**Kober to Cober
With Yoriichi's full backing, Kyros began to act more boldly.
Originally, he had intended to complete his mission quietly, just get Roger's associates off Patrilia Island without alerting anyone.
But things had clearly escalated.
Now that Yoriichi knew about the situation and supported his decision, Kyros no longer had to hold back. There was no need for hesitation.
On the streets of Patrilia Island, even after the Marines released the pregnant woman, Kyros didn't let them leave. He simply stood waiting, for the commanding officer in charge of the island's military operation to arrive.
All the Marines here were from the South Blue's S-331 Branch. Their highest-ranking officer was Rear Admiral Cober.
Cober, born in the South Blue, was a rugged man of 47 with a neat goatee and a towering frame nearly two meters tall. From a distance, he resembled a walking fortress.
When Cober and his squad appeared at the far end of the street, everyone turned to look.
"He's huge…"
"This guy's got serious presence," Mihawk murmured.
Even though Issho couldn't see him, his Kenbunshoku Haki picked up the man's overwhelming aura. He nodded slightly in acknowledgement.
As Cober approached, he glanced briefly at his subordinates before locking eyes with Kyros and the others.
Then, unexpectedly, his stern expression melted into a cheerful grin.
Before even reaching them, he extended a hand and quickened his pace.
"You must be Captain Kyros of the Dawn Division, right? What a pleasure!" he said warmly. "Didn't expect to see you here."
He turned to look at Mihawk and Issho.
"And these are your companions? Impressive, impressive. No wonder you're Vice Admiral Yoriichi's men!"
"I'm Cober, Rear Admiral of the S-331 Branch. Please, no need to stand on ceremony. Just call me Cober."
Despite his high rank, Cober acted like a junior officer meeting a senior, smiling and humble in the face of Kyros, a mere Captain.
Kyros had expected conflict. After all, Cober's unit was acting under orders from Marine HQ. He didn't think they'd just roll over because he asked nicely.
But this… was unexpected.
Kyros shook Cober's hand, then introduced the others.
"This is Commander Issho. And this man is Dracule Mihawk, a special combatant personally brought in by Vice Admiral Yoriichi."
He chose his words carefully. Even if they weren't in open conflict yet, it was important to show strength, otherwise, they'd have no authority.
And it seemed Cober understood that too.
"Oh! Commander Issho and Mr. Dracule! I've heard so much about you!" Cober said with enthusiastic flattery, even though he clearly hadn't heard of either of them.
He reached out to shake Mihawk's hand, but Mihawk merely lifted his chin and said nothing. Issho, on the other hand, politely shook his hand.
Unfazed, Cober laughed it off and turned back to Kyros.
"Captain Kyros, did my men do something to offend you? Did they cross a line? If they did, just tell me. If they've acted against our Marine justice, I'll make sure they're punished!"
Kyros kept his expression firm.
"Rear Admiral Cober, I ask that you restrain all Marines on this island."
"Their actions, to massacre every pregnant woman here in the name of wiping out Roger's bloodline, violate everything Marine justice stands for."
"Please, order all operations to cease immediately."
"This isn't just my request. It comes from Vice Admiral Yoriichi himself."
Cober's grin didn't falter. He reached into his coat and pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
"This is Rear Admiral Cober of the S-331 Branch," he said into the receiver. "New orders: All Marines, halt all operations. Release all detainees. Return to your ships and await further commands."
His voice was powerful, his tone commanding.
Kyros's eyes brightened. That had gone smoother than expected.
Cober smiled again. "Well? Is that satisfactory?"
"I think I've been pretty cooperative, don't you?"
Kyros bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Rear Admiral Cober. Truly."
"No need for thanks," Cober chuckled. "We're all Marines, aren't we?"
He gestured toward the port. "Come aboard my ship for tea, won't you? I've always admired the Dawn Division. I'd love to hear more about Vice Admiral Yoriichi."
"To be honest… I'm something of a fan."
Kyros hesitated, but eventually nodded. Refusing would be rude, especially after Cober had done him such a huge favor.
Cober beamed, walked over, and hoisted the "unconscious" sergeant onto his shoulder before leading the way.
They hadn't walked far when a wall of black-suited CP9 agents blocked their path.
