"What are you all doing! Cease fire immediately!"
Rengoku's act of 'seizing' command from Vice Admiral Onigumo—after subduing him—was, by Navy law, a grave offense.
But in this moment, not a single Marine dared challenge or defy him.
Though they had been firing under orders, even the gunners had doubts in their hearts.
Why destroy such an important island as Enies Lobby?
Why disregard the lives of fellow soldiers stationed there?
They weren't high-ranking officers, so the brutal nature of a Buster Call hadn't been burned into them yet. To many of them, the order seemed excessive, even cruel.
And so, without resistance, they obeyed—every cannon fell silent.
"Where is the Third Ship?" Rengoku demanded, seizing a soldier by the shoulder.
"To port of the Second Ship, sir!"
"Good."
Rengoku launched off the deck with Geppo, bounding toward the Third Ship.
That vessel's commander was none other than Vice Admiral Strawberry, a man with whom Rengoku had long held mutual respect and camaraderie.
"Vice Admiral Strawberry! Cease fire at once!"
"Vice Admiral Rengoku? So you're the one behind the First and Second Ships halting their bombardment?" Strawberry asked, narrowing his eyes instead of smiling at the familiar face.
"Onigumo is incapacitated. I have assumed operational command and ordered a halt to the barrage!"
"Onigumo wouldn't have suddenly fallen to a pirate ambush… Don't tell me you attacked him…?"
"..."
Rengoku's silence was answer enough. Strawberry sighed heavily.
This man… he has many strengths, but his heart is far too soft.
"Rengoku, my friend, I'm sorry. Without Admiral Aokiji's order, the Buster Call cannot be stopped."
"I never said stop. I said only to halt the assault."
"That's the same thing! Don't play word games!"
"Strawberry! I don't want to fight you!"
Because of their bond, Rengoku hesitated—unlike with Onigumo.
"You're insane… utterly insane. A Vice Admiral trying to stop a Buster Call, an authority reserved only for Admirals… I can't help you."
"Then I have no choice!"
"Breath of Stone – First Form!"
"Serpentine Rock: Twin Poles!!"
Drawing both Enrin Kitetsu and the black blade Shusui, Rengoku slammed a crushing double strike into Strawberry's midsection.
Though he used the flat of his blades, the sheer weight of the Stone Breathing technique knocked Strawberry unconscious instantly.
"Kh—Rengoku… you—!" Strawberry gasped, clutching his gut before collapsing.
"I hereby assume command of the Third and Fourth Ships! As commanding officer, I order you—cease all fire immediately!"
With Strawberry down, no one dared to oppose Rengoku.
The guns of the First through Fourth Ships fell silent.
Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Momonga—commander of the Fifth and Sixth Ships and Rengoku's old comrade—sensed that something was amiss.
The fiery wall of flames dissipated slowly. By all rights, they should have been firing even more shells now. Instead, he held back, waiting.
Tap.
"You've come, Vice Admiral Rengoku," Momonga said calmly.
"Vice Admiral Momonga," Rengoku replied, his voice heavy, "cease fire at once."
"Ships One through Four… all your doing, isn't it?"
"And if it is?"
Tension crackled across the deck of the Fifth Ship.
"Are you refusing a direct order, Rengoku? You are also a designated executor of the Buster Call, are you not?"
"I'll shoulder the entire responsibility alone. You need not worry. Just cease the bombardment—there are still thousands of Marines and government men on Enies Lobby, parents loved by their children, children cherished by their parents."
Vice Admiral Momonga met Rengoku's earnest gaze and rubbed his temple.
"Responsibility? And just how do you plan to bear it?"
"By accepting whatever punishment the World Government or Navy decree! Whatever judgment falls, I—Rengoku—alone will carry it. I'll ensure no blame falls upon you."
"…Hah. Reckless as ever. You really do take after Vice Admiral Garp."
"Then… you won't stop the fire?" Rengoku pressed.
Momonga hesitated for a long moment. Then he turned to his men and barked,
"Ships Five and Six! Turn your bows! Assist in the evacuation of Marines!"
The vessels angled away, heading for the straits.
"I won't call it 'ceasing fire'… but we'll commit to the rescue effort," Momonga said at last.
"Thank you. I will not forget this debt," Rengoku replied.
"Don't thank me," Momonga grunted, looking away.
With the Fifth and Sixth Ships diverted, only Vice Admiral Doberman's Seventh and Eighth Ships remained.
When Rengoku landed on the Seventh Ship, Doberman didn't wait—he attacked outright.
CLANG!
Enrin Kitetsu and Shusui clashed against Doberman's blade.
"So it was you, Rengoku!" Doberman snarled.
"Vice Admiral Doberman! Must we shed blood?!"
"Silence, traitor to the Navy! Stop the Buster Call, and every pirate here escapes! How will you answer for that failure?!"
"Among the intruders, the only true pirates are the seven Straw Hats! The other sixty are Galley-La shipwrights and Franky Family dismantlers—civilians!"
"If they aid pirates, then they are criminals as well! Do not pretend you don't know that!"
Steel rang out again and again. Doberman's savage strikes clashed against Rengoku's blades, but he caught each one. At last, Rengoku leapt back across the deck, sliding both swords into position.
"Doberman! You truly will not stand down?"
"Come then! Try and force me!"
"Breath of Flame — First Form…"
"Unknowing Fire!!"
This time he did not use Enrin Kitetsu, but Shusui—the black blade. The attack birthed no tangible flames, yet the sheer speed and force of the slash made it seem as though an inferno had swept across the entire deck, swallowing Marines and even Doberman himself in its phantom blaze.
"Hrrk—!"
When the mirage faded, Doberman was sprawled across the planks, blood seeping from a gash as he lost consciousness.
Rengoku exhaled sharply.
"As of this moment, I assume command of the Seventh and Eighth Ships! All vessels are ordered—cease your assault!"
Then, turning to the frightened soldiers, he barked another order.
"Medics! Treat Vice Admiral Doberman at once!"
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