There are few secrets on the open seas.
As the Buster Call fleet passed through, three unfortunate pirate crews were blasted into the ocean, but this couldn’t entirely stop the flow of information. One of the New World’s twin powers, Zebruth the Hellhound, leading his entire crew into action, was bound to leak some information.
The collision between these two forces was a once-in-decades event!
As the battle erupted, the pirates of the surrounding seas heard the news, especially those just beneath the twin powers. They sensed an opportunity and moved swiftly.
Would the Hell Pirates suffer heavy losses? Could we seize the throne? Would the Marines launch a purge in response?
But even the boldest pirates couldn’t have foreseen that it would end with the complete annihilation of Zebruth and his entire crew!
“The seas are changing. Who is this person who fought Zebruth for a day and night? The Marines have such a powerful hidden warrior?” pondered Iguain, a pirate with a bounty of 620 million berries, standing at the bow of his ship.
A pirate beside him asked, “Captain, if we stay here any longer, we’ll encounter the returning Buster Call fleet in half an hour. Should we turn around and leave their route?”
“Yeah, we’ve seen enough excitement,” Iguain said with a bloodthirsty grin, turning to his crew. “Boys, turn around! Let’s go carve up the Hell Pirates’ territory! The seas are vast enough; the Gluttonous King can’t control the entire New World alone. He needs someone to share the burden from the Marines! We will become the new twin powers! The new kings!”
“Yeah!” the crew cheered.
Amidst the cheers, a discordant pirate voice cut in, “Captain, look up, someone’s flying in the sky!”
“Hmm?” Iguain looked up, locking eyes with an old man flying high above.
In the next second, his smile froze, and his pupils contracted rapidly as cold sweat broke out on his forehead!
The old man descended.
Iguain’s legs began to tremble!
No, don’t come over here! I was just here to watch the fun!
“Run! Run away! That’s the Marine Fleet Admiral Ohka! Get out of here!!”
Two minutes later, the pirate ship carrying a great pirate’s dream sank into the sea, taking the crew with it, leaving no trace behind.
Ohka flew back up, somewhat surprised and relieved, “They actually won?”
The former strongest Marine, possibly still the strongest of the current era, and the Float Float Fruit user—
Marine Fleet Admiral Ohka!
…
“Hahaha, Ohka, you old fart, you got here pretty fast!” Doug’s laughter echoed as he saw Ohka arrive. “Did you fly here at full speed? Too bad, too bad. You’re a bit late. Otherwise, you could have shared the credit for capturing Zebruth.”
Ohka glared at Doug, whose grin was nearly splitting his face.
You just happened to have a strong student. What did you teach him? If I had run the elite camp, Figo would be even stronger now! He’d be calling me teacher! Calling it with more sincerity!
Ignoring Doug, Ohka responded to the Marines’ greetings on the ships, noting their lingering excitement. He could only imagine how loudly they cheered after the victory and how much respect Figo had earned.
Lucky old Doug!
He cursed internally again, then looked at Figo walking over and smiled, “Well done, Figo. How are your injuries?”
“Just a bit rare. Won’t affect much. A couple of Sea Kings will fix it,” Figo said, his body covered in bandages. Zebruth’ final desperate attack had left significant wounds.
Ohka patted Figo’s waist, ensuring he was still strong and sturdy. “Honestly, I’m still having trouble believing you managed to defeat Zebruth!”
“Could you still do it, old bones? You’ve held the title of the strongest Marine for over 30 years. Maybe it’s time for a change!” Doug’s grin reached his ears.
Ohka glared at him again, unable to resist a jab, “You calling me old bones? Old fart, I’m still two years younger than you. I can live another 20 years! And you? Don’t let your spirit die just because you caught Zebruth. Don’t end up in the ground in a couple of years!”
“Then I’ll die without regrets!”
“Your grandson is still young.”
“I have so many students; someone will take care of him… Wait! Ohka, why are you making it sound like I’m about to die?”
