G-5 Branch Outer Harbor
The gale howled, waves churning into towering swells.
The Absolute Justice Fleet, like a monstrous black beast tearing through the sky, anchored with overwhelming force outside G-5's harbor, draped in battle intent and bloodlust.
The air of slaughter, vibrating with the faint tremors of the deck, spread like a suffocating tide, engulfing the entire harbor.
Every inch of the atmosphere was stretched taut—like a bowstring on the verge of snapping!
The alarm bells finally rang—but sluggishly, weakly.
The crisp chimes, drowned in corruption and lethargy, sounded like the dying whimpers of a beast.
Inside the base, chaos reigned.
The training grounds were littered with drunken soldiers, some sprawled on the grass, still snoring away.
The sentry at the post was curled up in the corner of the guard booth, snoring loudly.
His rifle had long since slipped from his grasp and lay covered in dust.
On the streets, a few drunkards were still brawling barefoot with bottles in hand, not even reacting to the sight of the Absolute Justice Fleet docking at the harbor.
Those who remained truly vigilant were few and far between.
Even among the sober soldiers, most wore expressions of numbness and unease.
A primal fear of being overturned and purged had quietly spread through the branch.
*****
G-5 Branch · Command Building · Vergo's Office
Crack!
A ceramic coffee cup shattered, splattering dark stains across the desk.
Vergo's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, veins bulging at his temples, his face dark with barely suppressed fury.
"...Guts..."
He ground the name between his teeth, his voice so low it seemed to rise from the depths of the earth.
Sakazuki's nephew.
The Executioner of the East Blue.
That fanatical absolutist rumored to have slaughtered every pirate in his path, erasing even their ashes!
Vergo's fingers trembled slightly as his mind raced.
'The hidden storerooms aren't cleared yet.'
'The smuggling ledgers haven't been destroyed.'
'Some of our covert operatives are still stationed here...'
If Guts got involved—
Even the smallest oversight could spell their doom!
He shot to his feet, his voice a sharp, urgent whisper.
"Seal the warehouses immediately! Burn every ledger!"
"All covert operatives, all smuggled goods—erase every trace!"
"Tell the men—not a single slip-up!"
Vergo's teeth clenched, his eyes glinting with ruthless determination.
This time, there would be no stalling, no excuses.
At that very moment.
In the rear training grounds, a group of soldiers clad in outdated Marine uniforms drilled under harsh conditions.
On the command platform stood a towering, broad-shouldered Vice Admiral Bastille!
When he learned that the Absolute Justice Fleet had arrived—and that its commander was Guts—he slammed his hands together with a thunderous clap, roaring with laughter.
"HAHAHAHAHA!!"
"That kid—Guts!!!"
Bastille grinned wildly, the veins in his thick arms bulging as if his entire body had ignited with long-dormant battle lust.
"Finally, a real hardliner's here!"
"Finally, there's hope to purge this rotting cesspool!!!"
Beside him, Captain Baros crossed his arms, a cold smirk curling at the corner of his lips.
His voice was rough with anticipation.
"I heard Guts spent years purging pirates in the East Blue—not a single pirate left alive."
"That ruthlessness, that resolve—"
He licked his cracked lips, eyes burning with fervor.
"I like it."
Bastille slammed a fist against his iron-clad wrist, his voice booming with fervor.
"Only those who survive are justice!!!"
"If we want to live, if we want to stay—we mangy dogs gotta wash off our own filth first!"
The two exchanged a fierce grin, fists tightening in silent resolve.
*****
G-5 Branch · Main Gate
The howling wind battered against the decrepit gates, making them groan under the pressure.
The Absolute Justice Fleet had given no notice, offered no formalities.
Guts, leading Puck and Enel personally, marched straight into this den of corruption and decay.
The heavy gates hung half-open.
A sentry slumped drunkenly against a post, face flushed, his snores echoing as his rifle lay discarded in the dirt.
Guts paused as he took in the scene.
His eyes narrowed slowly, his gaze sweeping over the scum before him like a blade of ice.
The air seemed to freeze solid.
The temperature around them plummeted abruptly, causing even the drunkards in the distance to shiver instinctively.
Enel sensed the surging undercurrent of anger and raised an eyebrow slightly.
Without a word, he lifted a finger, faint arcs of lightning flickering at his fingertips—
Zap!
A precise, weak bolt of electricity shot out silently, striking the drunken soldier sprawled on the ground!
"Waaahhh—!!!"
The drunkard convulsed violently, letting out a piercing scream as if struck by a hammer.
He scrambled to his feet in a dazed panic, trembling uncontrollably as he stumbled and crawled toward the assembly area.
Enel spoke indifferently.
"Now that you're awake, get to the assembly."
His tone was cold and disdainful, like a god passing judgment.
Puck's expression was stern.
He lifted his shoulders slightly, the heavy seastone knuckledusters on his hands clicking into place with a muffled crack from his joints.
The next moment, he strode forward and took a deep breath—
Boom—!!!
Puck roared furiously, his overwhelming aura exploding like a tidal wave, sweeping across the entire area!
"By military order—!"
"All personnel assemble within three minutes! Anyone who fails—will be executed without mercy!!!"
His voice thundered like a storm, shaking the ground slightly and sending dust flying into the air!
The entire G-5 Branch was violently torn from its lazy, rotten state in an instant.
The training grounds, taverns, gambling dens, supply warehouses…
Panic and chaos erupted everywhere!
Some tumbled out from under card tables, others sprinted while hastily pulling up their pants and a few even ran barefoot toward the training grounds, clutching wine jars with terrified expressions!
Wine bottles rolled and shattered, liquor splashing everywhere; playing cards and dice danced wildly across the ground.
Shouts, collisions, and curses intertwined into a symphony of doom!
In less than three minutes—
The training grounds were already packed with panicked, disheveled soldiers!
Some were still drunk, others half-dressed and a few even clutched unfinished gambling chips.
Their faces were pale, sweat dripping from their foreheads, their stances chaotic—but not a single one dared to voice a complaint!
Because—
Guts' oppressive presence loomed over them like black thunder, crushing all their defiance and stubbornness!
On the makeshift platform extending from the ship's bridge, the three enforcers stood solemnly.
The fierce wind howled, pressing down on the soldiers until they could barely breathe.
The air on the training grounds was thick with killing intent, heavy as lead.
Guts stared down at them in silence for a full ten seconds.
Ten seconds of silence—like a slow execution!
A coppery taste rose in the soldiers' throats, their spines chilled, not daring to even exhale loudly.
Finally.
Guts spoke slowly, his voice low and icy, like a verdict from hell.
"From today onward—"
"The G-5 Branch is under my command."
"Corrupt men, cowards, traitors—Will be purged without exception."
Each word struck like a blade, piercing their hearts!
Guts raised his hand slightly, his gaze frigid.
"The first step of enforcement—Roll call and verification. All personnel will have their numbers, combat records, and current positions checked one by one!"
"Those guilty of corruption, collusion with the enemy, or smuggling—"
"Will be execute without mercy!!!"
BOOM!!!
The entire assembly fell into silence, as if even the air had frozen solid!