the auction house hostage and installed a large amount of explosives at the entrance. They claim that if we don't prepare a coated ship and 500 million Berries in cash within ten minutes, they'll kill the hostages."
His voice trembled. "Just now... they already threw out two bodies."
"Boring tricks."
Sakazuki snorted coldly and took off his Marine cap. His arms, which were previously wrapped in bandages, were now fully recovered.
Not only that, as his emotions fluctuated, the surrounding temperature suddenly rose, and even the deck beneath his feet began to emit black smoke.
"Scum like this doesn't deserve to breathe. Let me in to burn them, along with this den of sin, to ashes."
"You can't, Warrant Officer Sakazuki!" The Major's face turned pale with fright.
"There are civilians inside! If there's an explosion, the consequences will be unthinkable! The orders from above are to 'preserve the hostages as much as possible'. Furthermore, the target is a Devil Fruit User, he needs to be captured alive and sent to Impel Down."
Sakazuki gritted his teeth, his fists cracking loudly.
The feeling of wanting to destroy evil but being bound by rules and regulations made him feel sick.
"Preserve as much as possible?"
Tatsuki leaned against the railing, playing with a gold-plated lighter he'd swiped from Zephyr. "In other words, as long as there's no major disaster, it's fine?"
The Major was stunned. "Uh... theoretically, yes, but..."
"Since it's a live-combat mission, that means we're allowed some creative freedom within a certain range, right?"
Tatsuki turned back and gave the three monsters beside him a pure, innocent smile.
Sakazuki glanced at him and instinctively took a step aside, warning warily, "What are you planning? I'm warning you, if you dare to pull any of your nonsense now..."
"How could I? I'm the Marine who cares most about civilians."
Tatsuki straightened his tie. "I'll go negotiate. After all, nobody wants to see bloodshed, right?"
With that, before Sakazuki could react, Tatsuki had already flipped over and leaped off the warship.
"Wait! Tatsuki! The negotiator is still on the way!" The Major shouted anxiously.
"No need."
Sakazuki suddenly spoke, staring at Tatsuki's back with a complex gaze. "Although that bastard has a terrible character, he won't go too far out of line."
...
The auction house doors were tightly shut.
From inside, arrogant laughter could be heard.
"Listen up, Marines outside! My patience is limited!"
Galdo's legs turned into springs as he bounced around the ceiling, clutching a shivering noblewoman.
"In three more minutes, if I don't see a ship, I'll snap this woman's neck."
"Hahahaha! Is this the Marines? What a bunch of useless trash!"
The surrounding pirate lackeys joined in the jeering. Some were gesturing with knives at the hostages' faces, while others were moving crates of explosives.
The hostages huddled in the corner, crying out in despair.
Just then—
Knock... Knock...
A dull knocking sound rang out, very rhythmic.
"Who?!" Galdo stopped his movements and stared warily at the door.
"Food delivery."
A gentle voice came from outside. "Someone just ordered 500 million Berries in cash and a ship. Please sign for them."
Galdo was stunned, then overjoyed. "At least they're sensible. Open the door."
A crack was opened in the heavy iron door.
Sunlight streamed into the dim hall.
Standing at the door was only a single young Marine Soldier. He didn't have a gun, nor was he carrying a money chest, he only had that refreshing smile on his face.
"Where's the money? Where's the ship?" Galdo's eyes widened.
Seeing the empty space behind the Marine, he flew into a rage. "You dare play me?!"
Tatsuki said, "Don't be in such a hurry. The paperwork is quite complicated, but it's already in process."