From their ranks, a young man in a black fedora stepped forward. A boy, perhaps 8 years old, walked beside him.
The man's voice was cold.
"Cober!"
"What are you Marines doing?"
"Why are you retreating?!"
"Are you ignoring CP9's orders? I told you to capture every pregnant woman on this island. What are you doing?!"
Cober didn't flinch. "Sanji Motta…"
"Sorry about this. I received new orders from Marine HQ. All operations are suspended. Someone else will take over from here. My men and I, we're standing down."
Despite his firm words, Kyros could sense Cober's nervous energy. He knew this man.
Sanji Motta sneered.
"Suspending all action?"
"So you're ignoring not only CP9… but the World Government itself?"
"Cober…"
Suddenly, Motta lunged. His finger jabbed straight into Cober's chest.
Cober flinched but didn't dodge.
THUD!
Cober was sent flying, landing hard on the ground. Blood soaked his uniform.
The unconscious sergeant was flung aside as well.
"Rear Admiral Cober?!"
"Sir!"
"What the hell are you doing?!"
The Marines behind him shouted in fury, raising their rifles at CP9.
Cober groaned, blood pouring from his chest. With one last look at the red stain spreading across his uniform, he gave Kyros a weak smile.
"Captain Kyros… I'm injured…"
"I'm counting on you…"
Then he slumped unconscious.
Kyros gasped. He hadn't expected the CP agent to attack so suddenly, or so viciously.
But before he could react, a gust of killing intent rushed past him.
Issho had moved.
He stepped between Kyros and Sanji Motta, raising his staff. Motta's extended finger met the steel.
"Oh?" Motta muttered, surprised to be blocked.
Then he kicked, aiming a Rankyaku at Issho's head. But Issho tilted his head slightly and let the attack pass.
Motta's eyes narrowed, but before he could act again, Issho opened his eyes.
His pure white gaze pierced the air.
Gravity descended in an instant.
Caught off guard, Motta was slammed into the ground, his head embedding into the stone. Blood trickled from his mouth.
THUD!!
A spiderweb of cracks spread across the ground where he landed. He didn't move again.
CP9 agents surged forward, but Issho drew his blade.
With a single motion, gravity engulfed them all.
One by one, the black suits crumpled to the ground.
Only the young boy remained standing, his face filled with shock as he looked back at his fallen comrades.
"Ohhh! Did you see that?!"
"CP9, taken out in an instant?!"
"So strong! Are all Marines in the New World this powerful?!"
"The men under Vice Admiral Yoriichi… they're monsters!"
The surrounding Marines couldn't stop murmuring.
Their awe deepened.
If even the subordinates were this strong… just how powerful was the one who led them?
Then, from the ground, Cober stirred.
He pushed himself up slowly, eyes landing on the unconscious Motta.
"No… you attacked CP9?"
"Even for me… this is too much."
"If word gets back to Marine HQ… what are we going to do?"
"You need to leave, now! Head back to Dressrosa. I'll handle the fallout!"
"Vice Admiral Sengoku won't punish me if I take responsibility. But you, get out of here!"
"If Yoriichi asks, just say I told you to do it. He'll protect you!"
Kyros was stunned.
Despite being gravely injured, Cober's first instinct was to protect them.
What a true Marine.
Kyros tightened his grip on Cober's hand.
"Don't worry, Rear Admiral."
"I already reported to Vice Admiral Yoriichi. He's coming here personally."
"Until he arrives, we'll protect the people of this island."
"We won't let them die."
Cober's face went pale.
"Yoriichi… is coming here?!"
"Yes. He thinks this situation is beyond us. So he's taking command directly."
"Don't worry. He'll make sure CP9 pays for what they did to you."
Cober nearly fainted again.
He didn't need Kyros to say it, he already knew Yoriichi wouldn't side with CP9 or the World Government.
That was what scared him the most.
If Yoriichi came, there was no way this wouldn't escalate into a full-scale conflict.
It wasn't too late yet, no one had died.
But once Yoriichi arrived…
"…You look unwell, Rear Admiral. Let's get you to a doctor," Kyros said gently.
Cober wanted to cry.
Not only had these guys ruined his mission, now they were dragging Yoriichi into it too?
He was finished.
No matter how this ended, his career was over.
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