Hearing this news, the Marine officer on the other end choked on his breath.
After a stunned moment, his eyes flooded with bloodshot veins. Cold sweat drenched his face as he ground his teeth and demanded:
"Hey! Marine, are you absolutely sure what you saw? This isn't some fucking joke!"
But before he could hear the response, the Den Den Mushi's tense expression vanished instantly. It morphed into a face wearing a faint smile with crimson eyes gleaming.
This change made the Marine officer's scalp crawl.
Pure horror exploded in his eyes!
At the tall building, Aus examined the Den Den Mushi that had warped into his hand with interest.
In this structure untouched by cannon fire and smoke, Aus casually propped his elbow on the railing.
Despite his relaxed posture, the Marines and CP agents surrounding the building below didn't dare make a move.
The Marines' dread came from knowing this bastard had once leveled half of Marineford—a vicious criminal even Marine Headquarters' top brass couldn't handle. Infamous as hell!
The CP organization members directly under the World Government remembered a command supposedly from the highest authority:
[If Doctor Aus interferes during mission execution, suspend all operations and await high command decisions before continuing orders!]
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, that Marine officer was sweating bullets worse than the rest.
As he debated whether to hang up and immediately report to his superiors, a gentle voice drifted from the Den Den Mushi:
"Moshi moshi~"
"Marine officer? Please connect me to Kuzan. Tell him an old friend wants to chat~"
"Hang up and you're dead meat. I've memorized your ugly face."
Hearing this, the Marine officer's face went green instantly. Like swallowing poison with no antidote.
Command had made it crystal clear—without direct orders, Marines were banned from engaging Aus.
If he pissed off Aus enough to attack Marines first, he didn't know if Aus would be fine, but the World Government and Marineford would definitely fuck him up!
Shit!
Why is my luck this goddamn terrible?!
No choice. He immediately bolted, sprinting toward the warship that had just docked, carefully cradling that smiling Den Den Mushi.
Facing this panicked runner, officers stationed near the warship started reaching out with questions.
But the guy acted like they were invisible, rushing straight onto the ship.
On deck, Kuzan had just prepared to disembark.
Before moving, he spotted a subordinate officer charging over.
What was this guy's name again?
Something like... Dick?
Looking closer—he was holding a Den Den Mushi?
Little did Kuzan know, Dick was experiencing peak life misery right now.
The shit you fear most always fucking happens!
After Aus's Marine Headquarters invasion, seeing that handsome face plastered across the news, Dick realized exactly what kind of nightmare he'd unleashed.
That "Black Gun" Aus—he'd personally escorted him to Marineford!
If the Fleet Admiral and Admirals discovered this, they'd definitely court-martial him... no, execute him on the spot!
So he'd told absolutely no one. Even the Marines who'd seen Aus's face that day—he'd found ways to silence every last one.
He thought it was over. This time he'd wanted to score some easy merit.
Never fucking expected...
To get tangled up with this monster again!
Now he just wanted to dump the Den Den Mushi and completely avoid these terrifying big shots.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans.
Just as he reached Kuzan and started setting down the Den Den Mushi, two figures slowly materialized from thin air.
One figure, wearing a wicked grin, patted Dick's shoulder. Watching his shocked, bug-eyed expression, he said casually:
"Thanks again, Captain Dick. So thoughtful to play tour guide twice."
Psychological devastation!
Dick felt his soul leaving his body, seeing his bleak future stretching ahead.
Of course, Dick wasn't the only one shocked by Aus and company's entrance.
Staring at that tall, handsome figure with slightly altered height and features, wearing black military uniform, carrying blade and gun, smiling while saying "Long time no see"—
Kuzan's mouth fell open. Expression stunned for a heartbeat, then everything went rigid!
His fists clenched hard!
"This is... impossible!"
"Intelligence showed 'Black Gun' just left Sabaody days ago. How the hell could he appear in West Blue?!"
Compared to Kuzan, the other Marine officers reacted slower, faces twisted with disbelief.
They'd literally analyzed "Black Gun's" movements in briefings just days ago!
Everyone's attention locked onto that black-haired youth.
Facing all these Marine officers, Aus just flashed his signature smile.
But looking at that eternally calm, smiling face, Kuzan felt zero appreciation. Only ice crystallizing around his body, frigid air swirling like a blizzard.
"Still so full of energy, Kuzan."
Aus acted like he couldn't see the murderous intent radiating from Kuzan's eyes—thick enough to cut. He greeted him like bumping into an old buddy after years apart.
The Marine Rear Admirals and Commodores witnessing this scene gritted their teeth, stepping forward through the cold air to restrain the about-to-explode Kuzan:
"You can't, Vice Admiral Kuzan! World Government orders were crystal clear—no engaging 'Black Gun' Aus without direct commands!"
Kuzan just stared down expressionlessly. Ice slowly formed on his sunglasses as he looked at his restraining colleagues:
"No fighting without orders?
Isn't the Buster Call a fucking order? Doctor Aus is standing on Ohara Island right now, isn't he?"
Hearing this, several Marine officers froze.
"Well..."
"So I'm just following orders, gentlemen."
The instant he finished speaking, explosive ice flowers erupted under Aus's feet. Naturally, they missed completely.
Aus's figure vanished. Mihawk didn't warp with him—instead immediately dodged using Observation Haki, landing smoothly on another section of deck.
"Hey hey, Kuzan. Long time no see—this how you greet old friends?"
"Don't you dare forget, Aus! All I've got for you is endless killing intent!"
Aus's lips curved upward. His figure had somehow materialized directly behind Kuzan.
The latter's Observation Haki instantly detected this. Pure black Armament Haki coated his hands as he started spinning around to counterattack.
But then he heard a soft whisper.
Something bizarre happened—his body seemed locked in place, unable to move for that crucial instant!
"Don't move, Kuzan."
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