Captured by Sengoku, Fang Yi could only offer a bitter smile—he never imagined he'd end up in Marine custody. As a member of the Roger Pirates, this was the last thing he thought he'd have to worry about.
But thanks to a string of bad luck, here he was.
So, tell me… did the Roger Pirates get caught in a sea disaster? Sengoku asked, his gaze fixed on Fang Yi.
Fang Yi shrugged. I doubt you'd believe anything I say anyway.
Sengoku blinked, then burst into laughter. You're an amusing little brat. Fine then, you'll stay in the brig for now. Once I return to headquarters, I'll send you straight to Impel Down.
Hey, come on, Vice Admiral Sengoku… isn't that a bit much? I don't even have a bounty! I'm just a kid! Fang Yi protested with a grimace.
Honestly, if he were sent to Impel Down, they'd probably stick him on Level One. With his current strength, escaping was possible—difficult, but not impossible. It'd just depend on how things played out.
As for Roger and the crew coming to rescue him? Fang Yi wasn't too optimistic.
Not because they didn't care—but because he assumed they wouldn't even know he'd been captured until much later… probably not until Roger's eventual surrender.
After all, he had no bounty and was just a kid. Why would anyone pay attention to him?
Even the fact that Sengoku had recognized him on sight came as a surprise.
In truth, although Sengoku had clashed with the Roger Pirates several times in the past, he didn't pay much attention to the three young interns—Fang Yi, Shanks, and Buggy. He was vaguely aware of their existence but had never been interested.
But after hearing Fang Yi's name mentioned once by Garp, Sengoku had gotten curious. During a later encounter with the Roger Pirates, he paid closer attention and realized Fang Yi had a lot of potential. That was how he recognized him so quickly this time.
However, Fang Yi didn't remain in the brig for long. Before he could even put his escape plans into motion, a few Marines came to escort him back up to the deck.
Captain?!
The moment he saw Roger and the others, Fang Yi was stunned. He never expected Sengoku's ship to run into the Roger Pirates!
It had been almost two days—excluding the time he'd been unconscious. He thought they would've already left.
Xiao Yi…Seeing that he was alive, Roger and the crew lit up with joy. Fang Yi, however, felt a little guilty—being captured by the Marines might cause trouble for everyone.
"Well… looks like this fight can't be avoided," Roger said with a grin.
Initially, he'd hoped to avoid direct conflict with the Marines—it was rarely worth it. Even if you beat them, more would come, and the stronger the opponent you defeated, the bigger the target you became. That's why pirates usually fled on sight.
Xiao Yi, hold on—I'm coming to get you! Yamon, uncharacteristically serious, took up her spear.
The rest of the crew's morale surged, ready to fight. Even Shanks and Buggy stepped forward.
Heh… seems you've got a lot of loyal friends, Sengoku said, still smiling.
After all, he had three warships under his command. No reason to fear the Roger Pirates—even if Roger himself was renowned, Sengoku had no intention of backing down.
Soon, the Oro Jackson drew near Sengoku's flagship. The moment it did, battle erupted. The Roger Pirates surged toward Fang Yi's location, while the Marines formed a triangular formation to encircle them.
As a result, Sengoku's ship was the first to clash with them.
"For the sake of justice—eliminate these pirates!" Sengoku waved his hand, and the Marines charged forward.
Of course, ordinary soldiers stood no chance against the likes of Roger, Rayleigh, and the others. Still, sheer numbers stalled their advance.
"Evra! Keep an eye on the boy. If any pirate tries to reach him, take the boy out first!" Sengoku ordered his lieutenant.
Yes, sir! Evra replied firmly.
Just as Roger and the others were about to break through, the other two warships completed their flanking maneuver—encircling the Oro Jackson entirely.
Suddenly, a blinding light burst from the warship on the left—a beam of light like a laser shot toward Yamon, the closest to Fang Yi.
"Yamon-sensei, look out!" Fang Yi shouted, recognizing the attack instantly.
But his warning came too late. Before Yamon could react—
Shink!
Aah!
Thud!
Blood splattered into the air as Yamon collapsed.
You bastard… Kizaru… I'll never forgive you!" Fang Yi growled, his eyes full of rage.
The nearby Marine guard looked at him in surprise.
What are you staring at? Fang Yi snapped.
The Marine smirked. Not bad, kid. You recognized him without even seeing his face—that light attack came from our Marine supernova, Lord Kizaru.
Four years ago—one year after the God Valley Incident—Vice Admiral Black Arm Zephyr was promoted to admiral. His peer, Iron Fist Garp, had declined the position.
Unlike Garp, Zephyr accepted the promotion. Though it meant fewer missions, it gave him time to settle down. He married and had a son.
But earlier this year, tragedy struck. Pirates assassinated Zephyr's entire family—including his three-year-old son.
Zephyr, known for his powerful Armament Haki (hence "Black Arm"), had earned another nickname: the Admiral Who Doesn't Kill. He believed in second chances—any pirate who pleaded for mercy due to family obligations would be spared after a beating.
But one of those spared pirates took it personally and murdered Zephyr's family in revenge.
Devastated, Zephyr began to despise pirates. But due to his age and declining strength, Fleet Admiral Kong reassigned him from field duty—retaining his admiral rank but appointing him Chief Instructor of the Marine Academy.
The "supernova" who just attacked Yamon was one of Zephyr's first students—the future Marine Admiral Kizaru, real name Borsalino.
He had joined the Marines alongside another future admiral and fleet admiral: Akainu (Sakazuki). Both were considered monsters from the start—Marine prodigies trained directly by Zephyr.
Zephyr had specifically asked Sengoku to bring both Kizaru and Akainu on this mission to gain real combat experience.
Supernova? I'll show you what I do to supernovas! Fang Yi hissed.
In a flash, he summoned a dagger from his inventory, sliced through the ropes binding him, and slit the throats of the two guards next to him.
Yamon-sensei, are you okay?!
Originally, he hadn't planned to break free so soon. He wanted to wait for Roger or Rayleigh to get closer—escape would be safer then.
But seeing Yamon collapse nearby, Fang Yi couldn't wait. He tore off his bindings and rushed to her side.
Cough… I let my guard down. I didn't expect that attack to be so fast, Yamon said, blood dripping from her lips.
Thanks to Fang Yi's warning, she'd instinctively dodged enough to avoid a fatal hit. Though badly wounded, she wasn't in immediate danger.
Let's go, Sensei! Fang Yi quickly assessed her injuries. If they delayed any longer, she could bleed out.
He hoisted her onto his back and started pushing toward the edge of the battle.
But the sheer number of Marines made escape difficult. And with Yamon on his back, he couldn't use his bow—he had to dodge attacks left and right instead.
"Hehehe… have you ever been kicked at the speed of light? A mocking voice suddenly called out as a flash of light appeared before him.
Fang Yi barely saw the perverted-looking face before—boom!
A searing pain hit his gut as he and Yamon were sent flying—Kizaru had struck.