"Don't be so tense, Momousagi. I understand your concerns."
Sambidi lay lazily on his lounge chair, his hands resting behind his head. After taking a sip of juice, he spoke slowly.
"Although I didn't attend that high-level meeting, in my opinion, the upper ranks may have overestimated the strength of the Zephir Kingdom."
He paused before continuing.
"I've read that report too. Zephir Arthur and his kingdom have indeed achieved quite a few victories—destroying the Gambino Family, conquering Ruse, and even wiping out a Marine force. But Momousagi, you must understand something."
Momousagi's gaze sharpened slightly, though she remained silent.
"To ordinary people, those achievements may sound astonishing," Sambidi continued casually. "But to us…"
"A mere mafia family, a mediocre kingdom, and a fleet commanded by a branch Marine colonel…"
He shrugged.
"If I were to act, no—actually, even a few rear admirals could handle it. With me here as a Vice Admiral, and with you accompanying me as a Rear Admiral, the Zephir Kingdom is nothing worth worrying about."
Momousagi was momentarily speechless.
Although she wanted to argue, she also knew that Sambidi's words weren't entirely wrong.
The gap between Marine Headquarters and the branch bases was enormous.
Even if two officers held the same rank, their strength could differ drastically.
Destroying the Gambino Family, conquering the Kingdom of Ruse, and annihilating a Marine force…
Those feats might shake the West Blue, but in the eyes of Marine Headquarters, a single Vice Admiral could easily accomplish them.
That was precisely why Sambidi had been sent.
If negotiations failed—
He would immediately subdue the Zephir Kingdom by force.
After all, everyone in Marine Headquarters believed that one Vice Admiral was enough to crush the entire Zephir Kingdom.
As for Momousagi…
She had only been assigned to accompany the mission because Vice Admiral Tsuru had lingering concerns.
"No matter what, Vice Admiral Sambidi… it would still be wise to remain cautious."
After a moment of silence, Momousagi finally spoke.
"Alright, alright. I get it. I'll be careful."
Sambidi waved his hand helplessly.
Then he suddenly looked at Momousagi with a playful grin.
"Speaking of which… how are things going between you and Chaton? I heard he confessed to you again last week. Honestly, that guy—"
"Vice Admiral Sambidi!"
Momousagi abruptly cut him off.
A dazzling yet slightly dangerous smile appeared on her face.
"If you're planning to speak on Chaton's behalf, I suggest you save your breath."
"Alright, alright! I won't bring it up again!"
Seeing that smile, Sambidi shivered slightly and immediately shut his mouth.
Chaton… it's not that I'm not helping you…
BOOM!!!
Suddenly, the entire warship shook violently.
Sambidi and Momousagi's expressions changed instantly.
"What's going on?!"
Sambidi's lazy demeanor vanished as he stood up.
Just then, he faintly heard a low voice echoing from somewhere.
"Water Release: Four Pillars Binding Technique!"
RUMBLE—!!!
"Ahh! What is that?!"
Amid thunderous explosions and panicked shouts from the Marines, both Sambidi and Momousagi's pupils contracted.
Around the warship—
Four towering walls of water suddenly surged upward.
They surrounded the ship from every direction.
Even the top of the enclosure sealed shut, trapping the vessel completely.
From afar, the warship now looked like it had been locked inside a massive water prison.
BANG!
The advancing warship suddenly slammed into the front water wall.
The entire vessel shuddered violently as if it had struck an indestructible barrier.
It stopped instantly.
Marines across the deck were thrown off balance and tumbled everywhere.
"Ah—!"
"What the hell is happening?!"
"What is this thing?!"
The soldiers scrambled to their feet, staring in terror at the towering water walls surrounding the ship.
"What kind of phenomenon is this? Some kind of strange ocean current?"
On the entire warship, only Momousagi and Sambidi remained perfectly steady.
Momousagi's delicate brows knitted together.
"This… could it be some unusual ocean current?"
"No."
Sambidi's expression turned extremely serious.
"This isn't the New World. And ocean currents can't do something like this."
He stared at the water walls and recalled the faint voice he had heard earlier.
His entire body tensed.
"Everyone stay alert!"
"If I'm not mistaken…"
"This is man-made."
"Man-made?"
Momousagi's heart tightened as her right hand instinctively moved to the hilt of her sword.
Then a thought flashed through her mind.
"Could this be the work of the Zephir Kingdom?"
"The Zephir Kingdom?"
Sambidi let out a cold laugh.
"They don't have that kind of ability."
"I think we've encountered some unknown enemy."
He suddenly turned and shouted at the Marines.
"What are you standing around for?! Prepare for battle!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Marines quickly regained their composure.
Weapons were raised.
Battle formations were formed.
All eyes watched their surroundings cautiously.
Momousagi wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
However, unease grew in her heart.
For some reason, remembering Vice Admiral Tsuru's serious tone before departure, she had a bad feeling.
This mission…
Might not be as simple as they thought.
Just then—
The water wall in front of the warship suddenly bulged outward.
The water shifted and reshaped itself.
Soon, the upper body of a figure formed within the wall.
A cat-shaped mask.
A black tight-fitting uniform.
And a white shoulder harness.
An ANBU operative.
"Who goes there?!"
The moment the figure appeared, Sambidi and Momousagi immediately locked their gazes onto him.
Soon, all the Marines turned their attention as well.
The ANBU operative emerged halfway from the water wall.
For a moment, everyone froze.
Then—
The ANBU member spoke.
His cold gaze swept across all the Marines, including Momousagi and Sambidi.
His voice was icy.
"Marines…"
"You have crossed the line."
"The waters ahead belong to His Majesty Zephir Arthur."
"Turn your ship around immediately."
"Otherwise…"
"I cannot guarantee your safety."
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