Kamberna laughed loudly, casually tossing a small iron box from one hand to the other as if it weighed nothing.
"I originally planned to wait until you all entered the base before capturing every last one of you," he said with obvious amusement. "I did not expect you to be so cautious, discovering us the moment you docked."
His grin widened.
"But it does not matter. Whether I capture you or not is irrelevant to the great Captain Kamberna. As long as you hand over the key to this explosive treasure box, I will release every Marine and civilian imprisoned inside your base."
Ash, who had been quietly observing the situation from the rear, finally spoke.
"Explosive treasure box?" he asked calmly. "What exactly is that?"
Sali shot him a strange look, clearly surprised that someone who appeared to be a noble did not know such common knowledge. Still, he explained.
"These explosive treasure boxes contain internal mechanisms. Only a specialized key can open them. If someone tries to force the lock, the box detonates."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"The explosion itself is usually not very powerful, but anything stored inside is almost guaranteed to be destroyed. Nobles often use them to store valuable items. Occasionally, the Marines use them to safeguard special treasures of the sea."
Ash stiffened for a split second before quickly regaining his composure.
Special treasures of the sea.
Devil Fruits.
The realization struck him instantly.
Sali's earlier look suddenly made sense. To him, it probably seemed absurd that a so-called noble would not recognize something so closely tied to wealth and power.
Lieutenant Commander Nanger reacted just as fast.
"Kamberna!" he roared. "You pretended to be captured just to steal a Devil Fruit. How did you know Base G-175 was storing one?"
Kamberna threw his head back and laughed.
"I have my own sources. That is none of your concern. Right now, I am holding over one hundred Marine soldiers inside the base, along with more than four hundred civilians on this island."
His voice dropped slightly, cold and deliberate.
"I am trading their lives for the key. What will you choose?"
Lieutenant Commander Nanger clenched his teeth, the veins on his forehead bulging violently.
At that moment, one of the captured Marines suddenly slammed his elbow backward, knocking the pirate guarding him off balance.
"Lieutenant Commander Nanger, do not trust him!" the Marine shouted. "Kamberna is a Devil Fruit user. He will never let us go…"
Bang!
The gunshot echoed sharply.
The Marine was struck instantly, blood spraying from his mouth as he collapsed to the ground, eyes still filled with defiance.
"Kamberna, you will die for this!" Nanger snarled, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth as he bit down too hard.
Bang!
Another shot rang out.
The pirate who had been knocked down moments earlier had just struggled to his feet when Kamberna casually shot him dead.
"Useless trash," Kamberna said indifferently, glancing at the corpse at his feet.
He then looked back toward Nanger.
"Well? Have you made your decision? My patience is limited. Every minute you hesitate, I will kill another Marine or civilian."
"Have you lost your mind?" Nanger shouted. "Do you really believe you can massacre a Marine base without drawing the attention of Marine Headquarters? A Vice Admiral, or even an Admiral, will hunt you down!"
If one side pressed too hard, the other had to soften.
After all, no one could guarantee that pirates like Kamberna would behave rationally once cornered. Even if Marineford avenged them later, the dead would remain dead.
"Kamberna, calm yourself," the Petty Officer interjected quickly.
"You know that the explosive treasure box contains a Devil Fruit, so you should also know this. A Four Seas branch base like ours only stores the box, not the key."
He spoke firmly, meeting Kamberna's gaze.
"The Devil Fruit is only being held here temporarily. When it is time to deliver the Heavenly Tribute, a Vice Admiral from Headquarters will personally retrieve it."
Kamberna's expression darkened.
He was reckless, but not foolish.
Only someone with a functioning brain could orchestrate such a scheme. Failing to enter the Grand Line, pretending to be overwhelmed by Marines, allowing himself to be captured, infiltrating the base, and turning the situation upside down.
The loss of pirate ships and underlings meant nothing to him. Those ships were expendable. Those men were disposable.
If sacrificing them could earn him Marine warships and a Devil Fruit, it would be a bargain.
But now, after all that planning, to be left with nothing but a locked box?
That was unacceptable.
"Wahaha…" Kamberna laughed again, though the sound carried no warmth. "How you obtain the key is your problem. All I care about is the little thing inside."
Bang!
Another Marine fell.
Lieutenant Commander Nanger's vision went red, but he still held back.
During their earlier clash, he had personally fought Kamberna. The man's physical strength was monstrous. Combined with his massive, bear-like frame, defeating him had taken everything Nanger had.
Even now, his jaw still throbbed where Kamberna had struck him.
Worse, he had just learned Kamberna was a Devil Fruit user. Yet during their previous fight, Kamberna had not revealed any ability at all.
If Kamberna stopped holding back now, and Nanger failed to defeat him, then every Marine behind him would be slaughtered.
The Petty Officer understood Nanger's hesitation immediately.
"Lieutenant Commander," he said firmly. "This is something we cannot compromise on. Whether we give him the key or not, Kamberna will not spare the hostages."
He straightened his back.
"For the sake of justice, we must stop him here. Even if it costs us our lives."
"Lais…" Nanger began.
At the rear, Ash stared silently at the scene.
So that was the Chief Petty Officer's name.
An absurdly calm thought crossed his mind.
Lieutenant Commander Nanger slowly turned, looking at the Marines behind him.
"Lieutenant Commander, let us fight!"
"That is right, sir. We joined the Marines prepared for this!"
"We are Marines of justice. How can we kneel before pirates!"
"Lieutenant Commander, let us die as Marines!"
The realization struck them all at once.
They had become the reason their commander hesitated.
Another gunshot rang out, and another Marine collapsed.
That was the final straw.
Nanger roared, leaping from cover and charging straight at Kamberna. The Marines followed, weapons raised, faces burning with resolve.
So-called free warriors of the sea?
Nothing but selfish filth.
These Marines, standing their ground in the face of death, were the true warriors of the sea.
"Kamberna!" Nanger bellowed. "You pirate bastard, die!"
At the very back, Ash watched calmly.
If this was the measure of the world's strength, then one day he would stand above it all.
Not as prey.
But as judgment.