"Step aside, pirates! This mermaid was spotted by the Marine first!"
"Rear Admiral Barnes is a renowned Itoryu master from the Marine Headquarters! Scram now if you don't want to die!"
"That's right, that's right! We Marine is being unusually merciful today. On any other day, we'd have thrown you all into Impel Down!"
A warship flying the World Government's flag was docked at the port.
The slick-haired, powdered Rear Admiral Barnes stepped off the warship amidst the flattery of numerous Marines, his left hand resting on his sword hilt. His young face was full of arrogance.
"This mermaid is a gift I intend to present to the Celestial Dragons. I have no desire to damage the goods in a fight."
"Pirates, hand her over to me obediently. Considering my rather good mood today, I might just let you…"
Boom!!
The warship was struck by a cannonball, and the flagpole bearing the emblem creaked and collapsed.
Barnes's expression instantly darkened.
"You scum dare attack me, a Marine Rear Admiral? Arrest every last one of them!!"
"Yes, Rear Admiral Barnes!!"
Meanwhile, two pirate ships flying the Beasts Pirates' flags quietly approached, slipping into the massive bubble enveloping Fish-Man Island.
Standing at the bow of the ship, Bazel watched the warship with an expressionless face.
Barnes… he had heard that name before.
The Marine is not a monolithic entity.
Broadly, it was divided into the hawk faction led by Sakazuki and Onigumo, the dove faction led by Garp and Kuzan, and the neutral faction led by Borsalino.
But these were just rough categorizations.
If one were to drill down further, there were really only two factions in the Marine.
One was the Celestial Dragons' faction, which served the interests of the Celestial Dragons, and the other was the true Marine faction led by Sengoku and Garp.
The latter needed no explanation… these were battle-hardened marines who rose through the ranks by earning merits through combat with pirates.
As for the former…
Those marines who found pleasure in groveling before the Celestial Dragons believed they had found a shortcut.
As long as they kept the Celestial Dragons happy, all it took was a word from the Five Elders, and Fleet Admiral Kong would have no choice but to promote them and grant them favors.
Barnes was one of the standout figures in this group.
Not only did he become a Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral at the age of 21, but Bazel had also heard that he had shady connections with Spandine, the leader of CP9.
"So it's the Marine and pirates fighting over slaves~~"
Hanafuda looked at the two groups battling in the distance with a mocking smile.
"Bazel, I recall you hate human traffickers the most, right? Should we kill them?"
Leaning on the ship's railing, Bazel gradually broke into a grin that sent chills down one's spine.
"Do you even need to ask? Charge forward and leave none alive."
"I will make them eternally undying Atoners, kneeling on this beach in remorse."
"No problem! I love breaking up fights the most!"
Hanafuda waved his hand excitedly, "Costa, pass the order! All hands, prepare to charge! Bazel says human traffickers, whether Marine or pirates, are to be exterminated!"
"Understood!"
Costa, standing on the lookout platform, blew a sharp, piercing whistle.
The two hundred-plus pirates on the two ships paused for a moment upon hearing the whistle, then erupted into cheers and shouts.
"It's the signal for a full assault! Awesome! This time, I'm definitely grabbing more treasure!!"
"Hahahaha~~ I've been training for so long, it's finally time to put it to use!"
"Babanuki-sama, let's speed up! We can't let Hanafuda-sama's ship get there first!"
"That's right, Captain! This is our chance to show our strength in front of Kaido-sama and Bazel-sama! Maybe we can even become officers!"
At the same time, the two groups engaged in combat also heard the whistle.
"That flag…"
A sharp-eyed pirate recognized the flag and the figure standing at the bow of the ship, his face paling dramatically.
"Hey, hey, it's the Beasts Pirates! I saw him! That man is the Eight Headed Monarch, Bazel!"
"The Beasts Pirates are here! Quick, inform the captain! That pirate crew is full of ruthless maniacs!!"
The news of the Beasts Pirates' and Bazel's arrival spread quickly.
The two groups, still locked in combat, immediately disengaged and retreated to a distance. The Marine side even began contacting Headquarters for reinforcements.
"Hah? You're saying the Beasts Pirates have appeared at Fish-Man Island, ten thousand meters under the sea?"
"Why are you there in the first place!?"
The Den Den Mushi demanded sternly, "Weren't you assigned to patrol the Spring Queen City route? Why are you at Fish-Man Island at this time?!"
"Provide a clear explanation, or I will report this directly to the Fleet Admiral!"
