Rhett patted the girl's hand gently, telling her to wait. Then he spoke, his voice cutting through the noise.
"Ah. Navy-led robbery?"
He turned to Gale, whose face was dark. "Black Hawk Admiral, it seems your Navy has some rotten apples."
"Are you going to take the blame?"
All eyes turned to Gale.
The air was thick. The villagers' accusations, Joy Boy's confusion, the soldiers' shock, and Gale's grim expression.
Then Rhett moved. Slowly, lazily, but with undeniable pressure. He stepped between Gale and the villagers, a living barrier.
He didn't look at the villagers or Joy Boy. His crimson eyes were fixed on Gale.
Gale clenched his jaw.
The boy, Bufeng, felt the weight of Rhett's presence. A kind of despair.
Rhett smiled. "Relax, kid. I'm on your side."
Gale struggled to contain his anger. As an Admiral, he had to protect justice and the Navy's reputation. But the accusations were serious.
"Navy Admirals require evidence," he said. "You claim you saw. Show me."
The boy flinched but didn't back down. He pulled out a torn, bloodstained Navy shoulder patch and threw it at Gale.
"This is the proof!" His voice was hoarse. "My father... tore this from the leader's coat before he died. He told me to remember. Remember who brought this nightmare."
The patch gleamed in the sun. Gale's eyes locked onto it. He recognized it immediately. A high-ranking officer's mark. In his own sector.
He closed his eyes. When he opened them, they were filled with shock, anger, and betrayal.
He walked past his guards, stopping in front of the boy. Then, the mighty Admiral bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry," he said. "For the Navy's failures. For what was done to you."
The boy trembled. Then he screamed, throwing a punch at Gale's face.
"I don't want your apology!"
The blow landed. Gale didn't flinch. He stayed bowed.
But the second punch never came.
The boy gasped, his eyes full of tears. "I can tell... you're different."
"I don't want revenge on you. I want the leader. The pirates. Where is he?"
He stared at Gale. "Will you help?"
The beasts around him growled, some having evolved further. Rhett looked at him—he had just awakened his Devil Fruit. A special one, like the guardian fruits of Arabasta. The boy had found his purpose.
Gale straightened, wiping blood from his lip. His eyes were sharp.
"Yes. I swear it. I will find the Navy's traitors and destroy them. I will give you justice."
The tension eased slightly. But the beasts were still restless. Their fury had been stirred.
Then Bufeng turned. His black markings glowed faintly. A new resolve shone in his eyes.