The two old men bickered back and forth.
Figo and Mia exchanged glances and led them to the cabin, ensuring their images didn’t collapse in front of the Marines.
Left alone, the two stopped arguing and exchanged serious looks.
Doug asked sternly, “Ohka, could you notify me ahead of time? Is there some hidden agenda behind this war with the Hell Pirates?”
Ohka countered, “Were the casualties severe?”
Doug fell silent, nodding.
It was a war, after all. How could there be no casualties? The Hell Pirates weren’t pushovers. Fortunately, they didn’t fight on the Hell Pirates’ territory; their allied forces didn’t join. Otherwise, even with a numerical advantage, the Buster Call fleet might not have matched up.
Among the Hell Pirates’ officers, both vice-captains were SSR1, one of the four beasts was SSR1, three were SR9, plus other influential members with various abilities. In the high-level battle on the island, even with the Marines’ numerical advantage, the desperate counterattack claimed the lives of three Rear Admirals.
In the sea battles, four officers and nearly a hundred lower-ranked Marines were lost, thanks in part to Figo’s ship-sinking strategy.
Mia’s ship, which encountered Zebruth early, had only a few survivors rescued by Figo.
Talking about these made the atmosphere heavy. Ohka looked at Mia, realizing how dangerous the situation had been.
“The casualties are less than I expected.”
Ohka, having seen such things for decades, said softly, “The Navy will remember the sacrifices of the fallen Marines. The new Fleet Admiral Gandoru will properly arrange their affairs.”
“New Fleet Admiral?!” the others were shocked. Figo asked, “Is it because of me, Fleet Admiral?”
Ohka shook his head, “Only partly. Over the decades, Mendesbin Saint has grown increasingly intolerant of me.
Heh, even if he didn’t remove me, I wouldn’t want to remain Fleet Admiral. This time, he went too far!”
“So, the Hell Pirates’ coincidental attack was indeed related to the Five Elders?” Doug’s anger flared, clenching his fists.
Ohka nodded, explaining the background to the three, “I believe it wasn’t just aimed at Figo. Only targeting Figo wouldn’t make him tear the veil. Perhaps… he wanted you dead, Doug.”
Doug considered, chuckling bitterly, “Didn’t expect that I, an old man ready to retire, would still be feared by the Five Elders for standing up once after a lifetime of being a coward.”
“Fleet Admiral Ohka,” Figo suddenly interjected, “I’ve always been puzzled. How can the World Government and the Celestial Dragons command the Marine Headquarters, including powerful figures like you and the Admirals?”
Ohka was taken aback, “Figo, you…”
Doug laughed again, “Young people are bolder. You might not know, Ohka, Figo has awakened Conqueror’s Haki. He has the qualities of a king!”
Ohka was visibly surprised.
Figo quickly explained, “No, no, it’s unrelated. I’m just genuinely curious.”
Ohka remained silent momentarily, warning, “Figo, don’t get any ideas!
The World Government oversees 157 member nations, a number that grows yearly. Powerful nations aside, the weaker ones need protection from World Government troops. This army is several hundred times larger than the Marine forces!
If the World Government falls into chaos, the world will instantly descend into madness. You’re still young and not fully aware of the global situation. The Marines are just the tip of the iceberg for the World Government!”
An ultra-large-scale army? Figo pondered, asking, “Are there strong individuals in these armies comparable to you and the Admirals?”
Ohka hesitated, staring intently at Figo.
Figo continued, “Just curious, purely out of curiosity. Also, in these 700 years, have any kings on the seas ever directly attacked Mary Geoise to overthrow the world?”
This time, even Doug didn’t laugh. Mia and the others also stared intently at Figo.
Figo grinned sheepishly.
“Curiosity, pure curiosity.”
Become a Patron read up to 40 chapter ahead public release ^_^
Please join Discord Server so we can talk ^_^