Barnes chuckled lightly and took the receiver of the Den Den Mushi, "My name is Barnes. Is that answer sufficient?"
The Den Den Mushi was taken aback for a moment, then beads of sweat trickled down its forehead.
"Heh, I'll let your rudeness slide this time. If there's a next time, I'll report to the Celestial Dragons that the Marine is in need of some... restructuring."
"Not just any stray cat or dog can become a Marine communications officer."
The Den Den Mushi looked aggrieved but still obediently nodded and apologized.
"Good. Report to the Fleet Admiral and the Admirals. Tell them to send reinforcements immediately. I'll do my best to hold off the Beasts Pirates."
"If this operation succeeds, it will be a great merit!"
Kacha.
The Den Den Mushi hung up.
Barnes straightened his noble-style collar and strode confidently toward the approaching Beasts Pirates as they disembarked.
"Wait, Barnes-sama! Those are the ruthless Beasts Pirates!!"
"Don't worry. If they know I'm friends with the Celestial Dragons, they won't dare act recklessly."
The Celestial Dragons were everything. No one would dare lay a hand on a friend of the Celestial Dragons.
This was Barnes' unwavering belief. Even the Marine Fleet Admiral had to show him some respect… what were a few pirates to him?
On the Beasts Pirates' side…
Hanafuda, walking to Bazel's left, showed a strange expression as he watched Barnes, as if looking at a monkey.
"Bazel, is that guy insane? Does he really think he can take on our entire Beasts Pirates alone?"
Bazel didn't respond, only glancing at Barnes out of the corner of his eye.
"Kill him. Don't let that fop get near me. The powder on his face is thicker than the sole of my boot."
"Understood~"
Quickening his pace, Hanafuda broke away from the group and strode swiftly toward Barnes.
Seeing only one person approaching from the opposite side, a flash of arrogance crossed Barnes's eyes.
'Just as I thought, those guys didn't dare act recklessly.'
'Sending only one person... were they here to negotiate?'
"You... Ugh!"
The moment they met, Hanafuda unleashed a full-force blow to Barnes's abdomen, then grabbed the latter's head and lifted him high.
"I don't really mind a grown man wearing makeup, but Bazel hates it."
Holding up Barnes, whose face was contorted in pain from the abdominal strike, Hanafuda sneered, "You just happen to have all the traits Bazel despises the most."
"A makeup-wearing human trafficker? Hah, you're something else, Marine!"
"Hey, pirates! Let Rear Admiral Barnes down now!!"
"Or don't blame us for opening fire!"
Faced with hundreds of gun barrels aimed at him, Hanafuda tilted his head and let out a sinister chuckle.
"Minions, charge! Let these guys experience the terror of the Beasts Pirates!"
"Let's go!!"
Over two hundred pirates swarmed out, rushing past Bazel and Toki, howling as they charged toward the enemy.
"All units…"
Babanuki, leading the charge, raised his large blade and roared, "Those who have awakened Armament Haki, form the front line! Follow the tactics taught by Bazel-sama and form the head!!!"
"Everyone else, follow behind!"
Dozens of pirates quickly leaped out from the crowd, holding oddly shaped shields. Wisps of black aura coiled around the shields, forming dark barriers.
"Armament!" A unified shout echoed.
Bang bang bang~~
Gunfire erupted.
But the bullets merely left faint white marks on the pitch-black shields.
"Full assault!"
Like tigers pouncing into a herd of sheep, the Beasts Pirates, who had occasionally received 'tutoring' from Kaido, charged into the Marine ranks, wielding guns in their left hands and blades in their right.
Every strike claimed the life of a marine.
Bazel felt no emotional fluctuation about this.
Barnes was no good person, and the Marines under him were all filthy rich. It wasn't hard to guess what they had been doing all these years.
Walking past Hanafuda, he didn't even glance at Barnes.
"What are you waiting for, Hanafuda..."
Barnes panicked, "Wait, pirates! I can pay for my life!"
"You must be out here for Berry, right? I'll pay 100 million… no!! 300 million Berry for my life!"
"300 million Berry?"
Bazel stopped in his tracks, a smirk tugging at his lips as he looked at the man.
But the icy coldness in his eyes sent a shiver down Barnes' spine.
"When you can scrape together 30 billion Berry, I might consider sparing your life. Do it, Hanafuda."
"My Naraku's Poison has already spread. Sinners must atone for their crimes."
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