G-5 Branch · Assembly Grounds
The scorching sun baked the earth, filling the air with oppressive heat.
On the vast training grounds, thousands of G-5 soldiers stood in formation, their uniforms disheveled, their expressions uneasy.
The entire Absolute Justice fleet stood encircling the grounds, their presence as cold and sharp as blades, the silence akin to the calm before an execution.
"The Purge Decree is now in effect."
Guts' voice was low and cold, each word striking like a hammer against the soldiers' souls.
The grounds remained silent.
"First—All personnel identification numbers, current positions, and combat records will be thoroughly verified within three days."
"Anyone found falsifying, concealing, or altering records—executed on the spot!"
"Second—Military discipline will be enforced within three days!"
"Gambling, smuggling, collusion with the criminals—anyone caught will be shot without trial!"
"Third—Effective immediately, G-5 is under full lockdown."
"Unauthorized contact with outsiders is strictly prohibited—violators will be treated as accomplices!"
Each decree, each word, was like a merciless death sentence.
The soldiers' faces turned ashen, their spines stiff, sweat trickling down their temples.
The junior officers trembled slightly, their eyes filled with suppressed terror.
In the midst of this suffocating silence—
Among the crowd below the platform, a mid-ranking officer with a dark gaze stole a glance at Vergo.
—Vergo narrowed his eyes almost imperceptibly, giving the faintest hint of approval.
The officer took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and suddenly stepped forward, raising his hand to shout.
"I object!!!"
The sudden outburst was like a bomb detonating!
A ripple of shock spread through the assembly as countless soldiers turned horrified eyes toward the officer.
The man's face was twisted with defiance and malice as he shouted:
"Rear Admiral Guts!"
"You're just a newly promoted Rear Admiral—what right do you have to issue such orders to G-5?!"
His face flushed red, his tone deliberately provocative, trying to incite a rebellion!
On the platform.
Enel had already sensed the man's intentions through his Mantra.
Without even looking, Enel flicked his fingers.
CRACK!!!
A blinding bolt of lightning descended like a spear of judgment!
The officer didn't even have time to scream before he was struck in full view of the crowd.
SIZZLE—!!!
Black smoke rose, the stench of charred flesh filling the air.
The corpse, still frozen in its defiant expression, collapsed to the ground and then lay still.
The soldiers watching it felt a bone-chilling cold seeping into their very souls.
Guts didn't even spare a glance for the charred corpse.
His voice remained steady, his expression unchanged as he coldly continued reading the decree.
"Four—All financial records, weapons, and logistical supplies of G-5 Branch shall be immediately sealed at designated storage points."
"Any tampering, concealment, or unauthorized possession—shall be met with execution without exception!"
Every soldier on the training ground, including the corrupt officers who had clung to hope, felt as if struck by lightning—legs weakening, scalps tingling with dread.
Not a single soul dared question him now!
Not a single voice dared speak further!
Under the scorching sun, thousands stood rigidly at attention in silence, sweat soaking their boots, yet none dared move a muscle.
The iron-blooded reputation of the Absolute Justice Fleet was being branded into every soul present at this moment!
Within mere minutes, the atmosphere had transformed dramatically.
Numerous soldiers wore expressions of terror, gulping repeatedly.
Mid-ranking officers frowned deeply, exchanging uncertain glances with shifting eyes.
Puck stood like a silent war god at the platform's edge, glaring coldly downward, His brass knuckles already clenched tight, joints cracking audibly as if awaiting the command to strike!
Guts surveyed the scene quietly from above.
He spoke no words, yet his eyes held the oppressive stillness of black seas before a storm.
Vergo stood at rigid attention in his Vice Admiral uniform, face solemn as stone.
Though the blazing sun scorched the earth, he remained as motionless as a statue—utterly unreadable.
Yet this was merely surface appearance.
Beneath his calm exterior, his heart pounded like war drums, cold sweat trickling unseen beneath his military cap.
'This is bad...'
'This isn't standard reorganization... It's a purge... a hunt!'
'I must burn everything before he acts... including witnesses.'
Vergo's stare fixed on the figure with billowing cape on the platform, For the first time feeling an icy dread he couldn't suppress.
*****
After the assembly concluded, atop the high platform.
Enel stood to Guts' right and receiving his silent permission, closed his eyes.
Drawing a deep breath, he focused on his Observation Haki.
"Zzz—tt."
Lightning flickered silently at his fingertips, forming an invisible electromagnetic field that expanded through the air.
In an instant—
The whispers in command buildings, the panting in underground trading areas, the shuffling in supply warehouses...
Every heartbeat, thought, footstep and pulse Formed a three-dimensional, stinking map of corruption in Enel's mind!
His lips curled slightly without opening his eyes, faint lightning dancing at their corners.
"The stench practically oozes from between the bricks..."
He swiftly locked onto the key players.
Scarface John: Directing trusted men to burn smuggled account books in a black market warehouse, attempting escape.
Supply Warehouse: Two soldiers loading undeclared contraband weapons onto a transport boat.
Underground Corridor: Three uniformed smugglers sneaking through hidden passages.
Vergo himself: Mobilizing a "cleanup squad" through backup armory routes to erase all traces of dealings with the Donquixote Family.
At this moment, Enel's inner laughter crackled like thunder.
"Perfect... all exposed."
"Tonight, we'll make them disappear... batch by batch."
Upon receiving the news, Guts slowly folded his cloak and took a step forward.
The sound of his footsteps was like the hammer of judgment.
'They can't hide anymore...'
The corner of his lips curled imperceptibly into a faint arc, devoid of any warmth, cold as the polar ice.
'Scarface John, Internal Affairs Second Squadron, Smuggling Division...'
'Vergo.'
A "purge list" had already formed in his mind.
He turned calmly and spoke softly, "...Prepare for tonight's operation."
Enel lowered his head with a quiet chuckle, lightning crackling around his shoulders.
"I've been waiting for this."
Puck merely gave a heavy nod, rubbing his brass knuckles, growling.
"Crush them all?"
Guts turned back, his dark eyes flickering with destructive flames.
"...Leave none alive."