"Why the hell would the Holy Land issue an order like this?"
Completely clueless that Aus and the Five Elders were in bed together, the Marines still treated Aus's crew as their number one threat.
They debated what would happen if the World Government ever lifted restrictions—how the Navy would handle Aus and his people.
But Kong had an idea. He was about to hand over the reins and take a position in the Holy Land.
He knew certain things. As the Navy's direct line to the Five Elders, Kong had long since caught the scent. Someone who made the World Government give face repeatedly? That meant something.
So he cut Brannew off mid-analysis and told him to move on.
Brannew didn't argue. Just nodded and continued.
"As you all know, the World Government Council Meeting is coming up. Our escort duties are heavy.
Captain Mekawa Neku—North Blue...
Commodore Hikawa Okasaka—South Blue...
...
Next: Vice Admirals Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino..."
The moment Brannew hit that last item, the room exploded.
"What?!"
"Three Admiral candidates for one nation? Even Alabasta doesn't get that!"
"This is insane!"
The three in question sat quietly. Barely reacted.
Borsalino sipped tea, lips pursed. Sakazuki had his arms crossed, hat hiding his face. Kuzan looked dead inside.
Escort duty? Didn't matter which country.
Then they heard the destination.
"You three are assigned to the Dortorl royal family. Duramos Kingdom."
BOOM!
The conference table exploded into elemental shrapnel.
"Fleet Admiral, this is reckless. And I'm worried—"
Sengoku rubbed his temples, staring at stunned Borsalino and the barely-controlled Kuzan and Sakazuki.
Anyone with half a brain knew Old Kik was king in name only. The real master and heir of Duramos Kingdom? Aus.
Knowing they were mortal enemies, yet assigning them to escort a nation under Aus's thumb—this was begging for disaster.
He understood. This wasn't Kong's call.
One hundred percent World Government orders. Only they had the juice to mess with assignments like this.
Seeing Sengoku's worry, Kong shook his head.
"Can't be helped. But the World Government guaranteed Aus won't cause trouble at the meeting.
What we need is for Kuzan and Sakazuki to keep their heads. I'm not worried about Borsalino."
Easy to say.
Whether they could pull it off? Unknown.
These guys had years of bad blood. Especially Kuzan—he'd had beef with Aus since their trainee days.
One order wouldn't bury that hatchet.
"No choice. I'll give them direct orders as their superior."
Sengoku looked exhausted. Kong saw it and smiled.
"Right? Navy business is a headache. How do you think my hair got so white?
At least I'm retiring soon. The Navy's yours then, Sengoku."
Sengoku's face showed zero joy.
"Easy for you to say. The future won't be calm..."
Maybe thinking about the coming storm. The World Government's insane decisions. Sengoku's eyes held no excitement about promotion. Just pressure.
"And there's Aus. He hasn't torn the seas apart yet, but he's still a problem."
Kong agreed.
"Guy's like Rocks without the ambition. Best bad news we could ask for."
Sengoku's gaze drifted. Garp snoring with a snot bubble. Calm Tsuru. Broken Zephyr. The three future Admirals with their complicated expressions.
His heart felt lost for a moment.
What the hell does the Navy's future even look like...?
Ten days later.
Duramos Kingdom—one of the New World's member nations. Not large. But thanks to Aus, thriving.
"Got time before the meeting. Wanna spar, little hawk?"
"Obviously."
Gold-trimmed robe flowing, proud Mihawk never backed down from a challenge. More than that—he hadn't fought Aus in ages. Wanted to test himself.
"Fufufu... what a terrifying swordsman. Just his presence feels like ice in your bones."
Doflamingo sat cross-legged on the rail. He'd been aboard a few months now, getting familiar with everyone.
Still liked messing with Crocodile most. Their personalities just clicked.
"Don't lump me in with you, bastard. I'll gut you."
Croc glared sideways. His golden hook caught the light.
"Such a nasty attitude. We've got similar bounties, you know."
"Shut it!"
On a deserted island near Duramos, two battles erupted.
Black and green sword energy collided. Aus and Mihawk were holding back—otherwise one fight could reshape the island without effort.
"That Conqueror's Haki..."
Mihawk had thought mastering Conqueror's coating would let him match Aus. His expression darkened.
He kicked off hard. Yoru in hand, he closed the distance fast. On the blade, a pair of cold, solemn eyes appeared.
Yoru actively guided the coating. Black-red lightning wrapped around it. His already lethal form grew more domineering.
But compared to the figure across from him? Still not enough.
If Mihawk's coating was lightning, Aus's was a damn thunderstorm.
"Aus! They say you might be the World's Strongest Swordsman! Let me test that blade again!"
Next second—
Yoru and Ace—both black blades wrapped in Conqueror's Haki—slashed toward each other.
They didn't touch.
The scene mirrored legends. Roger and Whitebeard's clash.
(PS: Gimme five stars...)
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